Charity Information and Ideas

"Ain't nuttin free, give back what you earn, no doubt." -2Pac

Good Search should be used by everyone. Enter the charity or school you support here then click "verify." Next, search from above and earn money for your cause!

The Charity Navigator will aid you in your search for a charity you can trust.

Sign up with Care2.org and network with other organizations and individuals who care to make a difference.

Easy Container Gardens

"Cause next year this time I'ma sell out the Garden." -Wyclef Jean

Live in an apartment or condo where there is no place to plant a garden, or anything for that matter? Take these ideas, where you can even plant vegetables.

Potted herb garden

Potted salad garden

Potted cutting garden

Also, try planting nasturtiums, which cascade out of pots or climb trellises, they are a cinch to grow. Sort of remind me of morning glory's, except these are edible with an intense peppery flavor. They are colorful and make for lovely arrangements in salads.

Harvest: As soon as the plants begin to bloom, you can gather for eating. Opt for young flowers and small tender leaves. Nasturtiums are cut-and-come-again - the more you pick, the more they bloom so don't hold back.

Prepare: Soak them in cold water for two hours. It makes the texture of the leaves much perkier. Dry and scatter a handful over greens.
Dress: Use a tablespoon tarragon white-wine vinegar to three tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and plenty of sea salt (you won't need pepper because of the spiciness of the nasturtiums), then whisk it all up with a fork. Pour the dressing over the salad just before you ready to enjoy.

Or, wait three months or so until the plants are well established before picking for arranging; that way, you'll get good long trailing stems. After cutting, sear stem ends in boiling water for 20 seconds to increase their vase life. Trailing nasturtiums look great arranged in small vivid pitchers or glasses.

Cute Idea For Moms

"As kids we used to laugh Who knew that life would move this fast?" -Kayne West

The book of kids' quotes (from Real Simple) - Kids say the darnedest things, record them. Write them down, who said it and what age they were when they said it. An entry from the article: "Nick, 7: "I'm never getting married. I don't want to have to kiss anyone, and I definitely don't want all these kids to deal with." When I replied that I like having all these kids to deal with, Nick retorted, "People feel sorry for you, Mom." Send them out as your holiday newsletter. As the kids get older they become more self-conscious about what they say. In parenting, you're so in the moment. Writing things down helps preserve the long view.

Custom Fashion

"Put that dress on that you know I like The one that fitted right..." -Sleepy Brown

Dress By Design: Six different designs made to fit.

Personalized Photo Keepsakes

"Just one of them days, don't take it personal." -Monica

From Sticks and Stones, photos from nature and architecture that form letters of the alphabet used to spell a family name...or your blog name!

Let's Talk Money

"Wanna talk about money? Then talk without it." -Jermaine Dupri

Mint: Free finance software. Easy money management.

NAPFA: National Association of Personal Financial Advisers. Look one up or contact me, I know a few good ones!

Wesabe: Community of people just like you, with real life financial situations, sharing advice and tips.

Blab Savorites: Miscellaneous Beauty Products

"So come on, such a cutie, I love you Sleeping Beauty." -Tech N9ne

Colorescience Powder Sunscreen - Throw it in your bag and brush it on throughout the day, without spills. In fact, they have other great sunscreen products to check out as well.


Lumene Vitamin C+ - This vitamin C oil, Energy Cocktail Intensive Care, when used daily under moisturizer, makes skin glow.






Philosophy Hope in a Jar - A world-renowned skin cream. Results can be seen and felt within days - a healthy, rosy glow to the skin that doesn't require makeup or cover up. I use it at night for a night cream.

Fashion Illustration

"Coach bag with the shoes to match forget the price." -Chingy

I am fascinated and in love with fashion illustration.

My favorite is David Downton.

Just search for "fashion illustration" and find your favorite. Vogue has an entire book dedicated to fashion illustration. Purchase prints for the home (great in the bathroom). If you've some great ones, please share.

Also, check out The Meaning of Sunglasses: And a Guide to Almost All Things Fashionable by Hadley Freeman.

Stop to Smell the Flowers

"Even when I'm a mess, I still put on a vest with an 'S' on my chest, oh yes, I'm a Superwoman." -Alicia Keys

I was reading a great article in, you guess it, Real Simple about women and their many stages in life, and came across this amazing statement and want to share.

