Tips For Better Photography by Bill Loeber

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Thank you to my guest poster, Bill Loeber, from Photo Art People.

One simple thing you can do TODAY to improve your photos.

In our business (www.PhotoArtPeople.com) we see a LOT of photos sent in by our customers.  Most suffer from a flaw that is super-easy to avoid…they are taken from too far away, trying to capture everything in the scene.  Imagine taking a picture of your family standing in front of the Grand Canyon and trying to get “it all in”.  The focus is your family, with a strong hint that they are at a big canyon, even a “grand” canyon.  So zoom in on the people and use the canyon as a backdrop, not the main focus.  The reason this is such a common mistake is that our eyes are amazing things.  They “trick us”.  They are able to simultaneously take in the grandeur of the canyon as well as the details of the people standing on the lip of the canyon, and the fur on the pet dog.  And take in all the shadows and highlights and adjust to them perfectly.  Cameras are really bad at that.  So my advice is to always zoom in for a close-up.  Then if you want zoom out and take another one of the whole scene.  You can decide which one you prefer.

And if you want a enlarged canvas print check out www.PhotoArtPeople.com. 

Thank you, Bill, for the great tip.

I found two pictures of my son on the Great Wall of China. I think it illustrates perfectly what Bill points out. The first photo above, emphasizes the Great Wall, but the one on the right emphasizes my son, goofiness and all. 

I have been lucky enough to work with Bill on a photo to canvas. I was absolutely stunned with his work. My canvas arrived at a tender time in my life, just weeks before I found out my only daughter has ovarian cancer. My photo to canvas just happened to be of my daughter's wedding a few short years ago. It has already become a treasured family item. A reminder of beauty and youth we may never be able to capture again. 

**This is a guest post, NOT a sponsored post.

Luxury Sleep Wear - Bed Head Pajamas Review

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I never thought I would own a luxury pair of pajamas, much less want them. However, I was wrong on both counts. At BedheadPajamas.com, they set the standard for what Made in the U.S.A. should be. With high quality fabric and a good selection of pajamas for the entire family, Bead Head Pajamas is sure to become the American Classic in sleepwear. From Los Angeles, California, to my home, I couldn't be more proud of the Made in U.S.A. label.

I have never owned a pair of pajamas that has come close to rivaling Bed Head Pajamas in both quality and fit. They are definitely worth paying a little more for. The quality of the slightly shiny cotton sateen fabric is much higher than most cotton fabrics. The cotton felt soft and luxurious. Even after wearing my pajamas all night, they still looked great with no wrinkles. The bottoms were the most comfortable. I really liked having elastic in the back and a drawstring in the front. This allowed me the comfort of elastic with the flexibility of a drawstring to cinch the waist a little tighter. The pajamas fit my large thighs very well with plenty of space. I hate pajamas that fit tight on my legs. I was so happy my Bed Head Pajamas did not.

They style I tried was the New York Botanical Vanilla Sateen Short Sleeve Mandarin with Capris. I'm not nearly as cute, and tall and skinny as the model so the bottoms were not really capris length for me. That is why I love them. Since I am under 5'4", any bottoms sure usually too long for me.  I loved having pajama bottoms that actually fit my short legs without having them drag across the ground.

Even on a summer night, the pajamas were lightweight enough that I didn't feel too hot lounging around in them.

For those who don't like sleeping in long pajamas during the hot summer months, Bed Head Pajamas carries short pajamas as well or how about these pretty nightgowns?

I have reviewed a lot of Made in U.S.A. items and I have to admit, Bed Head Pajamas has moved to the top of my favorites list. I couldn't find one single thing to improve on. I can understand why the Wall Street Journal voted Bed Head Pajamas #1 overall. It is definitely a ranking well deserved.

From the moment I received my Bed Head Pajamas in the a luxury blue box with green lettering, I felt I was onto something special. It's very rare I get a product wrapped with so much care. While unwrapping my parcel, I just knew I would find a treasure inside. What a great way to reward that somebody special. I so needed something like this to brighten my tumultuous last few weeks. Thanks, Bed Head, for making me feel special.

