Breastfeeding tips from a nursing MOM

Breastfeeding can be daunting, especially since no one ever prepares you for the roadblocks that show up from feeding or not feeding.  I've breastfed all my babies (my first well beyond 1 year) and I was sure surprised to see how easy it got as it progressed.  Beware though, I believe the first 3-4 weeks are the hardest, it's a test of your will.  I've read so many articles and tips, talked to multiple lactation consultants, and have had my husband back me up 100%. Here are some tips so you can hang in there while you work things out to provide the very best for your special little angel(s).

FIGURE A

1. It helps to talk to your baby and make eye contact as you nurse, this stimulates your brain and sends your glands a message to produce more milk and make your letdown flow easier.
2. In the beginning, you'll feel like you don't make enough milk. This could be that your baby hasn't learned to productively suck well yet or you're engorged (painfully full). It takes time (about a month) so don't reach for the formula or bottle just yet. If you're engorged, try gently pressing with your finger tips around your nipple for 10-second presses as flower petals (figure A) to soften your nipple to make it easier to feed from.
3. A good latch is when your baby's mouth is open wide, chin gently massaging your breast underneath, and tip of your nipple way past the front of your baby's tongue inside.  THIS is what makes your milk letdown be better and leads to you producing what your baby needs.
4. Breastfeeding your baby is time-consuming, it's part of being a nursing mom. Don't feel that it will tie you down, instead feel the bond you're building that is irreplaceable. 
5. When you start feeling pain (like dozens of paper cuts on your nipples), then soothe with simple things like lanolin, Olive Oil, your own milk rubbed on, and sleeping topless...yes, this works wonders! Just cover your volumptious beauties with small towels and sleep on your back. The towels will air-dry fast while gravity will help your milk not leak out like if you sleep on your side or sleep on your tummy (which can lead to painful infections from the pressure).
6. Don't get into a diet just yet! If you eat a restricted diet to get back into shape or take pills or "diet" smoothies, then you're robbing your baby's milk from good fat he/she needs. Many moms experience disappointment when their babies aren't gaining enough weight as they grow, but they are more focused in what they eat to stay thin. Guess what? YOU eat less, then so will baby. Your milk will have all the minerals and nutrients your baby will ever need, but the quality of it will depend on you eating right, resulting in a fuller baby quicker. Wait until baby starts solids to get on a diet. No one is rushing you, and if they do, what's more important: baby or someone's harsh opinion?
7. Whatever you do, don't supplement with formula to provide "more." If you allow your body to produce for small meals, then it won't magically produce bigger meals in time. In fact, you might end up drying up by 3 months (a very common mistake in moms).
8. Your mind being determined is key! When you start to get fear every time your baby has to latch on because of the pain you may start to feel, then just push through it. I used to chant, "Push through it, it's worth it" and chewed on ice. The ice lowered my upper chest temperature and lessened the pain (it's about the sensory receptors here being kinda numbed.)
9. Try pumping to produce more if your body is lagging in milk production. These foods and herbs help production increase: oatmeal, red and orange veggies, barley in porridge, fenugreek (herb), and fennel seed (herb). If you're like me, a heavy producer, then massaging between meals helps alleviate engorgement and placing cool cabbage leaves (just ONCE a day) in your bra will slow production (3 times a day will dry you up!).
10. Feed ON DEMAND AND ON SCHEDULE...don't get it? This means to feed when baby shows signs of hunger and to never let baby go unfed for more than 3 hours as well. Feeding on demand works perfectly while at home, but when you're out and about, your baby will get too stimulated by his/ her surroundings and may slide on to skipping a meal even. Keep an eye on that because once you start to skip meals or prolong break times, your body will then think it needs to produce less since baby isn't eating like before.
11. It may take up to 2 days for your body to readjust as your baby grows from time to time and feeding demands change. So give it time as baby grows.
12. If your baby sleeps through most of the night, you might be engorged by morning and baby won't eat everything you have in one feeding.  This is the best time to pump, before they wake up, and store in the freezer for future dates with the husband or doctor visits. You'll be surprised at how much milk you'll accumulate.
13. You relaxing and your comfort level helps in your willingness to keep going too so: sit up and use a pillow under baby if feeding upright, lay down and get comfy before feeding, or close your eyes if you're tired. Avoid bad posture and back pain. Avoid feeding baby if you're too emotionally stressed (crying, super angry, etc), it can lead to acid in your milk for baby = more spit up.
14. Baby will never "empty" you.  Our womanly bodies are a beautiful thing, and were made to feed and nurture babies, so even when you feel like your empty when baby seems to be hungry still, just switch sides and feed until he/she is full. THIS is how you make your body produce more. THIS is how you show your determination to be a nursing mom to a healthy breastfed baby.
15. If you do get a breast infection, my advice is to push through the pain, unless your baby has thrush, then go to a doctor.  I've had breast infections with my babies and I freaked out with my first and they gave me antibiotics to help, which still took days. With my second, I simply fed less from that side, and when I was sitting I placed diapers with warm water inside on my breast. The diaper's warmth alleviated my pain and soaked up milk that would run out. Easier than going to the doc's, getting a prescription  and taking pills.
16. Get support. If you live with your significant other, ask them for support and to let you relax while you feed. My husband is an angel during these times, propped up my pillows, brought me water and ice, wakes up to get baby at night crying, and often gets the baby as soon as I'm done feeding and bonding to help me relax. You'll need help since nursing does take energy from you (burns about 500 calories per feeding), you'll maybe feel weak, tired and overwhelmed...it's completely normal, but you still need special attention too ;-).
17. You're still eating for 2 as long as you're breastfeeding, so drink plenty of water and avoid the urges to snack o anything. I've eliminated sweet snacks and salty snacks at home to force my cravings to resort to fruits, small veggies (like baby carrots), and water. This happens because your body is still sharing what you consume with 2 bodies. 

