Chamilia Silver Snap Charm Bracelet (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

Charm bracelets have come a long way from what I remember. If you had a charm bracelet as a girl and you want one now but don’t want dangly charms clicking together every time you move, the Chamilia Silver Snap Charm Bracelet may interest you.

Chamilia also sells necklaces and earrings. Jewellery comes in .925 sterling silver, 14K gold, leather and more. The charm beads are made from .925 sterling silver, 14K gold, Italian Murano glass and Swarovski Elements.

The charms are little beads that screw onto the bracelet so that they won’t fall off when the bracelet is unclasped.  There are tons of charms to choose from, including decorative ones as shown above and themed ones.

I did a short video review (2:10) to show how the bracelet works. If you don’t hear sound right away, turn it up a bit as my voice was low.

The silver snap bracelet is just one type of charm bracelet. There is also a bangle and a toggle bracelet. All kinds of bracelets take the same beads.

As I said there are tons of beads to choose from, here is just a SMALL sampling.

1 – Enchanting Spiral
2 – Nemo
3 – Basketball
4 – Christmas Tree
5 – Wine Glasses
6 – Aunt
7 – Box of Crayons
8 – Frog Yoga
9 – Birthstone

The website has instructions for measuring your wrist and you can specify the size you need when  your order. As stated in my video review, the only problem I had was my skin getting pinched by the bracelet which I think is from my arm hair so I wouldn’t recommend them if you have a lot of arm hair.

Since the jewellery is so well made, you will be looking at $40 – $1200 for the bracelet depending on what material it’s made of and $20-$420 for the charm beads.  There are starter kits as well that come with the bracelet and some beads.

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

World Vision Gifts–Gifts That Make a Difference (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

The Gift That Makes a Difference

At this time of year, many families want to give gifts but are also aware of the many people without money or homes who don’t get gifts this holiday season. It can be  tough sometimes to justify the gifts you are buying when others are going hungry.

There IS a way to give a gift to a loved one AND help deserving families at the same time with World Vision Gifts.  Purchase a gift from World Vision Gifts and you receive a card to pass on that tells how they helped a poverty stricken family.

World Vision Gift Catalogue

There are more than 60 gifts to choose from. If you are in Canada, you can see what’s available at World Vision Canada, while those in the US will want to check out World Vision. There catalogues are slightly different but they idea is the same.

For example you can buy Two Hens and a Rooster for $50 or a Goat for $100 which will provide milk and an income as they can sell the goat manure and any offspring. Two mosquito nets is $30 or if you have lots to spare, you can buy a family a Ger which is like a warm tent like home for $900.

In fact, Burnbrae Farms is currently partnering with World Vision and will donate $10 to World Vision for each purchase of Two Hens and a Rooster through Nov. 30/2012 (so hurry!)

Recently added are some handcrafts gifts which help women. For example I was sent this Turquoise and Wood bracelet (see below) which was made by women and girls who have escaped exploitation and abuse in Thailand. A purchase of this gift helps support the women creating the jewellery.  You can also get a hand-woven scarf or a Haitian hand-beaded necklace.

The bracelet is beautifully crafted and I love sharing that it was made by women and girls in Thailand. It would be the perfect gift for the fashionista in your life.  It’s quite big so would fit a thicker arm and hang loosely on a thin arm.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.  - World Vision

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

These Hot Men Want You To Touch Your Breasts

*Don’t worry this is family friendly

How would you like a hot man to remind you to check your breasts and get your mammogram? Breast Cancer Awareness month is almost over but you need to check your breasts regularly, not just in October. Downloading the Your Man Reminder app for Android or IOS will help you remember

Features:

• Hot Video Messages – You’ll love the attention our hot guys give you as they remind you to show your breasts some TLC.
• Reminders - Tailor your calendar schedule with settings for weekly, monthly or surprise reminders.
• Risk Reduction – The App features special tips than can help reduce your breast cancer risk.
• Education - The App includes a special “signs and symptoms” tab to hone in on the importance of early detection.
• Get Checked – Use a variety of scheduling options such as doctors’ appointments and many more.
• Man-O-Gram – Send a personalized message from a hot guy to a friend to help them stay on top of their breast health.

Check out the video to see the app updates and find out more:

Available for FREE on Android and IOS – Your Man Reminder App

*Disclosure: Nothing was received for this post, I love the idea and wanted to share

REVIEW: Cleava–Snap to Bra Cami - Switch From Day Look to Night Look Seamlessly

The Cleava is a mock camisole, similar to a dickey but it attaches to your bra. It was designed by women, for women. It allows you to conceal or expose your cleavage, depending on the occasion, so you can use the same dress for work and for cocktails.

