Since money is tighter this year, I offer to you your pick from two awesome video games that just about every kid [or parent] will want: MySims Kingdom and MySims PC.

In MySims PC, you get the chance to build your very own town and then play online with friends. You can even send your creations to friends for them to use. There are tons of things to grow and discover around town so I doubt you your kids will get bored.

MySims Kingdom is a continuation of MySims that was released last year. MySims Kingdom introduces you to King Roland. You have to help King Roland squash the evil that is brewing in his kingdom.

There are three ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment saying which game you want and why.
2. You get a second entry if you write about the giveaway and then leave a link to it here in the comments section.
3. For a third shot, Tweet about the contest and then leave the URL for the tweet in the comments section.

We will announce the winner on Saturday. Good luck!

A big thanks to Amy at SimsGamer.com for the games.

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Before purchasing this Stand I had the most ghetto set ups for taking clients photographs. For one of my favorite shoots with newborn twins, I used a pile of gravel and a flower arrangement hanging off a window to prop my back-drop on… It was crazy!

It did work, but it honestly just made things awkward… and was very unprofessional. Praise the Lord I didn’t loose any business because of it. The mother of those twins has actually been one of my best clients to date… despite the gravel under her newborns during that 1st shoot

After that shoot I realized I needed to invest in something.. and was told to buy a $90.00 Back Drop stand off of ebay. Two photographers I know use this same stand and LOVE It.

It has been one of the best purchases besides my camera and lens so far. It gets the job done and is very easily packed away and transported for on location shoots.

The Stand works great for:

• black backdrops
• solids of all shades/hues
  
• fun patterned fabrics

I recently started experimenting with fabrics… and have found that busy patterns look so fun in pictures.

Here’s what you do:

• Go to your local fabric store
• grab some fun prints (I normally get a yard and 1/2 for newborns/ 2 yards for toddlers)
• pin the prints to the stand
• steam the fabric
• you are ready for some fun!

I went with more muted tones… nothing too bright. I would personally only use these fabrics for children or newborns. I also found that they didn’t really go well with BOYS. I am currently in search of a more boy friendly fabric

*Just a side note.. These images were snapped quickly.. before I steamed the fabric (hence the crease down the center). Also my props don’t exactly match the fabric well.. but you get the idea!*

Just try and picture a cute 2 week old newborn in those photos… HOW PRECIOUS!!

Below are some real examples of fabric pattern backdrops being put to use.

(This backdrop cost me only $7.00 from Walmart.)

Posted by Drea - Panamerican 25 yr. old, Mother of 2 boys, Aspiring Photographer and Pastors Wife. I am told that I “Live in a Fish Bowl.” I want more than anything to be transparent and honest… and welcome the world into “our bowl.”

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With minimal effort and materials, you can transform used food packaging into cheerful holiday decor.  To make these fun cereal box turkeys, you need simply:

cereal boxes or other cardboard food packaging
glue stick or craft glue
scissors
optional: popsicle sticks, clothespins, cardboard roll, cardboard or foam core board scraps
preferably, but not necessarily: circle cutter

Read the directions here for assembling your cereal box turkeys.

Use popsicle sticks for standing your turkeys (or, rather, poking them into something).  Glue a clothespin to the back for clipping your turkey onto the edge of a plate, cup, place card, napkin or other table item.  Glue an inch wide piece of cardboard roll to the back of a small turkey and use as a napkin ring.  See photos below.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cereal box cut-outs, Part 1: Matching game

Cereal box cut-outs, Part 2: Mobile

Megan is always thrilled to create something colorful and cute from what one might consider garbage.  See more of her projects at her blog PlumPudding.

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I thought I’d share one of the easiest, healthiest, and relatively most dramatic ways to cook fish: steamed in individual paper packages, or as the french like to say en papillote.  This is a method as much as a recipe, so although I steamed my fish with grapefruit and tarragon, you might also consider tomato and basil; lemon, thyme and ginger; your favorite veggies and your favorite herbs…The possibilities are endless.  Below, I’ll give you an easy technique for folding your packages.  Once this is mastered, you can have deliciously steamed and flavored fish on the table in less than 30.  And it will be gone, I can promise, in less than 5.

