My girls have passed the age of playing with toys. Instead, they want to spend their time creating, exploring, watching, talking.
Recently, a small package came in the mail. Inside was a Make-Your-own strawberry scented soap kit. I set it aside because I needed to blog about it (which means that I needed to make the time to do the project with my girls and take pictures of the process.
No sooner had I set the kit aside than I found the box empty and the glittery pink soap shapes used up. …

A recent Lawry’s survey found that your choice of flavor says more about you than you think. The nationwide poll looked at preferences for tart, spicy, sweet, and savory flavors and found that your taste can reveal some interesting aspects of your personality.
What’s your flavor?

Tart Flavors - Joyous Joiners
If you are one for tart flavors, you tend to be extremely happy overall, particularly with your family, finances, work/life balance and even your health. As a Joyous Joiners you are an extrovert who loves to …

When I moved into my townhouse in April of 1998, my kitchen was everything I could have hoped for. It was spacious, had plenty of cabinets and a pantry, a big-enough refrigerator, a glass-top stove, and a dishwasher. Really, what more could a young mother of one need?
Flash forward 12+ years and I still love my kitchen….mostly. It would be nice if the shelves in my refrigerator weren’t falling apart. That time that the oven caught on fire was exciting…..but luckily a quickly replaced burner seemed to do the trick. …

This weekend, the BetterinBulk family set out to create the perfect Christmas card picture. It’s a tradition that we keep every October, and although I am a photographer and love taking pictures, it has become one of the least-enjoyed family traditions that we continue to observe. Why is it such an ordeal? Mostly because I certain older male in the family tends to have a less-than-positive attitude about the pictures. He wants to have them, and enjoys them after they are done, but he complains (and gets the kids complaining …

No, I’m not about to review the lettuce I bought at the grocery store this week….although I might have to mention an avocado once or twice. Fresh Produce actually has nothing to do with eating your fruits and vegetables. Fresh Produce is a fresh, fun and comfortable line of women’s clothing. Fresh Produce recently sent me an outfit to try out. As soon as I put the broadcloth capris on, I was in love. Comfortable, ultra soft fabric, and a perfect fit. The Take it Easy Tunic felt like a …

Halloween was always something to look forward to as a child. I loved dressing up (I seem to remember almost always dressing up in one of my ballet costumes) and then going from house to house for HOURS gathering all the candy I could. I’ve always had a sweet tooth.

That’s me in the middle, in the red and white “School girl” ballet costume that I vividly remember picking out for one of my concerts. Unlike most ballet costumes, that particular dance allowed each person to have a unique costume, and …

Keeping on top of the progress of five children in school can be tough. I’ve got a couple of kids who are very independent and self motivated. And then I’ve got a couple of kids who need a little bit more help and prodding. AJ, my kindergartener, is yet to be decided.
My kids are all good students, but they each have unique needs when it comes to learning concepts and completing assignments. I could spend hours every day going over each problem and each concept with each child. But I …

After several years of birthdays that were rather mediocre (sorry, hun, but it’s true), I decided that men and children out there needed a little lesson on what women want for their birthday (or Christmas or Valentines Day or Mother’s Day. Heck, we’ll take it for Halloween, too).
What we really want is to be pampered all day. Let us sleep in, eat breakfast in bed (and, no, cold cereal does not count), and then relax in the bathtub with an assortment of yummy-smelling soaps and bubbles. (Note: Please be sure …

It’s no secret that I love chocolate. Yes, I love candy of just about any variety, but chocolate has a special place in my heart….and in my mouth.
The 87-year-old classic Butterfinger recently launched Butterfinger Snackerz, a new bite-size treat that offers a unique Butterfinger-eating experience. While still “crispety, crunchety, and peanut buttery” like the original Butterfinger, Snackerz are “delicately smooth, refined, and simply irresistible”, as described by some of the nation’s top taste-makers, including celebrities, some of the nation’s leading wine sommeliers, and bloggers. I was lucky enough to be …

As a photographer myself, I am drawn to other people’s photos. I love viewing through another person’s eyes the things that catch their attention and the perspectives that they chose. I was instantly drawn to Courtney Noelle’s Nature’s Notebook beach photos, and loved what she was doing with her talent as well as the natural resources around her. In addition to agreeing happily to an interview, Courtney has also donated a print to give away to a lucky reader. Read on to find out what’s special about this print.

Laura: How …