Are you looking to have some fun scrapbooking summer fun vacation memories? Why not try an online scrapbook service? Online scrapbooks take away sticky fingers and trying to remember where you placed the photo you’ve been looking for, for the past half hour.
With online digital scrapbooks you don’t have to worry about your photos getting soiled or the fading of its color. Your photos will look the same years from now as they looked the day they were taken. It helps you to add your own personal touches that you may have taken hours to do if you were doing it manually. With over 1000 designs to choose from and the ability to create your own videos using your photos it helps bring your memories to life. The outcome look so professional that you would never believe how quick and easy it was to explore your imagination and create a scrapbook that would last you a life time.
Most online digital scrapbooking websites allow users to upload photos to their service from your existing Flickr photos, Facebook photos, Picasa photos and more online photo sharing services.
Throughout the summer this could also be an activity that you share with your children and could lead to hours of fun. If you don’t have the time to create your own online scrapbook you can request your book to be made for you.
The best part about it is that online digital scrapbooking can be done absolutely free. You don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars printing your photos in order to share your most cherished memories with family and friends. Now you can share your scrapbooks via the internet which is cost effective and you can reach a lot more persons at one time.
So if you are looking for a way to preserve your fun, summer memories seriously consider using an online scrapbook which can enhance your most memorable and unique moments that will be long lasting.
There are dozens of great online photo sharing websites that allow you to store your photographs on their servers free of charge. Then when you log on to a digital scrapbooking website, you are able to pull those photographs from the photo sharing websites in directly from the photo sharing website of your choice. Here are a few of the most popular photo sharing websites: Snapfish.com, Facebook.com, Picasa, and Flickr.
Did we leave your favorite photo sharing or digital scrapbooking service out of our list? Let us know what your favorite online scrapbook and photo sharing services are in the comments below.
Before we do anything else we have to make sure we pay attention to beach sun and safety for the season and then we can say…Welcome SUMMER! With summer comes the sun, the beach, and staying safe while enjoying them both.
Beach Safety comes in many forms. Each year we hear about people drowning at local beaches but the fact of the matter is, most of these drownings could have been avoided with some common sense safety tips. First, stay away from rip currents. Rip currents are tides or undercurrents that flow under the water and they can be strong enough to pull even the strongest of swimmers under water to their death. Rip currents cause 80% of all drowning deaths in the United States and account for 80% of all life guard rescues. They tend to be more intense as the tides increase, which is often when surfers and body boarders like to hit the waves best. It’s best to know the area and only swim in areas that are marked well and are fully guarded.
Guarded beaches are the only way to swim. Taking your chances at an unguarded beach simply is not worth the risk. Lifeguards are trained professionals that can and do rescue people in situations that a typical, untrained swimmer will be useless. Statistics say that your chances of drowning on a guarded beach are as low as 1 in 18 million. These statistics alone should make your first and only choice when choosing a beach, choosing one that is fully guarded. It could mean your life, or the life of someone you love.
We’ve all been told not to swim alone but things like rip currents and freak accidents are the exact reason why this is reiterated over and over again. Simply put, not only should you never enter the water on your own but if you follow heed to the above information you will never be alone because there will always be a guard there to watch and protect you.
Other safety issues of the beach itself and can come in the form of many of the beach’s natural life within in. When swimming in oceans means avoiding things like jelly fish and their sting. Although the sting of a jelly fish is unpleasant it is rarely life threatening. Seek help from the lifeguard if you have been stung or go to the doctor if you seem to be having any complications but nearly all cases of jelly fish stings are simply a matter of discomfort. You also want to be aware of any sharks in the area and heed any warnings of sharks. If there is a sign that states it is unsafe to swim, for any reason, adhere to it. That sign is put there for a reason. It can be unsafe waters due to bacteria, sharks, harsh rip tides or something else. The guards and personnel in charge don’t put up “Danger” signs and “Do Not Swim” signs just because they don’t want to work. There are definitely reasons of safety involved and you must adhere to them.