It gives you the layered look without the added layer. See more on the entire list of advantages.

I received one of these to review. It’s quite an inventive product. It is easily removable and small, so you can slip it into your bag.

It is advertised as “Easy as 1,2,3” to put on or take off. I found it is very easy. It snaps around your bra straps and fits under and over the middle of your bra. You can take it off without undressing and then just slip it into your bag.

It is also advertised as one size fits most. I tried it with two different types of bras and found it fits better with one over the other. It also seem to make a difference in the top you wear, it looked better with certain ones. I found it could use one more snap in the middle, at least for me. It felt comfortable but one of the side straps showed above the edge and needed adjusting.  Someone commented that viewed from above you could see the side straps. I wonder if it would work with the snaps being a bit lower?

It just so happens that I have a top really like that is low cut. I wore it one day to play group with my I charge and someone let me know that I was showing a bit too much when leaning over. So that is the top in the picture above.

The Cleava comes in different colors, some with lace and one with rhinestones. I received a white one. I’d recommend having at least black and white to goes with multiple outfits. They are machine washable and dryer safe. I did wash it with no problems.

Where to Buy

The basic Cleava sells for $19.95, more if they have lace or rhinestones. A fair price, I think. They are sold in a few stores in the USA and Australia and one store in Alberta Canada. Otherwise they are an on-line store. It shipped well. I received it in a thin envelope and it arrived promptly.


Bottom line – I think you’ll like it and with the Holiday season around the corner it would make a great gift for any reason or any season.

Free Shipping on Orders Over $50 Michelle De Sousa, the inventor of Cleava is so confident that you're going to love your Cleava that she is offering FREE SHIPPING on any orders over $50.00. You also have The 30 Day Guarantee. If for any reason you are not happy with your Cleava you can return it within 30 days. You’ve got nothing to lose click here to order or call 1-888-692-5328. The code expires Nov 1, 2012 - Use code: FSCR

*Disclosure: One of my reviewers received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Are You Happy With Your Skin Colour?

Why is that we can’t just be happy with how we look? Most of us spend tons of money and time changing how we look to match more of what we think of as the “ideal.”

Unhappiness is Everywhere

It’s not just those in North America either. While many of us clamour to tanning salons or our self tanners to get a DARKER skin tone, some people with naturally darker skin do what they can to make their skin LIGHTER.

Skin Bleaching

My friend who was born in Somalia but grew up in Kenya bleaches her skin with a special product made for that purpose to give her face a lighter shine. I was discussing this with her, how crazy it is that light skinned people want to be darker while dark skinned people want to be lighter.

Risking Our Lives for Beauty

I asked about the safety of the skin bleach and she admitted that while it’s safer than regular chlorine bleach, you still have to be careful not to use too much or you can damage your skin. Tanning is of course very unhealthy too, and can cause skin cancer.

Our Culture

Of course with anything, there are exceptions. I am by no means suggesting that EVERY Caucasian wants to be darker or every person with what we consider darker skin wants to be lighter but it isn’t just my friend either. Her culture truly believes those with lighter skin are more beautiful than those with darker skin, even in their own country or culture. So since she is lighter than her sister, she is considered more beautiful.

How to Change

Fight against what society says, be proud of the skin colour you were born with, no matter how dark or light that may be. You are beautiful when you don’t pretend to be someone else, when you embrace who you ARE. Society’s beliefs about beauty will only change if every person is true to themselves.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

*photo credit: from photoexpress.com. Do not copy.

REVIEW: Complexion MD Wrinkle Cream

*This Review is Written By Barb, a Member of my Team.

I am 52 years old and have watched my skin age for a while now. I recently noticed fine and not so fine lines around my lips and I don’t much like them. Therefore when the opportunity to review an anti-aging cream from wrinklereview.com came along I was excited to try it out. I received a jar of Complexion MD and started using it at the end of June or early July.

Product Claims

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles within weeks
• Repair skin and promote circulation
• Firms and tighten skin
• Hydrates and moisturizes
• Noticeably reduces signs of aging

The cream itself has a thick consistency and feels like it’s sitting on the skin. At first I wasn’t a fan because it didn’t slide around smoothly on my face or have a nice scent, not that it smells bad mind you. Further reflection however made me think that it was a good thing. It means that it has no irritating fragrance or silicone. Many beauty products contain silicone which makes the product glide across the skin. I’m not too sure that silicone should be on your skin.