"If I were the mother of a young child today, knowing what I know now, I would be confident that all identities - awe-filled teenage girl; independent woman in her 20s; anxious, love-besotted new mother - are astonishingly, mournfully brief."

So true, enjoy who you are at this moment.

Spend? Save? Invest?

"Shake your money maker like somebody boutta pay ya..." -Pharrell with Ludacris

Answers to common money questions...all in a nutshell. Great for reference - I keep going back to it. Found in Real Simple.

Also, check out the book Secrets of the Young & Successful by Jennifer Kushell.

Everything Hair

"Top down hair blowin in the wind rims spinning, that's what Ryders do." -Ruff Ryders


Savorites Stuff box Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo, it smells great and makes my hair really soft and shiny, without having to wash it. As we know, it's not good to shampoo our hair every day, so this offers us an alternative. Haven't tried other Blandi products but if you have, write us a review!

For dry and ultra fine hair, I have read that J.F Lazartigue Micro-Pearl shampoo contains less drying detergents and is good for hair. I have heard from many sources that suds are created with detergents and are not good for any hair type, or skin for that matter.

Fekkai products are also great, I used the travel size on a vacation to Alabama recently and really liked them.

Organic cleanser line Dr. Bronner's carries shampoo, body wash and laundry soap. Can be purchased at Target stores.

Terax Crema Ultra Moisturizing Conditioner is a cult favorite, which deep-conditions hair without weighing it down.

Coconut Milk shampoo by Organix is nourishing and organic. Plus it smells good!

HAIR MYTH: Cool-water rinses add no more shine than warm ones do.

Opt Out

"You can't see me through websites, but I still got 'computer love'." -Spice 1

Get rid of unwanted junk mail: http://www.greendimes.com/ is a website that helps remove your name from mailing lists and eliminates those unwanted catalogs. Also, I found www.worldprivacyforum.org/toptenoptout.html as a place to opt out of many types of unwanted mail. From there, you can also get to http://www.donotcall.gov/ for the National Do Not Call Registry.

Also, there is the Catalog Choice website where you can eliminate the catalogs you receive in the mail.

Just found two more: dmachoice.org and optoutprescreen.com

Shop Talk

"Livin like Liberachi, sportin the latest Versace, shotty and Maserati, dodgin the paparazzi." -Lil Wayne

Ideas on how to get designer duds on the cheap, from Shop Smart.

1. Take a trip to New York - Nearly every day of the week there's at least one sample sale in New York City. You can find listings at http://www.nymag.com/ (click on shopping) or try http://www.topbutton.com/. If you make it to a sample sale, here are a few tips: Wear a wide skirt or leggings and ballet flats or flip flops. The shoes are easy to slip off and you can try on anything over leggings or under a flowy skirt. Be sure to ask for discounts on clothes with small but fixable defects like missing buttons. Anyone interested in a vaca?

2. Find local sales - Go to http://www.dailycandy.com/ or any sites that carry local sample-sale news. Get on mailing lists and get to know the salespeople. You may also be able to tap into multicity sample sales like those held by Billion Dollar Babes, one of the biggest sample-sale organizers. The company is also planning online sales; go to http://www.billiondollarbabes.com/.

3. Visit an online sample sale - There aren't many yet, but they're growing. Be sure to get in early and don't dawdle. At http://www.hautelook.com/, you have to become a member and then you'll be sent an email with sale times. Also try http://www.ideeli.com/ and http://www.7thonsale.ebay.com/.

Garden Ideas

"In the garden of fruitfulness, You plant and it grows, yeh." -Ziggy Marley

Three different garden plans from Real Simple:

The Succulent Garden


The Shady Garden


The Annual Garden

Scientific Thoughts

"You best flee, because I've come with the science..." -Gang Starr

Great article in Time on intelligent design and evolution.

Is Refinancing Right?

"And since I cover the mortgage, the car note, the Porsche and the condo." -Da Brat

Click here to read the short and sweet article from Real Simple on whether or not you should refinance your mortgage.

Girlie Things You Should Never Apologize For

"A girly female feminine dame." -South Pacific

Continued...

