Guest Post: The 4 Best Personal Finance Apps For New Parents

Learn how you can keep track of your current spending habits and plan for your financial future using these helpful applications

If you are a new parent, then you’ve likely already worried about managing a family budget. While you may have kept a budget for yourself in the past, keeping the family finance in order is a brand new challenge. However, keeping track of your spending habits and plans for the future doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

These days, it is easier than ever to keep track of your finances using your smartphone. You can use different apps to track your spending, check your savings, pay your bills, and even manage your term life insurance policy. We’ll be getting to all of these features and more as we discuss the best personal finance applications for new parents. If you are a new parent interested in help managing your finances—you are not alone! Keep reading to find out how these apps make previously complicated financial tasks easier than ever before.

1. Fabric

Using Fabric, you can secure a term life insurance quote, manage your policy, and access several other useful planning tools.

Easily manage your insurance coverage with the Fabric app. Image courtesy of Investopedia.

If you are a new parent and you haven’t heard of Fabric before—this is an app you definitely want to check out. Fabric is one of the few finance applications that is specifically designed to meet the needs of young families. Using the Fabric app, you view different term life insurance quotes, manage your life insurance policy, access free will writing services, and help you manage your day to day finances. Fabric offers a variety of policies including no-medical-exam term life insurance quotes so you can get the coverage you need to protect your family. When you download the Fabric application, you’ll first be presented with a list of questions to help the application learn more about your family, your financial situation, and the services you require. After that, Fabric will create a personalized financial checklist that you can use to take care of the most pressing duties first. Once you have your checklist, you can get started working on your top priorities as organized by the Fabric app. As part of your financial checklist, the Fabric app also allows you to manage your savings accounts—like a college savings account for example.

New parents can also use the application to easily create a will at no cost to the user. Writing a will is especially important for new parents to plan for the future—no matter what happens. Using the Fabric app, parents can designate a guardian for their children, name beneficiaries for assets, and choose an executor for your will. This service is all available to all users completely for free.

Beyond setting goals and managing your will, new parents can also take advantage of the financial planning aspects of the Fabric app. It can be difficult to get a big-picture idea of your finances when you have several accounts and credit cards between yourself and your spouse. When you use the Fabric app, your family can easily link all accounts and credit cards so that you can view all of your finances in the same application.

Overall, the Fabric app offers term life insurance quotes and comprehensive life insurance services along with budgeting and savings tools that are perfect for new parents. This makes it one of our top choices for new parents who are looking for ways to view all of their finances in one place. Additionally, all information stored in the application is heavily encrypted at bank-level security, so you won’t have to worry about potential hackers.

Guest Post: 7 Ways to Cope With Intrusive Thoughts

Find out how you can curb intrusive thoughts with the help of online therapy options and other effective strategies.

For those who have struggled with their mental health, intrusive thoughts are not a new thing. It is often more difficult to control our thoughts and emotions than we let on. Because it can be difficult to control our thoughts, intrusive thoughts can sneak in and affect the way we feel about ourselves. If you’ve sought out this article as a way to help manage intrusive thoughts, then you’ve already made an important decision. Only once we recognize that we are having intrusive thoughts can we take steps to curb them.

If you are currently experiencing intrusive thoughts, then it is important to do everything you can to stop them. Not only are they uncomfortable—and oftentimes disturbing—they are disruptive to our everyday lives and can cause symptoms of mental health disorders to worsen. That’s why we are discussing 7 different ways that you can curb, cope, and distract yourself from intrusive thoughts. Today, we’ll be exploring everything from how to find a therapist to in the moment solutions for when negative thoughts pop up. Plus, we’re going to be discussing how online therapy options can help you get to the root of your intrusive thoughts. But first, we have to define what intrusive thoughts are and take a look at some of the causes. Let’s get started!

What is an Intrusive Thought?

Before we start exploring different online therapy options, we first need to take a closer look at what intrusive thoughts are and are not.

Many experience intrusive thoughts without knowing what they’re called.

When you hear the phrase “intrusive thought” you may assume that the phrase is self-explanatory—an intrusive thought is a thought that intrudes on your conscious mind. However, intrusive thoughts are more sinister than that. An intrusive thought by the psychological definition refers to thoughts that are unwanted, involuntary, and cause distress. These kinds of thoughts are characterized by their often violent, graphic, or disturbing nature. While not every intrusive thought is disturbing, they are always unwanted.