So What ARE the Ingredients?

• Acetyl Hexapeptide-3
• Palmitoyl Pentapeptide
• Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Retinyl Palmitate
• Shea Butter
• Aloe Vera

I know some of those names can sounds scary so if you want to know more about what they are, see the ingredients page.

The instructions recommend that after applying Complexion MD that you use a moisturizer with anti-oxidants. I used my moisturizer although mine does not have anti-oxidants. My face instantly felt smoother. It set a great foundation for my make-up.

After using if for a month or so I’d say that is has lightly reduced my crows feet but I don’t see a noticeable difference around my lips. However I haven’t put it too close to my lips only because they have been irritated lately. It does reduce the look of my large pores and I love that.

The Bottom Line

Complexion MD claims to improve your complexion and make you look younger and from my experience using it, it lives up to its claims. I’d love to continue to use it but it’s a little expensive for my budget. I must say I’m intrigued about the new Microdermabrasion Polish they now carry.

Where to Buy

Complexion MD Anti Wrinkle Cream is $99+shipping/one month supply and can be purchased from the website.

*The reviewer received product from a company or PR agency for evaluation purposes. All review are honest.

REVIEW: Always Radiant and Tampax Radiant Feminine Products

WARNING: Talk about Periods Coming Up - if you don’t want to know, don’t read on. You’ve been warned.

It’s an inevitable part of life for women, the time of the month, our period, menstruation.

We all have different preferences for what to use and there’s a lot more to choose from then there was when our mothers were young.

Common Complaints about Pads/Tampons

• Too Bulky – pads feel like I’m wearing a diaper or like I have to walk differently and people will notice.
• Messy to change – Pads can rip apart if they are left too long or sometimes rip completely instead of peeling off the underwear, especially cheap brands. When you insert a tampon that comes with an applicator, and you put it back in the wrapper, you still have to wrap it with toilet paper to cover the mess.
• Odor – face it, menstrual blood doesn’t smell very good and with most pads, I can smell it before it needs to be changed, which is gross.
• Insertion Issues – with tampons, most you can never get a good grip to insert them and it ends up being a two handed, messy job. That’s one reason why I’ve been using ones without applicators lately.

I will admit that often times I like a product I try for review but don’t continue to purchase it on my own. Well I tried some Always and Tampax Radiant products and let me tell you, I WILL be purchasing this kind from now on.

How is the Radiant collection different?

When I reviewed Always Infinity back in 2009 I remarked on how the new spongy design was better fitting and there was no more diaper feel. The Always Radiant collection ties in the Always Infinity pads as well as Infinity pantiliners and Tampax tampons.

The Always Radiant Incredibly Thin Liners are thinner than you can imagine, while still protecting you from your lighter flow days and with flexible edges to fit any panty style.

The Always Radiant Infinity Pads really are like nothing else. If you’ve never tried them, the spongy materials is incredible. It stays flat even when it’s full (unlike other pads which bunch up in certain places where more of the flow accumulated) and I can’t see it ever ripping apart. I noticed less odour too.

The Tampax Radiant Tampons have the first ever resealable wrapper. It has a little flap and after you place the applicator back in the package, the seal goes down, covering any mess and you can just toss it in the garbage without worrying about someone else seeing it and thinking eww.

The Radiant collection also have a beautiful package design which you can see even on the wrapping. I know you might be thinking why does the wrappers have to look good, they only go in the garbage. This is true, but I really enjoyed the packaging, it made me feel better about having to be on my period and it somehow seemed less embarrassing if I accidentally flung a pad or tampon out of my purse while reaching in for something else.

So show of hands (ie. comments) – who had ever accidentally had pads/tampons displayed in public? (fell out of purse, kids played with them etc.)

*I received product from a company or PR agency for evaluation purposes. All review are honest.

Getting My Income Taxes Done at H&R Block Canada #incometax #tax

Does the thought of doing your income taxes fill you with dread?

It does for many Canadians. Figuring out what slips you need, what information goes in what spot and if you might be missing something important are very stressful.

Why fret and sweat, trying to figure out your taxes when you can have qualified help from tax professionals at H&R Block?

I've done my taxes with them for over 8 years now and I've been satisfied each and every time. My needs have changed as I had kids and bought a house and went on disability but H&R Block is able to carry over my past information each year so that they just have to make minimal alterations to my file and it's up to date. This year I had to add my son Liam who was born in 2011. I gave them his name, birth date and SIN # and boom, he is in the system with his sisters.

