Ebates

Not sure if you've ever heard of Ebates, but it is a great site if you do a lot of online shopping! It's basically online coupons and rebates that are always available, for over 1000 stores!

The way it works is really easy... You just click to whatever site you plan on ordering from, through the Ebates website (www.ebates.com) and it gives you a percentage back (anywhere from 1%-20%) on each purchase! You don't have to give a credit card or anything!

Definitely worth it to check it out!

Sentimental/Cute Idea

I save just about every card that was ever given or sent to me... If you are the same way, and you have a lot of sentimental cards or notes laying around, turn them into artwork!

You can either cut up the cards/notes and frame them, photocopy them and frame them, or even make some sort of a collage with them!

Either way, if you group a set together and hang them on the wall, it's a great way to display "personalized artwork" and it also allows you read some of your favorite notes everyday rather than store them away in a box somewhere!

(Ps. It's a great gift for Mothers Day...)

Myers-Briggs

I officially took the Myers-Briggs Test  years and years ago... but I recently took an abbreviated version on my Facebook account! It is, hands down, the best personality test out there as far as the length it goes to, to describe your personality type. It is also very helpful in dealing with others, because if you understand what their personality type is, it helps you to understand why they act they way they do, and also how to better "relate" to them.

The real test is quite lengthy, and costs some moola to take, but here is the best "free online one" that I found: 

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm

Here is another site which offers an extensive description on your particular personality type. It covers every aspect of your personality, including your career, relationships, love life, etc... 

http://www.personalitypage.com/high-level.html

In case you were curious, I am an ENTJ :) If you take the test, leave a comment and let me know what your type is! (Also let me know how accurate you find it to be)

My type is an ENTJ :)

Swap Your Clothes!

If you're tired of your closet and looking to spruce it up, try doing a clothing swap!

You can host a "clothing swap party" where you have all your girlfriends (and their cute clothes) over, and you swap them up! Here is a great website for the "how-to" on hosting a party like that:

http://www.lifeorganizers.com/cm_articles/16_organize_a_clothes_swap_189.html

OR

You can swap your clothes online! Here are some great websites to do so:

• www.swapstyle.com
• www.clothingswaps.com
• http://rehashclothes.com/
  

Have fun! 

Personalized Calling "Cards"

Business cards are no longer just for the "business professionals." You can use business/personalized cards now for a variety of reasons... 

• You can make cards with your personal info on it (address, phone #, children's names, etc...) and stick it in your childs back pocket when you're out and about. That way, if the child gets lost, they can access the card and know how to get ahold of you.
• You can also just use a card w/ your personal info (and/or childrens info)  on it to hand out to other mothers/friends. That way they know which child belongs to you, and how to reach you via phone or email.
• Looking for a job? A big trend now is the "resume card." A resume card is basically a brief summary of your work history, your specialty, and your contact information. It's a great thing to have on hand if you're in the job hunt and are at networking events, or even just socializing with friends.
• You can also use them to promote a specific hobby or talent that you have. Like, if you happen to be great at crafts or cooking, or even babysitting, you could put together a card that allows you to promote that talent!
• If you relocate, you can have business cards made up with your new address...
• You can make an "allergy/medication" card for your child to carry with them in their backpack/backpocket.
• You can make a permanent "gift card" ex/ "A Gift For You... Love, The Smith Family" to use with all of your gifts.
• 
  

Here are a couple of websites to order your own cards at:

• www.vistaprint.com
• www.shopmbmb.com
• http://www.123print.com/
  
• http://www.myresumecard.com/home/default.asp
  

OR you could just go to Kinkos and have some made, or even make them yourself! You can buy the business card paper and print!

Something to Try!?!

If you're like me and you have a hard time waking up in the morning...

Try popping a "Wake Up On Time Energy Pill." I was just reading about it in a magazine while I was hanging out in a waiting room. It's a pill that you take before you go to bed, so you wake up feeling all revitalized and ready to take on the day! I honestly haven't tried it, but I have to admit that I'd be tempted :) Check it out: http://www.wakeupontime.com/

For My Girlfriends...