Bed Head Pajamas is offering 15% off all regular priced items. Use the following link:

Sing With Color - SAVE 15% on all regular priced items with Bedhead Pajamas with promo code SUMMER15 until 8/31/12

Bed Head Pajamas are highly recommended for quality and comfort unmatched in any import sleepwear.

**I received the product to review at no charge for review purposes only. My opinions are based on my honest experience and not upon the fact I received the product for free. No other compensation was received.

Alabama Apparel

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It always bugs me when I want to purchase shirts with the name of a  U.S. city or university printed on it and the shirt is made in China. I was thrilled to find some Alabama Apparel actually made in the U.S.A.

Though not all of the University Supply Store's items are made in the U.S.A., I applaud them for finding U.S. manufacturers to add to their list of suppliers. Besides a number of t-shirts and long sleeve shirts, I also found mesh athletic shorts.

One of the items I found which impressed me the most was a cap and gown set that was not only made in the U.S.A., but earth friendly as well. The cap and gown are made from 100% post-consumer bottles. Wow! I did not even know you could make apparel from bottles. 

Sometimes it is hard to find made in U.S.A items when shopping online because the country of origin is rarely listed. At the University Supply Store, I found the country of origin listed on almost every item. That way the consumer can make educated decisions without having to waste time emailing back and forth. I often hear from my readers that they would purchase more made in U.S.A. items if the price were competitive. When compared to the items made outside of the U.S.A., the University Supply Store does keep the prices competitive with their Made in America items. That way, there is no excuse for not supporting U.S. manufacturing.

For those University of Alabama fans, the University Supply Store is a great one stop shopping place for Alabama apparel. To find apparel made in the U.S., be sure to type "Made in U.S.A." in the search box.

**Disclosure: As per FTC guidelines, this is a sponsored post. I received compensation in exchange for this post. However, I only support companies who carry made in U.S.A. items. All opinions are my own.

UPrinting.com Brochure Giveaway

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The one thing I have learned as a small business owner is that all of the little things you need to run a successful business can get expensive. At UPrinting.com, they understand how frustrating this can be. That is why they offer a wide range of business solution products at competitive prices. The turn around time is quick. Some items can be ready to ship in as little as 1-3 days. Your designs are easy to upload or UPrinting.com also offers template solutions.

I have been looking for brochures for my small business and I was amazed at how easy it is to use UPrinting.com brochures. I was relieved to find out I could order products and have them delivered within a week in many cases. It is also easy to keep track of your project by checking the job status. 


UPrinting.com wants to give one of my lucky readers a chance to win 50 brochures to showcase your business or life event. Be sure to check out the prize details and use the Rafflecopter form to enter.

Prize Information: 

50 pcs brochures for one (1) winner

8.5" x 11"

100lb Paper Gloss

With Folding (Half Fold, Trifold/Letterfold, Z-Fold, Roll Fold, Accordion Fold)

Front and Back Printing

2 Business Days Print Turnaround

*Free shipping

Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only

By entering the giveaway, you acknowledge that you have read the terms on the Rafflecopter form and agree to them which may include the posting of your name as the winner. Contest ends 7/9/2012 at 12:01 EST. Additional restrictions include:

1. No prize substitutions allowed.

2. Winners are allowed to win once over a six-month period. If you have won a prize with UPrinting.com in the last 6 months, please do not enter.

3. Only email addresses used for the giveaway will be eligible to claim the prize.

**You should assume that I will receive free print products in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions. Interested to hold a giveaway like this? Please sign up here.