It is common for intrusive thoughts to be repetitive, out of control, and seemingly random as they pop into our minds. When these thoughts appear, they can exacerbate existing symptoms of mental health disorders, make it difficult to focus, and can lead to feelings of shame and guilt. It is also commonly reported that intrusive thoughts are vastly out of character for the person experiencing them. To get a better understanding of what exactly constitutes an intrusive thought, let’s take a look at some of the common themes reported by people who experience these kinds of thoughts:

• Inflicting harm on others 
• Harming yourself 
• Graphic fantasies 
• Family or friends dying 
• Disasters 
• Car crashes or plane crashes

These are just a few of the common themes that appear in intrusive thoughts, but really any thought that is unwanted and causes stress can be considered an intrusive thought. The important thing is that you are getting help if you are experiencing thoughts that involve the aforementioned themes. If you are, it is important to explore ways to get help like online therapy options or in-person care. But, before we get to the solutions, we should take a look at some of the most common causes of intrusive thoughts.

What Causes Intrusive Thoughts?

There are a whole host of mental health conditions that can cause intrusive thoughts.

Intrusive thoughts can be caused by several internal and external factors.

Most often, intrusive thoughts are brought on by an already existing mental health condition. If you are experiencing intrusive thoughts only, you should search for online therapy options or in-person care to try to get to the bottom of what is causing these thought patterns. For most people who experience intrusive thoughts, the thoughts are just one of the many symptoms associated with the following disorders:

• Anxiety disorders 
• Depression 
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

These conditions produce a lot of negative side effects, with intrusive thoughts being one of them. If you have already been diagnosed with one of these disorders, then that is most likely the cause for your intrusive thought patterns. If you haven’t already been diagnosed, you may be suffering from one of the aforementioned disorders without realizing it. As we mentioned, either in-person or online therapy options can help you get a better understanding of where the intrusive thoughts are coming from.

STEM Learning Made Fun at Snapology & LEGO Set Giveaway

If you have a child in school, you are probably familiar with the acronym STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. The importance and necessity of STEM education have been widely acknowledged among parents, teachers and education experts, for STEM is closely linked to every aspect of modern life while STEM education helps develop transferable skills that are essential in both STEM and non-STEM fields, such as creativity, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and data analysis. Due to the complexity and difficulty of STEM subjects, there is a misconception that STEM learning is intimidating and frustrating. In fact, however, STEM learning can be nothing but fun and can be accomplished through various activities, including PLAY!

STEM Learning Through Toys
Making learning fun and enjoyable is the key to nurturing the love for knowledge. The number of educational toys that promote STEM-related skills is on the rise. You may already own such toys without realizing their connection to STEM education. Well loved by both boys and girls, LEGO bricks are known to stimulate creativity, spatial thinking, problem solving and teamwork. There are also STEM certified toys that are specifically designed to integrate play with STEM learning.

STEM Learning Through Books
Wouldn't it be great to encourage your child to fall in love with reading and STEM learning at the same time? Luckily, there are quite a few well-written books that teach STEM subjects in fun and engaging ways for students at different stages of learning. Some of our favorites include the Magic School Bus series, the Little Scientists books, and DK's awarding-winning new release Maker Lab.

STEM Learning Through Hands-on Activities
Children learn fast and best through hands-on activities. You can try to come up with DIY projects at home or send your kids to more structured STEM programs like those being offered at Snapology. Rated one of the Best Kids' Franchise, Snapology discovery centers provide hands-on, interactive activities for children ages 1-14 using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex and technology. They create STEM learning experiences through classes, workshops, camps, birthday parties, school field trips, scouting events and more. They also offer amazing franchise opportunities that are affordable, flexible and can provide quick profitability. If you've been thinking about becoming your own boss, this could be the best opportunity. Please visit Snapology.com to learn more about what Snapology has to offer.

Tips for Finding the Right Car for Your Family

This is a sponsored post. All views and opinions are mine.

Getting married, landing a new job, or expecting another baby? Such life events may prompt you to be in the market for a new car. Car shopping can be a tricky and time-consuming process, especially for first-timers. Here are a few tips to help you get started on the right track:

1. Narrow down your search. With so many makes and models available on the market, it is important to narrow down your search based on your needs and priorities. Things to think about may include the type of car you need (sedan, SUV, minivan, etc.), specific features you would like to have (such as built-in navigation system, automatic doors, remote start, or obstacle detection), and primary use and user of the vehicle. For us, safety features are always of top priority when shopping for a car. More space for passenger and storage is preferred, as our family keeps growing. You may shorten your list even further if you have a clear price range in mind. Fuel efficiency also helps limit your search if you are looking to save money in the long run.

