Wall Decoration Ideas for Your Ba’s Room

snthegre — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:38:38 +0000

Article by Aura

Bringing a new baby home is one of the greatest moments in our lives. Decorating the nursery beforehand, however, can be a bit challenging, especially for those parents who want their children’s rooms to be gender neutral. A great way to decorate your new baby’s nursery is with wall art.

Every store has a decorating section for baby nurseries; it’s just a matter of finding the right ways to decorate the room that fit the theme you dreamed about. Baby decals and vinyl lettering come in both genders and gender neutrals. There are flowers and dolls for girls, trucks and trains for boys and even teddy bears.

When decorating your nursery, weather for a girl or a boy, it helps to have a theme in mind, or at the very least, a color. It can be your favorite color, or light lavender if you would like your room to stay gender neutral or are unsure of the sex of your baby. Lavender and sand colored stained wood makes for a great gender neutral nursery idea.

If you are looking to make your nursery gender neutral, a nice tip would be to use animals like horses and teddy bears. For parents who do not want to know the sex of their child before the baby comes, they are the universal symbol of cuteness. You can find animal decals in just about any arts and crafts store or even online. You can also choose themes like jungles or underwater vinyl wall decals for the completion of your theme. You can paint vivid blues and greens on your walls and add animals and fish till your heart’s content.

If vinyl wall decorations seem a little too whimsical, you can always go with metal or wooden wall art. You can create your own wall art by sculpting your baby’s name out of a piece of wood, painting or staining the wood to match your theme and hanging it on your nursery wall. You can also buy wall art in phrases such as “precious” or in religious sayings to give your new baby’s room a personal touch. There are vast resources for ideas on decorating your baby’s room. Parenting magazines and online blogs are plenty. Using wall art lettering that is removable is simple and easy and requires no clean up. Searching for baby nursery decor ideas has never been easier.

Aura is a an artist and student.

Looking for ideas and products to create a safe, organic and natural nursery for your new baby? Sustainable living expert Sara Snow shows you how to select natural furniture, organic bedding and low POV paints for a beautiful green nursery.
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A Few Fun Filled Nursery Decor Ideas

snthegre — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:38:37 +0000

So you’re having a baby, congratulations! Whether it’s your first child or not, being an expectant parent is always an exciting experience. There’s many things about this time in your life that are enjoyable, and one of the most fun is getting to designate and decorate your baby’s new room. Below we’ve included a couple of fun filled ideas to help you get started on this great project. And the best thing about them, is that they will fit any budget and still allow you to create an amazing nursery!

Besides these great nursery ideas, we have also included some practical tips for you. After all, it can’t all be fun and frivolous. You’ll need some useful and practical items for your new son or daughter.

So it’s time to get started. We will start by imagining an empty room, but if you’ve already painted, you’re a little ahead so just skip to the parts that are relevant to you!

Teddy Bear Nursery

What’s more popular than a teddy bear? Few toys are as appropriate for baby, and the teddy bear theme assures you’ll have a room just as cute as your new baby!

To start with, you’ll need to paint the walls. To create a fun teddy-bear theme start by painting the walls in a bright and exciting color. A couple of great choices would be green, pink, yellow, or brown, but feel free to use your imagination! Then, choose a rug to compliment your chosen wall color. For example, if you chose pink, go with a creamy colored rug. Or if you chose green, go with a dark green rug. Once you’ve got those two things picked out, it’s time to decide on furniture.

A baby’s room doesn’t need a whole lot of furniture, but there are a couple of essential items. Most obviously, there’s the crib, as you need a safe and comfortable place for baby to sleep. You will also need a changing table and either a dresser or a clothing cabinet. The changing table is certainly essential, because you will be changing a lot of diapers! And the dresser is important too, because you will soon find yourself with plenty of baby clothes as you get shower gifts and start finding cute things on your own. Two other things, though not essential, are also recommended. One of these is a love seat or small couch, because as a parent, you’ll be spending a lot of time in that room, and it might be nice to have a place to sit! Plus, you will no doubt have a lot of guests over to see the new baby, and it would be great to have a place for them to rest their feet too as they oh and ah over the new arrival. The other thing that is recommended is a twin bed. You will need this eventually anyway as your child grows bigger and graduates from the crib. You can also add a nightstand next to the bed, and a little baby armchair, table, or little ottoman. Remember, it depends on how much space is available in the baby room.