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American Flora Yoga and Dance Wear Review

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My journey to find American made products has led me to some incredible finds. American Flora is one hidden gem I had never heard of, but feel as if I hit the jackpot when I found their company. From dance wear and yoga apparel to body scrub and tote bags, American Flora has a nice range of products for the active dancer or yoga enthusiast

American Flora's apparel is made from 100% recycled Repreve® polyester fabric. Repreve is made from a variety of recyclable polyester fabrics as well as plastic water bottles. The wonderful thing about Repreve is that it can be made into moisture wicking fabrics which are soft and elastic. Perfect for exercise apparel.  American Flora sent me a headband made from this fabric. I have a lot of exercise clothes and I have to admit, none of my exercise wear is as soft as the headband. I fell in love with the fabric right away. I would love to try the tank top for running or the pants for yoga or for lounging around.

As supple as the Repreve® Fabric feels, I can imagine it would awesome to wear for the flexible dancer. My headband stays in place well and is comfortable with just the right amount of stretch. I think those qualities would transfer nicely to exercise apparel. 

Not only does American Flora carry dance and yoga wear. They also have a coconut and sugar scrub which I am dying to try. 

My daughter modeling the All Purpose Tote

                             

I was lucky enough to try the America Flora All Purpose Tote.

Besides being incredibly sturdy, the tote is made from salvaged billboard vinyl. I love innovative products that help keep our land fills from getting too full. I fit two large beach towels, my swimsuit, suntan lotion and water bottle in the bag with no problem. I love that the bag is waterproof so when I am done swimming, I can shove everything inside and not worry about the bag getting ruined. The tote is also a perfect size for carrying a yoga mat to class as well as a change of clothes.

 
I loved the little brass tag that came on my tote and left it on, but it can easily be removed. 

Though there are a lot of things to love about American Flora, the thing I love most is that they are a company who gives back. Not only are all of their products made in the U.S.A. but every component, including their tags, are sourced to U.S. manufacturers. However, it's not just the U.S. manufacturing segment American Flora supports, but the company also donates a portion of every sale to the Partnership for Breast Care at the Hartford Hospital. Since my daughter was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the last few weeks, this gesture is especially meaningful. Thanks, Mary, for giving me a chance to try American Flora products.


American Flora is offering my readers a 10% discount on any one item. Please use their Contact US form and let them know you came from Made in USA blog to receive your discount.


**As per FTC guidelines, I received product at no charge for review purposes only. My opinions are based on my honest experience with the product and are not influenced by outside sources.

Alli's Everlasting Floral Arrangements Review

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Allison Emilie Heyden

The story of the creation of Alli's Everlasting Floral Arrangements hit home to me during a trying time in my life. The company was started in memory of the owner's 24 year old daughter who passed away in 2011. Their daughter, Allison, had a passion for fashion design and was voted one of the top 100 up and coming fashion designers in the United States. I can't think of a better way to honor her memory than creating unique floral arrangements. Also impressive is that a percentage of the sales from Alli's Everlasting Floral Arrangments are donated to the Alli Heyden Passion for Fashion Scholarship fund at the Savannah College of Art and Design where Alli graduated in 2009.

All of Alli's Evelasting Arrangements are made with "passion from the heart." Each arrangement is one-of-a-kind. No two are alike with the exception of special requests.

The interesting and unique arrangements mirror their daughter's design style and are made with the flowers          created from the same fabric Alli used in her collections.            

I received a light gray floral arrangement from Alli's Floral. I imagined how nice the arrangement would look as a wedding centerpiece surrounded by white roses. I also envisioned the floral arrangement brightening a drab dorm room as it doesn't take a lot of space. I'm amazed at the creativity that goes into each arrangement, ensuring it becomes a conversation piece. The only suggestion I have to make it better is watch the pooling of the hot glue. I had a clump of visible hot glue at the top of my glass vase. Otherwise, the floral arrangement was a nice color combination.






To find more great floral arrangements, visit Alli's Everlasting Floral Arrangements.









**Disclosure: As per FTC guidelines, I received the product at no charge for review purposes only. My opinions reflect my own experience.

Prevagen Dietary Supplement Review and Giveaway

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Do you have trouble remembering little things? Do you wish your mind was a little sharper? Prevagen® may be the supplement for you.


