Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom

COVID-19 Day by Day Symptoms Parent, Child and Teen with Type One Diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 00:11:00 +0000

Updated 9:00 am on December 14, 2020

Teen with type one diabetes finally has manageable blood sugars. Took five days for them not to be insanely high. Day 2, 3, 6, and 7 were my worst days. Day 7 for my husband and teen daughter were also horrible. Hubby is positive. Two teen son's negative. More below.

I'm hoping my story can help others with what to expect day by day with Coronavirus symptoms. I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Just my story sharing my kids and my COVID-19 symptoms. I'm sure you are wondering if I adhered to the three 'W's'. YES! I truly believed if I did my part and everyone did theirs that I could spare myself and my family from the virus. That's another story.

December 3rd, nothing so far has been fun about contracting the virus. My body feels weird where I'm just uncomfortable. I have a fever that comes and goes and a headache. As you read, you'll learn other symptoms that developed and how we all are progressing. Hopefully, my day by day coronavirus symptoms accounts can help someone prepare a little for this virus. Although, I've had friends that have had totally different symptoms which could be due to age, body makeup, and other things. But whatever it is, the more everyone can share, the more each of us can be better prepared.

Day 1: December 2, 2020 - Night before I tested positive for having coronavirus.

That evening I had a runny nose, been sneezing and my eyes were watery. But I live with allergies, so these symptoms are normal for me. I had energy all day and felt good. I went to bed at 9:30 pm as I was tired.

Day 2: December 3, 2020 - MOM only with COVID

3:00 am - I tossed and turned for over an hour in bed as I was so hot. I actually thought perhaps this was what everyone was talking about for perimenopause. Boy was I wrong.

4:30 am - I finally became so uncomfortably hot that I decided to check my temperature - three times in fact - 100.5, 101, and 100.5. UGH! So many thoughts ran through my mind. How in the world could I have a fever. I don't do anything but work from home. I thought maybe I was just exhausted from working and being overwhelmed with the holiday stress. But then another thought entered my mind, Could I have a coronavirus? I had a really bad headache and my body felt strange. Not wanting to take any chances, I grabbed my pillow and headed to my office to be far away from my kids and husband until I knew for sure.

7:00 am I scheduled a 9:40 am appointment at Atrium Urgent Care to get tested for coronavirus. I called so many places. Almost all were booked up for days. Luckily I found a place that still had a rapid test available.

9:40 am - I checked in and they took me to a room within the urgent care facility. The healthcare practitioner checked my temperature and oxygen levels. Both were normal. They then did a COVID rapid test. In less than 15 minutes the doctor came in and said it was positive. I was numb and in denial. They discharged me with papers and shared that I would get a text from them, which they stressed should join so they could monitor me. I actually walked out and then walked back in, waving down the doctor. She came over and I asked if it could be a false positive. She said no and that I was positive. So many things go through your mind when you test positive for coronavirus. The first is "How?" Seriously, I have been anally adhering to the three 'W's' bitching daily at my husband to be as careful as I was. The second was "Will my kids be spared?" The third was "This has to be a mistake."

My husband and I went into quarantine mode. I moved 100% into our bedroom where I've been since. That day I didn't feel great. I did work, but not energetically. Usually, work will take me away from my worries. Being diagnosed with coronavirus, trumped all my thoughts. From 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, I had a fever of 100.5 - 101. It stayed at that number even with Tylenol.

4:00 PM - My fever shifted to a low-grade fever about 99.5 - 100.5.

I was able to eat and drink all day. In fact, I was soooo hungry all day. I even had a glass of wine before falling asleep at 9:30 pm.

Day 3: December 4, 2020 - MOM only with COVID

7:00 am - Denial Phase. I woke up feeling good. Not great, but good enough that I thought having coronavirus may not be as hard as I think. I had the sniffles (runny nose, sneezing, and really watery eyes). I took allergy medicine thinking that was the cause. Then I reached out to friends sharing that I think my test was a false positive. I felt way too good to have coronavirus. My symptoms just didn't seem really bad. Well, that feeling and thought only lasted a couple hours. By10:45 am, I started to feel weird again.

10:45 am - I felt like crap! My temperature shot up without warning to 102. I was tired, hot and just felt lousy. I took two Tylenol and started to think, maybe I do have coronavirus. But the doubt still existed in me. Being the stubborn triple-A personality, I worked even with a fever.

4:00 pm the fever broke where it went from 102/103 to 99.5 - 100.5. For the rest of the night, my temperature was between 99.1 and 100.5. I didn't feel great but I felt a lot better than I did earlier in the afternoon, so I caught up on work emails. My body felt hot and like I had taken too much Benadryl.

The strangest thing is that I was able to eat and drink all day.

Most of the day my body felt hot and like I had taken too much Benadryl. My chest has felt a little tight. Almost like a piece of food is lodged under my rib cage. Nothing severe. Just a little tightness.

Day 4: December 5, 2020 - MOM and 9-Year-old TWEEN with COVID

8:30 am - Yep once again the Denial Phase struck. I woke up with a very very low fever and I felt really good. I had a slight headache. And those darn allergy symptoms were still lingering around. But my denial and hope were crushed; by 11:00 am I was burning up with a fever of 102/103. I took Tylenol and for the next five hours napped.

4:30 pm - I learned that my 9-year-old daughter had a fever. My 16-year-old daughter found her in her bedroom sleeping and checked her temperature. It was 101. My heart sank when I learned.

5:30 pm - I moved my 9-year old into my quarantined bedroom. She had a fever of 103, a headache and was fatigued. All signs that she had COVID.

All night long she had a fever that was between 102 - 104. I woke up every four hours to give her acetaminophen and liquids. I didn't have my husband take care of her, trying to prevent him from catching the virus.

Day 5: December 6, 2020 - MOM, 9 year old TWEEN and now TEEN with COVID

8:20 am - My 9-year-old daughter's fever went from 103 to 100.5! But she wasn't hungry. She just laid on her bed, looking frail. I did force her to eat and drink a little.

8:30 am - Heartattack time! My 16-year-old daughter who has type one diabetes yelled from her bedroom that she has a fever or 99.8. I know that's not high, but that is the first sign that she may have coronavirus too. My heart sank. She was the one that I had been working so hard at protecting for the past eight-plus months and I really feel like I failed.

I'm scared. Yes, I am scared. No one knows how coronavirus will affect someone with type one diabetes. Prayers. I'm asking for prayers.

My 16-year-old daughter - So far blood sugars have been great even with the fever. Here is what she shared with me:

She felt weird when she went to bed. (Just like me!)
She mentioned her throat was sore.
When she woke up, she said she tossed and turned all night.
Her symptoms: Fever (99.8), sore throat, and headache.

9:30 am - My 9-year old tested positive for coronavirus. Fever and headache have been her symptoms.

10:00 am - My 16 year old got a COVID rapid test. Shockingly it came back negative, so now we need to wait for the PCR results. There is no doubt that this is a false negative as she has all the signs. Her oxygen level was normal, but she had a temperature of over 99, a headache, and a sore throat. She also keeps telling me she just doesn't feel well and she feels weird.

11:00 am - My 16-year-old came and joined my 9-year-old and me in our quarantined room.

12:00 pm - All of us have low fevers. We ate lunch. My 9-year-old is eating snacks which makes me happy. I was nervous when she wouldn't eat in the morning.

1:10 pm - We all took a nap till 2:30 pm. Well, we all needed a nap. Our bodies just needed to rest.

5:00 pm - We felt hottish and weird again. All of us couldn't get comfortable. We took Tylenol and our temperature has lingered around 99.5 - 100.5.

Since around noon, all three of us have been hungry! We've eaten all our meals and snacks. Our favorite snack is ice cream. It just feels so good on the throat.

I've been blowing my nose and sneezing daily. My eyes have been so watery too.

5:30 pm - dinner. Husband made steak, potatoes, and salad. We all cleaned our plates. And my 9 years old even had a snickers ice cream after.

7:00 pm - It's not late, but I'm getting tired. I just checked temperatures.

Mom (me) has a fever of 99.8 - 100.5. I checked three times. My throat is feeling funny. I can't tell if it's sore or if it's just because of the nasal drip. My chest also has had a little pressure feeling.
Teen (16-year-old) no fever. Temp of 97.6 and 98.5
Tween (9-year-old) fever of 99.6 - 100.5.

My Tween seems to have a lot of energy when her fever goes down or breaks. She becomes her normal self, chasing the cat in the room and talking up a storm.

9:10 pm - We all took Tylenol and headed to bed.

Day 6: December 7, 2020

6:50 am - woke up feeling pretty good. My body felt like it was dead weight and my blood needed to circulate to get it moving. Everything about my body feels heavy.

7:10 am Checked fevers three times in a row.

Mom - low fever of 99.1 - 100.5
Teen - fever of 99.5 - 100.5
Tween - fever of 100 - 102

7:30 am We all ate. So far coronavirus hasn't impacted our ability to eat.

7:50 pm My tween missed her morning call with her virtual class. She said she needed to rest just a little more. Even though she has a low-grade fever, it seems to really zap her (actually all of us) energy.

Both my teen and tween plan on participating in some school today. And I'm going to work. Just need one more cup of 'Dunkin'!

12:00 pm - No fever for my teen and tween. I had a slight fever of 100. My headache is back. And I just can't get comfortable temperature-wise. I swear I change the thermostat from heat to AC almost every 20 minutes.

3:30 pm - I'm tired again, but continuing working. I just need to do something and keep my mind off of coronavirus. My teen has a headache and is really tired. Tween is feeling 'fine' which is what she just told me but she does have a low-grade fever.