Now for the really fun part! It’s time to “accessorize” the room. First, find some bedding with a teddy bear theme. This bedding can be as budget friendly or luxurious as you want, depending on where you buy it. Next, start decorating the room. Get a blanket to throw over the back of the love seat or rocking chair that has a teddy bear printed on it. Then place a big plush teddy on one of the corners of the bed or on the loveseat. You can also get some smaller bears to be placed on the changing table. This will work best if you’ve placed the changing table against the wall, so the stuffed animals have some where to lean against. Not only will this look great, but it might even keep the baby from crying while he or she is being changed!

If you decided to add a nightstand, you could also place a teddy bear frame on it with a picture of your new family, once the baby comes. Another option would be to find a stuffed animal themed lamp or lamp sheet to put next to the photo frame. These things could also be placed on the dresser, if you didn’t get a nightstand. Then, finish off the room by adding some classic drapes or valances. Drapes are best if the room as too much light during the day, and valances are best if you have a darker room. Colors for the curtains should be chosen to compliment the furniture or the walls and rug.

So there you go! You have created a fun-filled (and adorable) room for your new baby. Take these suggestions and be as creative or classic as you want, and friendly to your wallet as well! Remember, with some bright colors, basic furniture, plush teddy bears and themed décor you can transform a plain room into the perfect place for baby.

Get started now! Find the perfect stuffed bears just like in the article, plus many other amazing
plush animals at KCPlush.com. Have fun decorating your new nursery with one less thing on your mind.

Greening the Nursery Part Three: Green Furniture

snthegre — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:38:36 +0000

Article by Tara Smith

There are many things to consider when purchasing furniture for your new baby’s nursery. While many people might think a green nursery is out of their price range, there are many green options available that don’t cost a lot. Buying furniture is one of the most exciting things to do to prepare for a new baby, and there are just a few health and environmental concerns to be aware of before you decide on a crib and other furniture.

First, and foremost we have to consider the safety aspect. Because your baby will be spending a lot of time in a crib, and many times will be unsupervised, most safety concerns are related to the crib. While many experts will recommend that you not buy a used crib, I believe that most relatively intelligent adults can take precautions to ensure that a used crib is safe. Buying a used crib can be the most budget-friendly and environmentally-friendly option, if you can find one that is safe. For example, you’ll want to make sure the crib was manufactured after the current U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission set safety standards. But the biggest measure you can take is to get the product model number and check to make sure it hasn’t been recalled. Other safety measures you could take could include, buying used from a reputable used baby store that has guaranteed the product, buying from a trusted friend or relative, and buying a crib that is only a year or two old. Make sure you check that all the screws and hardware are fastened correctly. In my opinion, it’s best not to use an antique crib. Antique cribs can have slats that are too far apart, and can have finishes that contain lead, and other toxic materials.

I initially bought a used crib for my daughter at a yard sale. However, I made an agreement with the seller that if the crib had been recalled, or if it was missing hardware, I could return it for a full refund. After we got it home, we checked online to make sure it was not recalled, and it was manufactured recently. It was, but it was missing hardware and so I returned it. I wish I would have spent more time looking for a used crib, but we ended up just buying a new one. The greenest crib option for most people on a budget will be to buy used. But there are green options available if you are buying new. If you have the money, consider the highest quality solid wood crib you can afford, that way you can pass it down to your children. Additionally, if you spend a little bit more money you can get a crib that will convert into a toddler bed and then into a headboard and footboard for a double bed.