2. Take your time to do research. Once you've narrowed down your shopping list to a few models, it is time to do some in-depth research about the candidates. There are quite a few online resources you can utilize to perform your research and Cars.com is a great one to start with. Their website provides a huge amount of information and several useful tools to help consumers make a better-informed car purchase. Their "Videos & Reviews" feature, for instance, offers extensive and unbiased reviews that cover both pros and cons of a model. They also have a number of great articles offering practical tips and advice for car shoppers.

3. Comparison shop both online and offline. For the average family, a new car is a big ticket purchase. You may want to take the time to compare and shop around to find the car that best fits your family and your lifestyle at the best price possible. Cars.com allows you to compare up to 4 models side by side, including key features, pricing, and fuel economy. You can even customize the comparison with the information that matters most to you. Besides comparison shopping online, you are advised to visit different dealers, test drive the models you consider purchasing, and negotiate for the most competitive price. Make sure you do your research and online comparison before you go talk to a dealer. Showing the person selling the car you are well prepared will help you get as close as possible to a fair price.

Hope you will find these tips and the resources I recommend helpful for your next car purchase. Good luck and drive safely!

Thankful for Great Savings: $15 Off Grocery Shopping & $75 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway #SFGiftGas16

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. What are you thankful for this year? Do you plan to shower your loved ones with some fabulous gifts this holiday season? Holiday celebration involves a lot of shopping: for gifts, for grocery, for entertainment, for decoration, and many more. Any budget conscious shopper would want to get more for less by taking every opportunity to save, save, and save! How about getting $15 off your next grocery shopping trip, plus a chance to win a $75 Amazon gift card?

From 11/23 to 11/30, anyone who purchases $100 in select gift cards at Safeway or affiliated stores is eligible to receive $15 savings off their next shopping order of $25 or more! Select gift cards include Lowes, Best Buy, iTunes, Starbucks, Xbox, Amex and Toys R Us. You can use the gift cards to buy holiday gifts or something you need at your favorite stores. The gift cards themselves make a great gift that allows the recipients to choose what they really want and love.

All-New Febreze “The #12Stinks of Christmas” Music Video & Holiday Home Care Tips

Most of us love the holiday season for it is often filled with happy memories, delicious foods, dazzling decorations, heart-warming gifts, and all kinds of festive activities. But in the meantime, the holiday season may make us anxious about all the work needs to be done to keep our homes fresh, clean, and guest-ready throughout the busiest months of the year. Febreze has partnered with Doug E. Fresh, "The World’s Greatest Entertainer," and social media sensation @ItsDougThePug to bring back their holiday hit song “The #12Stinks of Christmas”, which shows how Febreze provides the toughest solution to eliminating unwanted holiday odors!

In this ultra funny and entertaining music video, Doug E. Fresh, the beatbox pioneer, and his four-legged #12Stinks partner-in- crime put their own spin on the holiday classic, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” with an old school hip-hop remix. Besides offering a humorous demonstration of the stinks of the season, the video highlights Febreze’s festive product offerings, such as Air Effects, Candles and NOTICEables which are available in Fresh Cut Pine and Fresh Twist Cranberry scents. Backed by proprietary malodor elimination technologies, Febreze products have the ability to truly eliminate odors and replace them with a light, fresh holiday scent. You may learn more about Febreze products at Febreze.com

Expert Tips on Halloween Nutritional Swapping for Kids

Kids love Halloween partly because it's their harvest day for candy. According to the National Retail Federation, the average American child will collect in the range of 3,500-7,000 calories of candy during Halloween! Isn't that appalling? As a health conscious parent, I urge you to swap candy for more nutritious and wholesome treats for your kids this Halloween. And I'd like to share a few tips from Kate Geagan, who is coined "America’s Green Nutritionist", a frequent guest on morning news and talk shows, an award-winning dietitian, and the author of Go Green Get Lean: Trim Your Waistline with the Ultimate Low-Carbon Footprint Diet.

Kate has helped millions of Americans fall in love with healthier, greener food choices that powerfully nourish their lives. As a mother of two, she offers the following strategies to help your family survive the Halloween junk food frenzy and make the nutritional swapping.

1. Spell out HALLOWEEN and hand out healthy snack packs such as Earth's Best (Sesame Street) Organic Letter of the Day Vanilla Cookies. Candy won’t crowd out the healthy foods if kids are intrigued with the tasty alphabet treat.


2. Who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie? KIDSAFE Cookies are a perfect Halloween “treat” in its own little package.

3. Fill them up with healthy snacks first! Foods packed with fiber enriched whole grains like Elmo and Big Bird shapes of Crunchin' Crackers and Grahams in flavors of cinnamon, chedder and veggie digest slowly and provide your child with a steady stream of energy.

