DIY Glitter Canvas Shoes

Today's craft is DIY Glitter Canvas Shoes.  Our son was only able to wear these plain canvas shoes like 3 times before his cubby feet grew out of them, so since they were in perfect condition and fit his twin sister I decided to make them girly. What doesn't say girly like glitter does?!?!  This project was really simple, the bad part is there is a lot of waiting time for drying.



Supplies:
canvas shoes
tape
glitter glue
make-up sponges
glitter
sealer
something to put down to contain the mess

                    





I got the glitter, glitter glue and sealer from hobby lobby but you can get them practically anywhere.








Directions:

Step 1: Prep your station. I have an abundance of tissue paper so I laid that on the floor
Step 2: Use the tape to tape off areas that you don't want glittered on the shoes, this will help keep clean crisp lines. (of course I didn't do that, oh well lol)
Step 3: Put some of the tulip glitter bond on the sponge. Use the sponge to spread the glue on the shoe, making sure it is a thin layer. Thin layers are the key as you don't want to get crease lines and cracking.
Step 4: Once you have spread the bond in a thin layer, do a second thin layer so there are no missed areas because once you do the glitter you can't go back.
Step 5: Pour the glitter on and set the shoe down and go about your day. It takes about 2hrs to dry and 72hrs to fully cure (this is the waiting step)
Step 6: After about 2hrs or so go back to the shoes (if its longer don't worry, I forgot about them), and tap off the excess glitter.
Step 7: Go outside or to a well ventilated area, spray the sealer onto the shoes to seal the glitter. Again doing a light thin layer, wait about 20 min and do another light thin layer.

Bleach T-shirts

For out next craft, we did bleach shirts. It was so simple. You only need 3 things and honestly you probably already have them in your house.

Supplies: 

Bleach

spray bottle

shirts

I will start off by telling you, do this in a well ventilated area. We've been having smoky weather here in the PNW, so we did it inside. Needless to say it smelt like bleach for s few hours even though you literally don't use that much.

Step 1

pick a clean area you lay the shirts on, I put them on a towel that I didn't care if it got bleach on it. Lets face it your using a spray bottle,

Step 2 

Spray the shirt with the bleach that you put into the spray bottle. Have fun with it, do as light or heavy as you'd like.  You can even use stencils to make patterns. 

Step 3

When dry turn shirt over and do the backside.

Step 4 

Once dry wash shirts like normal

As you can tell by the last shirt the bleach didn't really work on it. It is flamingo pink so a bright color, it ended up making it more of a heather than anything.

How to Manage Parental Anxiety

Anxious parents make for anxious children, and as researchshows, it isn’t so much the genetic factor that matters. One of the best things you can do for your child is to create a relaxed environment where your child can live and grow without learning to stress about everything. The question is: how can you do that when you have anxiety yourself?

Identify Your Stressors and Risks

Anxiety always has a cause. You might not be able to put your finger on why you feel the way you do, but you can identify the stressors in your life and recognize your risk factors.

Stressors might include:

• Family moves

• New responsibilities

• Someone in the family has medical problems

• Work stress

• Being away from extended family

• Spouse’s deployment or other absence

• Death of a family member

• Pregnancy

Risk factors for parental anxiety are:

• Being a first-time parent

• Having been a shy child

• Being female

• Financial limitations

• Anxiety disorders in your family

Give Yourself Me-Time

As a parent, taking good care of your children is a major concern. You may find yourself focusing so much on your family that you ignore your own needs. Putting your family above yourself might seem noble at first. When you realize yourfamily depends on you being your best, you can understand that you need to take care of you first. Give yourself some time to relax, de-stress, and enjoy life with and without your children.

Learn Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation is hard to come by when you’re a parent. You may feel like you barely have time to catch your breath, especially when your children are babies. The following relaxation techniques can help you center yourself very quickly and help you release anxiety:

• Yoga

• Deep breathing

• Systematic muscle relaxation

• Guided imagery 

• Exercise

Stick with Today’s Reality

Parents often have trouble staying focused on the here and now. You may be constantly worried about your children’s future, whether it’s how they’ll get into college or how you’ll keep up with them as they grow more independent. 