• Divulging everything to your friends.
• Toting a stash of survival gear in your purse - The kind that would make MacGyver jealous (think aspirin, a nail file, hair pins, a sewing kit, Band-Aids, extra undies, salad dressing).
• Giving yourself the royal treatment - Getting manicures, massages and facials may seem self-indulgent, but a bit of me-me-me generates positive emotions that can boost the immune system, enhance your metabolism and soothe your mind.
• Swiping one of his tee shirts.
• Going in herds to the bathroom - Because you never know when you'll need backup, like toilet paper from another stall or a breath mint. Plus, hanging with your girls in the impossibly long line is way better than standing alone.
• Spending eons in the bathroom - Your lengthy shower-and-primp routine is probably the only true me-time you have during the day...so enjoy and relax.
  Secretly wondering what you'd like like with a boob job or butt lipo, even though you're not planning on going through with it.
  Window-shopping - Ogling pretty things without making a purchase is not pathetic...it's ingenious.
  Having an unexplainable bond with your phone. Scoping out other women - Biologically speaking, it's natural to check out the fairer sex.

Harvest of Fear - Must read!

"There is so much trouble in the world." -Bob Marley

Whoever provides the world's seed controls the world's food supply. If you have not yet heard about this company and their practices, please take a few moments to read this. Monsanto already dominates America’s food chain with its genetically modified seeds. Just as frightening as the corporation’s tactics–ruthless legal battles against small farmers–is its decades-long history of toxic contamination.

Vanity Fair article on Monsanto's fierce reputation for enforcing its patents and suing anyone who allegedly violated them.

Cutest Flip Flops

"Shorts, pair socks, flip flops and ma white tee. I got jerseys buttoned up, all dat I'm in the VIP." -Dem Franchize Boyz

I love the flip flops from Girl Two Doors Down. I got the pair with the diamond ring when I got married. And these new butterfly ones featured in Life & Style are my newest must have.

Where to buy:
http://www.artisangemsboutique.com/
http://www.advantagebridal.com/
http://www.sleepyheads.com/

Organic Beauty

"Logo organic, herbal fresh, hypoallergenic." -RZA


Origins by Dr. Andrew Weil: His remarkable integrative approach features highly effective proprietary blends of various organic items. I was mostly interested in the Weil Bee-ings Honey - supposedly great for using in tea and on pb&j. I also use a mixture of aloe vera and honey for a face mask sometimes and was thinking I would use this honey. I'll let you know as soon as I do.


Linden Leaves USA: "Combines the very best of local New Zealand and international ingredients to create a pure bodycare." I was most interested in their Gold Family. - supposedly great for the skin. Have yet to try it though. Man I'm a slacker.


Another Gold product I've wanted to try is the Guerlain 'Lor' Radiance Concentrate.

Blab Savorites: Household Products

"She got me doin da dishes. Anythang she want for some kisses. " -T-Pain


Mangiacotti - light-hearted luxurious collection of beautiful personal care, housekeeping and home fragrance gifts.

Caldrea - Pretty packaging and gentle.

The Laundress - Luxury fabric care and specialty detergent line. Plus, tips and tricks. As seen in People Style Watch.

Health Help

"Woman win the healthy body contest." -Shaggy

Follow this link to Real Simple and a wealth of health articles. The "10 Medical Tests" and "Rev Up Your Metabolism" are two of my favorites. You can find an article on most anything there.

They also have a good article on "Organizing your Medical History," which gives good ideas but I would rather have it all online or atleast on the computer. I remember hearing about something like this but can't think of it. Anyone know of any?

You can read Self magazines articles for free on Healthline.com.

Habits of So-Happy Couples

"Such a happy couple love and some." -Stevie Wonder


From the April 2003 issue of Cosmo:

1. They have their own lives - To go the distance, it's important that you allot some time to spend away from each other doing things that you enjoy.

2. They create their own customs - Having a one-of-a-kind routine that you call your own can boost your bond in a way other things can't.

3. They remember not to take each other for granted - There's a big difference between getting comfortable and getting sloppy. Don't get sloppy.

4. They still make out - Ban the quick peck and make it a conscious point to kiss passionately on a regular basis.

5. They fight to resolve, not to win - The secret is to focus on making progress, not scoring points.

6. They get sappy sometimes - Giving in to those goofy impulses provides a peek at each other's quirky side, one that's lighthearted and silly.

Questions to Ask Aging Parents

"No need to argue parents just don't understand." -Fresh Prince


The parent rap - What to ask about finances, health care and final wishes. From Real Simple.