Just this past week we went in to do our taxes, my husband and I . You can make an appointment but we just walked in, gave them our names and SIN numbers and sat down to wait. When it was our turn, we were led to a small cubicle (for privacy) where a very friendly tax professional asked us how we were doing. If you aren't sure what you will need to bring with, you can call one of their offices first and ask.

We signed our privacy agreements and then got right down to work. He went over what papers we had brought and our situation to figure out if we had all the papers we needed. It turns out we forgot one but he was able to calculate it out so we didn't have to go back to search for it. He also reminded us that now that our children are older and will be getting into sports and other activities, that we need to keep receipts for anything we pay for them, to be claimed next year.

One thing I really like, is that I can see the computer he is working on, and watch him input the information so I know it's going in right. If I see an error, I could point it out right away. Not that he made any errors, but I like seeing the process.

As he inputted our information, the computer changed it around to work the best for us. This year, my husband claimed the house, I claimed the kids and I claimed our boarder. It's different every year because the computer is smart and as I said, it will move things around as needed to get you the best possible return.

By going in and having them do your taxes for you, you mostly just sit there and answer questions while they do all the hard work for you.

Also, H&R Block offers:

Maximum Refund Guarantee (they will get the biggest refund possible)
Audit Assistance (they will stand by you and help if you get audited)
Second Look Service (if a past year's return was not done by H&R Block, they will look it over to ensure you got biggest possible refund.)

Click to see full size

By giving your email to them, you get newsletters will helpful tips, reminders to do your taxes and FAQS about what you can claim. You can also call H&R Block, year round with your tax questions, such as wondering: Do I have to claim blog income?

If you still prefer to do your taxes from your own home, H&R Block offers that too. They even help out US citizens living in Canada, who must do US taxes too.

Be sure to check out Tax Talk - the H&R Block blog. For example, did you know that there were changes to the Ontario credits that will affect if you get a refund?

*Disclosure: I received gift certificates to do my taxes for free in exchange for this review. All opinions are honest. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

REVIEW: Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates: Four DVD Pregnancy Series

When you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you are excited about your (hopefully) impending baby. Often though we have a fear of gaining weight because we know it's not common to lose all of it after birth (except for celebrities!)


Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates is a set of four DVDs for different parts of your journey from TTC to After Baby.

Triple Threat - Get in shape before your pregnancy.
Pilates for Pregnancy - Maintain strength and prepare for birth.
Post Pregnancy & C-Section Recovery - Get your pre-pregnant body back.
Exercise with Baby - Bond with your newborn and stay in shape.

I love the little saying on the cover of the DVD case:

"Become STRONG for pregnancy, PREPARE your body for labor. Bounce back QUICKLY after birth SAFE for mom & baby."

The DVDs come all together in one DVD case which is nice because often times DVD sets take up a lot of room on your shelf or don't fit in your DVD holder.

The workouts are not too intense and have a comforting feel to them. This isn't a drill sergeant workout, it's a fellow mom leading you in exercises. The one for exercising with baby includes your baby in the workout which is HARDER than it sounds. Laying on your back and lifting baby up is HARD WORK. Especially with the big babies I make.

Recommended for yourself or as a gift for a special someone who is expecting.


*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Compliment Quotient - Compliment Necklaces

Compliment Quotient is a book about how giving more compliments can improve your life. They also have a store where you can buy charm necklaces to give to someone special in your life.

They are two sided, silver plated pendants with a compliment on one side and a colourful, bold, ethnic or classic design on the other.

I think they make wonderful gifts for a special someone in your life whether it be a friend, partner, family member or even coworker or teacher. It's lightweight, comes in a nice fancy bag and will lift the spirits of whomever receives it.

If there is someone whose spirits need lifting or who you think doesn't receive the recognition he or she deserves, this would be the perfect gift. At $13.95 they are a great price.

Check out @Complimentology and The Compliment Quotient on Facebook.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Article: New Pain Relief for Women Suffering from Endometriosis!

Severe menstrual cramps, painful intercourse, painful urination, and lower back or abdominal pain.

These are all symptoms of Endometriosis, a painful and debilitating disease that affects approximately 5-10 per cent of women who are of reproductive age.