If you want to make sure you’re buying a product that uses sustainably harvested wood, look for certification from The Forest Stewardship Council, which is a nonprofit organization that encourages green and sustainable production practices. The FSC certifies manufacturers based fifty-seven different criteria that protects wildlife and regulates pesticide use. Other organizations that certify sustainability include the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, however this group is industry-based and its standards are not as high as those of the FSC.

Another issue of concern with nursery furniture is the chemicals used in production. While the majority of cribs are solid wood and the finishes are regulated to be non-toxic, other furniture, such as changing tables and dressers can be made with cheaper pressed wood materials, which can off-gas significant amounts of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can irritate young babies eyes, skin and throat and cause nausea. Medium-density fiberboard especially, is noted for emitting the highest amount of formaldehyde. For this reason, buying used is also a good idea, as used products have likely off-gassed the majority of the chemical odors. Additionally buying used solid wood furniture is a budget-friendly alternative to buying new solid wood furniture. If you have to buy pressed wood furniture new, consider leaving it outside or opening the windows and allowing it to off-gas as much as possible before exposure to the baby.

Most of all, when it comes to baby furniture and safety, it’s important to consider all the current safety standards, but also to use your own best judgement by examining everything carefully. If you open your mind to the possibilities, you can decorate the nursery well on a budget and be green at the same time.

Tara Smith is a mom, perennial researcher, reader and author of growbabygreen.com, a website that helps parents “go green” for their baby and family.To learn more green, organic and natural living ideas and tips visit http://www.growbabygreen.com.

Using Feng Shui to Create Harmony in your Baby?s Nursery

snthegre — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:38:34 +0000

You might be wondering what Feng Shui is and luckily you’re about to find out. It’s a real practice that some moms and dads swear by and use to create a peaceful nursery environment for their baby. This article will provide you with helpful tips on how to use Feng Shui design in your baby’s nursery to create a harmonious baby space.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice of interior decorating that provides ideas for key placement of objects and furniture to open the flow of energy through any room or entire home or building. Feng Shui experts believe that the proper positioning of furnishings and accessories in a home is essential for creating personal prosperity, good luck, happiness and success. Starting your newborn off with a nursery design that has a Feng Shui touch can only help surround your baby with positively flowing energy and a healthy environment. This decorating theory might not be for everyone, but if you want to give it a try here are some helpful tips on Feng Shui nursery design.

Be prepared to be a bit sleep deprived when you first bring your bundle of joy home. Most babies tend to take a few months to get used to sleeping long hours through the night. This means you’re in store for many 4:00am bonding sessions with you and your infant. There are a few things you can do to set-up your nursery to promote better “baby” sleep habits. Nursery location is a biggy. Avoid creating a nursery above the garage or over an empty space in your home. Also choose a room that is away from excessive noise such as late night TV, street traffic or an older sibling’s playroom. This sounds like common sense doesn’t it? But, these ideas are backed by Feng Shui theory.

Crib placement is important if you want to keep your baby calm. Don’t place the crib directly in-front-of the door. This allows incoming energy from the doorway to rush at the crib too quickly, making your little one a bit restless. It’s also recommended to place just the head of the crib against the wall to create a feeling of support for your baby. Keep non-essential electrical devices out of the nursery. A little baby might get a bit on edge when surrounded by too much electromagnetic energy. It’s also important to keep sharp furniture edges from pointing at the crib. This sends a harsher energy towards your napping child. You might consider getting nursery furniture that has rounded edges instead.

Everyone wants to create an adorable nursery for their baby and this includes picking a color scheme for the nursery walls, baby bedding and accessories. Believe it or not, the color white is the Feng Shui pick for nursery design. This color is closely linked with creativity. Since white is probably the last color you want on your nursery plan, you could consider painting two walls white and the other two a muted pastel color. Soft colors promote proper health and rest in a baby’s room. It’s probably tempting to add a splash of bright orange or sunny yellow, but bright colors tend to excite the wee ones therefore resulting in less sleep time and all babies need their sleep. “So do mommies!”