Some of my favorite friendship quotes for some of my favorite friends...

• "I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don't believe I deserved my friends." 
  - Walt Whitman
  
• "Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say."
  
•  "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same."
  
• "A good friend is hard to find, hard to lose, and impossible to forget..."
  
• "How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to."
  

A Litte Car Entertainment...

If you have an ipod, you probably have iTunes set up on your computer...

If you don't, it's really easy to download (Click HERE for the link). Then go to the podcast section, where you'll find a large selection of podcasts. To my knowledge, most of the podcasts are free, and they come in just about any topic that you may have some interest in... so, just download and (if your computer allows it) burn some blank cds to listen to on that fun commute or long car trip! 

Lots of Books and No Bookcase?

Try this decorative and affordable option:

Go to your local hardware store, and pick up some 8" corner braces. You'll need 2 for each stack so plan accordingly...

Then, color coordinate your books (as best as you can) and, using a level, hang your 2 corner braces. Then, stack your color coordinated books on top! It kind of looks like "floating books" or something...

If you have a lot of books, you can do the same thing, covering more wall space... try doing each set of books on different levels or something!

Either way, it can be a decorative and affordable alternative for storing your books!

Sleep Issues?

Here are a few simple solutions for having less sleep related problems the following day:

• Insomnia? Try some natural techniques... For example, did you know that cherries were really high in melatonin? Melatonin is the same hormone created by your body to regulate sleep patterns. Also, try taking a hot bath... that alone will relax you, however if you could put a little "lavender scented" bubble bath in the tub, you'll get some bonus points, as lavender is known to relax you. Also, try sleeping with a lavender scented eye mask, or even a pillow with a lavender scent to it (you can even buy lavender scented "linen sprays") I actually make my own sleep masks and put some flax seed and lavender in them, which definitely does the trick!
• Stop the snoring! Try this, stick a tennis ball in a "sewn-in" pocket in the middle of your back. You will then avoid sleeping on your back due to the discomfort, and will wind up on your side, which will stop the noise!
• Stiff neck? Try "contrast hydrotherapy" in the shower. Blast hot water on your neck for 20 seconds, then alternate to cold for 10 seconds. Do this 3 times, and when you get out of the shower, your body will send the blood back to your skin, resulting in a dilation of blood vessels (and a looser neck!)
• Puffy eyes? Try black tea! It has tannins in it which help "deflate & tighten" those bags under your eyes. Heat up the tea bag (like you're making tea) to activate the tannins, then stick it in the fridge to cool . Then, stick the bags on your eyes for 10 mins. and voila! you've gotten rid of your puffy eyes!
• Morning breath? Here's a long lasting solution- Try gargling with acidic lemon juice to kill the bacteria in your mouth, then eat some plain yogurt (a probiotic) which replaces the reeking bacteria and neutralizes your mouth. This lil trick should freshen your breath for about 12-24 hours!

Shadow Box Idea

Here's a cute idea for some original artwork... 

Take a shadow box, you can leave it plain, or decorate the inside however you'd like with decoupage, paint, wallpaper, etc... then place some mini hooks on the back and use them to hold old keys that had some importance to you (ie: old house keys, car keys, even diary keys?) 

It's a cute way to display things from the past, and it'll probably also help you clean out your junk drawer!

Food Saver

So, I got a Food Saver for Christmas this year (I know... so exciting, right?) and I have to tell you, I LOVE it! I use it for everything! I seal up the bags holding bread, chips, cereal, etc.... They stay fresher for so much longer! It's also nice because of its vacuum seal feature. I actually just bought a salmon, and I was able to chop it up into a couple seperate meals, vacuum seal, and freeze them. Now, they'll stay fresh for much longer! You're actually saving money by using this as well, because food doesn't spoil as quickly and also you can buy in bulk, and vacuum seal for a later date!

Here's a link if you want to buy online: http://www.jardenstore.com/index.aspx?bid=0

Type in coupon code (B8FC30A) and receive 30% off. You can also receive free shipping on purchases over $100.