The Photo Editing Challenge consists of three weekly photo contests (The first weekly challenge is in full swing and it is titled "Natural Beauty") There are some really fantastic weekly prizes like an HP PhotoSmart Pemium Printer, CanvasOnDemand 16x20" photo canvas, and a Kodak EasyShare 10.2 megapixel digital camera.

The Aurora Photo Challenge is being hosted on Facebook, you can find more information here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aurora/71524602742

HOW IT WORKS:
For the next three weeks, share your best edited photo that fits the weekly theme (edited using Aurora, ofcourse!) by posting it to the Aurora page on Facebook.

The weekly themes are:

• Week 1 (deadline Friday, July 17): Natural Beauty
• Week 2 (deadline Friday, July 24): People & Personalities
  
• Week 3 (deadline Friday, July 31): Up Close

Each week's themed contest closes on Friday at midnight Pacific Time.

GUEST JUDGES & JUDGING CRITERIA:
We've got some amazing weekly guest judges lined up to select the winning shot each week. They'll be looking for the image that they feel best bring to life the reality of the moment captured. Say hello to the guest judges:

• Week 1: Tracey Clark, Shutter Sisters
• Week 2: Amy Locurto and Angie Arthur, I Heart Faces
• Week 3: Julie May, UnScene Photography Tour

PRIZES
If your image wins the weekly challenge, here's what you'll be taking home:

• Week 1 Prize: HP PhotoSmart Premium Printer
• Week 2 Prize: CanvasOnDemand 16x20" photo canvas
• Week 3 Prize: Kodak EasyShare 10.2 megapixel digital camera
  

*This is solely the opinion of Life In A House Of Blue. *

I recently had the opportunity to read Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s latest book, IN PRAISE OF STAY-AT-HOME MOMS. I would recommend this book to any mom that stays at home with their child or children. Sometimes I feel like I am looked down on because I do not work outside of the home or I feel guilty that I do not work and contribute to the income. this book made me realize that as a mom I should be proud to be a stay at home mom, as it is the most important job that I could have and that I contribute to my family more than money ever would.

Book Description :

They number in the millions and they are incredibly important to families and to our society, yet they are underappreciated, little respected, and even controversial.
Who are they? They are the stay-at-home moms.

These are women who know in their hearts that staying home to raise their children is the right choice for the whole family. Some do it from the outset of their marriages, while others make the difficult transition from career-driven women to homemakers. Either way, it is a choice that is incredibly rich and rewarding, not to mention challenging.

Now Dr. Laura, building on principles developed during her long career as a licensed marriage and family therapist, provides a wealth of advice and support, as well as compassion and inspiration, to women as they navigate the wonders and struggles of being stay-at-home moms.

Learn how:

• to hold your head high and deal with naysayers;
• to see the benefits of being home not only for your children but also for your marriage;
• to understand the changes you see in yourself;
• to realize that the sacrifices you endure now will make for lasting bonds and a stronger family, in addition to a more cohesive community.
• In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms is a special book, a profound and unique understanding of how important it is for mothers to raise their own children.

If this sounds like something you would like to read, you can learn more at Harper Collins.

*This is solely the opinion of Life In A House Of Blue. Other people may have different experiences with this product. Thank you to Harper Collins for providing a product for this review.*

If your children are anything like mine it is like pulling teeth to get them to do chores. I came across Deck of Chores which are custom sized cards that make chores fun .

There are a few of variations on the instruction sheet of how to play Deck of Chores but my kids like to make up their own games, which is fine with me since it actually gets them to do their chores LOL.

The other night we payed a few different games as a family and we each came up with a Saturday chore list. There have been days were we have not had time to sit down an play a game , so times like that I get a few cards fan them out and tell then to pick a card.

I like that 4 blank cards included for writing in your own chores, so if there is some for the kids or even mom and dad it can be added to the deck ! We leave one blank as a reward (no chore) card.

About Deck of Chores:

Deck of Chores can be kept on your kitchen counter and should be used by children as one way to help out their busy parents. Discuss as a family and choose a specific place in the home where your children know to check for chore cards left for them on a daily basis.

Or, set the Deck of Chores in a location where your family members can easily take a card, read it and perform the chore. There are also 4 blank chore cards for parents or children to add their own specific chore that is not already part of the deck (set the table, wash the windows, set the table).

Deck of Chores promotes confidence, responsibility and a sense of accomplishment while getting children acquainted with certain household chores.

Parents, you no longer need to remind your child to perform an assigned chore. Simply choose the chore card(s) and leave them in an agreed place for the child to retrieve.

Extra credit can be given to the child who finishes additional “unassigned” chores.

BUY: Visit Deck of Chores , priced at $14.99.

*This is solely the opinion of Life In A House Of Blue. Other people may have different experiences with this product. Thank you to Deck Of Chores for providing a product for this review.*

With the BIG announcement of the winners of the SlimPerfect Little Black Dress Contest for BlogHer on http://muffintopless.com and http://www.girlfriendology.com SlimPerfect has decided to offer a BlogHer promotion of a 50% discount off already reduced sale prices at http://www.slimperfect.com for a limited time through August 1st, 2009 with promo code "BlogHer" to be used at checkout.

This will be their biggest sale and promotion of the Year!

Are you tired of that boring plain apron that shows no personality ? If you answered yes, I have the apron for you !

I came across the TAYGA aprons, and lets just say these aprons are hip, stylish and anything but boring !

I was excited that I had the chance to review the Allison in blue and brown.

The Allison apron as describe on the TAYGA site...this halter apron in luscious colorful prints that put a contemporary spin on a classic, creating a stylish and trendy flair. Banded contrast trim at bottom and pocket trim.

I am short any everything always seems to long for me but as you can see in the photos below that the length was fine.

For 24 hours, from 9:15am Eastern on 7/15 to 9:15am on 7/16, Aurora is F-R-E-E!

Aurora, the powerfully simple photo editing, organizing and sharing software (now available for Mac and PC!) is FREE for 24 hours. Yes, anyone can download Aurora to own it forever – for free – between 9:15 am Eastern on 7/15 and 9:15 am Eastern on 7/16. Simply visit www.lightcrafts.com/aurora, select “Buy Now,” and enter FREE24 at checkout. That’s it! Why is it free? Aurora is offering this 24-hour summer giveaway to celebrate its launch of Aurora for Mac and several new features now available in Aurora. See the attached press release for more information about the new features, including a Retouch editing tool! (The updated version of Aurora is a free download for existing customers, so you’re covered – when you open the software starting tomorrow, you’ll be prompted to download the latest version.)

Share your best edited shots to win big throughout July

To celebrate great photos and great photo editing made simple with Aurora, we’re holding an Aurora Friday Photo Editing Challenge this month…and everyone is invited to participate for a shot at winning some big prizes. We’ve got three incredible guest judges lined up – Tracey Clark from ShutterSisters.com, Amy Locurto from I Heart Faces, and Julie May from UnScene Photography Tour. You can enter the challenge, and read more details about it, on the Aurora Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aurora/71524602742 (details will be posted overnight tonight, but we wanted to make sure you had this news in advance, as well).

Free Shipping on Select Items - Hurry 1 week left ! Order HERE

July 13, 2009 Save 25% on Summer Sandals! With summer in full swing, you'll want to take advantage of our sizzling sandal sale. You'll find select styles at 25% off. Hurry! Shop early for best selection! Don't forget that purchases of $60 or more enjoy free shipping. SHOP OUR SALE NOW!