Personalized Room Designs

I just bought a very nice shower gift for my friend. I found a lady in North Carolina that paints personalized room decor and asked her if I could order something from her, since I don't live near Raleigh. She was more than happy to oblige, and I was shipped the perfect present for my friend.

I had seen something like this at Target/Walmart but 1. it was so expensive and 2. it wasn't personal enough for me to give to my dear friend. I knew she had picked Pooh as a theme, so I asked Sassy to create a scene with the characters and add the baby's name somehow. She did a fantastic job. My friend said that it was her and her husband's favorite gift. She asked if the lady lived nearby so she could have her paint a wall mural. Only Raleigh, North Carolina is so lucky!

Check out her website. Sassy-Design.com. She has a bunch of photos on there just to give you an idea of what items you could purchase, but have them personalized, which makes them even more special! She can basically paint on anything.

The possibilities are endless.

Hot Fashion Tip

Check out Affordable Glamour for a hot fashion tip.

I've noticed that neons are also back in for nails.

Blueberry Moon Giveaway

Blueberry Moon specializes in ordinary, useful products with a stylized twist. Take your everyday burp cloth—useful but very boring—Blueberry Moon takes it one step further and personalizes it making it chic and fashionable.

What I really liked about the products offered by Blueberry Moon was that they were high quality—apparel from Carter's and Jumping Beans, to name a few. Now, the gifts you buy for someone's baby shower can mean that much more.

I loved all their products. With today's fashion-forward lifestyle, mothers can now carry those style-cramping baby products in their handbags and they'll be covered in chic camouflage.

Blueberry Moon is announcing their first product giveaway for fellow bloggers! Two easy steps could win you the baby essential above.

1. Write a post on your blog about Blueberry Moon telling others about this giveaway and one of the products you like in their store, either the Designer Travel Wipes Case or something else that caught your eye. You can review their inventory at http://www.bbmoon.etsy.com/ Your post has to include a link to their blog to qualify--www.blueberrymoon.blogspot.com

2. Email the link to your post to blueberrymoon@live.com

The best post by August 8th wins. The winner will get to choose this style travel case or have one made with any fabric and embellishment they choose, even their child's name!

How to Grow a Healthy Head of Hair

1. Eat healthy. This will not only help your hair, but also the rest of your body. You'll have more energy and your hair will shine.

2. Drink plenty of water. Again, not only for your hair, but also for your body. Many people do not get enough water each day.

3. Vitamins. Take a vitamin that is high in folic acid. This is found in most prenatal vitamins. Just because it says prenatal, doesn't mean you have to be pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive to take them. They are full of the best vitamins and minerals that your body needs daily. The folic acid will also help your nails grow fast and strong. You can't go wrong taking vitamins.

4. Stay active and go outside. Studies show that exercise as well as great sunny weather speeds hair growth. The increase of endorphins means that your body is operating at its fullest potential, meaning hair growth is optimized.

5. Take care of your hair. Wash only when needed. For some it is twice a week, others just once a week. Don't over wash, this dries out your hair and scalp. Brush carefully and be sure to trim the ends every 6-8 weeks.

More Great College Fund Ideas

Here are a couple of other money saving tips to boost your child's college fund.

FreshmanFund offers a way for gift givers to directly deposit money into your child's college fund account. And, it's FREE! Check it out today!

Also, a friend of mine does this and it is great for the environment too. She takes her daughter for walks everyday on her rural country road. They pick up aluminum cans in the ditch and stock pile them at home, and when they have enough, mom recycles them and puts the money into her daughter's savings account for college. She's also asked neighbors and friends who don't bother recycling to save cans for her daughter. She'll pick them up once a month from all of her contributors. They've made a lot of extra money so far and her daughter is only 13 months old.

Thanks for the tips everyone! Keep them coming.

Great College Fund Idea

Here are a couple great tips for helping to add to your child's college fund.

Starting from when they are babies, instead of toys or presents, ask friends and relatives to get savings bonds (or the money and you can buy the bond) as birthday or holiday gifts. I believe that the parent should be getting their child the most memorable gift anyway, so save the "it" toy of the season as your own gift to your child and ask that they purchase the bond. It may not mean much now, but when those bonds mature, your child will be at the age when they will appreciate it most, and your house won't be full of useless toys and clutter.

When you want to cut your child's hair (if it is 10" or longer), instead of throwing it away or donating it to one of those organizations (I've heard many disheartening things about LOL), you could sell it and put the money into their savings account. Throughout their life, they may be able to cut their hair several times, adding to their college fund.

Sign up for Upromise. It allows you to earn money for their college fund while you spend as you normally would.

If you have any other college fund and money saving tips, please feel free to contact me.

Hot Summer Hair

The hottest trend for hair when the weather seems to get hotter is a braid. French, English or whatever you want to call it, braiding is in. A messy braid is a great casual look, while a more sleek French with an accent accessory is great for the evening.

High or low. Tuck in the end. Upside down. However you braid it, it will never go out of style.

The photo was taken from a great book I own called Beautiful Braids. It can be purchased from Amazon.com at a great used rate.

If you have any great hair tips or photos, be sure to email them to me.