When creating your color scheme you’ll also want to think about baby bedding. It’s suggested that you choose a crib bedding set made of natural materials. Softer colors and solid or simple prints on sheets and blankets will also be a good choice for keeping your baby less stimulated. Imagine how hard it would be for your baby to relax on a bed of wild monkeys! Baby bedding sets with nature designs can help keep your baby calm. Also, choosing bedding that’s soft yellow, green or salmon will have the same relaxing affect. Avoid baby bedding with designs with harsh points like diamonds, triangles or arrows. This stabbing energy won’t do your baby any favors. Take time choosing a baby bedding set that will be soothing and comfortable to your newborn. Use your natural instincts to pick what makes you feel good and it will most likely do the same for your child.

Placing several lights around the room is a great Feng Shui trick. Turn just one on for those late night feedings to keep the environment soft and serene. This will help keep your 4:00am feedings short and your baby will drift quickly back to sleep with a full tummy. Turn three lights on or turn on the overhead light during baby play time to boost your baby’s energy and yours. Open window shades to let natural sunlight brighten the room, enhancing the energy flow.

There’s nothing like the feeling of a soft breeze on your skin. Putting a fan, on a low setting, in your baby’s nursery to create constant air flow is a great way to move energy around the space. Opening windows during the day to let fresh air in is also a nice way to add natural, positive energy into the room. It also seconds as a way to clear out stagnant energy. As an added touch you could even include some soft music to the nursery. This will keep your baby calm and happy as he or she drifts off to sleep.

Having a clutter-free nursery and home environment is important. Clutter can stop the flow of energy causing every family member to feel a little uneasy or out of sorts. When a newborn arrives it’s important to be in your best “mommy or daddy” mood to be able to handle the unexpected late night baby wakeup calls or crazy baby messes with a smile. If you’re tripping over clutter on your way to the crib your baby will sense your frustration and react accordingly. Keeping a clear pathway to your baby and around your home will allow the home’s energy to flow through and make you more energetic to take on all those challenging baby moments.

Once you’ve painted soft colors on the walls, added comfortable baby bedding to the crib, arranged your baby’s furniture in a Feng Shui design and used lights, air and music to create a positive energy flow in the nursery your baby can’t help but to get a great night sleep. And you know what that means…you will too!

Kim Proulx knows lots about kids, parenting and strengthening the family bond. As a Certified Parent Coach she vows that surrounding your baby in a safe and comfortable environment is the first step in creating a happy family. To set up the ideal baby environment she recommends you visit SimplyBabyBedding.com for great boy baby bedding sets, girl baby bedding, theme crib bedding and more.

Top Ten Nursery Themes

snthegre — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:38:11 +0000

Are you still unsure of your baby nursery decorations? There are so many designs which you want to use but of course, you only have to choose one. So how do you choose a theme that you will want your baby to have? Remember that your baby’s nursery is the first place that your child will be exposed to. You need to choose a theme that will best suit your baby. You also need to remember that your baby will stay in his nursery almost all the time when he is awake, so make sure that you pick a theme that will be pleasing to you and your baby.

Top ten baby nursery decorations that you might want to consider are:

1. Color themes are one of the simplest yet most effective designs. These are the designs used to denote gender differences for babies. Pink and purple are chosen for baby girls while blue and green are for baby boys. For unisex themes, you may stick to neutral colors of beige, cream or white.

Cute animals including farm animals can be a popular choice. You can choose a room filled with elephants, birds, dogs, ducks, cats, dogs and other animals. Animals are a good way to decorate since there are so many toys designed after animals that you can use for your baby’s room.

3. A whimsical theme can also work for your baby. Paint seahorses, shells, mermaids or starfishes. Keep the colors light and soft that will relax your baby.

4. Celestial themes such as the stars, moons, sun can mimic the sky and put it inside your baby’s room. Your baby can wake up to the sun and sleep through the stars. Since your baby still cannot appreciate the sky in the morning or at night, you can now bring it to your baby.