Top Sports Parent Essentials

This is a sponsored post. I received free products to facilitate my honest review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

Moms, or parents in general, often wear many hats at once: chef, caregiver, chauffeur, CCO (chief cleaning officer), teacher, financial manager and event planner, just to name a few. If you've got an active child who loves to play sports, then you may have one more hat to wear, known as the sports parent. Besides providing transportation and cheer leading, one thing of top priority to sports parents is to make sure their little athletes stay hydrated at all times. If you are still on the lookout for the perfect sports drink for your child's next practice or game, I'd suggest you go for BODYARMOR, and your child will thank you for doing so!

BODYARMOR is a premium natural sports drink free from anything artificial. It uses natural sweeteners and is enriched with vitamins, coconut water, and potassium packed electrolytes. It has been the sports drink of choice for many reputable athletes like Dustin Johnson, Skylar Diggins, Andrew Luck, and more. Your child will feel proud and privileged to be getting superior hydration from the same drink as their favorite sports star.

BODYARMOR comes in 8 delicious all-natural flavors: fruit punch, orange mango, strawberry banana, tropical punch, lemon lime, mixed berry, grape and blackout berry. I received a 6-variety pack of BODYARMOR to try out with my kids. All the fruity flavors are unique and tasty. It is really hard to single out any as our only favorite. The kids love the attractive colors that correspond to the flavors. They agree that BODYARMOR is not only thirst-quenching, but also fun to drink. They request to have BODYARMOR added to the things I usually bring to their practices.

BODYARMOR is available at Ralphs and Target in SoCal. You may use the "FIND A STORE" function at drinkbodyarmor.com to see where BODYARMOR is sold in your local area. Before you head to the store, be sure to print this coupon to save 55¢ off your purchase!

My oldest plays basketball and soccer on a team and also swims competitively. So I'm proud to be a sports mom. Now I've updated my list of top sports parent essentials to include the following (in no particular order):

• Cotton towels: soft and comfortable to use to wipe away sweat and for a shower
• Change of clothes: clean and fresh clothes to wear after each sports session
• Sports drink: all-natural sports drink like BODYARMOR to provide instant hydration
• Nutritious snacks: nutritious snacks like protein bars, trail mix, dark chocolate, and fresh fruits to provide an energy boost.
• Sports wear and equipment: any personal items the sports may call for, such as balls, rackets, helmets, uniforms, shoes, etc.
• Deodorant, shampoo and body wash: needed to keep dirt and odor away :)
  

Are you a sports parent too? Feel free to share your list of essentials with me in the comments below!

Top Five Reasons to Buy Huggies Diapers

The No.1 baby care essentials are diapers, which babies will start to wear soon after they are born. The new parents will need to decide what kind of diaper and which brand they should buy for their little bundle of joy. In theory, you could try out all the available options until you land on the best choice. In reality, however, you wouldn't want to turn your newborn into a subject of such kind of comparison shopping experiment, let alone the money and time you could waste. So your best bet is to start with a reputable brand with raving reviews by real moms.

As an experienced mom, I'd like to share with you my top five reasons to buy Huggies diapers, especially the Little Snugglers, during baby's first months. And you may read about why I prefer disposable diapers to cloth diapers here.

#1: Keeping baby dry and comfortable
Baby's comfort always takes priority when I shop for baby stuff. Baby's skin is soft and sensitive, so one of the key criteria for high quality diapers is whether they are absorbent enough to keep baby dry and protect baby's skin from irritants in their urine or stool. The material also needs to be breathable enough to keep baby comfortable.

Huggies Little Snugglers use the GentleAbsorb* Liner (sizes N-2) or the DryTouch Liner (sizes 3-5) to provide fast and high capacity fluid absorption. I'm amazed to find that both my baby's bottom and the inner surface of the diaper remain dry even when the diaper is already fully loaded with fluid. The Little Snugglers also feature a soft, breathable outer cover that helps protect baby's gentle skin.

#2: Long-lasting leakage prevention
Diaper leakage or blowout could be a messy nightmare because you will have to wash not only the baby, but also the sleepwear, the crib sheets, and even the mattress protector, if you get "lucky". Huggies's Leak Lock® System provides as long as 12 hours of protection so that you can have the peace of mind that no leakage is likely to bother you or your baby when baby finally starts to sleep through the night. The smartly designed pocketed-back waistband helps prevent blowouts, which is particularly useful for breastfed babies.

Could a Landline Be Your Lifeline? 3 Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe This Summer

Mobile phones are playing such an important role in modern life that they have made the landlines seem obsolete. At least that's what I thought until I learned about why landline is a necessity for families with kids staying at home during summer. Imagine a situation in which your kids, in your absence, have to call 911 for help due to an emergency at home. Will they call from a cell phone or a landline? And does it make any difference? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. According to the latest data, if you don't have a landline in your home, it could be putting your children in grave danger.