5:00 pm - Husband just called to let me know he hasn't been feeling well. He has aches, pains and chills. He said they started last night but he didn't think much of it. (I'M SWEARING LEFT AND RIGHT, RIGHT NOW AND MORE!!!). UGH! Seriously... I'm a pissed off wife as I have two teen boys who still have no symptoms and I've asked everyone if they have any symptoms to let all of us know immediately.

5:30 pm - Teen napped. I tried to nap at 5:30 pm but just couldn't do it. Tween couldn't nap too. Instead, she played with our exotic short-haired cat although I kept begging her to sleep.

6:00 pm - Ate dinner.

6:15 pm - Changed Teens inset.

7:00 pm - Teens' blood glucose is going up fast. We believe it's an inset that failed so I changed it again and then gave her a shot of insulin.

7:30 pm - Teens blood glucose is still high so had her take a shower which normally helps bring her blood glucose down. It didn't this time. She was still high after the shower and hours later. This is so stressful.

8:00 pm, Teen's blood glucose is still way too high. I thought maybe it was another bad inset so I changed it again. It's so hard to think a virus or fever could cause her blood glucose to be so out of control. But it is and it's beyond frustrating that we can't easily fix it! We upped her basal 25% to bring it down, yet it still isn't coming down. On a normal day, 25% increase in insulin basal rate would make her crash. That's an insane amount of insulin to give on top of her normal amount.

9:50 pm - Tween finally fell asleep. We all feel like we have a form of insomnia. I just can't sleep. So I'm working and catching up on reading.

12:00 midnight - Finally heading to bed. Teen blood glucose just wouldn't come down even having her basal upped 30 percent more for hours now. It has stayed over 300 for almost 6 hours. And my teen stayed up with me. Both of us have insomnia and we feel like crap. My mind says to sleep, but nothing is sleeping. Hating this!

Day 7: December 8, 2020

8:00 am - Day 3 for Teen (my type one). She woke up with a fever of 102. Hating this! I had a really hard time sleeping last night. Our bodies were so hot, yet my temperature was a low-grade fever, but I still felt awful. I'm going to work as it keeps me busy.

My teen boys and husband are getting tested today. This is just a very sad time for us.

6:00 pm - Teen slept most of the day as her blood glucose was high and she had a fever. We had to up her basal 15 - 30% at times. She didn't do any school work as she felt horrible and the fever just wiped her out. Tween seems to be doing good. She has a lot of energy and is full of smiles. Me, well, my chest is starting to hurt. It feels warm inside and there is a little pain. I have a fever that kicks in once a day it seems. I'm able to work, which gives me peace of mind. I do get tired faster. The doctor said that's normal and to rest when I need to.

8:00 pm - This just sucks! It has been hell trying to get my type one's blood glucose lower so she feels better. We have been able to prevent it from going over 300 but the longer it's high the more we need to be concerned about ketones. She's checking her ketones 3 times a day and also if her blood glucose is high for over an hour. So far no ketones. The stress is just enormous right now.

Day 8: December 9, 2020

5:30 am - Teen woke up with a fever at 5:30 am. Her Tandem t-slim insulin pump alarms woke me up as her blood glucose was going up over 200. We upped her basal 20% and gave her two Tylenol. I let her go back to sleep while I monitored her. By 6:30 am, her blood glucose was 195. Much better.

7:00 am - Teens blood glucose is 162. We're still working on trying to get it below 150. I had a slight fever and my chest still feels tight. It feels like bad indigestion right under my ribs. My 9-year-old Tween seems to be doing well.

8:00 am - Tween and Teen are going to try to do some school today.

11:20 am - Teens' blood glucose still high. She's upping basal 15% so it stays more manageable.

3:00 pm - Teen is taking a nap. She gets really tired by this time. I'm not feeling great. Tired and looking forward to begin able to take a nap once the Webinar that I'm chairing is done.

5:45 pm - Teen woke up. No fever and blood glucose is staying around 110 - 130 with the Tandem Tslim. Tween gets a little tired. Both are taking it slow with school so they don't burn out.

9:50 pm - Just learned my husband tested positive. He's in shock as he had a false negative COVID Rapid test the day before.

Day 9: December 10, 2020 - Husband Positive; Twin 16-year-old son and 17-year-old son Negative.

Around 2:00 am, I got a text alert with my Twin 16-year-old son's coronavirus PCR results. I logged into Novant's MyChart and checked immediately. He's negative! How? I'm not sure because he and his twin sister are always around each other. I have to call for my 17-year-old son's results. (Praying!)

7:30 am - Teen's blood glucose has been fantastic all night. She's 109 right now. I'm head to toe excited! Praying again that she's over the rough part and is on the mend.

1:00 pm - Teen boys are negative! So far it's been a pretty good day for me. I'm feeling so much better. I have a lot more energy. My teen daughter had a low-grade fever around noon. She took a really long nap in the afternoon. Tween is back to her normal energic kid-self.

9:00 pm - Husband is bored. He said he doesn't have a fever, but has cramps in his legs and back and is achy.

Day 10: December 11, 2020 - Lost ability to taste and smell

8:20 am Husband said he had bad stomach cramps last night and then mentioned maybe he needs to work out. Hmm... I have to say, working out hasn't crossed my mind yet since my symptoms started with coronavirus. I shared with him that maybe he should rest and let his body fight the virus without overworking it. It's not easy not doing anything. From experience, my daughters and I soon learned that when we did too much we ended up sicker the next day where we were more tired and our fever came back.

10:14 am - We can't smell or taste anything! It really is mind-boggling and such a weird experience. So, we realized it after I gave my Tween a bottle of lotion that I never liked the smell of. She immediately put some in her hands and smelled it. With a puzzled look, she turned to me and said, "I don't smell anything." My Teen took it and smelled the lotion out of the container and couldn't smell anything either. I thought they were joking, so I smelled it and nothing. No scent at all. I then squirted some on my hands and still couldn't smell it. It has Eucalyptus in it. It's such a strong scented lotion and none of us could smell it. Still wondering if this was for real, I took the can of Lysol and sprayed it. We couldn't smell it. It was like clean air. If our dog farts, we won't smell it! Seriously, is that healthy? UGH!

2:30 pm - my Teen hasn't felt good all day. Whenever her blood glucose goes over 200 she feel horrible and is so snappy. We scheduled a virtual appointment with her Pediatrician because her chest really hurts and she's worried. I guess we all are worried. My chest has hurt for days now too.

3:50 pm - We had a virtual doctor's appointment! My Tween feels a little better as the doctor said the chest hurting is a common symptom. She shared that our chest is inflamed and we need to take it slow. She also recommended sleeping on your stomach. My Teen has been doing that and it does seem to provide some relief. I'm finding when I eat, my chest hurts more. However, I feel more comfortable sleeping on my back at times.

8:00 pm - My Teen's blood glucose crashed. It went down to 59. Gave her sugar and monitored. Within 20 minutes it started to come up. She's feeling a lot better now that her blood glucose is above 90.

10:00 pm - Headed to bed. We still get tired early and my Tween has an AP Lang Rhetorical essay makeup exam tomorrow.

Day 11, December 12, 2020

10:00 am - I'm out of quarantine! I'm still wearing a mask and sanitizing everything I touch in the house just in case. But mentally I know I have freedom. It's been such a long grueling experience stuck in my bedroom for 10 days. The only symptoms I still have are not being able to smell and my chest has a little uncomfortableness to it. It feels like a bronchial infection. My sense of taste has gone a little. It's really weird. Sometimes I can taste salt and other times I can't. It's like it comes and goes. Same thing with my sense of smell. I can smell Tea Tree essential oil a little, but can't smell peppermint or lavender at all. Here are some other things I've noticed and are bizarrely funny:

I can't smell, but when I spray Lysol and I get too close my eyes water up as if it's still affected by the Lysol.
I actually folded dirty laundry thinking it was clean. It smelled soooo good! My daughter shared that the clothes I just folded were dirty. How in the world am I going to be able to tell if something smells bad or rotten?
This morning I woke up and my 9-year-olds face was centimeters from mine. Her morning breath is usually nasty. But not now. It smells like fresh air.

10:30 am - My husband said he still doesn't feel great. He mentioned he tossed and turned again all night and just could get comfortable.

2:00 pm - Girls and I seem to be on the mend! No fever. No headache. No sore throat. I do still have chest pain. And we all still can't smell. The funny thing is we can taste a little bit. I can taste lime. It's not as strong. I literally can suck on it and not have any reaction.

7:00 pm - Husband's lower back (around the kidney area) and right behind his right knee still bothers him. The hardest thing about getting COVID-19 is there isn't any consistency with symptoms.

Day 12, December 13, 2020 - I'm out of quarantine!

8:30 am - Girls and I are back! We feel great! Well... maybe not great, but we feel like we are alive again. Going from feeling like you are dieing to having energy and no headache and no sore throat, you feel like a new person. We still can't smell, but we have so much more energy and feel more alive. My chest still hurts. Madison said hers doesn't' any longer. She seems to be doing so much better. She really had me worried.

9:00 am - I talked to my mom. She, my dad, and my 95-year-old grandmother aren't sure they are going to travel from Florida to spend Christmas with us this year. I'm pretty bummed, but understand. Last year they weren't able to come either. My grandmother had slipped on black ice going to get the mail in New Hampshire. (My entire family is from NH - I'm born and raised). For the past couple of years, my parents have divided their time between NH and Florida. When they head to Florida, they stop by (we're in North Carolina) to see us. They didn't do it in October. I was the one who told them no because I was nervous about being able to keep them and my family safe from COVID. :-(

10:00 am - Hubby just texted. He's still having a rough night sleeping. His lower back still hurts and he has some pain still behind his right knee.