The condition causes an excess growth in tissue that responds to the monthly menstrual cycle and when the tissue breaks down; it can lead to inflammation, causing pain.  Endometrial growth usually occurs on the ovaries, on the uterus and behind the uterus.[i] 

The good news for those living with this condition is that Bayer HealthCare recently announced that Visanne® (2 mg dienogest tablets) was approved by Health Canada for the management of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis.

Visanne is the first long-term, oral, progestin-only regimen specifically developed for women with endometriosis in more than 10 years.[ii] Clinical trials regarding its efficacy have lasted up to 15 months and are responsible for the management of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis.

This is a big advancement for those living with the condition as it can greatly impact a woman’s social, professional and personal life, and women with endometriosis often experience depression and emotional distress due to the uncertainty of diagnosis, unpredictability of symptoms and living a normal life.[iii]

Besides having a high prevalence, there is also a lack of general disease awareness as few women recognize the symptoms – meaning that most aren’t even diagnosed. Studies show it takes an average of three years from the time a woman has her first symptom to the time she discusses it with her doctor.[iv]  It also typically takes up to 12 years for a woman to get a confirmed diagnosis from the first time she seeks help for her symptoms.[v] 

With Endometriosis Awareness month coming up in March, it is especially imperative to shed light on the disease, so that women experiencing these conditions will no longer live in darkness. If you or any one you know is experiencing any of the symptoms of Endometriosis, be sure to talk to your doctor about a diagnosis and the treatment options that are available.

References:

[i]  SOGC.ca.  What is Endometriosis?  Available at http://www.sogc.org/health/health-endometriosis_e.asp.  Accessed November 1, 2011.

[ii] Lupron Depot Canadian Product Monograph. http://www.abbott.ca/static/content/document/LUPRON-DEPOT-ENDO-PM-23MAR10.pdf.  May 20, 2011.

[iii] Kennedy S, Bergqvist A, Chapron C, D'Hooghe T, Dunselman G, Greb R, Hummelshoj L, Prentice A, Saridogan. ESHRE guideline on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis. Human Reproduction 2005;20(10):2698-2704.  Also available online at: http://guidelines.endometriosis.org/.

[iv] Diagnosis:  http://www.womenshealthmatters.com/centres/pelvic_health/endometriosis/diagnosis/index.html.  Accessed November 1, 2011.

[v] SOGC Diagnosis and Management Guidelines.  Available at: http://www.sogc.org/guidelines/documents/gui244CPG1007E.pdf. Accessed November 1, 2011.

 *Disclosure: This is a guest post. No compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

REVIEW: Rachel Rene Bath & Body (Christmas Gift Guide)

Rachel Rene Bath and Body is a business started by a mom (Christine) when she discovered her knack for homemade products after making a milk bath for her daughter (Rene.)

She sells such products as bath bombs, lotions, handmade soap, body polish, body mousse and body mists, plus she has a men's line and gift sets and she can do wholesale orders too and large orders such as for a Bridal Shower.

I was sent a few products to try out, here are my thoughts.


Bath Bombs

I have not had a chance to try the Bath Bomb yet (what mom has time for a bath!?) but it's a very large size compared to what I was expecting so I'm sure it would be great in a bath. Some small ones often feel like they aren't even there in a full bath, but this one wouldn't have that problem. It smelled very strongly too so it should be just the right strength of fragrance in the water.

Body Mousse

The Body Mousse is HEAVENLY. If you have extremly dry or itchy skin, this is the ultimate moisturizer. It was like caking my skin in butter but it wasn't too greasy afterwards. It just took a few rubbings to have it soaked all the way in. The one I tried was Oatmeal, Milk & Honey and it has a pleasant, but not overpowering smell in the jar and on your skin for a while after application.


Body Polish

Body Polish is for use in the shower. It's a grainy scrub used to exfoliate with. It's great for sloughing off that dead skin, especially on those rough patches such as your elbows and knees.  I have always loved using these types of sloughing products in the shower but they often leave you feeling grainy, greasy or just not quite clean. RR Body Polish is designed to leave you refreshed, smelling nice and clean.

Lip Butter

Lip Butter is just a fancy way of saying lip balm. I was sent the Margarita fragrance and let me just say, YUMMY! I am not a drinker but this lip butter smells DELICIOUS! I could smell it all day. It goes on smooth and lasts a while and you can STILL SMELL IT when it's on your lips! MMMM. If you like lip balm, you will LOVE the Rachel Rene Lip butter. I wonder if the other scents smell as good as this one! Lip butters are available in tubes or pots.