Here's a shocking fact: According to an investigation by the USA Today, the chances of 911 dispatchers being able to find you based on your cell phone's GPS can be as low as 10% in some parts of the country. With a significant share of cell phone-to-911 calls being placed from within residences — and 45% of Americans opting out of landline coverage at home — countless people are left vulnerable in emergencies. The question then becomes not why you should have a landline in the home, but why haven't you gotten one yet?

In the spirit of keeping you and your family safe, I've partnered with Ooma, leading Internet home phone service with reliable E911 technology, to deliver three tips for keeping your home safe this summer in addition to owning a landline.

Dental Care Tips for Children from CloSYS Experts

February is Children’s Dental Health Month. Dental care experts from CloSYS have kindly provided some tips to help parents keep their kids' mouth clean and healthy. Read on for "Tell, Show, and Do: How to Make the Most of Children’s Dental Health Month."

February is a great time to recognize the importance of oral health for children and effectively get your child interested in good oral hygiene. Parents can help children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums by modeling good behavior, developing good habits at an early age, and scheduling regular dental visits.

It can even start as early as in infancy by familiarizing your child with the feel of a soft infant toothbrush or wet wash cloth as you clean their gums after mealtimes. Give your child, even if they don’t have teeth, a soft bristle toothbrush so they can copy mom or dad. They will do it!

Another great way to teach young children and toddlers the proper techniques of good oral hygiene is to tell, show and do.

TELL: Explain how to brush and floss and how those actions keep teeth clean and healthy. Make sure you use age-appropriate language so your child will truly understand. Let them ask questions, and make sure to answer them.

SHOW: Let children watch when you brush and floss your own teeth. Again, let them ask questions and make sure to answer them. Answer them by showing them. Sometimes using a stuffed animal can help you demonstrate.

DO: Help children brush their teeth in the morning and before bed. Keep a regular routine so they know it’s expected. Brush for at least two minutes. Sometimes teaching them a song that takes about two minutes helps. It helps them brush for the whole time, as well as makes it fun! Continue to help your child brush their teeth until they’re 4 or 5 years old. After that, let them do it themselves, but supervise and monitor until they’re 7 or 8 years old.

Grilling Tips from Stubb's Legendary Bar-B-Q & $150 Gift Pack Giveaway

It is almost impossible to resist the temptation of yummy food sizzling on the grill, especially when the smoky aroma fills the air. When summer comes, so does the grilling season. Enjoy some grilling tips from a seasoned grill master and enter to win a personalized gift pack filled with $150 worth of BBQ goodies, just in time for your Fourth of July celebration!

Rocky Stubblefield, Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q brand ambassador and grandson of founder C.B. “Stubb” Stubblefield, is offering a few tips and recipes he’s picked up over the years to make you the grilling hero of any barbecue, family gathering or even weeknight dinner. Stubb’s is the maker of authentic, premium BBQ sauces, rubs and marinades and was founded by C.B. “Stubb” Stubblefield in 1968.

Stubb didn’t just make barbecue, he made friends, serving up his slow-smoked brisket, cole slaw and beans, all with his wide, trademark smile at his restaurant in Lubbock, Texas. It was during this time that Stubb first began bottling his now famous sauces at the request of his friends.

Rocky’s Grilling Tips

Blurb Blog Series 4: Amazing Ways to Use Blurb

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Here comes the 4th and final post in the Blurb blog series. Now that you know how and why Blurb is such an incredible source for story-telling—whether with photos, words, or both, you may wonder what possible uses Blurb has besides this. After all, not everyone has the desire to write a novel or sell a book of their photos. Some people just want to commemorate a trip, an event, or a special occasion. Others may want to visually capture a business concept or life experience. Whatever the inclination, Blurb makes it easy and affordable to realize it.

Chances are you already have an idea for the kind of book you want to create. But in case you need a little inspiration, here are a few ways people have used Blurb to create their own creative and useful books:

Gifts
A beautiful, custom-made book is one of the most thoughtful, meaningful gifts you can give. With Father’s Day, graduation, and wedding season just around the corner, this type of book can make the perfect gift that keeps on giving. And with Blurb’s cutting-edge book-making tools, you can add photos, words, stories, drawings—anything you want—and make something that’s truly one-of-a-kind. Ideas include: a favorite recipes book, a baby’s first year book, a book of poems, a senior year book, etc.

