I look horrible in bright yellow. It’s just a fact. I’ve tried it several times and the outfits were disasters. My kids look horrible in yellow too. We all have olive skin tones and it gives us a lovely puke shade to our skin. However, yellow/gold looks great, so what colors and hues go with you or your babies skin tone? Here is your guide:

All skin types can be  included in four categories which correspond with the four seasons: winter, summer, autumn and spring. By matching your skin tone with the right season, you’ll be able to dress your best.

Winter skin tones can be pale, yellow, or dark with blue or pink undertones. Sharp colors like black and blue are great for winter skin tones, but light browns won’t help you out, so give them a wide berth.

If your skin is pink, then you fall into the summer category. That means you’re best suited for pastels.

Red heads and brunettes generally belong to the autumn camp. They look best in oranges, browns and other earthy tones. Black and white on the other hand won’t do them any justice.

If you have freckles and light skin, you are spring, so you should wear yellows, greens and blues. Avoid black and white.

You hear all the time that dark chocolate is good for you, but why? I’ve found your answers so you can indulge and feel good about your choice. Remember that all dark chocolate is not made equal, check the ingredients on your dark chocolate to make sure there is at least 60% cocoa in the chocolate otherwise you won’t reap the health benefits.

1- Dark Chocolate actually contains more antioxidants than any other food.

2- The Theobromine (not caffeine) in chocolate can help prevent pre-eclampsia in pregnancy.

3- Dark Chocolate can reduce PMS symptoms (woot,woot!).

4-  Dark Chocolate reduces blood pressure.

5- Dark Chocolate is more filling than it’s regular milk chocolate cousin. This may help by making you feel fuller but eating less.

- If you stop drinking soda and other sweetened beverages, you can lose 25 lbs in a year by replacing one 20 oz soda a day with a no calorie beverage (preferably water).

- Did you know? Children consume almost twice (1.8 times) as many calories when eating food prepared outside the home. So eating at home provides more than just monetary benefits.

- Try going for 1 meal without using meat. Why? An estimated 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States are given to farm animals.

- Did you know? The average meal travels 1500 miles from the farm to your dinner plate. Try to buy local as often as you can.

- According to the EPA, over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the U.S. Buy organic on the right products. The produce you should buy organic are:

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Pears
9. Grapes (Imported)
10. Spinach
11. Lettuce
12. Potatoes
13. Carrots
14. Green Beans
15. Hot Peppers
16. Cucumbers
17. Raspberries
18. Plums
19. Grapes (Domestic)
20. Oranges

Produce that has the least amount of pesticides, so it’s okay to buy them conventionally:

1. Onion
2. Avocado
3. Sweet corn (Frozen)
4. Pineapples
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet peas (Frozen)
8. Kiwi
9. Bananas
10. Cabbage
11. Broccoli
12. Papaya
13. Blueberries
14. Cauliflower
15. Winter Squash
16. Watermelon
17. Sweet potatoes
18. Tomatoes
19. Honeydew melon
20. Cantaloupe

These easy time saving tips will help you make better use of your time during the day. I especially love #3!

1- Lay out your kids clothes the night before: How many times do you sit and stare blankly into the closet wasting time picking out clothes for the day? I do it almost everyday. Save time in the morning by picking out outfits each night before bed.

2- Do one load of Laundry a day: This makes for less chance of spending your entire day doing laundry. I have 3 kids and, geez, they sure don’t tell you about how much laundry you’ll be doing.

3- Clean the shower while you are in it: So before you scrub yourself, clean the entire shower while you’re in there anyway. Not to mention you don’t have to worry about getting wet.

4- Clean the bathroom while you’re kids play in the tub: Obviously this applies to older children who still need help with washing but can play in the tub without direct supervision. While you’re kids play with tub toys wash down the counters, sinks and scrub the toilet.

5- Meal Plan: It takes time and some imagination, but by planning meals you save time each day so you don’t have to wonder what you are going to make for dinner.