Steamed Fish Fillets en Papillote

• 4 fresh fish fillets (for 4 servings), cod and tilapia work well.
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• Zest of 1/4 grapefruit
• Segments from that same grapefruit
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh tarragon
• 4 pats of butter

Oven preheated to 425

To start, cut 4 nice big pieces of parchment paper off your roll, each should be around 24 x 16 inches.
Fold each sheet in half and, in a throwback to your kindergarten days, cut out a half-heart shape as large as your paper, as though you were making a valentine.
Unfold your hearts and lay them out flat.

Put all of the ingredients in the center of one side of the heart and fold the remaining side over.
Starting at the top of your half heart, begin crimping the edges down, making sure they overlap, by folding one piece of the edge over and creasing firmly.  Moving along the outside of the heart, continue folding and overlapping, making sure that your folds overlap by about half.
Once you reach the bottom of your heart, twist the point and fold it under so that all of your crimping will stay in place.

Move your packets onto a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.  The paper should puff and brown.  Remove the packets from the oven, cut them open and you’re all set to enjoy a healthy and flavorful meal!

Andrea can be found experimenting in her kitchen at her blog, Cooking Books.

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You often hear about getting down on a child’s level when taking his photo.

The same applies to all sorts of small “stuff.”

Here’s an example of how “playing in the dirt” can improve your photography…

This is an o.k. photo of mushrooms that were growing in our backyard… you can tell they’re mushrooms, but it’s kind of a blah shot.

Now this photo makes me feel a bit like I’m Alice in “Alice in Wonderland!”

The mushrooms look HUGE. In fact, I bet some people wouldn’t KNOW they were mushrooms…


Give this technique a try. All you have to lose is getting dirty pants and, perhaps, a few creaking bones. I experienced both while photographing these mushrooms, but I think it was worth it.


When she’s not working or taking photographs, Rebecca blogs at Ramblings by Reba. She posts photos there, too.

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Do you think that is a good idea or no?

(*photo source thecw_fockenfels.com)

I have to say, I’m  a fan of the new 90210.  The story lines move quickly and as far from real life as that show is, I find myself thinking, “I’d probably do the same thing as so-n-so if I were EVER in that situation.”

Can the CW capture the same magic with a remake of Melrose Place? I can’t say yes or no - not until I see the show.

What show was a favorite of yours that you would love to see brought back? And who would like to see in the leading roles?

Me? I would love for Friends to come back on. Now I know it hasn’t been off the air that long, but I really loved that show.  However, we would have to get a new cast of “Friends” right?

My dream cast would be:

Will Smith as Chandler

Pamela Anderson as Phoebe

Joanna Garcia as Rachel

Steve Howey as Ross

Jessica Alba as Monica

Kevin James as Joey

Now, they might be my favorite actors, but I think together, they’d be great!

Janelle is the author of Junkfood4thesoul.com and has a PhD in celebrity gossip, or something like that.

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Brooke and Derek danced their first dance, the Jive, with several mistakes and an illegal lift. They scored a 21, and their performance was nothing close to the Brooke we expect to see each week. They finished the night with the Mambo. More fun and Brooke-style…in other words, almost perfect. They scored a 28 on this dance.

Jullianne was back to join Cody dancing the Pasa Doble. He tries so hard. I just don’t think he has it. And then again I’m not 15. Or a Hannah Montana fan. So maybe I just don’t get him. The judges didn’t either and gave him a 22. Next dancing the Salsa the judges seemed to differ a bit on his technical skills. The score for this dance, a 24.

Warren and Kym’s first dance was the Mambo. The judges wanted more content. So far the judges were actually making sense this week. They gave them a 24. Their second dance, the Jitterbug was loved by the judges, but they still didn’t get the top scores. For this dance, 25.