This brings us to the area of sun safety. We all have been told over and over how dangerous being in the sun can be; but we also must remember that the sun does provide us with natural Vitamin D which is vital to our bodies. Avoiding the sun completely is not good but we have to enjoy the sun safely. Enjoying the sun at the beach is probably one of our most favorite ways to enjoy a hot summer day. You get the benefits of enjoying the sunshine while also being able to take a swim in the water. Researchers have proven that getting a sunburn increases your chances of melanoma. It was originally thought that sun exposure that causes the skin to burn under the age of 18 significantly increased the risk of melanoma, but researchers have found that sunburn at any age increases the risk. Melanoma is cancer, plain and simple, and I don’t know anyone who wants to have cancer. So what’s the answer? While there’s nothing you can do to guarantee you won’t get melanoma, there are some common sense factors that can help you avoid the risks.
Sunscreen is a must anytime you are in the sun, but especially when you’re in sun at the beach. Choosing an SPF is not the only thing you have to keep in mind when choosing your sunscreen. It has been found that certain sunscreens that advertise SPF’s as high as 60 or more provide little to no protection from the actual harming rays that cause the burn and eventual skin cancer. What you want to look for is a sunscreen that has either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These two elements protect both types of rays UVA and UVB when applied properly. You also want to make sure you apply your sunscreen numerous times. You can really never apply it too often so if there’s question as to “should I put more sunscreen on?” the answer is always yes. Sunscreen, even those that claim to be waterproof and sports oriented, need to be reapplied regularly. The lowest SPF you should ever put on is an SPF 15, so choose an SPF 15 or higher. While it has been debated at what point the SPF is no longer any more useful it never hurts to purchase a higher end SPF just to be safe. The key factor is to continue applying it throughout your outing at the beach, after every swim, after sweating, and just every few hours or so to be safe.
Another key factor is when you’re in the sun. The sun is at its hottest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. so during those hours if you can keep under the shade and limit the amount of sun you are exposed to it is best. Even if you have perfectly applied sunscreen, these are the top hours to get burned and your chances are pretty high that you could walk away with a burn. A burn, any burn at all, is always something you want to avoid.
While you don’t want to approach the summer with fear you do want to make sure this summer, when spent in the sun and at the beach, is a safe one. Build your sand castles with a lifeguard nearby, swim with friends in designated swim areas and make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen, applied numerous times. In the end you’ll be sure you’re here to enjoy yet another wonderful summer filled with beach, sun, and safety!
Chevrolet, General Motors’ price leading brand, has brought to the increasingly fuel efficiency conscious American consumer three vehicles that are impressive in their diversity and mpg ratings. The Chevrolet Volt, Equinox, and Cruze Eco have rushed to the top of the coveted gas mileage rating guides in dramatic fashion. What is especially appealing is that the each model shows that Chevrolet is moving closer to future in terms of providing family oriented vehicles with frugal family economy.
Chevrolet Volt
Chevrolet Volt
The vehicle attracting the most media attention is the Volt. It is a hybrid sedan that offers the versatility of a lithium-ion battery pack and a four-cylinder engine. We found that if you plug it in at night you can go 50 miles at highway speed before the gas engine takes up the challenge. Thus is is very difficult to provide mile per gallon information. If you don’t travel more than 50 miles per day and plug it in daily, you simple don’t need to use the gas engine. If you are only using the gas engine you get about 34 mpg. So the Volt is one vehicle where there really isn’t a miles per gallon rating that is accurate for everyone. The Volt costs slightly over $40,000 and that does not include the $7,500 federal tax credit. Add to that the fact that if you want a faster charge you need to buy a special unit that enables the batteries to get a bigger does of your electric bill. We figure it costs us about a dollar a day, but rates vary significantly. We doubt that if you travel 50 miles you are going to spend much more than a buck for the charge. Using the same yardstick, even with the very efficient Chevrolet Cruze, you would spend over four dollars at today’s fuel costs.
With seating for four, a lot of standard equipment including automatic climate control, cruise control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, a Bluetooth, OnStar, a navigation system with touchscreen, voice controls and real-time traffic, and a Bose stereo with CD/DVD player with auxiliary audio jack, iPod/USB capabilities there isn’t much more you need in the Volt. However, we always recommend the rear camera and park assist package as visibility to the back is hindered by the high trunk. The Volt also has a steeply raked front hood that makes it difficult to know how close you are to an obstruction in front and large A and B pillars that can compromise visibility to the sides. Safety wise you get ABS, stability control, front side and knee airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Braking is good.