Blab Savorites: Enviro-Glam

"But it's hard when that environment you live in ain't healthy." -UGK

Read Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life by Sophie Uliano.

The Green Office: Recycled, biodegradable and sustainable office supplies.

Care2: Global network for organizations and people who Care2 make a difference.

Envirosax: "The original designer reusable bag."

The Freecycle Network: Trade with people in your community. Get stuff, and give stuff, for free!
Delight.com: Enviro-glam gifts.

Sigg: Bottles your way. Stop throwing away your plastic water bottles after one use. Invest in one of these. Eco-friendly and stylish.

Home decorating

"Brand new mansion, let you decorate the rooms." -LL Cool J

Home decorating from Real Simple. Some good suggestions for making art at home with everyday objects. Learn how best to display photos, using still life and grouping your collections.

And, from the same issue, easy and unexpected side tables. I love the idea of the books - I just need a more accommodating home for that.

Paint a stair runner. If I had stairs, I would so do this. I have saved this picture for years. I love this idea (as seen in Domino).

Also in Domino, their Fabric Palette features give cool suggestions - and you can trust 'em because they are done by designers. Fool proof design.

Found this in the back pages of People, Wall Words looks like a cool idea. Do not know what I would want to say, but when I do, I'll do one of these.

Blab Savorites: Shopping Sites

"Have a shopping spree and you can spend my dinero." -Black Eyed Peas


Daily Candy: Daily information on fashion, food and fun.

Chinese Laundry: Shoes, shoes, shoes...oh, and some other accessories.

Posh Vintage: Just what it says - posh and vintage.

6pm: discount items for men and women.

Shopexm: for the tech-aholic.

ReForm School: kinda young but fun.

And, the classics: Bluefly, ShopIntuition and ShopStyle.

Alternative Health

"They say you are what you eat, so I strive to be healthy, my goal in life is not to be rich or wealthy." -Dead Prez


Real Simple sorts through the science to find which therapies are effective in the March 2006 article "A Worthy Alternative?"; acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, hypnosis, magnet therapy, message and meditation. Find what might work for your ailment.

Accessories

"To all the females with the matchin' bags, purses, shoes, all the accessories..." -Too $hort

Luxe Link: Clever accessory for your purse. Hate to set your nice purse down on the dirty floor? My sister has one and likes it.

Bee's

"While, I'm sippin herbal teas, verbal bees plant fertile seeds." -RZA

If you have not heard yet, our bee population is dwindling. "Across the 24 U.S. states affected by the mysterious phenomenon, losses have ranged up to 90 per cent" (Lester 2007). Called the colony collapse disorder, it is of huge concern to our agriculture.

Go to the Pollinator Partnership to find out how you can help and contribute to the solution.

Journey of the Bee Collection: This collection was created as a tribute to the bee. A matte black glass is adorned with a gold bee, then hand poured with a high-quality beeswax blend. Burns 80 hours.

10 Big Rules of Small Talk

"Nothing comes from talkers but sound." -Tevin Campbell

Real Simple (yes, this magazine is one of my favorites) had a great article on how to have small talk. I thought this was a great article because as we get older, we find ourselves increasingly in places with people that we do not know. Remember how easy it was when we were kids to say to the person sitting next to us, "Wanna share crayons?" It's still that easy! Click here to read the article and get some tips for your next networking opportunity.

The Seven Habits of Highly Motivated People

"All you hatin' is fuel to my fire...It's motivation." -T.I.

No longer available via the internet, Real Simple's "The Seven Habits of Highly Motivated People" gives great advice on how to get and stay motivated. Here is a summary of the article:

1. Decide on the size - sometimes our goals can be simplified and reduced. Activities during a vacation seeming to wear you down? Decide to sit and relax instead.
2. Multitask - Listen to a language instructional tape in the car, dance while cleaning or organize your closet a bit each morning before getting dressed.
3. Keep a record - Each and every day write down your goals; there are only so many times you can write "I want to make a demo tape" before you book the studio and do it.
4. Fix it so you have to do it - Sign up for that cooking class and treat it like school or work, if you don't attend you flunk or get fired. Sign up with a friend for extra incentive.
5. Get the right supplies and put them in plain sight - Even if you just dabble in your goals a bit each day, you will feel accomplishment and be encouraged to continue. If you are interested in some kind of art, get the supplies and put them on the coffee table so that you can draw a bit each night. Even if you can't one night, the sight of the items will keep the learner in you in the forefront.
6. Recruit your family or friends - This can add enthusiasm to your project, or, with kids, it can add the energy you feel you might not have. Plus, additional time with those you love is never wrong.
7. Seek inspiration - from a book, a movie, a speaker or a influential person.