Lance and Lacey gave the performances of the evening. Their Mambo was fun and was given a score of 29. Their Jitterbug was danced in Naval costume and choreography was wonderful. Even losing a shoe didn’t slow him down. Their second dance scored a 29.

Of course it all comes down to votes and no one is safe. We will find out in the finale who is our Dancing With The Stars mirrorball trophy winner!

Brooke and Derek 49

Cody and Jullianne 46

Warren and Kym 49

Lance and Lacey 58

Linda is a product of the TV Generation and blogs at Short Pump Preppy as well as here at Blissfully Domestic.

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Check out this super-cool house from Wise Craft.  Her third-grade daughter had to choose a building from their hometown and re-create it for a school project.

What building would your creative mind re-create?

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During my pregnancy with my first child, I had an ironclad birth plan; I knew exactly how my birth would go and there was no wiggle room.

When the cantankerous child went to eight days post date and had a major heart deceleration during a routine NST [fetal non-stress test], my perfectly researched plan fell by the wayside. Gone were my plans for an intervention free, no epidural birth.

Hello, pitocin.

How are you, internal fetal monitor?

Come on in, ceserean section due to failure to progress. Join the party!

When I found out fourteen months later that I was pregnant again, a repeat c-section never entered my mind, until I was informed by my long-time OB/GYN that he did not do VBAC’s [Vaginal Births After Cesarean] . When would I like to schedule my section?

After I picked myself off of the exam room floor, I found a VBAC-friendly doctor and hospital, and started doing my research.

So that you don’t need to start your research from scratch like I did, I’ve compiled a list of 5 things that you need to consider when choosing VBAC.

#1 What kind of incision did you wind up with?

This is arguably the most important deciding factor in your decision to have a successful VBAC.

If your doctor gave you a “classical incision” then I don’t know of any doctor who will allow you to attempt a VBAC since the chance of uterine rupture ranges from 4-9 %.

Luckily, the classical incision has pretty much gone the way of the Dodo Bird in favor of the more esthetically pleasing low transverse incision, aka bikini incision.

A low transverse incision affords you the best chance of success and the lowest risk of uterine rupture - between .02 and 1.5% depending on who you ask.

#2 How many sections have you had?

If you’ve had more than one c-section, the chances of finding a doctor who will let you do a VBAC are slim to none. The more incisions that are made on the uterus, the greater its chance of rupture.

#3 Is your doctor on board?

It is essential that your doctor support your VBAC decision. It is also essential that the “VBAC conversation” be one of the first that you have with your OB when you go in for that initial visit. Print out this article, print out the article that I linked to earlier, print out the ones that I’ll link to at the end of this article. Take them with you. The more prepared you are the better.

If your doctor isn’t comfortable doing a VBAC and you trust your OB’s opinion, ask for a referral. If your doctor won’t give you a referral then check out http://www.ican-online.org/ and join one of their local chapters. There is bound to be a woman in your area who can recommend a VBAC friendly doctor to you.

#4 Can you be your own advocate?

In a perfect world, everyone would support your decision to attempt a VBAC. You would encounter zero hesitation from your doctor or the hospital staff and you would win the lottery and be set for life. But, probably none of that stuff is going to happen so you have to be willing to speak up for yourself.

Know your facts. Know the costs and benefits of your decision and be prepared to stand up for yourself. You might surprise yourself at how much of a backbone you develop when you are forced to defend a decision that you’ve thoroughly researched.

#5 Know the risks of inductions and labor augmentation.

Labor augmentation is just a fancy pants way of saying you or your doctor is going to do something to try and speed up your labor. When it comes to a VBAC the best labor augmentation is NO augmentation. Some doctors may strip your membranes if you’re at or past your due date but you run the risk of an unintended amniotomy [fancy way of saying breaking your water]. The major concern with an amniotomy is that your labor will not start and due to fear of infection, you will end up with another section.

Pitocin, cervadil, and cytotec [FDA advices against use during labor] all increase your uterus’s chance of rupture and SHOULD NOT be used to help “speed things up”.

Talk with your doctor before you go into labor to make sure that you’re both on the same page when it comes to inductions and labor augmentation.