Memoirs
You have a story to tell. Ok, so you may not have hiked across the Sahara or been on Broadway, but that doesn’t mean that you haven’t impacted lives or had interesting life experiences. And it certainly doesn’t mean that you don’t have valuable insights to impart. Even if you have no interest in sharing your memoir with anyone, the process of reflecting on your life and writing down some of your thoughts and experiences can be incredibly eye-opening and cathartic.

Pet Books
What better way to showcase your best friend than with their very own book. It could be something as simple as pictures and quips of trips to the park, naps on the couch, playing with a favorite toy, or basking in the sun, to a more in-depth life story book about your pet. These can be shared as gifts, sold to fellow pet-lovers, or just kept for your own personal enjoyment.

Non-Profit Fundraising Books
With Blurb, non-profits can share their story with compelling words and images and then sell them via Blurb’s Sell & Distribute option to fundraise for their organization. For example, Gerrit Greve’s Hearts for Healing book showcases how kids interpret a giving heart through art. It also chronicles how Greve’s students gained new confidence in themselves and their abilities knowing that their art could make a difference in someone’s life and health. This beautiful book is an example of how Blurb’s platforms can be used to support a cause that’s important to you.

These are just a few ways that you can use Blurb to share your story or promote a purpose, but know that there are many, many others. Get creative! Honestly, the most important part is just clicking on the “Get Started” link onBlurb.com. As you start the process of creating your own book, you’ll be surprised at how quickly the creativity floodgates open!

And when it does and you’ve created your own book, be sure to tell me about it—if you’re okay with me doing so, I’d love to promote it to other readers. Who knows? You may inspire someone else to create a book of their own!

Blurb Blog Series 3: Premium Quality & Cost Effectiveness

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

The Blurb Blog Series continues with a closer look at the quality and cost factor of Blurb books, along with a money-saving offer. To refresh your memory, you may read the first two posts in the series here and here.

Thus far you’ve heard the Blurb story and learned a bit about the extensive tools and resources that Blurb makes available to their book-making customers. While all that is impressive, what’s really remarkable is how they offer all of that and provide visually stunning books made on photo-quality paper - AND do it all at such an incredibly affordable price. It’s really something to marvel at.

Since day one, Blurb has been praised for their unwavering commitment to quality, which is why renowned photographers, graphic designers, architects, artists, and other creative professionals repeatedly choose Blurb to display their works of art. That speaks volumes in my book (no pun intended) because, if they trust Blurb to showcase their work, then it just seems logical that I should too.

Professional-Quality Books and Magazines
Whether you’re creating a photo book, a trade book, or a magazine, Blurb allows you to choose from a wide range of trim size, covers, fonts, layouts, and paper. Paper type is actually really key to any book which displays images. Other book-making platforms may have some nice quality paper, but you’re going to pay out the wazoo for your book. Others use recycled paper, which is good environmentally, but not so great for producing visually-rich images.

Blurb, on the other hand, provides customers with several paper options, including standard paper that has a smooth, semi-matte finish on 80# stock, to uncoated ProLine semi-gloss paper on 140# stock that’s ideal for high-end photography and design books.

Digital Books/Ebooks
Blurb is actually one of the few book-making platforms that gives you complete control over creating an ebook. Blurb lets you make ebooks in both fixed-layout (Apple iPad®-only) and reflowable formats (iPad and Kindle devices). You can even convert any book or magazine you create into a gorgeous ebook so you can share and distribute it in a way that’s easy, affordable, and earth-friendly!

Price
If price is a factor (when is it not?), Blurb is bar none one of the most affordable printers out there with one of the lowest price per page available – especially when you consider their quality and array of creative options. So that you will know exactly what you’re getting at what cost, Blurb developed a Pricing Calculator. This fantastic tool lets you see what your price per book will be based on the selections you choose (e.g. soft cover, 7 x 7 photobook, on ProLine Uncoated #100 paper).

You can also compare the pricing of different types of books (trade book vs. magazine, vs. ebook, etc.), covers (hard or soft), sizes (7 x 7 vs 13 x 11), paper type (matte, glossy), etc.

Although their pricing is already impressive, take note that Blurb is generously offering you 15% off any book you create from now through 5/30! Get started here!

I recommend sorting through those pictures on your camera, smartphone, Facebook feed, or Instagram page and start creating your very own book. You’ll be so excited with the results that you’ll probably want to make a copy for all of your friends and family.

Potty Training Tips from Pampers, #PampersEasyUps Twitter Party & Prize Pack Giveaway ($50 AMEX Gift Card & More)!