5. Themes following the elements earth, wind, fire, earth or water can be really a soothing baby nursery decoration. As long as these are done in moderation, these can really be effective nursery themes.

6. Famous fairy tale characters like princesses from Disney can also be an inspiration for your baby’s room. Princess designs can really be perfect for baby girls. You may also want to choose a Barbie themed room. Barbie products offer a lot of thing that you may use as baby nursery decorations.

7. Cartoon characters such as Looney tunes characters, sponge bob, Mickey Mouse and other cartoons can also be used as a nursery theme. These provide a wide range of choices from which you can choose from.

8. Mosaic and abstracts may work in minimal amounts only because babies cannot understand these themes. For them, these are just added color which can really bring out the room’s designs.

9. A playground theme will be a perfect theme that will allow your child to get a feel of the outside world. They can have a playground of their own in their rooms while they still cannot go out of the house.

10. Lastly, a room with no theme may work out for you. If you find it such a hassle to redecorate your baby’s room when he grows up, then you may choose this option. This can allow you to easily switch from cribs to beds when the time comes.

Create a peaceful and inspiring environment for your baby. For endless Baby Nursery Decorations and Baby Nursery Bedding themes visit us.

Nursery Interior Design Project by Naomi Coe and Gerri Panebianco, nursery designers of Little Crown Interiors: a Whimsical pink, aqua and green baby girl’s nursery room.

LIGHT AND COLOR IN HEALTHY NURSERY DESIGN

snthegre — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:38:09 +0000

Article by Ursula Ansbach

LIGHT AND COLOR IN HEALTHY NURSERY DESIGNThe lighting in your nursery should be a prime consideration and if at all possible, choose a room that entertains an abundance of natural light and sunlight. Sunlight and natural light help the body to produce vitamin D necessary for healthy physical and emotional development. The ultraviolet light in sunlight induces conversion of the skins vitamin precursors such as ergostol, into vitamin D. Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphates in the body and recent research shows that it may also offer protection from cancer. Natural sunlight is also a key factor in synchronizing our daily biological clock. A lack of daylight produces chemical changes in the brain that researchers still don’t fully understand but is commonly known to cause depression. In addition there are visual benefits from natural light because eyes need ultraviolet rays to remain healthy and strong.

I remember classrooms in the school buildings of yesteryear, with windows that reached almost from ceiling to floor along one entire wall. The choice of those windows was not just a design whimsy. The importance of natural light was understood. Today the effect of light is frequently overlooked, but when included in your nursery design, natural light and sunlight can greatly increase the well being of your baby.

Color also affects baby in important ways. In our nursery design, the wall color is the easiest thing to change and the most flexible. Keep baby in mind when choosing your colors and remember that babies are in the process of developing visual skills. Newborns are more easily aware of stark contrast. For this reason a black and white theme may be effective and helpful. Perhaps white walls with black or mahogany furniture, black and white photographs, or black photo frames on white walls. Soft colors are helpful for infants since they soothe and don’t overstimulate. I would not recommend decorating a nursery in stark reds, or deep blues, no matter how much I may personally enjoy these colors. Perhaps that is why babies were traditionally dressed and furnished in pastel pink and blues.

Possible alternatives to traditional blues and pinks would be soft greens, soft yellows, soft peach, turquoise pastels and so on. If you crave a strong color as part of your design and feel you will simply not be happy without it, try it as an accent color. Perhaps a turquoise blue stripe as a benchrail design on one or two of your walls; or a colorful border along the top may satisfy your need for a splash of intense color without shocking your infant’s color cones!

Light and color tie together and complement each other. Therefore if your room has lots of natural sunlight and a southern exposure, you might want to choose “cool” colors like green or yellow for balance. On the other hand, if the room faces a northerly direction, warmer colors will tend to brighten and enliven your nursery.

When choosing the lighting and color for your nursery, remember to put baby’s needs first and to consider how important natural light is for health and well being while color may be chosen to support visual development.