7:00 pm - I spent most of the day decorating and cooking for everyone in the house. Having holiday decorations up makes things a little brighter.

8:00 pm - Hubby took Motrin. He shared his back and behind the knee pain feels a lot better.

10:00 pm - So I was relaxing when my 17-year-old shouted to me saying he could smell something strange in the house. I shot up out of bed nervous there was a fire or a gas lead. But when I tried smelling, I couldn't smell a thing. I pride myself on having an above-average sense of smell. But at this moment I couldn't smell anything. He, my twin son, and I walked the house checking everything... outlets, gas. Nothing seemed out of the norm so we all headed for bed. I prayed when I finally put my head down. How in the world would I be able to protect my kids if I couldn't smell danger? This entire experience just sucked and I don't wish it on anyone.

Day 13, December 14, 2020 - Work and School today

7:00 am - My 9 year old has her sense of smell and taste back. My teen daughter and I still can't smell. I have so much more energy. But I'm snappy. It's like I'm on steroids. I don't know if this is part of coronavirus or just me mentally exhausted from everything we've had to deal with over the past 10-12 days. I am snappy and could use a vacation, which I know won't come soon enough.

Astrology September 2020 - Jupiter, Mars and Saturn - Here We Go Again

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:08:00 +0000

Get ready for a "Here we go again" fall!

We start off the season with a lot of activity in the sign of Capricorn. Jupiter (the planet of luck that's expansive, big-thinking, but can also make people overly optimistic) and Saturn (the have you learned your lessons planet which ignites discipline, restrictions, and limitations) are turning direct and making their way back to crossing paths with Pluto again (the transformation planet which slowly destroys to rebuild). This love-hate relationship started in December 2019.

Did you know that "Astrologers Predicted 2020 Would Be Dramatically Life-Changing...?"

With a lot of planetary activity happening in Capricorn, we (the people) aren't finished our new revolution (or with COVID-19). We're going to be making it known (especially to our governments including school systems) that our needs aren't being met and we aren't getting what we want. This is a time where we will be pushing for answers! In the end, many of us will be asking, "How are they going to help us make our dreams come true. But do we even know what our dreams are, today?

This is a time where structures will crumble and be rebuilt. Not all have to be negative and tragic. There is positive change that isn't too far off in the future. Innovation and forward-thinking start manifesting as several planets move into Aquarius at the end of this year going into early 2021. This energy can lead to 'BIG' global changes and possibly even a cure for a disease noone expected to heal. And I'm not talking coronavirus here.

Here's a snapshot of what to expect this fall.

Sept 9th to Nov 13th Mars goes retrograde in Aries

It will have the strongest effect on people who have planets in a fire sign (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) with aspects at 28 to 15 degrees.

Now is a time to think things through. Be patient. Take deep breaths versus getting angry. It's time to be focused. Watch running over people to achieve your goals. Really take some time to think about what is worth and not worth fighting for.

Sept 12 - June 21 Transit Jupiter in Capricorn goes direct

When Jupiter goes direct, things that have been in the planning stage since May 2020 are ready to be executed! It's a great time to implement new strategies. Opportunities you thought were lost come back. Jupiter is the planet of luck. But it also creates so much optimism that people may go to an extreme. Just because gyms and bars are open, doesn't mean coronavirus is gone. Coronavirus is with us for another year. We need to wear those masks and social distance. I get it. It sucks. But it will save lives (even yours) as the coronavirus hasn't reached the Tipping Point yet.

With Mars retrograde and Jupiter reconnecting with Pluto, we are also faced with the "Here we go again!". This is the time for 'out with the old' and 'in with the new'. But to accomplish this things can get a little heated as beliefs and old patterns will be triggered.

September 29th Saturn in Capricorn goes direct

This is the last time Saturn will be in Capricorn for another 28 - 29 years (YAY!!!) Even though Saturn is at its home in Capricorn, it constantly teaches and forces people to have to work harder than they have in the past. When Saturn finally moves to Aquarius in December 2020, progress will be made and things will start to be built. We just need to watch for global friction. We can become a leader again. But we need a leader first. Remember, Saturn is the planet of 'did you learn your lesson'. Let's hope we do!

Saturn going direct will shift the energy to start making and committing to decisions. The energy says 'commit to what you take on' and 'take responsibility for the choices you make'. It's time to produce and achieve! But at what cost?

Mars and Saturn are going to create a bit of a tug-a-war right around September 29th. Watch out for the 'we need to do it now' vs 'no, we need to wait' push and pull right around this time.

The Great Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction on December 21, 2020

We started off 2020 with a bang and looks as if the planets aren't going to give us a break. 2020 ends with what astrologers are calling the Great Jupiter-Saturn conjunction. Worried, yet? Decisions and actions made on a global and personal level will affect the next 20 years of our lives. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we're smart!

Coronavirus update: Nov 2021 coronavirus is finally manageable. We still have quite a journey to get there.

What's Your Home's Vibe and How to Fix It - Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Fri, 26 May 2017 15:11:00 +0000

After writing the blog post on How to Use Color in Marketing, I had several people ask me if I knew anything about selecting the right colors for the interior of their home. Yes, I do! And Yes, you can improve the vibe of your home by just understanding the symbolism of each room and the psychological affect of color.

The lowdown....The colors you choose to paint each room in your home shapes the personality—the energy—of the room. Those colors reinforce a message about you to whoever visits that room.

Below are descriptions of what each room symbolizes in your house along with the colors that work better in the room. In reading the descriptions below, think about the personality you have given each room in your own house. Are the colors you’ve chosen supporting the true purpose of the room, and for that matter, creating the energy flow that is in alignment with your personal goals?

A bathroom symbolizes the need for cleansing, purging, or eliminating something in your life that isn't quite working. Time to release and let go. You want to be able to release in the bathroom. Cooler or more earthy colors support that.

A kitchen represents that you are preparing yourself for something. It may also symbolize something you have brewing or cooking up such as an idea or concept. The kitchen is a social place. Many people are drawn to decorating their kitchens in yellow, orange and red tones which reinforces a social environment. However, those colors have also been found to increase hunger making people snack more often. Use those colors sparingly in your kitchen, and make sure you bring in some cooler tones to balance the room out.

A dining room means its time to nourish and take care of you. This is where you actually do sit down and eat in your life. It’s where you fill your physical body with nourishment. It’s also a place for conversation and formal gatherings. Most dining rooms in a home sit empty the majority of the year. As a result, a dining room can be dressed up in colors that reflect a style that make your comfortable. My recommendation is to use earth tones or colors that are richer in nature. This can set the tone for a more royal festive occasion.

The living room symbolizes being comfortable, relaxing, and taking a break. Greens, beige, tans and browns are colors that promote relaxation and make others comfortable when visiting.

The bedroom is a place you go to rest and contemplate the day. It may even symbolize sexuality issues. This is the place where you can revive your energy and Spirit. Blue is the best color to paint a bedroom. It allows one to relax comfortably and confidently. Earth colors also provide a calming environment for one to be able to relax and obtain a good night’s sleep.

A basement or cellar symbolizes your subconscious mind which deals with routines, habits, and patterns. It also involves eliminating outdated beliefs. Many people store their Christmas decorations, childhood memories, and junk in basements keeping the energy of old habits and secrets buried deep within your home. If you have a finished basement, bring some warm toned colors into it to liven and brighten it up.

How to Use Color in Marketing and Achieving Your Goals - The Psychology of Color

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 14:57:00 +0000

I love color! It can motivate you. It can help you relax. It can help you achieve your goals. And it can even help you get out of that funk you are in.

The Psychology of Color can be used to develop and communicate your brand image—who you are and how you want to be seen. Yes, the color you choose to wear sends a message to others about you at that moment in time. In fact, even the color you choose to paint the interior walls of your house communicates to the people who enter it who you are. But colors psychological affect goes beyond brand image. It affects your mental attitude. It affects your emotions. It affects your behavior. Color is made up of energy (Yep! We all learned about it in Science 101 - ultra magnetic spectrum). It has an unconscious power that many marketers leverage to get you to take action!

Take McDonalds for instance. This Global fast food chain has profited by incorporating the colors red and yellow in its brand image. The color red and yellow trigger a person to be hungry resulting in them eating more, or more often. This is the very essence of McDonalds business—fast food. Brilliant marketing strategy!

So, when you are picking out the color and style of your clothing, think about the image you would like to convey. When you are decorating your home, think about how you and others will feel when entering each room. And if you are an entrepreneur, think about what colors will communicate your company and brands image - colors in marketing. Remember, each day is a new day; and each day can be a new color.

The following descriptions will assist you with understanding the psychological

affects of 9 of the most common colors. Also, when you add black and white to a color, it changes it's feeling and affect.