Handmade Soap

I'm not a soap person. I usually use body wash. However I know many people love the look of handmade soaps. They can add whimsy to your bathroom. I mean just LOOK at the options! They are so pretty, some look good enough to eat! (BUT DON'T!)

You can find Rachel Rene Bath and Body all over the web at her main website and store, Facebook, Twitter and her blog.

COUPON CODE: 15% off your order within the next 2 weeks with code "Callista".

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Guest Post: 10 Ways To Make Money as a Stay-at-Home Mom

The following is a guest post by Randall Davidson of Audio Transcription.

Although the economy is slowly starting to turn around, millions of people across the country are still out of work and struggling financially. Many stay-at-home moms are facing the difficult choice between being at home to raise their children and returning to work to ensure that their families can make ends meet. In this post, I offer 10 ways that stay-at-home moms can make money without having to entrust their children to daycare or nannies. All of these jobs offer mothers the opportunity to supplement their family's income while still being present for their children.

1. Freelance writing - Local and online journals and magazines often struggle to fill space with relevant content. Generally, these positions pay by the word. The more extensive your freelance portfolio, the higher this rate will be. A great way to create a body of work is to volunteer -- for a little while -- as a contributor until you've built up your portfolio.
2. Customer Service - More than 200,000 people within the US offer customer support from home. At-home customer service representatives answer phone calls, schedule appointments and provide information about the organizations they represent.
3. Consulting - Consultants offer services and/or advice in their area(s) of expertise. This form of employment offers the option of working as a contractor for both small and large organizations. Consultants offer specialized knowledge about a variety of subject areas, which can be as specific as lactation consulting or as broad as social media consulting.
4. Web Development - For those with technical skills, web developers are in high demand. This type of work offers a schedule that is far more flexible than most other opportunities.
5. Data Entry - This job requires one to input data into a web interface from a variety of source documents. The faster you type, the more you can earn. High speed internet is a requirement for this type of position.
6. Educational Work - These positions often require a college degree or a teaching certificate. Typically, those who do educational work from home are either grading tests or tutoring students. This could be seasonal work.
7. Research - Companies will hire at-home workers to conduct research for their businesses, court documentation or to complete background checks on potential employees. High speed internet access is necessary for this position.
8. Voice-over Work - This type of work tends to be assigned on a freelance basis. Sites like Voice.net offer a platform for voice actors and professional voice-over talent to post samples of work and connect with businesses looking for talent.
9. Your Old Job - Depending on the nature of your work with your previous employer, many organizations are now comfortable with the work from home concept if you have a work history with that company. Ask your previous employer's human resources department about these opportunities or speak directly with your old boss.
10. Transcription -The US Department of Labor estimates that the medical transcription industry will grow by 11% between 2008 and 2018.  Even outside of medical transcription, there will be a continued need for the conversion of files from audio to text across a variety of fields that will encourages employers to use transcription services.

Randall Davidson is a co-founder of the innovative, San Francisco-based Audio Transcription, a transcription services company. His company employs a number of stay-at-home moms as members of its professional transcription team. Randall is committed to providing individuals and businesses with the information and tools they need to achieve success, through the articles he writes for popular blogs; through the employment opportunities he offers to talented individuals; and through the top-notch voice transcription services that Audio Transcription provides.

Getting Back in the Sack After a Baby

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Having a baby is a big change and it affects all parts of your life. You are instructed to wait 6 weeks after birth to restart intercourse generally to allow your body to heal.

If you had a vaginal birth, you may have had an episiotomy which you will want to heal completely. If you had a Cesarean, you had major surgery and need to not do anything strenuous for 6 weeks.

However going to your 6 week appointment does not mean you will be ready physically or emotionally.

Reasons you may not be ready:

1. If you had a bad tear or even just a regular episiotomy, doesn't mean at 6 weeks it won't hurt anymore. Not to scare anyone but I had a fourth degree tear with my second child and it still was a bit painful to have sex over a year later. (Although we only waited 8 weeks to resume sex - I just dealt with the pain.)
2. You are dealing with an influx of emotions as your hormones change and you are in love with your new baby. You may be dealing with baby blues or even just be so in love with the baby that you only want to take care of him or her. 
3. You're tired. Notice I didn't say you MAY be tired. All new moms are tired, some more than others, it all depends on how the baby sleeps although in general, it's not much the first few weeks since they have to eat so often. 
4. You may be breastfeeding and some women struggle with the idea of your breasts being used for food and for sex at the same time. (For that matter, there are husbands who refuse to touch or kiss a women's breasts when she's breastfeeding.)
5. You may be afraid of getting pregnant again. You should have talked birth control at your 6 week appointment. Make sure you are implementing your preferred method and use any backup birth control you need to, depending on what you picked. Remember you can get pregnant BEFORE your period returns. 