Even all of the research and planning in the world can’t control nature - my first labor experience is a prime example of this.

There are some situations when a VBAC is not an option and usually you can’t do a thing about them. If you’re classified as “high risk” then you most likely should NOT attempt a VBAC but I would suggest that you discuss your status as “high risk” with your OB.

Good luck with your decision and whatever you choose, I hope that you have a happy, healthy baby and a wonderful birth experience when all is said and done.

Links of further interest:
American Pregnancy Association’s VBAC page
Cytotec article from Mothering Magazine

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Ahem.

So what does it take to travel like a star? And can you and I of more meager means attain some semblance of it? YES WE CAN! With InStyle’s list as my guide, let me take you through the steps necessary to travel in a slightly higher level of comfort when you are lacking that start budget that defines InStyle’s picks.

While amassing a collection of Louis Vuitton luggage is on my life goals list (SHUT UP! It also includes World Peace!), I am uh, so not there yet. So what is a stylish traveler to do in lieu of Louis? Why not try Pottery Barn’s new Rider Luggage Collection?

The stylish herringbone pattern is classic, and also optimal to hide the inevitable stains and scratches your luggage will pick up en route to your destination. The roller bag is carry-on size, as is the footed duffel. Also available is a hanging travel kit for storing toiletries. The hanging travel kit is $59.00, the duffel $99.00 and the roller bag is $129.00. All can be monogrammed and are available at PotteryBarn.com.

Spurred by a bright pink and black monogrammed luggage tag given to me by my mother-in-law, I’ve recently developed a fondness for collecting wacky luggage tags. I love these vintage style tags from Fred Flare:

At $12, they also make a great stocking stuffer.

Of course, ultra-chic airport style would not be a complete look without a fabulous passport cover. I love this toile oilcloth cover from Flight 001:

The pattern is timeless, and the oilcloth insures that this cover will remain functional for just as long as it will be stylish. The cover is $16.00 and available in red, brown and blue.

Moving on to what to put inside your suitcase, let’s start with a jewelry roll. I love this brocade roll from Wrapables, which I believe is best described as Just So Pretty:

Inside, you’ll find two zipper pockets, one large open pocket and a center strip for your rings. It is available in a variety of colors, though I’m totally partial to the green.

Resolving how to pack toiletries is an ongoing process of trial and error for yours truly. On the one hand, I want all of my beauty stuff with me at all times. On the other hand, OMG SO MUCH STUFF. Luckily, many beauty retailers are recognizing that when we travel, some of us maintain our high product standards.

I love this Tried and Blue Travel Set from Bliss, which contains packing friendly portions of a variety of skincare products.

Included are face wash, body wash and lotion, shampoo and conditioner, and body soap all neatly contained in an airport friendly pouch. Available for $20.00 at Blissworld.com.

For those of you, like me, who simply must bring along certain products that are not available in travel size, or who wish not to purchase travel sizes, there are always refillable containers. In the past, I have not been impressed with the refillable containers I have purchased in various drug and grocery stores. They’re leaky, they break, they just don’t function properly. Luckily for us, Bobbi Brown has gotten into the travel market.

Bobbi Brown’s empties are guaranteed to be of higher quality than your average refillable, and at $10.00, they hardly qualify as a splurge. Included in the set are one 3ml jar, two 7 ml jars, one 30 ml bottle, one 15 ml bottle, plastic funnel, plastic spatula, and 10 self-adhesive labels. What I love about this collection are the small jars, which you can use for eye cream and face cream and other similar products you just can’t get in travel size.

Another travel essential for me is a set of travel sized make-up brushes. I own this compact set from Sephora:

I have to say, these brushes are of surprisingly high quality and make a great substitute for your larger brushes.

What are your travel essentials? Any fantastic finds you’d like to share?

Slynnro is the author of Slynnro, a personal blog chronicling travel escapades, fashion and skincare obsessions, and various amusing anecdotes about marriage. She also reviews skin care products and much more at her review blog, What is in my…..

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