Do you have a toddler who needs to be potty trained before starting preschool, and who has shown signs of readiness? Now you have the perfect weather and timing to get started. While potty training is an important stage that every child needs to get through, it can be very challenging at times, especially considering the inevitable accidents and the messes they will create. Pampers, the leading brand of diapers and training pants, has therefore teamed up with potty training expert Dr. Laura Jana, to suggest tips and tools that you may use to make the process less stressful for both you and your child.

Here are a few tips that I find most useful based on my own experience:

1. Patience is the best policy. As with any aspect of child care, patience is a parent's key to success. No matter how eager your toddler is to put in a big child's underwear, the transition cannot be accomplished overnight. It takes a lot of time and practice to master this gigantic milestone of childhood. Being patient also means to always side with your child during the learning process and allow for accidents and mistakes.

2. Have the right supplies on hand. You can significantly boost your child's potty success if you are equipped with such great tools as Pampers Easy Ups training pants, a well-fitted potty ring and a sturdy step stool, which may also add fun to potty time. Pampers Easy Ups makes the diaper-to-underwear transition smoother by allowing potty-training toddlers to get out of diapers and wear something with more of an underwear-like design that still helps keep accidental messes off clothing, bedding and other surfaces whether they happen at home, on-the-go or overnight.

Seeing their favorite cartoon characters like Dora and Thomas Train helps increase children's interest in wearing Pampers training pants and in going potty. Pampers Easy Ups are more absorbent and have fewer leaks than the other leading training pant. With up to 12 hours of protection for both day and night, Pampers Easy Ups give parents the peace of mind that their children will stay dry and comfortable as they learn to go potty on their own.

Blurb’s Book Camp: Tips and Tricks for Photo Book Design from the Pros

Do you enjoy photography as a hobby? Are you looking to display your talent through stunning photo books? Blur's Book Camp continues to offer tips and tricks from professional graphic designers! Now that you've spent hours sorting and editing your photos into individual masterpieces, take a look at this video from Blurb before having them turned into a printed collection of your art. In this video, you will learn graphic design secrets to create a clean, high quality photo book, such as how to avoid falling into the "gutter". Blurb will help you turn your photography into the magnum opus that graces your coffee table, as opposed to just another book of pictures.

Now through October 31st, all new customers can save 25% on photo books with code OCT25%, while returning customers can save 20% on photo books with code OCT20%. Act now if you're thinking ahead to the holidays and making your work of art into a gift to send!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Staying Safe While On The Go #‎MaceBrandMoms‬ #Spon

Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored collaboration with MACE and Crossroads Media Hub. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

As a busy mom, I feel myself constantly on the move, sending my older son off to school and picking him up, driving him to art, swim and other enrichment classes, walking my toddler to the park, grocery shopping, running errands, and whatnot. It is therefore highly important for me to get around safely, with or without my kids. I bet many of you are in a similar situation and would be interested in learning more about how to stay safe while on the go. Let me share with you a few personal safety tips along with some of the best self-defense products from Mace brand.

1. Avoid becoming an easy target. First and foremost, you should try your best not to put yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. For instance, avoid walking alone on a poorly lighted street at night. Plan your route well to get around neighborhoods that are notoriously unsafe. Find a partner if you can when you go jogging, walking, biking, or exercising outdoors. These measures will help minimize your chance of becoming an easy target for crime.

2. Check your surroundings. You should stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you at all times. When you are alone in the parking lot, be sure to look around for any suspicious idling people or vehicle. Retreat to a safer location when necessary. Check the back before getting into your car and wait until the surrounding is cleared to get out. Don't take chances when you already sense danger heading your way.

3. Keep family and friends informed of your whereabouts. Carry your cellphone with you while on the go so that you may let your significant other, parents, or roommate know where you are and when you will get home. It will also come in handy when you need to call for help. I always call my husband and tell him that I will be home soon after I get inside my car and lock the doors. He will call to check on me if my drive takes longer than anticipated.

4. Have self-defense tools within easy reach. It's better safe than sorry. Keeping a pepper spray on hand will significantly increase your chances of making a safe exit when an attack happens. As the original brand of pepper spray, Mace brand offers a good variety of products that would be perfect for your personal safety arsenal. The pepper spray can be easily attached to your key chain, simple to operate with one hand, and provides a fast yet nonlethal means to keep the offender at a distance. The Personal Defense Kit I received also includes a water trainer to help you practice using pepper spray in a more effective and precise manner. MACE brand self-defense products will not only help you protect yourself but will also help you stay calm and confident in times of danger.

5. Learn basic self-defense techniques. While you should avoid physical confrontation with the attacker, mastery of basic self-defense techniques will give you a better chance of staying safe when physical confrontation becomes inevitable. There are quite a few free online resources you can use to learn those techniques, including the Mace brand website. Practice them with someone at home and get better prepared for the worst scenario.