I used Prevagen® for the last 30 days. Unfortunately, the last two weeks was a period of extreme stress in my life. During this time, my 22 year old daughter was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer. I have spent hours on end in the hospital with her as she was recovering from surgery. This change of routine made it hard to tell of Prevagen was helping my memory. I honestly didn't notice a change in my ability to think and make decisions. However, I did notice one thing that I can't really explain. I usually get 1-2 debilitating migraines a month. Stress exacerbates these headaches. I expected to get at least one headache during the time my daughter was in the hospital. I didn't get any headaches during the 30 days I used Prevagen. I don't know if this somehow related to the supplement or if it were just a coincidence, but either way, I was grateful to be headache free while dealing with such a difficult crisis in my life. 


I didn't have any adverse side affects while taking Prevagen. Some supplements upset my stomach so I am relieved to find that this did not. The capsules are not too big and fairly easy to swallow. 


I am impressed that Prevagen is willing to back their product with a 100% money back guarantee and that it is proudly Made in America. 


For more information on Prevagen, visit their website at http://www.prevagen.com. My blog readers will receive 5% off any order by using the Coupon Code: Blog5.


Want to win a 30 day supply of Prevagen valued at $59.95.  Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read and agreed to the terms on the form, including having your name published. Contest ends June 30, 2012 at 11:59 EST.

**Disclaimer: Any statements regarding Prevagen have not been evaluated by the FDA. Prevagen is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease. Please see your health care provider if you have questions about taking this supplement. 
As per FTC guidelines, I received a bottle of supplement at no charge for review purposes. My opinion is based on my experience and not influenced by outside sources.




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Healthcare in America: Cancer Treatment

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My Daughter Ready For Tumor Removal

Almost two weeks ago, my sweet 22 year-old daughter found a lump in her abdomen. Within 24 hours, she was diagnosed with three malignant tumors. Within a week she was at the Huntsman Cancer Institute having those tumors removed and receiving a final diagnosis of Stage III ovarian cancer. To say we were shocked would be an understatement. Cancer isn't supposed to strike a young, healthy athlete who runs 7-10 miles and day and eats a healthy diet, but it did. 

Quick access to medical care may be the key to survival for my daughter. For this reason, I have never been a proponent of socialized medicine. If my daughter would have had to wait any longer for appointments, she may not have made it to surgery day. Before this experience, I was not a fan of Obama's Health Care Reform. In fact, there are still aspects of the plan I don't agree with. However, without certain aspects of the health care reform, my daughter would not have insurance and would never be able to afford the expensive cancer treatments she will have to undergo in the next few months. She falls into the married child category under the age of 26. Since she barely graduated college, she didn't have a job which provided access to insurance, nor did her husband. The Health Care Reform Act allows married children to continue coverage under parent's insurance. When that part of the health care law went into effect, it raised our insurance rates by about 15%. We had to switch to a lower cost, high deductible plan. At the same time, we had to put enough into savings to cover the yearly deductible as well as the yearly out of pocket maximum. This came as a great financial sacrifice for us. Now we are grateful we made our health care costs a priority. 

Post Surgery Recovery

By the time my daughter is old enough that she does not qualify for our insurance, another aspect of the Health Care Reform Act will take into effect. In 2014, it will be illegal to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. This means my daughter, who will now become an insurance high risk, will have the chance to buy health insurance. However, the Supreme Court will be deciding in the next month if the law is constitutional. I suspect they will find parts of the law unconstitutional. My hope is that they will uphold the part of the law which allows my daughter to continue to receive coverage under my insurance plan. If not, I imagine she will be dropped and have the heavy financial burden of mounting medical bills she could never her lifetime pay.

This experience has been humbling to say the least. I keep asking myself, What happens to those cancer patients who have no insurance? How could they ever in a lifetime pay their treatment bills? I finally understand why mounting medical bills remains one of the top reasons for filing personal bankruptcy.