Ursula Ansbach is the owner of the online furniture store My Baby Furniture Plus/http://www.mybabyfurnitureplus.com. She lives on the shores of Lake Erie with her family and various four legged critters.

Nursery Trees Or Spaded Trees: Which Transplants Better?

snthegre — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:38:07 +0000

Similar to most things in life, there are positives and negatives associated with the landscaping options of spaded trees and nursery trees. Generally speaking, trees grown in nurseries are simpler to move because they have been affected by maintenance practices, like root pruning. Because of root pruning, it is typically easier to move trees that are grown in nurseries. It may cost more to transplant spaded trees, but if the tree will otherwise be lost or if its worth exceeds the expense of transporting it, the process could ultimately be successful.

Nursery trees have the benefit of being exposed to root pruning, which helps in the growth of the tree’s most adaptable roots and contributes to ultimate health and the least amount of stress for the tree. However, tree spading, which is a popular method for moving and transplanting large trees from one site to another, saves work, planting time and years of upkeep on a young tree.

Spading also does away with the possible risk of mower damage, which often happens to younger and smaller trees.

Field grown trees are recognized by their extensive root networks, which are even denser than those found on nursery grown trees. Nursery grown trees are defined as those trees, which have been cared for at least two years under “nursery conditions.” To decrease the risk of injury to these types of trees, it is recommended that while transplanting them the ball-and-burlap method should be employed. Little trees with well developed root systems react well to this technique. Cutting should never be done in an effort for the tree to fit into a pre-designated hole as the roots need to have space to develop.

A tree spade can transplant many trees at any time of the year except if the ground is frozen.

Firs, maples, and spruce trees are best transplanted in the cooler months of spring and early fall. For the purposes of retail sale or compact storage, commercial nurseries employ tree spades to lift large trees out of the earth.

Trees that have been raised in nurseries or that have been relocated from another location are frequently transplanted with the help of spades by arborists and landscape contractors. An “instant landscape” is created when landscape design companies dig up and move large trees from one location to the other. Tree spades are available in a variety of types and sizes and anyone involved in the task must have a general understanding of how spades work, and be knowledgeable of the sites where the tree spade will be utilized.

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How to Grow a Green Tea Plant

snthegre — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:38:05 +0000

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could grow your own tea leaves at home? Not only would this save money, but you’d also reduce your risk of exposure to pesticides which are often found as contaminants on green tea leaves.

Growing your own green tea plant isn’t as difficult as you might imagine. All of the nonherbal teas are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference in the taste and content of the teas lies in the way they’re processed after the plant is grown.

You don’t need much room to grow Camellia sinensis, although you do need patience. The leaves of the plant shouldn’t be plucked to be used until the plant is around three years of age.

Although you can grow the tea plant from the seed, it’s far easier to propagate the plant from cuttings or to buy a nursery tree. You’ll want to plant your tea plant in sandy soil for best results. Your tea plant will do well with the addition of occasional amounts of fertilizer and should be watered frequently when the weather is warm. The addition of mulch will help to reduce weeds and maintain soil moisture which is desirable for the Camellia sinensis plant.

When your plant is established, you’ll want to start harvesting and processing your tea leaves. For green tea, it’s important to harvest only the youngest tea leaves and buds. This usually involves plucking the terminal three leaves plus the terminal bud. After plucking, allow the leaves to dry away from direct contact with the sun for several hours.

Once the leaves are dry, it’s time to steam or pan heat your green tea leaves. To pan heat the leaves, heat the leaves in a pan to a temperature of around 500 degrees F for 15 minutes while keeping the pan in continuous motion to prevent burning. They can be dried by placing them in an oven at a temperature of no more than 250 degrees F for around 10 minutes. The dried leaves can then be stored until you’re ready to use them. Be sure to store them in a sealable container in a cool, dark place.

You can create different green tea flavors by adding herbs, dried fruits, or edible flowers to your green leaves before steeping them. This method will give you an endless supply of ways to enjoy green tea. Growing your own tea plant to make your own green tea drinks can be quite
rewarding. Why not give it a try?