Stop it! It’s fine to plan and prepare for the future. It’s a part of being a parent. Just don’t worry and obsess about things you have no control over in this moment. Focus on the here and now of parenting, and tomorrow will take care of itself.

Don’t Over-Parent

Let your kids have as much independence as their maturity allows. Overparenting not only keeps you in a state of anxiety. It also makes children more anxious or angry.

Get Help for Persistent or Intense Anxiety

If you can’t manage your anxiety on your own, get the help you need to learn how. A psychiatrist might be able to help you with anti-anxiety medication, and a psychologist can help you through therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy. Support groups can help, too, if they’re relevant to your specific situation.

It’s easy to tell yourself not to worry and stress about being a parent, but it’s harder to actually manage your anxiety. You can do it, though, with the right mindset and techniques.

About the Author
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

"Spray" Paint Craft

I have been struggling on how to make my blog relatable lately. With the help of a good friend I have decided that I will be doing posts of crafts and diy's that I will do. They will range from things to do with kids all the way to adults. My diy's will focus on making them budget friendly.

 So with that being said first up is:

"SPRAY" Painting 

 

Supplies

Acrylic paint

Canvases

Spray Bottles/squirt guns (anything that will spray)

• Mix your paint with water, you are going to want it to be about a consistency between water and milk. The more watered down the less vibrant the colors will be. So for this it's going to be about your personal preference. 
• One you have your containers filled you are ready to have fun. I would suggest doing it outside as it can and will get messy especially with kids involved. Just spray the canvas, there is no right or wrong way to do this.  We laid the canvas flat on the ground and noticed that the kids were wanting to be close to it, which puddled the colors. So next time we will prop them up against the tree.  

           

This project was actually really simple and the kids loved it. They probably loved it more because they realized they can make a mess and its "funny" when it gets everywhere.  

final product

Aveeno Baby Daily Care

*Product was received in exchange for my honest review of the product*


Recently I received Aveeno Baby shampoo and lotion to test out.

As most of you are aware we have twins. Well our daughter is just like me when it comes to hard water, and of course where we live there is hard water. Her skin gets rough since it dries out faster.  We've been using the Aveeno baby line for a few week and we can notice a significant change in her skin. She's holding in moisture a lot better and has significantly less dry patches.  We love this product and recommend everyone to try it out.  

Im sure everyone has heard about Aveeno, but how much do you really know about the brand?? I can honestly say I didn't know too much about the brand as a whole. But ever since I received their products, I can confidently say that Aveeno will be a staple in our house. 

About the Product

Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo blends natural oat extract into a rich lathering wash that cleans without drying. It can be used on skin and hair for gentle cleansing that rinses clean, leaving a soft, fresh fragrance. Tear free, soap free and paraben free. Allergy tested.

Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion contains natural colloidal oatmeal blended with rich emollients that soothe and help protect your baby's delicate skin. The naturally nourishing, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, moisturizes for a full 24 hours, contains no drying alcohols and won't clog pores. Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and gentle enough for daily use on baby's sensitive skin.

Learn About the Brand

The unique story of Aveeno began back in 1945, with Albert and Sidney Musher and the introduction of Soothing Bath Treatment. The Musher brothers were driven by a profound curiosity about how things work and how substances interact and a belief that centuries-old remedies hold the promise for human wellness. In conjunction with the Mayo Clinic, the Musher brothers’ experimentation with raw cereals led to the discovery of a natural bath additive containing 100% colloidal oatmeal (“colloidal” means milled to an ultra-fine powder), known for its natural ability to hold in moisture and relieve dry, irritated skin. And so was the birth of Soothing Bath Treatment and the Aveeno brand. In fact, the Mayo Clinic was the Brand’s first customer.

Throughout the years, Aveeno has continued this story of discovery and passion for unlocking the power of nature through scientific advances to benefit humankind. Aveeno continues to develop breakthrough product formulations with new and existing natural ingredients, many that are clinically proven to deliver real skin care benefits leaving you with healthier-looking, beautiful skin. No wonder Aveeno has been endorsed and recommended by dermatologists and pediatricians for over 60 years and is the brand trusted most by dermatologists for the efficacy and safety of its natural ingredients.