We like the Volt and its driveability. It was quick off the mark and kept pace with traffic with ease. The dash and readouts are easy to master, but the modernist layout takes a while to master, especially with the bright, white plastic that covered the center stack on our test vehicle. The Volt comes with a cell phone application that enables you to keep track of the vehicle.
The electric motor and 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine work seamlessly and are the best we have tested. The engine does sound strained at times, but one look at the miles per gallon read-out is a balm for those occasions. However, the engine does seek premium fuel. The Volt holds four adults and, although the doors shut with a reassuring solid sound, there are signs that some sacrifices were made in the interest of a weight reduction with the lack of power seats and a smaller back seat. The trunk is useful in size and the rear seats fold down to help when caring longer packages.
Handling is surprisingly good and the brakes don’t have that numb feel that some hybrids possess. In a nutshell, the Volt is a playful, practical, and pretty sedan and well worth a drive if you can afford the price and can benefit from its electric only range. If those attributes don’t meet your needs , climb aboard the Chevrolet Cruze Eco which provides 36 mpg in mixed driving and costs under $20,000. Learn more about the Chevrolet Volt on Chevrolet’s website here.
Chevrolet Cruze Eco
Chevrolet Cruze Eco
Finally, a smaller Chevrolet that is downright zippy, gets excellent gas mileage, and has enough room for the average family. The problem is that the Eco, with its six speed manual transmission, is so frisky people are going to think you are just practical,when the reality is that the Eco is a hoot to drive. The inline-4 engine is perky, a bit playful, and quiet enough so that you have to train yourself to shift into its overdrive sixth gear because if feels and sounds so right in fifth.
There is an abundance of airbags front, side, knee and rear, and the Eco has stability and traction control, ABS, daytime running lights, OnStar, and more. Crash test scores are excellent. Chevrolet went all out on this model and it gives the competition a real run for money. And, if you order the Cruze with the larger engine it is even more invigorating. Of course the competition is significant especially with the new Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus, but neither are as fun to drive. There are a plethora of models and options in the Cruz catalog, but our Eco was probably the best choice with the connectivity and cruise package for $525.
The Eco’s turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-4 generates 138 horsepower and is good for slightly sub ten second runs to 60 mph. Initial acceleration really isn’t its forte. It comes alive when you need a little zip to pass. Just downshift a gear or two and let the turbocharger perk things up. Fuel economy ratings for the six speed model are 28 mpg city/42 mpg highway a couple of miles per gallon less with the automatic. If you commute a lot, the automatic is probably the better choice.
Interior design is modern and comfortable, but rear seat leg room is a bit tight, as it is for most cars in its class. The dash is covered in a material that isn’t easy to clean and the interior’s overall look is trim, not fancy. The trunk is very large and the entire car is larger on the inside than it looks from the outside. Easy to shift, fun to drive, and excellent fuel mileage make this a must test drive vehicle for those who feel that the Asian competitors build the best compacts. We think you are going to be surprised, and there are some great deals being made. Learn more about the Chevrolet Cruze Eco on Chevrolet’s website here.
Chevrolet Equinox
2011 Chevrolet Equinox
We liked the early model Equinox better because it was smaller and more nimble. But this plus-sized new one isn’t that hard to love if you like practicality and are willing to live with its reduced visibility to the sides.
The good news here is that the Equinox and its standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque is powerful enough to handle most daily tasks in the front wheel drive model and delivers great economy. Moving to the 3.0-liter V6 and its 264 horsepower and six-speed automatic isn’t necessary, unless towing or with the all wheel drive option. There are several models from the basic LS to the upscale LTZ and all are well-equipped, with power front seat adjustments, a sliding and reclining backseat, and optional equipment extends from audio goodies to a power lift gate. However, third row seating is not offered. The Car Family feels that if you need seating for six or more on a regular basis a minivan is safer.
The range and fuel economy with the base engine is outstanding. We averaged over 26 mpg in mixed driving and the driving range before refueling can reach well into the 400 miles category. The EPA gives the Equinox a top notch 32-mpg EPA highway rating.