Follow Mace brand on Twitter and Facebook for more safety tips and stay posted about their new product releases.

Spring Trends from Kohl’s Spring Fashion Google Hangout #SpringAtKohls #Sponsored

Disclosure: I participated in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Kohl’s. I received a gift card as a thank you for participating.

As the trees are sprouting and the flowers budding, spring is the perfect time to put on a new look with bright colors and trendy fashion items! Four awesome bloggers and Kohl's the Vice President of Trend shared their favorite fashion tips during Kohl’s Spring Fashion Hangout. Are you excited that pink is the color of the season this spring? What is your favorite way to incorporate pink into your wardrobe? Check out the distinctive styles from the bloggers and see which lady you identify most strongly with. I love feminine tops and am happy to learn from the hangout about various ways to make a fashion statement with them, be it bold or subtle. I already have my eyes set for several pieces from Kohl's Lauren Conrad line. Be sure to watch the Kohl’s Spring Fashion Hangout and discover the spring trends that speak to you!

Photo Shoot Tips for Fashion Lovers

A picture is worth a thousand words. The power of pictures is even greater when it comes to showcasing your personal style and fashion sense. Blurb, the company that helps you make books about anything that interests you, has some useful photo shoot tips to offer for those who are looking to print your own fashion/design books, whether as a unique gift for yourself or a future best-seller.

1. It’s all about lighting. To make your fashion really pop, choose natural light or studio light with a soft box (you can even make one from a lamp and last season’s white t-shirt). If you’re using a flash, you’ll probably want to bounce it or stick a diffusion filter on it.

2. Make a shot list. This is a critical step, and even more important if you are photographing models. Even if your model is just your best friend who owes you a favor, they’ll appreciate it if you know exactly what you want to shoot. Think about the poses you want to capture, the outfits you want them to wear, and the details that you want to highlight in every shot.


3. White balance (WB). Accurate color and skin tones come from making sure the WB function on your camera is set to your lighting situation.

4. Choose the right lens/zoom setting. If you’re using a wide angle, you’re going to lose your beautiful lines (and your model may never forgive you). If you have a camera with different zoom levels, zoom out to minimize lens barrel distortion.

5. Keep it stylish. It’s a fashion shoot, after all. Play music, keep things moving, try new angles. Attitude, attitude, attitude.

6. Dress it up. Make your book as fashionable as the clothing featured in it. Choose a simple design that doesn’t upstage the clothing, but still looks chic. Pick a size and paper type that showcases the work brilliantly.

You may be aware that fashion means different things to different people. Follow your own fashion obsessions and document them in a cool fashion book. Get started now and save 25% on print book orders of $75+ at Blurb.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Hot off the Press: Women Driven to Success by Jane S. Goldner Ph.D

Dr Jane S. Goldner just released her new book Women Driven to Success: You Can Have YOUR All, which strives to help business women from all works of life to develop their own strategies for success and to "have it all" in their own terms. It provides the perfect guide for those seeking to strike a balance among work, family, and all else that matters to them.

About the book:

"The 'real life' stories and the practical toolkit make this book one that you will want to keep, refer to and recommend to your spheres of influence!" Women today are being told by successful businesswomen that the key to 'having it all' is leaning in. Dr. Jane Goldner, on the other hand, believes that success is not a one size fits all concept. She states that women can "have it all," but poses the question: "What does 'it all' really mean?"

Throughout the book, Dr. Goldner provides the answer that "it all" is different for each person, and discusses the paths women have taken to go from homemakers to "doing dishes, diapers, and million-dollar deals," with many choices in-between. A critical lesson is that before a woman "leans in," she needs to figure out "her all." Based on her own life experiences and those of 14 other highly successful senior-level professional women, Women Driven to Success provides examples of role models as well as a tool kit to help women define and live THEIR ALL.

Among the many topics that Dr. Goldner covers in her book are: - The need for each woman to define her own CORE, her 'North Star' -Why being 'everything to everybody' is NOT the answer - Learning the skills of negotiation and confrontation - The important difference between taking personal time to stay healthy, and having to take time to be sick.

Purchase your copy today at Amazon!

About the author

Dr. Goldner is a business consultant with nearly 30 years experience. She's worked with multiple Fortune 500 companies, the US Military and with some of the foremost executive leaders in the country. In addition, Dr. Goldner is both an adjunct professor at the Coles School of Business Kennesaw State University and in the Leadership and Organization Development Master's Degree program at PCOM.

Disclosure: I was compensated for sharing this information. All views and opinions expressed are my own and may differ from yours.