Remember, you do NOT have to have sex again until you are ready. Just don't ignore your man completely. Spend some time together when the baby is asleep, kiss and hug, or even do other "bed" things other than sex.  Explain to your  man why you are not ready so he doesn't think it's something he did.

When you are ready, take it slow. If you had a tear or episiotomy, go on top so you can be in control. Trust me.

GIVEAWAY: Ann's Bridal Bargains - Bridal Showers, Weddings and Receptions Oh My!

© Flickr Creative Commons User ^@^ina

Wedding Season is Almost Here!

Are you getting married soon? If you are planning your wedding or the wedding of someone close to you, listen up.

Ann's Bridal Bargains has offered my readers a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to their site.

Discount Wedding Invitations and Accessories

What sort of things can you get there?

• Save the Date Announcements
• Wedding Napkins
• Bridal Shower Napkins, Favours and Decorations
• Items for Bachelorette Parties
• Invitations
• Ring Bearer Pillows
• Flower Girl Baskets
• Wedding Programs
• Everything For Your Reception
• Thank You Cards
• Bridal Party Gifts
• Albums
• Keepsakes
• and MORE!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED
Congrats Laura B! 

International Woman's Day 2011

Sadly I didn't have time to write a International Women's Day post so I wanted to at least direct you to this post on the Girl Guides CAN Blog. It's a guest post by The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women.

Shoppers Drug Mart New v.i.b. Program

Shoppers Drug Mart has a new program in place for v.i.b. (Very Important Babies.)

So what are the benefits?

• Each v.i.b. member stays connected with life stage relevant content, exclusive Optimum offers and hot deals on baby products through their enewsletters
• Every pre-natal mom who signs up will receive a New Baby gift pack when the baby arrives! 
• As always, v.i.b members get to take advantage of the Shoppers Drug Mart focus on health, nutrition and wellness of pre-natal and new moms. With many Shoppers Drug Marts open til midnight or 24 hours, a pharmacist is always there to help plus, there are so many convenient locations!

Your baby will also receive a birthday card when he or she turns one. I got a sample to see it. It's a cute card that comes with two optimum deals and a crown.

I was also sent a new mom package to see what is included. There is a photo below.

Included:

Small Congratulations Card
Johnson's Head-to-toe baby wash sample (29ml)
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash sample (59ml)
Aveeno Baby Daily Lotion sample (29ml)
v.i.b It's All About Me bib
3 Huggies Pure & Natural Newborn Diapers
Package of 8 Huggies Natural Care Wipes
A small card to pass on to an expecting friend so they can sign up
Packet of coupons to receive optimum points with certain purchases

Sign up to be a v.i.b member between November 3rd and December 1st and you could win 1 of 50, $50 Shoppers Drug Mart gift cards*! PLUS as a new
member you’ll receive 2500 points the next time you purchase any Pampers diaper products!

I'm signing up right now and I encourage all Canadians to as well. All new moms love samples and savings!

“*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Visit www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/babycontest for full contest details and information on how to enter without a purchase. Approximate retail value of prize is $50. Chances of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Correct answer to skill-testing question required to be declared a winner. Must be a Canadian resident and age of majority or older in province or territory of residence. Valid Shoppers Optimum Card® required to participate. Contest ends December 1st, 2010.”

Disclosure - I am participating in the Shoppers Drug Mart v.i.b program by Mom Central on behalf of Shoppers Drug Mart. I received a gift card and a new baby gift pack as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

I am Woman, Hear me Roar!

I am a member of 4 women blogger groups that I wanted to mention. They have similar names but are quite different kinds of groups.

(in order of how long I've been a member)

She Who Blogs
http://shewhoblogs.typepad.com/she_who_blogs/
She Who Blogs just celebrated it's 3rd anniversary. It's a medium sized group run by Frances at BlogJem. We converse via Yahoo Groups and contribute posts to the She Who Blogs blog. It's a good group if you want to make new blogging friends but don't have time for tons and tons of emails or specific rules.