A nice feature of the Equinox are large side view mirrors, which as very handy as visibility to the sides is restricted due to the large A and B pillars. There is ample room inside and the seats are fairly comfortable. The cargo space, center console are quite spacious and the various storage bins are numerous.
The ride is what you would expect of a SUV and the acceleration acceptable. But what sets the Equinox apart is its combination of economy, room, and attention to details such as the ability to program the height the power tailgate reaches. This makes it ideal for shorter owners. Overall, a well thought out SUV that provides good family values.
Family conference: If it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger and General Motors recent battle with bankruptcy has indeed resulted in some better models. No longer lingering are the Bob Lutz Hummer H2 and the stink of ignoring the American buyer’s interest. These three are all worth a long look and, perhaps, a return to the USA for family vehicle buyers. Learn more about the Chevrolet Equinox on Chevrolet’s website here.
I love personalized baby bibs, bags, and baby clothes. Personalizing your baby’s bib, diaper bag, or onesie makes that item something you and your baby will treasure for years to come, unlike generic store bought baby clothes and other items. As your child gets older, she will love to look at her first bib and see her name on it or ‘Diaper Diva’ and smile.
Georgia Bulldogs Pacifier Clip
Dads, you’re in luck too! Sassie Babies offers sports team pacifier clips. So next time you have to take the baby to your buddy’s house to watch your favorite team play, make sure your baby is sporting his/her team pacifier clip. The pacifier clips are constructed with durable cotton fabric and are about 1 inch wide and 10 inches long. The pacifier clip can also be used as a toy clip.
Baby burp cloths, pacifier clips, bibs, and hats can all can be monogrammed with you child’s name or initials.
Sassie Babies also embroiders aprons, tote bags, travel mugs, bridal pary shirts, mother of the bride, mother of the groom.
For embroidered items you order from SassieBabies.com you can choose an embroidery font style and thread color.
We’ve all seen it. Supermodel Gisele was back on the runway and looking like she’d never even remotely had that baby bump she was sporting 9 months earlier. Actress Milla Jovovich gained 70 lbs with her pregnancy and had about four weeks to lose it for her upcoming role in the movie ‘The Perfect Getaway’ and she did it. Salma Hayek had a beautiful baby girl and within an amazing amount of time she was walking the red carpet in a skin tight outfit looking like she did in her pre-pregnancy days. The list goes on and people are amazed every time at gorgeous celebrity moms who have babies and within weeks are back in public looking as tight bodied and beautiful as they were the day they announced they were pregnant or before . But how can they do it? Really if we thought about it common sense tells us that we are not celebrities with the amenities they have, the funds they have, nor have we ever truly witnessed how these celebs are doing it. Not to mention their bodies are what are making them the celebs they are. They have no choice but to get back to being “them” as the press and the fans know and love them.
Why is it that celebrities can seem to lose weight and get those perfect bodies when we “normal” people struggle for months, even years to lose just a few pounds of weight, let alone the entire amount we’ve gained after our pregnancy? Are we really that uncontrolled? Are we really so horrible and lame that we can’t do what it seems like every celebrity out there can do? If they can do it, shouldn’t we be able to? The answer to those questions is a firm and adamant “NO!” We are not lame, uncontrolled, horrible, or just not strong enough to get back to that pre-baby weight easily. Simply said, we are not celebrities and we do not have the time, resources, or money to achieve what they can achieve in the amount of time they achieve it. We are “real” humans. Let’s break it down.
They make their money because of their bodies and looks. When they don’t have that perfect pre-baby body they are basically “out of work” for the most part. You and I can gain 10, 20, 30, even 70 pounds and still show up for our jobs 8 weeks later to our former job and receive our regular, although it be much smaller, paychecks. Celebs that don’t have their bodies don’t have their job offers waiting, plain and simple.
Many celebs choose to have scheduled c-sections to deliver their baby. They choose this for two main reasons; reason one, convenience and scheduling; reason two as soon as the baby is delivered a tummy tuck is performed. Many doctors argue that this is an unsafe practice and that any additional surgery before your body has the chance to recover from the first surgery (c-section) can be dangerous; while other doctors, mainly those who cater to celebs say it’s perfectly safe. Then again, we’ve all seen many celeb doctors prescribe medications that have proven to be lethal too haven’t we?