Dealing with Depression When Your Spouse Is Deployed

When your spouse is deployed on a military assignment, depression is far more likely. In fact, one scientific review cites a 6.7% risk that depression will impair your daily functioning. That’s double the risk of a major depressive episode for spouses of deployed soldiers than for the general population!

Depression doesn’t happen for all or even most wives of deployed soldiers, of course. If it happens to you, though, dealing with it has to be a top priority for you. You’ve probably just taken on new roles and responsibilities now that your husband is away, and you need to stay mentally well enough to handle them.

Are You Depressed?

Military spouses face a lot of challenges. It’s just a fact of life. They push through some of the most difficult problems imaginable for many civilians. Like anyone else, though, there may be times when the challenges seem too huge. Depression is one of those times. 

Here are some of the symptoms to watch for:

• Feelings of sadness and hopelessness

• Sleeping or eating too much or too little

• Unexplained weight gain or loss

• Trouble concentrating or making decisions

• Restlessness 

• Irritability

• Fatigue

• Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy

• Aches and pains

• Suicidal thoughts or attempts

• Self-Help for Depression

Interpersonal Therapy

Therapy offers help in dealing with both feelings of depression and finding practical solution to life problems. When you’re dealing with depression during your spouse’s deployment, your marriage is a part of the equation. 

For that reason, interpersonal therapy might be your best counseling choice. Interpersonal therapy for depression focuses on your personal relationships and how they impact your mental health. 

There’s Less Stigma These Days

Getting help for mental conditions used to be risky for servicemembers and their families. The stigma was incredible in years past. Not only could it give you a bad reputation, but it could affect your spouse’s standing at work. 

Now, though, the stigma has decreased. More people in the military understand how the stressors of military life can lead to mental health issues. About 70% of military spouses who had such issues sought treatment. 

Self-Help for Depression

If you have depression, there are a few things you can do on your own. Once you find a therapist near you, they can give you more ideas that are suited specifically to you and your situation. 

In the meantime, here are a few tips to try on your own:

• Get enough exercise; don’t overdo it but start where you are and increase regularly.

• Spend time in nature; the effects of fresh air, sunshine, and natural settings have all been linked to better mental health.

• Maintain your social network; the world can seem scary when you’re depressed, but isolation only makes it worse.

• Limit alcohol use; alcohol affects your mood, and too much drinking can add to your mental health problems.

• Eat healthy foods; comfort foods are an easy answer to depression, but a healthy diet is much more effective.

• Write in a journal; make practical notes and work out your feelings by writing about them.

• Make a routine for your days and stick to it as much as possible.

• Don’t dwell on negative things; once you understand the problem, the answers come just as easily when you’re turning it over in your conscious mind constantly.

• Don’t borrow trouble; let tomorrow’s challenges stay in the future.

• Remember you’re not powerless; take control of what you can.

About the Author
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

Neutrogena Mask Collection "It's in the Gel"

*POWERED BY BRANDBACKER*

I recently received samples from Neutrogena, for their Gel face mask line.  Before I do my review, I am going to go over the bran a bit.

About the Product

Get to Know the Neutrogena® Mask Collection

Neutrogena® Hydrogel Sheet Masks
Innovative technology from South Korea fuses nourishing essences with a polymer derived from seaweed to form a translucent, flexible sheet. Easy to apply, wear, and remove, Hydrogel conforms to the contours of the face.
The mask creates a barrier, helping intense hydrators and other ingredients work with skin. 

Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating 100% Hydrogel Mask: This moisturizing face mask with hyaluronic acid instantly quenches dry skin and contours to your skin for optimal absorption, leaving it supple and hydrated.

Radiance Boost Brightening 100% Hydrogel Mask: Boosts skin’s radiance and smooth skin’s texture. This innovative hydrogel face mask with vitamin B3 leaves your skin looking luminous, evenly toned, and radiant.

Deep Clean® Purifying 100% Hydrogel Mask: Instantly hydrates for refreshed skin. This peel-off hydrogel face mask with seaweed extract contains 50% more essence than ordinary paper masks leaving your skin purified and healthy looking.