Red is used to convey love. It is a high energy color. A color you wouldn't want to paint your childs bedroom. Red is a "look at me" color. People who wear red get noticed. Red also has been found to raise a person's blood pressure. It can create aggressive behavior.
Orange is such a fun party color. It gives off the feeling of passion, sexuality, ambition. People drawn to the color orange are social, friendly and happy. Orange is a wonderful color to use in a marketing brainstorming room.
Yellow creates a feeling of optimism. It's a very intellect and mental. It also can create a feeling of being controlling. This is one color you should never paint your child's room, unless it's a soft creamy yellow. Studies have found that kids have a more difficult time sleeping in a bright yellow room. Their mind just won't relax.
Green is such a wonderful color to incorporate in your life. It's everywhere in nature. It symbolizes growth, healing and good luck. It can help you relax and be present. Many production companies have a green room where guests sit in, so they can relax before going on set. Hospitals use green to help create a calming feeling too.
Blue is the color of communication. It's been found that wearing blue to an interview makes you appear reliable, loyal and honest. Blue is a great color to help you become more confident. Blue is also a wonderful color to paint a bedroom. And incorporating blue into your kitchen or getting a blue light inside your refrigerator can help overeating. It's an appetite suppressant. Where red is the opposite.
Purple is a spiritual color. Preachers are often seen wearing it. It gives off a feeling of luxury and royalty. Purple is not a motivating color.
Black has no color. It represents the unknown. Black gives off an energy vibe of death, mystery, and power. It is the most popular color in fashion. Many people are drawn to the color black when they are in a phase of questioning who they are and what they want to do for the rest of their life. This color represents mystery, secretive, power, death, and uncertainty. Black added to a color makes it more powerful. But it also can create a vibe that creates a negative feeling. Painting a room in dark purple, can make one more depressed and unmotivated.
White is clean and fresh. It’s a great color to use when cleansing. White is used to give a feeling of sterile. Angels are white symbolizing truth and honesty. When white is added to another color it gives it an innocence. People appear gentle. Angels are white representing truth and honestly. An all white room can make you feel uncomfortable, hindering creativity.
Brown grounds a person. This color represents your UPS man— he or she is reliable and trustworthy. You always know he’ll be on time. This color doesn’t make a statement when out in a crowd. It’s a color that blends in. If you want to be noticed, this is not the color you would want to wear. Wear it if you are looking to blend in and be everyone’s best friend. In summary, brown represents earthy, grounded, having common sense, credible, reliable, and politeness.

31 Daily Affirmations For Positive Self-Improvement - Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 13:18:00 +0000

Affirmations are positive statements that bring about change in your thought process, belief system and life. The key to using affirmations for self-improvement is to recite them repeatedly on a daily basis. This allows the affirmation to sink into your subconscious mind. Typically what you will end up finding is that within a short period of time, you will notice positive changes in your attitude towards life. However, some psychologists believe that for some people positive affirmations may not work; it's usually people with very low self-esteem. What they suggest is including the word "working on" within the affirmation; such as, "I am working on loving and respecting my child."

When creating an affirmation, it’s important to keep the following in mind.

Use “I” statements such as “I am confident” and “I am happy.”
Keep them positive.
Use the present tense such as using the words “today” and “now.
Write them down.
If you feel the affirmations are not working, then include the words "working on" within the affirmation that you are reciting.

The following are positive affirmations you can incorporate in your daily:

Affirmations for Parenting

I love and respect my child.

I am patient and understanding, and take a deep breath before I lose control.

I speak to my child in a kind, loving tone.

I listen to my child.

I make our home safe and secure for my child.

I help my child to stay healthy and fit.

I take time every day to be and speak with my child.

Affirmations for Health

I am in control of my health.
I am healthy and full of energy.
I eat healthy, nutritious foods that benefits my body.
I have the energy to do whatever I desire.
Every day is a new day full of hope, happiness and health.
The universal energy heals me and makes me whole.

Affirmations for Career

I am happy in my job.
I get along well with my coworkers.
I enjoy going to work.
I am a leader.
I am a good communicator.

Affirmations for Love

I am a loving person filled with joy, love, and light.
I give my love to everyone I touch.
I always deserve love.
I attract only loving and caring people into my life.
I love myself.

Affirmations for Spirituality

I am connected to the universal life force energy.
I am intuitive.
I am pure light.
My angels protect and guide me on my path.

Affirmations for Abundance

I am open to receiving.
Money comes to me easily and effortlessly.
My life is filled with wealth.
I have unlimited abundance.

Don’t forget! The process to make your affirmations work is for you to continue saying them on a repeated basis.

11 Best Holiday Gifts for Girls in 2016 - Tween and Teen

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 14:41:00 +0000

There are some amazing gadgets and gifts for teen and tween girls this holiday season. My favorites and my tween daughters are below.

3Doodler 2.0 Drawing Pen
This 3D drawing pen by Brookstone made my tween daughters Christmas list. It's one of the hottest toys for 2016 holiday season. Hoping it lives up to its promise - easy to use!

Wreck This Journal

One of the best journals on the market for tweens and teens! It will keep your child engaged by prompting them to do things such as adding photos, painting a page with hot chocolate and coloring outside the lines. Creative and fun!

Wired Cat Ear Headphones from Brookstone
Great tween or teen holiday gift gadget! LED lighted cat ears with over-the-ear cushioning for noise reduction and a secure fit. It also is USB rechargeable—up to 5 hours of playing time per charge.

Chocolate Bar Maker
Somehow, every year, a food toy makes my daughters list. This year it's the Chocolate Bar Maker by Moose Toys. I'm sure she'll only use it once or twice. I bought it for her because it made her list and I'll get a yummy chocolaty treat that she made especially for me.

Adventures in Lettering by Dawn Nicole Warnaar

Great book if your child is interested in crafting such as scrapbooking and card making. I purchased this along with Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, Bright, 10-Pack.

Crayola Air Marker Sprayer
My tween daughter loves doing art projects. This Air Marker Sprayer available at many stores like Target and Walmart is another hot toy this 2016 holiday season. It also had great reviews. One thing that I like about it is that you can use any marker versus having to purchase something unique that can't be used alone.

Pie Face! Game
Help! Yes it's hilariously fun! Yes my kids will love this! But I'm still torn between purchasing this game or the Bounce-Off game. Having whipped cream splattered on my kids (or their friends) face will be hilarious! As a mommy of four, I just don't want to deal with the mess it will create and the cost of continually having to purchase whipped cream just doesn't excite me.

Smartphone VR Headset with Earphones from Smarter ImagePriced at only $49.99, this Smartphone VR Headset with Earphones from Smarter Image will give you an amazing 3-D experience. We tried it, and absolutely love it! The best part is that it is compatible with all smartphones up to 3.875” W x 7.5” H.

Day At The Spa Gift Set by Creativity for Kids
I did purchase this for my tween daughter. She and her five year old sister asked for this for Christmas. It's a bit pricey, but I think they'll get a lot of use out of it. At least, I'm hoping.

It comes with an inflatable pedicure foot tub, nail dryer that is battery operated, satin eye mask, pedicure slippers and toe separators, nail file, buffer, 4 bottles of nail polish, 1 bottle of glitter polish, 6 sets of printed press-on nails, stick-on nail art, nail stand, cotton balls and satin spa bag to hold all of your supplies. Batteries not included.

Lookatool® Flying RC Ball Infrared Induction Mini Aircraft Flashing Light Remote Toy

Fun gadget when you are doing your homework and need a breather.

Spot it! Fire and Ice

Last, but not least, Spot it! is one of our favorite games to play. It's a face paced game that develops focus, visual perception and strategy.

11 Best Holiday Gifts for Boys in 2016 - Tween and Teen

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 16:43:00 +0000

Every holiday season, I spend hours upon hours researching the latest and greatest gadgets and gifts to purchase for my kids for Christmas. This year, I discovered 11 cool holiday gifts for my tween and teen boys.

Virtual Reality Headset for Gaming and Movies
This is the coolest gadget for the 2016 holiday gift season. Great for kids and adults. I haven't purchased one yet; but it has made one of my son's top Christmas list requests. Right now, I'm highly considering the Smartphone VR Headset with Earphones from Smarter Image. It's priced competitively at $49.99 and has 5 star reviews.

The following are two review sites that are helping me in my decision process.

PCmag.com Virtual Reality review
Virtual Reality headset by Wareable.com

Infrared Laser Tag from Smarter Image

This is just one cool gadget for only $69.99! You get two infrared laser rifles (one blue one green) that “shoots” infrared light, and two (blue and green) visors that records hits up to 100 ft. away. The rifles also can transform to a pistol. Another amazing feature is the visor has a scan” feature that tells you when your opponent is getting close.

Virtual Pong from Smarter Image
Smarter Image rocks with cool gadgets for the entire family. The Virtual Pong game priced at only $79.99 is on the top of our list this year. It's great for those cold winter days.

Atari Flashback 7 Classic Video Game Console
This looks like such a cool video game system! It comes with 101 games that I played when I was growing up. It has mixed reviews. Honestly, technology didn't work well in the 80's and 90's so this console may bring back some great memories.

I purchased this from Bed Bath & Beyond, using a 20% coupon.

Vista Sage 62" Recurve Take-down Bow
My 13 year old son asked for this. After doing some research, I decided to purchase it from Basspro due to price savings. I also purchased him a Vista Recurve Bow and Arrow case from Cabela's, along with some Carbon arrows.

K'nex K-force Mega Boom Building Set
This was a Lightning Deal on Amazon, so I couldn't pass it up as a surprise gift for my tween boy. He loves building Lego's and shooting Nerf guns. Hopefully he'll enjoy this as much.

Google Pixel
I haven't purchased this yet, but am highly considering it. For the past five years, we've been an iPhone family. With Google playing such a big role in my kids educational lives, I'm leaning towards investing in the Google Pixel for my boy and girl twins.

Google Pixel=

Fishing rod
My boys love to fish. This year, my 13 year old asked for a Shakespeare Catch More Fish Rod and Reel Combo for Catfish

Not for Parent How to Be a World Explorer
This was another mommy surprise gift for my 13 year old son.

Beats by Dr. Dre - Powerbeats2 Wireless Earbud Headphones - These are one of the hottest gifts of the season. For the price, all I'm hoping is that they truly are comfortable and work!