She Blogs
http://www.sheblogs.org/
She Blogs is a group and forum for women bloggers which connects us with PR and companies as well. There are posts about blogging and topics of interest to women. Sometimes there are offers for blog campaigns. There is a new forum called She Blogs Blogger Network for connecting with other members. It's a good group if you mostly want to connect with PR and get news for women bloggers and only want to socialize when you feel like it.

Lady Blogger's Society
http://www.theladybloggers.com/
Lady Blogger's Society is a larger group. I don't know how many members there are but there must be hundreds. There are daily posts on the blog and if members comment on each one from Monday -Thursday they have a chance to be the featured blogger on Friday. The weekend is the Lady Bloggers Social Tea Party where you link up your blog and visit others. The daily posts are guest posts from members and are usually about blogging. They are very helpful. It's a good group if you are interested in learning more about blogging and want a chance to meet new friends without having daily emails.

LadyBlogs
http://ladyblogs.com/
I just joined Lady Blogs which is quite different from the rest. It's online marketing coaching for lady bloggers. You have to put a small widget on your blog and then there is a forum where you read information and then do exercises. I just started and haven't done any exercises yet but they look good. It would be a good group if you are looking for marketing help and not socialization.

As you can see, it's worthwhile to belong to all of them because they are all different!

The Woman Who Influenced Me the Most - Mrs. Rau

I'm writing this post as part of a giveaway at She Who Blogs but the feelings are real and have always been there. 

Mrs. Rau was a Guidance Counsellor at my high school when I went there. I don't know her first name nor do I have a photo but I can picture her clearly in my mind.

I had a really rough 5 years at high school. I had mental health issues which weren't diagnosed until I was 16 (and halfway through high school) and I had trouble making and keeping friends. I didn't have trouble with schoolwork, I was an A student, but dealing with the social aspect of school was my downfall.

Right from Grade 9, Mrs. Rau was there. She was there for me right until I pulled out of school in Grade 13. She was there for me when I got teased for not having the newest designer clothes, when I was depressed and didn't understand why, when I was lonely, when I wanted to hurt myself, after I did hurt myself, after I came back from the hospital, when I need career advice, when I needed friend advice, when I was cutting school, when I need someone to talk to, when I needed someone to try to and when I just needed a hug.

I spent a LOT of time in Mrs. Rau's office. Especially during Grade 11-13, when I was there most lunches and left a class to go see her anytime I felt anxious, out of control, or suicidal. When she was busy with someone else, I was allowed to sit at the table in the main guidance counsellor office until she was free. (She was one of two counsellors plus there was a receptionist to book appointments with the counsellor) No one else was allowed to just sit there and do school work but I was. The whole counselor office knew I needed time to be in a quiet place and they provided it.

As soon as I read that we were to write about the woman who influenced us the most, Mrs. Rau came to mind. I just needed time to think about how to word what I wanted to say. I even had a dream recently with Mrs. Rau in it, even though I haven't seen her in 9 years. I had a few other women in the dream and they were all people who have been very helpful and supportive over the years in similar ways.

Attention Women: Does your bra fit?

Hurry this offer is only open till Friday, May 21, 2010!

First of all, NO that is not me in the photo. 

If you're like me, your bras don't fit very well. Perhaps you just can't afford the good bras, perhaps you're not sure how to find the proper size or perhaps you just don't want to bother figuring it all out so you wear sports bras everyday.

I don't think I've EVER had a properly fitting bra. Even when I got a full bra with underwire and was fitted at the store, it still didn't fit completely properly.

Another problem I have is that it's hard to find my cup size with my number size. I guess bra makers seem to think that if I'm as big around as I am, my boobs should be at least a cup size bigger than they are. Well they're not!

According to Playtex, 7 in 10 women are wearing the wrong size bra, which is why they launched Playtex Bra Makeover.  Women can go to the site to apply for a bra makeover or nominate a friend. Winners will be flown to New York to receive a Bra Makeover with style expert Alison Deyette (fashion and trend lifestyle expert who has been on TLC's Ten Years Younger, as well as in print publications.)

"The 10 winners selected for a Bra Makeover will also star in their very own webisode wherein a makeover candidate will receive a fitting with Deyette and walk away with the perfect Playtex products. A new webisode will premier on www.PlaytexBraMakeover.com every two weeks."

I was ready to sign up till I saw I had to be in a webisode but I know there are women out there who would have NO problem with that. So do you need a new bra?

*Photo used under Flickr Creative Commons License from user Mark & Andrea Busse.

Disclosure: By posting this information, I am entered into a contest to win a free bra from Playtex. I did not receive any compensation for this post and thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.