Neutrogena® Single-Use Mask Shots
Each Neutrogena® individual mask shot contains one dose of a formula tailored to the needs of different skin types.
Packaged in neat, portable pods, they’re perfect for travel or use on the go. 
Each mask shot is sealed for maximum freshness until it’s opened and applied.

Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating Overnight Gel Mask: Wake up to hydrated, supple skin. This moisturizing overnight face mask with hyaluronic acid wraps skin in a deep gel cream while you sleep for smooth, soft skin. 

Deep Clean® Purifying Wash-Off Clay Mask: Gently cleanses and purifies skin. This wash-off clay mask targets 100% of impurities to leave your skin feeling soft and healthy looking.

Learn About the Brand

Neutrogena, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, began its success story when, in 1930, founder Emanuel Stolaroff, started a small specialty cosmetic company called Natone. In the early years, Natone was a supplier to beauty salons usually associated with the glamour of the film industry. By the 1940's, Natone began manufacturing and distributing cosmetics for the retail market.

In 1954 on a business trip to Europe, Stolaroff heard of an unusual soap developed by Dr. Edmond Fromont, a Belgian cosmetic chemist. Fromont's patented formula produced a mild, clear soap that rinsed quickly and easily from the skin, leaving essentially no soap residue. Eleven minutes after washing with this unique soap, the skin was able to return to its normal pH - just one minute more than if it had been washed with only plain water!

Stolaroff believed there was a market for such a high quality soap and arranged to import and distribute the Neutrogena brand product in the United States. Setting the course for future growth, he emphasized the transparency of the soap to clearly communicate its difference. In addition, he targeted sales to new distribution channels-department stores and better drug stores.

By 1962, Neutrogena soap was so synonymous with the company image that the company was officially changed to Neutrogena. Lloyd Cotsen, an Integral member of the Neutrogena family, became president of the company in 1967 and made another key decision that would profoundly influence the future of the company-to promote the benefits of Neutrogena soap to the medical profession. The strong relationship between Neutrogena and dermatologists gave the company an exceptional competitive advantage.

As Neutrogena gained a unique acceptance by the medical profession, a new emphasis was directed toward marketing and research efforts to create a line of safe, mild, premium quality skincare products. In 1973, the company went public and by 1980, Neutrogena entered the haircare market.

Today, Neutrogena manufactures and markets a line of premium priced skin and hair care products which are distributed in more than 70 countries.

Now, more than ever, today's consumers equate health with beauty. Neutrogena stands naturally poised for tremendous future growth and an ever increasing number of satisfied customers.  

Samples Received 

1 Radiance Boost Brightening 100% Hydrogel Mask 
1 Deep Clean® Purifying 100% Hydrogel Mask
1 Deep Clean® Purifying Wash-Off Clay Mask

*There is also these products*

Hydro Boost Hydrating 100% Hydrogel Mask

Hydro Boost Hydrating Overnight Mask

Review

For the Brightening Mask to be completely honest I didn't notice a difference as far as tone wise, but then again we all know I can't girl and I wasn't sure what I was looking for. With that aside my face did feel smooth and extremely hydrated which is amazing because im still struggling with the winter weather dryness.

Wash off clay mask- omg I love this stuff!! the sample came with enough for me to do is a good 3 times.  I feel like it made my skin so clean, and this is weird considering I was my face daily.  Not only did it feel so clean my skin looked healthy and was so soft.

Purifying Mask my face felt refreshed like it got a boost of energy.  it also felt hydrated and smooth.



I am looking forward to using these products long term and see the impact that it will have on my skincare regimen. 

Coping with Infertility: How to Manage the Stress of IVF

Infertility can rob you of the joy of parenthood, temporarily or otherwise, but it can also cause you intense feelings of stress. 

Right away, you’re putting intense pressure on yourself. You may also have extreme pressure at work. The stress can be incredible. Fortunately, you can learn to cope with the stress of your current situation.

Intense Pressure for Successful IVF

In a research study, scientists evaluated both partners of couples dealing with infertility. All couples were in the process of trying in vitro fertilization. What the research showed was that all the people in the study were experiencing intense stress. The concentrated focus on having a child was the most stressful factor for both men and women. 