And remember, there is no dream too silly, there is always time if you make the time and starting small usually leads to something big.

Blab Savorites: Stationary

"Seh if yuh have a paper, yuh must have a pen and if yuh have a start, yuh must have a end." -Yellowman

I love paper! If you do, too, here are some great stationary sites that I've compiled from Shop Smart, People Style Watch and Life & Style.

Expressionery: Cute stuff! I love the "Kathy" stamp.


Luxe Paperie: Claims to be couture. Is very simple and elegent.

Paper Source: "Do something creative every day" is what they tell us. With the items available here, you'd be able to.

Felix Doolittle: They have the best personal calling cards I have seen. Find them by clicking on the drop menu "personalized stationary" at the top.

Mrs. John L. Strong: Fancier stationary - a bit more expensive but very pretty.

Inslee: (seen in People Style Watch) stationary from the drawings of an art major. Super cute! I love sketches like these.

The Essential Bar

"And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar..." -Billy Joel

Real Simple's guide to the essential bar components. My sister, who owns a liquor store, usually does the entertaining but I kept this article for the day that I have the capacity for a "bar." Not that cheesy wet bar from the 80's but a bar cabinet. Cheers!

Water - The Low Down

"You do a little dance and then you drink a little water." -Red Hot Chili Peppers

We all know drinking water is important. Here are some interesting facts about water (compiled from articles in Real Simple):

Seven Wonders of Water:
1. Cuts risk for colon, breast and bladder cancer.
2. Increases energy and diminishes headaches.
3. Helps the body absorb nutrients.
4. Prevents kidney stones, urinary tract infections and constipation.
5. Decreases the risk of injuries, pulls and strains.
6. Boosts mental performance.
7. Aids in weight loss.

Real Simple's article "Nine things you need to know about water" is an excellent source of information on water. I was especially happy to read that other drinks count towards staying hydrated. The article also addresses the concerns about tap water and how to test your own.

"New water," waters enhanced with vitamins, minerals and herbs, do not "appear to be harmful or contain excessive amounts of nutrients," according to a R.D. But, new waters have additional calories. Real Simple tasters rated VitaminWater by Glaceau and E20 Energy Water by Hansen's as the best new waters - but these two also had the highest calorie counts. If you are bored of plain water, make herbal iced tea for a refreshing, tasty, no-calorie drink instead.

Personally, I like Fruit20 by Veryfine with zero calories or the new single serving drink mixes, these are easy to carry and many contain zero calories.

Blab Savorites: Home Accessories and Furniture

"There's a red house over yonder..." -Jimi Hendrix

Dust Furniture: Awesome furniture for those that could afford it! We can dream, right?

Umbra: Cute and handy home organizing products. So many great products and great ideas.

Re-modern: Sustainable gifts, home accessories and furniture. Check out the typewriter key jewelery!

The Container Store: Classic shop! I have the Elfa shelving at home and love it! The cord organizers have always interested me. Has anyone used these? If so, let me know.

MoMA Store: Museum type home accessories, gifts and stationary. I originally went to the site to check out their SunJar. I solar light in a jar. Would be great for a patio or garden.

Fred Flare - Went there originally for the office stuff, very cute, but ended up looking around at everything.

Organize.com: Another great place for organization ideas and products.

What Lawyers Know That You Wish You Knew

"I brought the money like the lawyer said to do..." -Bob Marley

Featured in Real Simple
Based on the book Winning Every Time: How to Use the Skills of a Lawyer in the Trials of Your Life (Ballantine) by Lis Wiehl.

1. Know your theory of the case - what is your end goal?
2. Pick your juror - who is likely to help achieve your goal?
3. Discovery - gather evidence and knowledge.
4. Make your case - confront.
5. Cross-examination - should you encounter a hostile witness.
6. Avoid the 7 Deadly Spins - don't shoot yourself in the foot.
7. Tell a story - persuade by conveying your message in a memorable way.
8. Closing - ask for it and send thank yous.