Written by Kristie.Leong.M.D

Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington celebrates National Volunteer Week 2009 with a short film featuring Green Legacy Tree Nursery

Easy Ways To Go Green and Save

snthegre — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:38:04 +0000

Going green proves to serve both the environment and your bank accounts. But some of the methods cut into the convience so many of us are used to. However, there are numerous ways you can go green without making huge sacrifises. Here are a few ways going green saves you.

1. Get a discount on coffee. Starbucks and many other coffee chains, will give 10 cents off when you bring your own mug instead of opting for their throw away cups that clog up the landfill.

2. Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.

3. Cash in your cell phone. Instead of throwing away your used cell phone and allowing hazardous metals to seep into the ground, cash it in http://www.selllyourcell.com and get up to 0 for it.

4. Get free plants. Many nurseries give unsold healthy trees and shrubs away for free at the end of all seasons. Check with your local nursery.

5. Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer balls to cut drying time.

6. Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.

7. Wear clothes that don’t need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.

8. Make your own cleaning products. You can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap. Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging.

It’s not difficult to save both the planet and some money. Try the above tips to help you spend less and preserve the environment.

To find your cheapest energy provider click here

Written by adelaide

Kelly Green Garden Queen Full Review

snthegre — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:38:01 +0000

Article by Ross Nornes

Kelly Green Garden Queen has done a great job at blending time management game play, such as Diner Dash or Hotel Dash, and mixed it together with the popular farming game play style introduced in such games as Ranch Rush and the Farm Frenzy game series.

You start off the game by being introduced to Kelly. While Kelly likes to fancy herself as a city girl that loves to cook, her life takes a new twist when she learns that she has just inherited her grandparents gardening nursery. This starts Kelly’s adventure as she plants her way through 50 action packed levels spanning four seasons.

At the beginning of each level, Kelly is allowed to shop for the necessary supplies she will need to complete the day’s work which include seeds for the various flowers and plants that she will grow then finally sell to her clients and nursery upgrades such as better equipment and larger planning areas. Kelly can also purchase items that will make Kelly’s customers more patient and happier with her services such as lemonade and bouquet items. After her shopping is complete, the day will begin with customers arriving roadside to place their orders plus customers placing orders over the phone.

To satisfy each customer, Kelly will need to grow the plants and flowers requested by the customer, plus in later levels, Kelly will be introduced to taking care of cows so she can offer milk and butter to her clients. In the more advanced levels Kelly will also be able to offer packed soil and dried flowers for sale which can bring in some large profits.

Along with the services that the nursery offers, keeping the nursery stocked with flowers, plus managing the various pests that can intrude adds a lot of variety to the game. During the game, Kelly will have to address issues such as running out of soil or seeds, dealing with birds, aphids or gophers that will try to make a mess of her plants. Each pest has its own remedy such as scarecrows for the birds, cats for the gophers, etc. Smart upgrades and timely purchases are key to success when dealing with pests.

Kelly Green Garden Queen is a fast paced, time management oriented game. Thinking ahead and planning a strategy is important to take full advantage of Kelly and her workers skills. The game is visually pleasing and the tasks and characters are varied enough to be engaging right from the beginning. The only part of the game I really didn’t care for is the creating of bouquets, but I understand the reason behind that part of the game and really it’s very easy to complete.

Overall I give Kelly Green Garden Queen a 5 star rating. I believe this game will compete head to head with all time management favorites, plus adds enough new twists to make its farming game play fresh and inviting to even the more seasoned gamer.

Give it a try and judge for yourself!

Ross M Nornes has developed a website dedicated to casual gaming called Chewy Central ( http://www.ChewyCentral.Com ) which contains full featured reviews and complete game walk throughs for many of today’s best casual video games. Check out all the game reviews and walk throughs at http://www.ChewyCentral.com/GameReviewsWalkthroughs.aspx.