Work Pressures

Because in vitro is so costly, people who are going through it also felt stressed about work issues. They may need to put in more hours, take on more work, or move to a higher-paying job. The job pressures not only add to their stress, but also often leave them exhausted at a time when they want to be physically at their best.

The Effect of Stress on IVF

Another study found that both men and women had better results in the IVF program when they were less stressed. You can’t eliminate all the stressors. They’re just part of the package. What you can do, though, is to learn how to manage the stress better so that it has less of an effect on your body and mind.

Shift Focus at Times

If you’re in IVF, you’re there for a reason. You want a child so badly that you’re willing to go through the effort and expense. That’s a wonderful thing! However, dwelling on that goal constantly can hurt more than it helps. 

It’s a good idea to shift focus at times. Do activities that have nothing to do with children. Go on dates with your partner and do something you both enjoy. Concentrate on the moment you’re sharing rather than anything that might happen afterwards. 

Manage Your Work Life

Your job stress can be incredible at this time when you need to cover the cost of IVF, especially if your insurance doesn’t cover it. What can you do? You have to do what it takes, right?

While you might not be able to work less, you can probably reduce the pressure you feel at work. Take time to enjoy your breaks more. Go out for a quiet lunch with a friend. 

Do your job as well as you can, certainly, but when it’s done, don’t rethink what you “should” have done. Then, when the day is over and you’re back home, allow yourself to put your job out of your consciousness until your next workday.

Talking to a psychologist gives you a chance to understand the forces behind the stress you feel. It’s also helpful way to learn coping skills you can use now and apply to your life no matter how it changes later.

About the Author
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

Depression and New Moms: Is It Postpartum Depression or Just Exhaustion?

Parents are busy people. Always trying to make everyone happy and forgetting to take care of themselves. And if you are a woman who just had a baby, you have those hormones to deal with along with all of the other tasks and the list of to-do items on your plate every single day. Women tend to put everyone else first and we do not think about our own needs until they are pretty much staring us in the face. Especially when it comes to our health. Both physical and mental health is important, especially as a new mom. You cannot properly take care of your family if you do not take care of yourself. So, how can you tell if you are just tired and overworked or if you are suffering from postpartum depression? 

The Signs of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is more common than you may think. In fact, more than 10% of women are affected by postpartum depression at least once in their life. You really need to consider talking to a professional but right now you can just think about how you have been feeling lately. Have you been feeling sad or lonely? Thinking you just cannot do this anymore? Maybe you are starting to think that you are never going to be a good mom and that you are doing a horrible job. Are you feeling helpless or overwhelmed? These are some definite signs of depression. Here are some others:

• Sudden bouts of crying for no obvious reason
• Extreme fatigue (more than usual)
• Being tired but you cannot fall asleep or wake up often
• Loss of appetite or eating more than usual
• Weight gain or loss (may be due to the above symptom)
• Lack of interest in things you usually like to do such as your favorite hobbies or watching your favorite shows
• Vague aches and pains or digestive issues
• Having trouble concentrating
• Difficulty making decisions (even little ones like which socks to wear)
• Feeling empty, useless, or hopeless
• Avoiding your loved ones
• Forgetting things more than usual
• Irritability or anger for no obvious reason
• Thinking of hurting yourself or others

Cause of Postpartum Depression

There is no specific cause of postpartum depression in general but there are several risk factors. Some of these include:

• Hormones such as progesterone and estrogen
• Sleep deprivation
• Family history of postpartum depression
• Previous mental health conditions
• Complications during birth
• Premature birth
• Lack of emotional support
• Financial hardship
• Alcohol or drug use
• Relationship issues

Treatment for Postpartum Depression

Although it may be difficult to admit, you have to seek help if you have any of the signs or the above risk factors of postpartum depression. You may think you are strong enough to get through it and while you may be right about that, you do not want to take that chance, do you? Your baby depends on you and so do the rest of your loved ones. And, believe it or not, there are many people who have gone through this and can help you. Talk therapy, counseling, or medication can all be helpful in this situation. Either way, you need to talk to someone right away and you can do this from the comfort of your own home now with online therapy. Just contact a therapist on BetterHelp.com and they will help you through this, no need for an appointment.