Framed portrait of my boys favorite sports team and playerMy boys are big MLB and NFL fans. This year I wanted to get them something they can see and enjoy every day - Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Framed 15" x 17" Super Bowl XLIX Champions (purchased from Fanatics and used a 40% + free shipping coupon) and Chicago Cubs Highland Mint 2016 World Series Champions 13" x 16" Key Moments

7 Simple SEO Hacks for Bloggers

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:16:00 +0000

I've been helping businesses (and mom bloggers) for years optimize their website, landing pages and blog. Many recommendations I make are simple and can easily be fixed, while others take time and sometimes an investment in resources.

Here are my top seven SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tips:

Know what keywords you want to rank for

Keywords are one of the most important SEO hacks. As a mom, lifestyle or professional blogger, you need to determine what keywords you want searchers to be able to find your blog when they are querying.
Use long-tail keywords in your content. These types of keywords are 3 to 4 words in length and are specific to what you are selling or offering. For instance, if your are a recipe blogger, instead of using the word recipe alone, add more description such as pumpkin pie family recipe.
Research competitors for the top keywords they are ranking for. This will also give you ideas on additional keywords you can use within your content.
Don't over use one keyword throughout your blog. Again, it will appear spammy when crawling your site.
Sprinkle long-tail keywords within your informational blog post. When Google crawls your site, it is looking for consistency and a few keyword variations to be able to understand what your content is about.
There are lots of tools available for getting keyword ideas such as Google Adwords Keyword Planner, Google Trends, and SEMRush.

Optimize your Titles

Include your keywords in your mom blog title.
Try to keep your titles under 55 characters. Google typically displays the first 50-60 characters of a title tag.

Format URL's so search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo can read them

Include descriptive keywords in your URL's. When creating titles and content, write for the reader not for the search engines crawling your page.
Use hyphens instead of underscores to separate words. A word of caution though, overuse of hyphens can be seen as spammy by the search engines. So watch out how long your make your URL.
URL character length should be no longer than 2,048 characters. If longer, Internet Explorer won't be able to load the page.

Add Alt Text to all your images using keywords and variations of your keywords
Sprinkle keywords and links within your blog post.

Many bloggers believe that they should load their blog post with the same keyword and also link to ten plus sites. This is seen by the search engines as being spammy. Instead, include variations of your keyword and link a few of your keyword variations to other sites.

Ensure link relevancy

Building link relevancy helps establish trust for your site. Link relevancy is determined by search engines by both the content of the source page and the anchor text.
Include short-tail or long-tail keywords in your Anchor Text. Anchor text is the words that hyperlinks display when linking to another website, landing page or document.

Register your blog with Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a free tool that helps you monitor and fix your blog. Your able to see which pages are causing 404 errors, what keywords Google thinks is relevant for your blog and if the search engine is having problems crawling your site.

Tiny Prints 2016 Invitations, Holiday Cards and Personalized Gifts Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 14:03:00 +0000

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8 Tips for Parents to Monitor Kids Online Behavior

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 16:58:00 +0000

Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, Minecraft and Pokemon Go are only a handful of the thousands of online social media channels and apps where kids can get lost and obsessed. Even though there are many benefits to kids using these sites and apps including problem-solving, increased socialization and creativity, there are many more downsides.

In fact, just recently I read about a new type of depression called "Facebook depression." It's where de-friending and cyberbullying can affect a child's (and also an adults) self-esteem and self-worth causing symptoms of depression. Those Facebook pictures always look like people are having a great time. The question to ask, "Are they really?" or "Are they just posing for the camera?"

Cyberbullying

As parents, we not only have to prepare our kids for the real world, we also have to prepare them for the online world. The following are some tips to help monitor your kids social networking time and experience:

Create kids rules for online safety
Discuss what online reputation is
Talk about online dangers
Friend your child on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.
Set a power down time where kids are kids - technology-free
Check privacy and restriction settings, especially Youtube and Ratings for apps, movies, music and tv shows
Use online monitoring software such as Net Nanny
Keep mobile phones and computers out of your kids bedroom when sleeping

Marketing Your Self-published Children's Book

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 14:57:00 +0000

I can't believe it's been 10 years since I've been writing and illustrating children's books. It started with a simple idea where I drew up kid-friendly colorful characters that lived in the rainbow and called them Splatter and Friends. Years later, I had another inspirational children's book idea Wunderkind Family children's chapter book collection. My end all goal for these books was to inspire kids to read and imagine and to teach them about themselves.

I've made mistakes along the way, such as rushing to publish a book before investing in professional editing and then having to redo the entire book again. I also discovered there are easier ways in illustrating a book such as using a Wacom drawing tablet. And I continue to find new ways in marketing my World-wide children's book brands.

Self-publishing is growing. It's not an easy journey making it into a lucrative career, but it is possible.

How to market your self-published children's book

Use social media to spread the word. The tools that have worked well for me are:

Blogging
Twitter
Facebook fan page
Pinterest

Get book reviews and have them not only post a review on their blog, but also on Amazon and Goodreads
Start locally by holding local author events and writing workshops. Contact your local newspaper and ask them to do a write-up about your event
Get your children's self-published books on consignment in local bricks and mortar books stores
Get your children's story in the hands of teachers, librarians, parents, grandparents, relatives and kids by giving them away
Offer giveaways and deals, especially around the holidays
Become a member of SCBWI and participate in their workshops
Network on Goodreads and ask people to review your book
Create an author page on Amazon.
Become a member of Linkedin writing and self-publishing groups
Market your book on Net Galley for additional reviews
Submit your children's book for awards

Creating brand awareness for your children's book is an investment of time and money. Most likely it won't happen overnight. It's truly a journey.

I hope you'll share other ideas! And please check out my books on www.melissaproductions.com!

Children's Book Blast $25 Cash Giveaway - This Little President by Joan Holub

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 05:30:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Children's Book Blast for the newly-released children's board book, "This Little President: A Presidential Primer" by Joan Holub and Daniel Roode.

About the Book

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Goodreads | Indiebound | iBook | Kobo

Children's Book Description: A children's picture board book primer on presidents. Learn about the United States Presidents with this bright and playful board book! Highlighting ten of the most memorable USA Presidents—and featuring all forty-four on the last page—parents and little leaders-in-training alike will love sharing this fun primer full of age-appropriate facts, leadership skills, and White House history.

Leading our country. Helping you and me. Keeping all fifty states safe, happy, and free. Little presidents have a great big job.

See more at Little Simon

Sneak Peek of This Little President Children's Picture Book

About the Author: Joan Holub

Joan Holub is the author of 140+ books for children including the Mini Myths series of 8 board books: Be Careful, Icarus!, Brush Your Hair, Medusa!, Make A Wish Midas! Joan also authored the acclaimed picture books Little Red Writing, The Knights Before Christmas, and Mighty Dads, a New York Times bestseller. Joan also co-authors (with Suzanne Williams) three series: Goddess Girls (ages 8-12, Greek mythology with a middle school twist), Grimmtastic Girls (for ages 8-12, fairy tale adventure with a middle school twist), and Heroes in Training (ages 6-11, Greek mythology adventure chapter books).

Author Blog | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Facebook

Children's Picture Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: January 26, 11:59 pm, 2016 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Joan Holub and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Children's Book Blast $25 Giveaway - Goo and Spot Picture Book

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 05:30:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the fun-filled picture book, "Goo and Spot in the Do Not Wiggle Riddle" by Elsa Takaoka. Grab a copy of "Goo and Spot in the Do Not Wiggle Riddle" and "Goo and Spot in the Great Zoo Escape for FREE, December 8 and 9, 2015.

About the Book

Book Description: 4.4 out of 5 stars with over 100 customer reviews. Two time #1 Amazon Best Seller in Manners. Illustratated by former DreamWorks Big Idea storyboardist Catherine Toennisson. Funny, silly and sweet, Goo and Spot teaches the importance of good listening skills. This amusing riddle educates without sounding like lessons and lectures. Instead, it has a fun and imaginative style. This book about Goo and Spot’s amazing and colorful adventures will definitely hit a child’s funny bone, with a valuable lesson learned along the way!

A NEW "Goo and Spot" Book Coming Soon!!

The Buzz About the Book

"How cute and clever was this book. It was like Dr. Seuss has found a friend." ~ Grafixsus, Amazon

"This would be the perfect book to read to a group of wriggly kindergartners. " ~ Anon, Anon, Amazon

"Both the text and the illustrations are rich and dynamic and evoke in both adults and children alike a desire to interact with the text and the images both creatively and consistently." ~ Margot V., Amazon

"The story makes my sons giggle with glee and they gave me a big hug at the ending. Thumbs up!" ~ Torres, Amazon

"The words come to life to young readers through the bright and fresh artwork making this a wonderful rhyming book that kids will want to read over and over!" ~ April M., Amazon

About the Author: Elsa Takaoka

Budding author Elsa Takaoka puts her pen to paper and creates a fun and heart-warming story. Spinning words with natural creativity, Elsa discovered her love of language at a very early age. She then pursued a career in Speech Language Pathology and English as a Second Language until the birth of her first daughter. Reading to her own little girls sparked her whimsical journey through children’s literature. Her dream to write and publish a picture book was achieved with Goo and Spot and The Do Not Wiggle Riddle, the first in the Goo and Spot book series. Currently, Elsa lives in Fukuoka, Japan with her sources of inspiration- her loving husband and their two adorable little girls.

Author Website * Facebook * Twitter * Google+

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: December 20, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Elsa Takaoka and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Children's Book Blast $25 Giveaway - Lionel's Grand Adventure Picture Book

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 05:30:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the middle grade book, "Lionel's Christmas Adventure: Lionel Learns the True Meaning of Christmas", based on the lovable character, Lionel Snodgrass, created by Paul Hewlett.