Celebs spend their 6-8 weeks after having their babies much different than the average woman who has just had a baby. While we typical moms are spending those weeks often preparing to go back to work, lining up daycare, preparing bottles or breastfeeding, changing diapers, cleaning the house, doing extra loads of laundry (how many onesies can a baby dirty up!?), walking the baby, waking up with the baby when they’re crying at 3 am and rocking them at 8 am, and so on; but enjoying most every minute of it.
Celebs on the other hand generally spend their 6-8 weeks post-baby time with a professional trainer, plastic surgeon, nanny, nurses, doctors, cleaning staff, waiting staff, and in many cases medications that help them to lose weight and handle stresses, etc. They pick the baby up and love it and fuss with it and adore it when they want to, when the have the time to and when they’re not busy doing other things. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they don’t love their babies just as much as you and I, but they definitely aren’t inconvenienced by them unless they choose to be. They don’t have to “fit” a scheduled fitness class that only happens at 11am and 2 pm in between feedings and diaper changes, etc. because if they want to “work out” during those times their paid staff makes sure it happens. Their trainers are there, their chefs prepare their healthy meals, and their doctors give them whatever they need in terms of pain relief, appetite suppressants and whatever else is requested. They’re life simply is not the real life you and I lead and for that reason alone we need to stop comparing their instant pre-baby body look within weeks to ours which seems to stay the same post-baby look forever.
Think of it this way, it took 9 months to grow that little miracle. Take 9 months to appreciate that miracle and slowly, safely, enjoy taking care of yourself and your baby. Find times for walks in the park or meet new moms at gym classes targeted specifically towards “Losing The Baby Weight” or “Baby and Me” style classes. Local family gyms are not only affordable but often offer discounts to families who are having financial difficulties, especially now that the new mom’s not working or perhaps has decided not to go back to work. Do you remember how fast that 9 months went before you were actually having that little miracle? Okay, perhaps those last 4 weeks or so seemed like forever, but the truth is… that’s how fast their life is going to go by right before your eyes. Enjoy them and enjoy being with them. Schedule time for you, but don’t fret that you are not perfect or back to your pre-baby weight and body. The less you stress about it and the more realistic you are about it, the easier it’s going to come off. If you approach this as the beginning of another adventure of your life, one with a new child, new experiences, and a chance to start the entire family on a healthy eating trend you’re going to enjoy together. Long walks after supper, baby in the stroller and enjoying the fresh air is a far better way to spend time; as opposed to allowing your nanny to walk the baby while your fitness instructor gives you one on one instruction on how to tone that tummy quicker. You won’t remember your instructor’s name in 15 years but you’ll fondly recall every minute you spent with your child.
Having a baby is not a free ticket to not take care of yourself; it’s actually just the opposite. It’s the biggest and best reason to make a change in lifestyle for the best and become as healthy as you possibly can. But it’s also time to be realistic on yourself and in your comparisons to those who have lives that are nothing like yours and mine. Sometimes it sounds glamorous to be able to have that 24/7 fitness trainer, chef, maid; but remember that with that glamour comes expectations that often leave you feeling unworthy and empty. That glamour comes at a cost of losing time with those you love and truly want to be with. The new celeb moms who are coming back with the pre-baby bodies that are knock out to look at have probably lost precious hours with their babies that they can never have back. If you ask me, I’ll do a few extra crunches or Pilates classes for a few more months and enjoy those special laughs, smiles and kisses. I’ll enjoy time with my friends, laughter with the ones I love and working a typical 8-hour day if I have to in order to enjoy the miracle of life I was given the chance to embrace. Go out and get an outfit that truly fits, so what if it’s a size bigger, you’re still looking like a knock out in it and will feel better. Share your moments with friends, start scrapbooking together and you’ll be reminded why your life might not be like Jay-Lo’s but it sure is happy. Fit time for you, for you and your partner, for you and your baby into your schedule and you’ll soon realize that placing someone else in that position where you are isn’t really an option.
Every time you look down and notice a little pouch that you never had, glance over and see that smiling, gurgling little one that’s growing before your eyes. It’s a small price to pay and one that you can pay off in small steps while enjoying the life of a non-celebrity mom.