 I know the United States has one of the best cancer survival rates in the world and touts most of the top treatment centers. However, the best care comes at a high cost which only a fortunate few can afford. My daughter is one of the fortunate ones, not only because her parents made buying health insurance a priority, but also because of health care reform. My hope is that our country can find a way to balance access to affordable care with access to the quick care which we have grown accustomed. If my daughter lived in a country with socialized medicine, she may still be waiting for an appointment, all while her fast growing tumor invaded her body. I don't have answers to how our country can move forward to more affordable health care. However, I am convinced we must continue to find ways to give others, like my daughter, a chance. In the meantime I have to thank my insurer, Cigna, and the Obama Administration for giving us the chance to focus on our child's recovery instead of her mounting medical bills. 

Father's Day Dr. Pepper Lover's Wow Gift Box Giveaway (CLOSED)

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For the Dad who loves Dr. Pepper

Gift baskets and boxes are one of my favorite things to receive. At Wow Gift Boxes, I can find gift boxes for every person on my list, even myself. 

With Father's Day just around the corner, it is a relief to find a gift Dad would love. 

 The Smoothest Soda & Sweetest Treats Loaded Gift Box  is the perfect gift for dad. All of the guys in our family love Dr. Pepper and they would love this gift basket.

From now until Father's Day, Wow Gift Boxes has offered my readers a 15% discount on all orders.

 At checkout, use the coupon code THANKS15.

For each gift box ordered, Wow Gift Box will donate 5 cans of food to the needy. I love supporting companies who give back.

Giveaway Details: Wow Gift Boxes has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers the Dr. Pepper Lovers Gift Box. Contest ends on Father's Day 6/17/2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

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Uncommon Goods Bracelet Review and Giveaway (Closed)

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Woman's Dance Bracelet

One of the biggest challenges in buying items made in the U.S.A. is finding them. While it's hard to find local retailers who carry a good selection of items made in America, online shopping has made it much easier. I was thrilled to find a large selection of items made in the U.S. at Uncommon Goods. The challenge for me wasn't finding a large selection of items, but having to choose just one of the many unique items made by local artisans.


I am an avid bicyclist. When I saw the line of bicycling gifts from Uncommon Goods, it made my choice even tougher. In the end, my love of artisan made bracelets won out to my love of bicycling. I chose the Woman's Dance Bracelet. I'm always looking for unusual bracelets. I like to wear jewelry that nobody else is wearing. It's part of what makes me unique. The Woman's Dance Bracelet reminded me of the southwest part of my home state of Utah. The lure was too much to resist. 

I was absolutely thrilled with my choice. The pewter bracelet fit perfectly. It looked tiny when it arrived and I worried it would be too small. However, the bracelet toggle gives it just enough space for the perfect fit.












The design is reminiscent of the artists Native American descent. This is what drew me to the bracelet in the first place. One of the things I love is receiving a card that told me about the artist. It made the bracelet personal for me. I'm also awed and amazed at the talented jewelry artists in the United States. 

I also love how the bracelet hinges in the middle. It is easy to take on and off, but very secure.

At Uncommon Goods, they know how important it is to use great packaging. Not only is the jewelry bag Made in the U.S.A., it is made from t-shirt remnants that may have made it to the landfill if not for the innovative thinking of this great company.
My item arrived quickly and was packed with extra care in bubble wrap. I am happy to have found Uncommon Goods and recommend the bracelet to my readers.






The cool thing about Uncommon Goods is that they carry items suited for just about everybody. Looking for a great gifts for men? Be sure to visit this page. I found several items I know my husband would love to receive from his children for Father's Day. Items that would make an original gift, like nothing he has received before.

Giveaway Details: Uncommon Goods has generously offered to give one of my lucky readers a $50.00 gift certificate to spend on yourself or on Dad. Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter the contest. By entering, you agree to the terms on the Rafflecopter form, including publishing your name publicly if you are the winner. Contest ends June 23, 2012 at 11:59 EST.



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