About the Book

Title: Lionel's Christmas Adventure: Lionel learns the true meaning of Christmas | Author: Paul R. Hewlett | Publication Date: November 10, 2012 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 40 | Recommended Ages: 5 to 10 Book Description: Have you ever wanted something you couldn't have? Meet Lionel, a loveable bully-magnet who desperately wants a new sled and will do anything to get it.This fun Christmas book follows Lionel from Larrystown to the North Pole. His magical Three-Toed-Potbellied Walbaun foot is back and is as unpredictable as ever. Whether Lionel's sledding, ice skating, or in a life-sized gingerbread village, it takes him on some grand adventures. Filled with great Christmas imagery, this book is perfect for young readers and family story time.

The Buzz About the Book

"I loved reading about Lionel and his adventure. And I love a good Christmas story. I got both in this one amazing book! " ~ Susan S., Amazon

"Lionel's Christmas Adventure is a classic, reminds me of Charlie Brown in fact it would be super cute as a cartoon for kids during the holidays. Must Read!" ~ Lovely Reader, Amazon

"A great story for children with a sprinkling of magic... A book that will encourage children to think about what is really valuable in life. ~ Diane, Amazon

"The story is a great read, not just for the holiday, but all year as well." ~ Mysunshine510, Amazon

"Lionel’s character and thoughts are perfect for teaching younger ones the true spirit of the holidays, and ways that we as community members can give back to others and it doesn’t cost us anything but some time and kindness. Join Lionel in spreading some Christmas cheer!" ~ Charlie A., Amazon

About the Author: Paul R. Hewlett

Paul R. Hewlett is the author of the Lionel’s Grand Adventure series. Lionel Goes to Camp is the third book in the series. In addition to writing the Lionel’s Grand Adventure books, Paul does freelance writing and co-authors a children’s/middle grade/young adult blog called Sher A. Hart: Written Art. You can learn more about Paul at paulrhewlett.weebly.com

Website * Blog * Facebook

Twitter * Google+ * Goodreads

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: December 18, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Paul Hewlett and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Children's Book Blast Cash Giveaway and Book Review - Mice & Spiders & Webs . . . Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 08:00:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the picture book "Mice & Spiders & Webs... Oh My!" by Sherrill S. Cannon.

Title: Mice & Spiders & Webs... Oh My! | Author: Sherrill S. Cannon | Illustrator: Kalpart | Publication Date: March 19, 2015 | Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency, LLC | Pages: 30 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8 | Reviewed by: Renee (Mother) Summary: Is your child a good listener? Rosemary is a little girl who is worried about returning to school after her teacher warns the class that they would soon have some mice, spiders, and webs in the classroom. Could Rosemary have misunderstood something? How can mice and spiders and webs belong at school? Full of "Computer Speak," this story introduces young readers to basic computer terms in a delightful way! See if your child can discover the mystery of the misunderstood words, and learn about the fun of computers with Rosemary.

Please note that 50% of the cost of Sherrill Cannon's books go to the following two organizations: http://sbpra.com/curejm and http://sbpra.com/imbullyfree. Here are Ms. Cannon's other books:

My Fingerpaint Masterpiece deals with perspective, perception and self-esteem as a child fingerpaints artwork in class, and later discovers it as part of the town’s Art Contest. Manner-Man is a Superhero who helps children cope with bullies, and teaches them how to look within themselves for their own superhero.
Gimme-Jimmy is about how a bully learns to share. His “New Polite Rule” helps him learn to make friends.
The Magic Word helps Elisabeth learn the magic word “please”, and to use it every day. Please and Thank you are words that everyone needs to use!
Peter and the Whimper-Whineys, helps parents cope with whining, disguised as a fun story. Peter is a rabbit who whines all the time, and might have to join the Whimper-Whineys.
Santa’s Birthday Gift includes Santa in the Christmas story. (After reading a story of the nativity to her granddaughter, she was asked “But where’s Santa?”)

The Buzz About the Book

"Mice & Spiders & Webs... Oh My! features a wonderful rhyming tale with an important underlying message about "being a good listener". As an added bonus, the book also features bright and kid-friendly illustrations with cameo appearances of characters and covers from previous books. I highly recommend this (and other books by Sherrill S. Cannon) for children ages 4 to 8 years." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"I adored this fun story and know it will become a fast favorite among readers." ~ Stacie @ BeachBoundBooks

"This book is educational, while entertaining too, and is a great teaching tool on being a good Listener." ~ Lu Ann, Rockin' Book Reviews

"This is a very fun book for both children and adults. It carries an important message, but at the same time introduces computer terminology that perhaps not every child will be familiar with." ~ Crsytal @ Castle View Academy

About the Author: Sherrill S. Cannon

Sherrill S. Cannon is a former teacher and a grandmother of ten, who is also an Award-Winning Best-Selling Author! Her multi-cultural books have received thirty-six 2011-15 National and International awards. Most of her books try to teach something, like good manners and consideration for others. All of her books are part of two fundraisers, one to help find a cure for Juvenile Myositis, an incurable children's disease at http://sbpra.com/curejm/ and another for the anti-bullying campaign at imbullyfree.org at http://sbpra.com/imbullyfree 50% of the cost of her books on these sites will go directly to each organization! Sherrill is also the author of seven published and internationally performed plays for elementary school children, She is a resident of New Hope, PA and travels with her husband of 55 years throughout North America in their RV, sharing her books along the way!

Website * SBPRA Website * CureJM Website

Google+ * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Goodreads

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: December 9, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Sherrill S. Cannon and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Children's Book Review and Cash Giveaway - Finn's Rocket

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 11:27:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for "Finn's Rocket: A Surfer Catches Air", the third book in the "Finn's Fast Books" middle grade series by Serena Schreiber.

About the Book

Amazon * Goodreads

Book Description: Finn's summer vacation plans didn't include leaving the planet. When his little sister gets kidnapped from space camp, Finn will do anything and go anywhere to get her back. Even the international space station.

The Buzz About "Finn's Fast Books"

Finn's Ship: "The story blends Finn's American upbringing with his German heritage, acquainting the reader with the many similarities and differences in food, culture, language, transportation and family values." ~ Candy 613, Amazon

Finn's Ship: "The author did a marvelous job bringing the characters to life and making the reader feel apart of each scene." ~ Glen G., Amazon

Finn's Car: "I really enjoyed reading this book! Very fun to read and it's something that teens will love to read. I recommend it to everyone!" ~ Jocelyn, Amazon

Finn's Car: "A well-paced, funny and highly infectious read!" ~ Bree W., Amazon

About the Author: Serena Schreiber

First published in Brooklyn in third grade, Serena Schreiber took a circuitous route through Europe to settle in Florida. When not writing for kids or scientists, she follows her other muse, fantasy. She's a happy co-conspirator of Florida Writers Association Youth Program and runs the Howl at the Moon Writers Jam. Serena has two amazing children, a handsome husband, and a turtle named Bolt.

Author Website | Book Website

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Book Blast Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: November 29, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Serena Schreiber and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reader's Favorite Gold Medal Children's Picture Book Award Winner - Isabella Babysits Baxter

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:54:00 +0000

I've moved my blog to Digital Media Mom! Please visit and follow!

"Isabella Babysits Baxter" is a 2015 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Children - Picture/Pop up category!

Readers’ Favorite is proud to announce that "Isabella Babysits Baxter" by Melissa Perry Moraja is a Gold Medal Winner in the Children - Picture/Pop up category in our 2015 International Book Award Contest.

"Funny, entertaining and educational!"

Tween Children's Book Review and Cash Giveaway - Miss Priss: One and Off the Court

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 04:00:00 +0000

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the tween chapter book "Miss Priss: On and Off the Court" by Judy Phillips and Brenda Nichols from September 15 to 21, 2015.

MISS PRISS: ON AND OFF THE COURT is book one in the new tween chapter series by Mom’s Choice Award winning writer-illustrator Team, ‘Brenjudy’. On and Off the Court introduces Priscilla Penelope Paxton (Miss Priss), a ten year old whose interests and curiosity land her in, sometimes, sticky situations. A unique coming-of-age story bound to bring giggles and enjoyment to all its readers as Miss Priss encounters and overcomes a slew of challenges, even the one that will continue to grow—self-awareness. The book features full color illustrations.

About the Book

Title: Miss Priss: On and Off the Court | Author: Judy Phillips | Illustrator: Brenda Nichols | Publication Date: August 20, 2015 | Publisher: Tadpole Press ...4 Kids (a division of Smooth Sailing Press) | Pages: 230 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 12 Summary: Priscilla Penelope Paxton is a witty ten year old whose inter-ests and curiosity land her in, sometimes, sticky situations. Dance classes, Girl Scouts, school assignments, friends and hanging out at her family's drug store, and the local Piggly Wiggly would leave any other person with no time for any-thing else. Yet, the thrill of basketball and joining the Little Dribblers finds its way into Miss Priss' heart. Though this interest will prove to be a dream that requires overcoming the greatest of challenges; Mom’s opposition. A task that will require ingenuity, perseverance and a little help from some loved ones.

Amazon * Smooth Sailing Press * Goodreads

Book Preview

Book Review

Simply a delightful read! My 11 year old and I chuckled quite a bit throughout the story. The illustrations were entertaining as was the story. My daughter loves basketball, so was immediately anxious to read the story. And Miss Priss, one busy 10 year old girl, didn't disappoint her. Judy Phillips did an amazing job with keeping the reader engaged and the illustrations by Brenda Nichols complimented the story.

My daughter and I highly recommend this story. Miss Priss: On and Off the Court is packed with lots of humor and plenty of kid growing moments.

About the Author: Judy Phillips

Judy Phillips is an educator with over twenty years of experience and is currently a counselor at Samuel Houston Elemen-tary School in Huntsville, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas and a Master of Education degree in Coun-seling from Sam Houston State University. Phillips volunteers locally with university students through local ministries and mentor programs.