If you live somewhere that stays warm or semi-warm year round I envy you. We are just emerging from the cocoon of our home to finally welcome spring and get outside! Toddlers and kids don’t spend nearly enough time outside, my kids included.

Here’s 5 reasons you should make it a priority to get kids out and into nature:

1- You never know what you’ll find: Dig in the dirt for worms and your sure to find other bugs too. Nature always brings wonder and excitement to your little ones.

2 – Nature uses all your senses: Name a sense and you’re using it when you are outside in nature. Talk to your child about what they, hear (birds, wind, etc.), see and touch.

3- Spending time outside burns lots of energy: This is an added benefit for parents! My kids always sleep best when they spend a good amount of time outdoors.

4- Nature teaches: There are so many things to learn, talk about and discover when you spend time outside. Take a nature walk and look for birds then talk about their colors, sounds and how they fly.

5- Explore a new place: it’s always great to find new and exciting places to explore. There are so many places that you probably haven’t visited in your area that may be a new family favorite.

Most importantly HAVE FUN and enjoy being outside.

You can get your home in top shape in no time with these Spring Cleaning tips:

#1: Tackle one room/area at a time. Don’t let the entire task overwhelm you, make a list of each room or area of your house and pick one to deep clean each day for a week or until the job gets done.

#2: To update the look of a room, think about changing out pillows or rugs instead of buying new furniture.

#3: Have your carpets cleaned. Carpet cleaners suggest having your carpets done once a year. It’s a fresh way to start the summer.

#4: De-clutter. This is probably one of the most important parts of spring cleaning. All those papers and items you’ve been accumulating over the winter should be organized and put in their proper place. Try creating file folders for papers that are laying around.

#5: Tackle once-a-year chores like vacuuming refrigerator coils (unplug your fridge first), and tossing expired food from the back of the pantry.

#6: Clean your drains by pouring in a quarter cup each of baking soda and vinegar. Leave the concoction overnight, then flush with boiling water.

#7: Clean Curtains by throwing them in the dryer. Using the high heat setting kills bacteria and any pests living in them.

#8: Clean your windows on a cloudy day. Sunshine can dry cleaning solutions too quickly, creating streaks.

#9: Flip your Mattress. No one likes a saggy mattress, flipping it and rotating will keep it in better condition for much longer.

#10: Go through Clothing: It’s time to let the 80′s tube socks go. Getting rid of the clothing you no longer wear can free up more space in your closet for spring and summer clothing.

How many times do I have my phone with me…pretty much all the time, unless I’ve misplaced it somewhere! I often forget or don’t want to carry around my “good camera” so I am usually taking photos with my iphone. I saw this article and love the tips it gives about how to take the best photos with your phone.

#1: Stand Still: this seems obvious but when I am using my “nice” camera I take a second to steady my hands, hold my breath and click. We should do the same with our smart phone.

#2: Look for Light: she says: “The most important factor to combat subject blur is light. The brighter the light, the better your shutter will be able to stop the motion”

#3: Learn Your Camera: Test it out, each camera is different, practice with it and try it in different settings so you know how things will turn out.

#4: Cull the Herd: “On today’s digital cameras you aren’t going to wear out the shutter. It’s okay to take 25 pictures just to get 1 you like. Take 30. Take 50 different angles. Most importantly delete all of them except the best one/two.”

Did you know “The camera does not actually take the picture until you take your finger OFF the button. When you’re preparing to take a picture press down the shutter button before you line up the shot and then gently lift your finger it to activate the shutter.”

Check out the full article at grumblesandgrunts.com

Would you agree with me that permanent marker and wood flooring or chairs don’t mix?

I have a chair that has marker on it right now. If you do too check out this cool tip:

Put a drop of white toothpaste on the marker spot and rub vigorously with a damp cloth.

Here’s too marker-free wood floors, chairs and tables!