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

About the Illustrator: Brenda Nichols

Brenda Nichols was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and is an educator at university level, with over twenty years of experience. She is currently the Head Women's Basketball Coach and Professor of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Nichols holds an Associate of Arts degree from Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas, a Bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and a Master's degree from The University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida. Nichols volunteers locally by mentoring students and through motivational speaking engagements at schools and various civic organizations.

Facebook | Goodreads

Miss Priss Blog Tour Schedule (2015)

September 15

Mother Daughter Book Reviews (Launch & Author Interview)

Cherry Mischievous (Excerpt)

Blooming Brilliant (Book Review)

September 16

Girl of a 1000 Wonders (Book Review)

BeachBoundBooks (Guest Post)

Sher A Hart: Written Art (Book Review)

September 17

Don't Judge, Read (Book Review)

Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom (Book Review)

September 18

Rockin' Book Reviews (Book Review)

K&A's Children's Book Reviews (Interview)

Icefairy's Treasure Chest (Book Review)

September 19

Bookworm for Kids (Excerpt)

Brit Bear's Book Reviews (Book Review)

September 20

The Blended Blog (Book Review)

Bookroom Reviews (Book Review)

September 21

Crystal's Chaotic Confessions (Excerpt)

Tea Time and Books (Guest Post & Book Review)

Heart of Philanthropist (Book Review)

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choiceGiveaway ends: September 28, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher, SmoothSailing Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:34:00 +0000

Legends of Zelda Ocarina of Time

The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is one of the coolest instruments I've seen and played. I actually thought it was just a toy that I was going to be reviewing. But as I continued researching it, I learned that people actually take lessons to learn how to play an Ocarina.

My 11 year old son helped me test the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. He's a huge Legends of Zelda fan, so was thrilled that I asked him to help me review it.

The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time instrument is made of high-quality, kiln-fired ceramic. It has 12 holes that allows you to play sounds ranging from A4-F6 including sharps and flats.

My son and I have never played an instrument like this before. However, within minutes he was able to play notes.

My only concern with the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is that it is made of ceramic. Every time my son picks it up and holds it, the first thought that runs through my mind is, "Please don't drop it." I can just see it shattering on the floor and tears flooding his eyes. Other than that, I highly recommend it, especially if you have a Legend of Zelda fan in your house.

Price is reasonable and seems to be discounted on Amazon, making it a great gift for kids.

To order go to
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time available on Amazon

I was given the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time for free without compensation for my honest opinion.

Psychological Affects of Color and Cultural Differences

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 14:07:00 +0000

The psychological and behavioral affect of color has been studied for centuries by color theorists. Color theorists believe, and set out to prove, that color does have a direct psychological and behavioral affect on us.

Today there are no standards on this subject. This is primarily due to the symbolic and psychological use of each color within various cultures. Critics claim that if color has the same psychological and behavioral affect on everyone, then why does it have different symbolic and psychological association within different cultures?

Simply put, colors do have several meanings and personalities allowing for various countries to utilize it in different ways. This difference exists for several reasons. First, there is a positive and negative side to each color. For instance, the positive side of green is that it’s a healing color. It’s a great color to wear to ground someone. Its also a color that creates calmness. It’s the color of balance. The entertainment industry has guests sit in a green room prior to coming on their show. They do this because the color green has been found to relax and calm people. Green is an excellent color to incorporate in your home color scheme.

However, there is a negative side to the color green. Green also represents wealth. Quite often when one thinks of wealth they think of financial wealth. If that is the only goal of the individual, they may begin to experience the more negative side of green which is greed and envy. People can achieve a wealthy life in many other ways such as having family around and just being happy with what they have at that moment in time. It’s the greed of green that can consume a person and throw them into an energy vibration that isn’t healthy.

The personalities of each color also change when you begin mixing the colors together, or adding black and white to a color. For instance, red is a color that represents passion because of its intense energizing nature. When you deepen the color of red by adding black to it, it changes the feel of the color bringing to it a sense of mystery and depth. As such, it takes on characteristics of passionate love on a physical level. Pure red, especially bright red, creates a totally different feeling and sensation. It is a color that you notice. It stands out. This is why Americans use it as the color for stop signs and the fire department. You want to be able to recognize danger and take action. The color red does just that.

Every culture uses color in different ways. For instance, in China, white is used to represent mourning such as death. (Color Me Confused: Colors and Meaning in Chinese Culture) White is a color that comprises all colors. It’s a color of rebirth. It’s a color that brings truth and clarity. It is a color that can effectively represent mourning and death because with death comes a new beginning. It actually is a much more suitable color for death because it represents the vibration of truth and clarity. American’s use black to represent death and mourning. Black represents the unknown. When Americans wear black, it says to others that we are hiding ourselves from the truth. Essentially, we’re communicating to the outside world that we are afraid of seeing what lies beyond death. With tradition, many cultures will continue wearing certain colors to represent certain emotions and events even though perhaps they aren’t the best color in the overall spectrum.

Colors do affect us on a psychological, emotional, and behavioral level. The colors you paint your home are going to trigger a certain feeling and therefore attitude. The colors you surround yourself at work again will produce a certain feeling within you which will eventually play out in some manner in your life let it be in your attitude and productivity.

Take a moment to think about the colors you surround yourself with. When at home, does one room feel more comfortable than another? Do you feel more motivated when wearing a certain color over another? When you are at work, have you found that you are more productive versus working at home?

Discover how to use color, music and positive thinking in

Get the Vibe: Achieve Your Goals, Increase Your Productitivity and Improve Your Relationships

How to Use Visualization Strategies for School, Sports and Creating Your Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 13:05:00 +0000

Visualization is the ability to use your imagination to picture images of what you would like to manifest. This is a powerful tool when you add to it feelings, intention, and action. Visualization can bring changes into your life sometimes immediately! And kids can use it when studying and playing sports! (Reading Strategies Using Visualization)

This great mind power has been used for centuries because of its success in altering thought processes, causing events to happen, attracting money, and changing habits to improve one’s health and life. In fact, visualization and meditation are techniques used often by elite athletes. For example, a major league baseball pitcher uses visualization exercises before a game by seeing himself on the pitchers mound throwing the ball, where it goes over the plate resulting in a perfect strike. The pitcher practices visualizing this scene in his minds eye over and over again. The day of the game, the pitcher throws a perfect pitch one after the other.

The medical community also has had great success with using visualization techniques. For instance, people who were told they would never walk have walked. Why? Because they believed! They visualized themselves walking, and after months and sometimes years of physical therapy they accomplished their vision. Cancer victims such as Lance Armstrong and Louise Hay used positive visualization during cancer treatment and have successfully become cancer free. But it wasn’t only visualization that led to them becoming cancer free. As Lance’s coach, Chris Carmichael said in a letter, “Lance beat cancer because he had great doctors, a positive attitude, and a lot of luck.” Visualization techniques combined with other healing modalities are a powerful tool. (Visualization Techniques for Athletes)

What do you do if you can’t visualize? Easy all you have to do is use your other senses–feel, touch, smell and sense. For instance, if you are looking to take a vacation to Hawaii feel yourself relaxed with sand touching your toes and the wind blowing across your face. If you still are having trouble using your other senses, there is another way to accomplish the same objective–use affirmations and create visuals!

For instance, if you’d like to purchase a vacation home in Florida, find images of scenes from Florida in magazines, newspapers, and brochures. Cut the images out and paste them onto a calendar or a goal notebook. If you don’t have the time to create your dream collage, you can also write-out affirmations that state exactly what you desire—“It is the year 2010, and I am sitting by my pool in West Palm Beach, Florida sipping on a nice cold Pina Colada.” By doing these simple exercises, within a matter of days to weeks, you will find that you are a magnet for attracting friends and even strangers who are planning a trip to Florida, have just recently visited Florida, or are living in Florida. The more positive and focused you are the closer you will be to purchasing your vacation home. The key in fulfilling your dream is to not give up! Believe that you have the ability to manifest everything and anything you want.

You may want to check out Jack Canfield Visualize and Affirm Your Desired Outcomes: A Step-by-Step Guide too!

Like everything in life, it takes time. The more you practice the better you’ll become with creating the life you desire with fewer trials and error.

Paula's Choice Skincare Product Review and Get 20% Off

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 12:48:00 +0000

Get 20% off plus free shipping off your next order of Paula's Choice Skincare Products with coupon code: PRBZZ20, and build a skin care routine that’s right for you!

I love testing skincare products! Especially ones that can help reduce those fine lines. As a BzzAgent I had the opportunity to tryout Paula’s Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster. I received this product for free for my honest review.

Paula’s Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster is an anti-aging product with hyaluronic acid that binds with skin to hold in moisture and plump up those wrinkles while also hydrating your skin.

I used it for almost 4 weeks. I love the feeling of it when applying it to my skin. It came in a small trial sized bottle. The trial sized drop applicator didn't really work. The directions said to apply two drops directly to your face or mix it with any serum, moisturizer (without SPF) or eye cream. I wasn't able to easily get many drops out of the applicator so instead I smeared the outside of the drop applicator against my skin.

Upon first use, my skin looked healthier and hydrated. I used it every day in the morning and evening, mixing it in with a moisturizer. I'm very impressed with how m y skin looks and feels. However, it took about 3 weeks of use for me to start noticing some of the fine lines fading. Nothing drastic, but I am noticing a difference.

Additional information about Paula's Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster:

It can also be used before or after AHA or BHA exfoliants, retinol treatments and other anti-aging products.
The formula is suitable for all skin types — even breakout prone skin
Like all Paula’s Choice Skincare products, the ingredients in this formula are proven effective by published, scientific research
It’s also 100% fragrance- and colorant-free, with no added dyes or irritants
Paula's Choice skincare products are never tested on animals

Father's Day Gift Guide - The Best For Dad

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:58:00 +0000

My kids and I are already planning a special Father's Day celebration! Breakfast in bed, then off to the park for a picnic if it's sunny. If rain is in the forecast, we'll be enjoying Bloody Mary's at his restaurant of choice. And to end the day, we'll do a fun activity like miniature golf or bowling or catch a movie.

Now for this years special Father's Day gift for my husband. Like every year, my hubby gives lots of hints to what gift we should get him. This year it's a bike computer called the Cateye. Pretty amazing little electronic gadget!

My hubby has really gotten into biking over the past two years, focused on raising money to support JDRF. Our 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with type one diabetes 3 1/2 years ago.

The following are other Father's Day gift ideas that I have sent my dad and considered getting my hubby!

Watch for Dad

Other Father's Day gift ideas include golf accessories, electronic gadgets such as iPhone and iPad, tailgating games like bean bag toss, new grill, Father's Day shirt, baseball hat, grilling accessories, tie, universal remote control and cologne.

Please share how you are spending Father's Day and the special gift you are getting for your hubby or dad!

2015 Spring and Summer Crafts Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Tue, 26 May 2015 00:45:00 +0000

Welcome to the last installment of the four-part spring craft blog hop challenge for 2015! This hop will run from May 26th - June 20th. We're challenging each of you to create a craft project that reflects a general spring or summer theme, Father's Day, or Fourth of July. Please join us in this challenge and link-up your crafty creation at the bottom of this post and have it shared on 12 blogs!

To kick off the spectacular Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop, I'm sharing a "how to" tutorial for Learn How to Hand Paint Wine Glasses!

How to Paint on Glass

Meet all 12 Wonderful Hosts of the Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop 4!

Each host will be sharing their own special craft to kick off the Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop challenge, so make sure you visit each host to see their fabulous creations!

*Please follow your hosts on at least one or more social media platforms of your choice. Let us know you're following from #SCBH2015*

Erlene @My Pinterventures Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
Ashleigh @Simply Wright Pinterest/Bloglovin/Instagram/FB/G+
Stephanie @Casa Watkins Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
Misty @The Lady Prefers 2 Save Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+

Amanda @The Kolb Corner Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
Crystal @Penny Loves Projects Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/Bloglovin/G+
Debi @Surroundings by Debi Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
Melissa @Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/G+

Beverly & Gloria @Across the Boulevard Pinterest/Twitter/FB/G+/G+
Kristen @The Road to Domestication Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/YouTube
Kate @Creative House Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
Christine @Where The Smiles Have Been Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+

Grab a button and help us spread the word!

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://mypinterventures.com" title="My Pinterventures"></a></div><br />

Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop 4 - General Spring & Summer crafts, Father's Day, and July 4th crafts

LINK-UP RULES

Link-up your craft or DIY tutorial that fit the themes of the Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop. Links that do not fit the themes will be deleted.
DO NOT link-up food or recipes.
DO NOT link-up round-ups unless all the craft posts are yours.
DO NOT link-up Etsy items or things for sale
DO NOT link-up posts you've shared on past Spring Craft Blog Hops for 2015.
Link directly to your post and not your blog.

Show us what you've created and be seen on 12 blogs!

[Tweet "Join the Spring Craft Blog Hop! Share your craft on 12 blogs! @pinterventures #SCBH2015"]

An InLinkz Link-up

5 Steps to Creating Your First Garden with Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Melis) — Wed, 20 May 2015 21:38:00 +0000

Spring is in the air and summer is right around the corner, which is the perfect time to begin planning and even starting your garden. I'm excited to share the following guest blog post, 5 Steps to Creating Your First Garden with Kids, by Linda Williams!

If necessity is the mother of invention, then being a mother brings out creative genius. I firmly believe “mash-up” was first uttered by a mom who was trying to keep an eye on the kids garden and prepare dinner in the same window of time.

While many kids may not jump at the chance to do the laundry, gardening definitely has a certain appeal. Teach kids where food comes from by starting gardens and asking young helpers to dig, plant, water, watch, weed, and harvest with you. Here are a few of our go-to tips.

Tools. One of the first things to do when gardening with kids is to get the right tools for the job. Most adults have gardening tools, but they are too big for little hands. Garden centers and even the local dollar store carry scaled down versions of gloves, rakes, hoes, pails and even wheel barrows!

When I was young, I wanted to match my mother. If we were shopping and she bought a scarf, I had to have a matching scarf. It made me feel special. You can do the same thing when gardening with little ones. Find matching or complementary gloves, matching shovel or watering cans – the sky is the limit.

Seeds or young plants
An outing to the garden center for seeds and plants is an adventure in itself. Keep to the aisles with seed racks and plants or you may be surprised when you child tries to bounce a glass gazing ball (speaking from experience here).

What is your child’s favorite color, flower, or food? If possible, choose seeds or plants that match some of their favorites. My daughter loves purple and any plant that is purple gets special attention from her.

Via Blackspotfarm.com

Forget about keeping clean
Find the perfect planting location either in a cozy corner, a raised bed, or right up front. Let kids dig in the dirt. The feel of good soil in the fingers and toes is a Zen-like experience even for little ones and getting messy doesn’t hurt either. Remember gardening can be done in swimming suits for easy clean up after.

Via Americanseedalliance.org

Learning about garden partners

Gardening is a good time to introduce kids to the earth’s flora and fauna. Did you intercept an earthworm while digging? Explain that worms aerate and fertilize the soil so roots and plants can grow strong.

Are your children amateur butterfly collectors or future bee keepers? Add insect and hummingbird favorites like a Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) and Bee balm (Monarda didyma) to your flower garden.

Butterfly bush - Via Sunset.com

Bee balm - Via Birdsandblooms.com

In the vegetable garden, flowering oregano, sage, and borage are also popular with pollinating bees. Teach kids that bees are too busy hunting for nectar to care about their presence in the garden. Bees and other pollinators are essential to crops and deserve respect. Just give them a little room to do their jobs.

Oregano - Via Sunset.com

Care and Harvest

Once seeds and plants take hold, let children water and weed with you. If a plant is missed and found wilting later, explain that it needs water. Then, ask the kids to give it special care and keep track of the results. They’ll feel like garden heroes when it comes back to life.

Via Kidactivities.net

Even kids who draw the line at vegetables can’t resist trying fruits and veggies that they planted, watered, weeded, and harvested. Give them a big basket or bucket to collect their bounty. The experience will last a lifetime.

Via Blog.williams-sonoma.com

For more ideas and other home inspiration, head to Modernize.com.

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Children's Book Blast $25 Cash Giveaway - This Little President by Joan Holub

About the Book

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

Goodreads | Indiebound | iBook | Kobo

Sneak Peek of This Little President Children's Picture Book

About the Author: Joan Holub

** Children's Picture Book Blast Giveaway **

Children's Book Blast $25 Giveaway - Goo and Spot Picture Book

About the Book

A *NEW* "Goo and Spot" Book Coming Soon!!

The Buzz About the Book

About the Author: Elsa Takaoka

Author Website * Facebook * Twitter * Google+

** Book Blast Giveaway **

Children's Book Blast $25 Giveaway - Lionel's Grand Adventure Picture Book

About the Book

The Buzz About the Book

About the Author: Paul R. Hewlett

Website * Blog * Facebook

Twitter * Google+ * Goodreads

** Book Blast Giveaway **

Children's Book Blast Cash Giveaway and Book Review - Mice & Spiders & Webs . . . Oh My!

Please note that 50% of the cost of Sherrill Cannon's books go to the following two organizations: http://sbpra.com/curejm and http://sbpra.com/imbullyfree. Here are Ms. Cannon's other books:

The Buzz About the Book

About the Author: Sherrill S. Cannon

Website * SBPRA Website * CureJM Website

Google+ * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Goodreads

** Book Blast Giveaway **

Children's Book Review and Cash Giveaway - Finn's Rocket

About the Book

Amazon * Goodreads

The Buzz About "Finn's Fast Books"

About the Author: Serena Schreiber

Author Website | Book Website

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

** Book Blast Giveaway **

Reader's Favorite Gold Medal Children's Picture Book Award Winner - Isabella Babysits Baxter

Tween Children's Book Review and Cash Giveaway - Miss Priss: One and Off the Court

About the Book

Amazon * Smooth Sailing Press * Goodreads

Book Preview

Book Review

About the Author: Judy Phillips

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

About the Illustrator: Brenda Nichols

Facebook | Goodreads

Miss Priss Blog Tour Schedule (2015)

* Blog Tour Giveaway *

Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Review

To order go toLegend of Zelda Ocarina of Time available on AmazonI was given the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time for free without compensation for my honest opinion.

Psychological Affects of Color and Cultural Differences

Get the Vibe: Achieve Your Goals, Increase Your Productitivity and Improve Your Relationships

How to Use Visualization Strategies for School, Sports and Creating Your Dreams

Paula's Choice Skincare Product Review and Get 20% Off

Father's Day Gift Guide - The Best For Dad

2015 Spring and Summer Crafts Blog Hop

Meet all 12 Wonderful Hosts of the Spring & Summer Craft Blog Hop 4!

LINK-UP RULES

5 Steps to Creating Your First Garden with Kids

Children's Picture Book Blast Giveaway

A NEW "Goo and Spot" Book Coming Soon!!

Book Blast Giveaway

Book Blast Giveaway

Book Blast Giveaway

Book Blast Giveaway

To order go to
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time available on Amazon

I was given the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time for free without compensation for my honest opinion.