So, that's it! You'll be happy you breastfed your child once they begin to grow and learn. You'll also not spend of tons of money on baby bottles, formula, proper water for formula, and time in preparing bottles at home or while out and about. Here's some quick facts too about breastfeeding benefits:

Traveling Tips and Etiquette

These are just some few tips for those of you who either travel alone or with family for vacation or while visiting relatives.  This is very helpful to make all parties want your visit over and over again :-)

WHILE TRAVELING:
1.  Make sure you pack light by limiting your wardrobe to clothing that is neutral and interchangeable.  You will most likely be buying souvenirs or more clothing where you are going to anyways.  Take an extra empty, or nearly empty suitcase or duffle bag for those new extras you will bring back.
2.  DO NOT travel with gigantic containers, even when on a road trip...especially if you'll be staying at a relative's place.  They take up weight in cargo, might explode if you've changed elevation, and precious space in a bathroom, that won't allow you to be clean and simple.

3.  Be CLEAN.  Clean after yourself if staying with relatives.  I know some people think that traveling means being careless of how you organize yourself, but that's not ever the case.  Even of you stay in a hotel, it's best to always put EVERYTHING you travel with away to keep everything under control.  If staying with family, wash your own dishes, put your dirty clothes away, and pretty much leave your things in order so you don't make your gracious hosts feel stuffed or overwhelmed.
4.  Take a CAMERA for memories!  So, bring a compact camera even if you have a gigantic one, unless it will be in it's own traveling bag.  The smaller your camera is, the easier it will be to take on outings and will be less likely to break than a large DLSR.
5.  Limit your restaurant splurges and dine-in LOCAL FAVORITES instead.  You'll get a better feel for the location anyway. This is especially important if staying with family because you never know what other people's budgets really are and local favorites and sometimes better than an over-priced meal.
6.  When you plan outings, don't expect your relatives or friends to join in every ocassion.  Afterall, you're the one on vacation, not them, which is why they'll most likely be going to work and taking care of their home so you should be considerate and free to EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN time frame and budget.
7.  Take your own GPS and take advantage of visiting new places and traveling.  Don't limit yourself, your on vacation!

Finally here!

I am proud to announce the birth of my little girl, Lilybelle Elena Hernandez.  Born on a Sunday, July 1st, 2012 at 2:31pm. Weighed 7lbs 11 1/2 oz, measured 20 inches long.

Small details about her labor process:
-2 days with contractions

-Water leaked while walking to the car then rode to the hospital

-I withstood more pain than I thought, reached 1 minute contractions without feeling like dying, but was persuaded to get the epidural (I really wanted to try, but people were freaking me out)

-After epidural, body relaxed and contractions subsided to 4 minutes apart. 10 hours of epidural later, I was dilated to 10cm. Read about it's effects HERE.
-15 hours total at the Kaiser Permanente hospital to deliver. The staff was wonderful! Had my mom with me as my husband slept, my son stayed with family.

-30 minutes pushing time, no cut nor tearing "down there."  The relaxation breathing techniques REALLY worked to relax my body. Easy to find on YouTube or click HERE.

-Lilybelle breastfed like a champ within 10 minutes from arriving, and big bro finally came to see her 2 hours later...told her he loved her a lot (still tells her that daily).

So that was the short of it all. I want to keep blogging really soon, but I need to focus on the baby, which is very demanding since she only breastfeeds...resulting in 14 feeds per day (through the night included). That's besides taking care of my toddler, feeding the family, cleaning, etc.  So you can imagine it can get super busy. I'll be writing soon about what nursing on demand is compared to scheduled nursing, tips, and sacrifices that come along with it to give your baby the best possible from birth.

See her newborn photo shoot at MariaElenaPhotography.com

So happy to be a new mommy all over again 

Winter Beauty Tips - Fighting the Winter Blahs

So, here is a list I made just for all you of how I take care of my skin during winter.  It did take me some few years to figure it all out and experiment and I find these work for me and I go back to them everytime the sun doesn't show it's kind face here in Utah:

**FACE**!
LIPS:  Our mouth is one of the biggest factors during conversations besides eye contact! Flaky lips are just as bad as cracked lips and look super white!  This might seem weird to you, but my father recommended this to me the winter before moving away and it is a miracle!!! It works in less than 30 seconds and completely heals in about 20 minutes!!!! SERIOUS!!!

Before you try this little potion on, scrub your lips gently in small circles with a toothbrush to brush off excess dead flakes right after you wash your face or after a shower.  Then RUB in circular motions some Vicks Vapor Rub on top and bottom lips getting into corner of lips as well.  You'll feel a tingle immediately!  End with a light top coat of more Vicks like lip gloss. EXTRA PERK: It works as a lip plumper too!

SKIN:  Your skin will be super dry because of cold weather and central heating indoors...resulting in extra dry skin that is unable to replenish on it's own.  You need to remove that ashy layer by exfoliating with a nourishing scrub.

I simply take a big tablespoon of brown sugar and mix in half of that same spoon with Olive Oil in a small dish and wet my clean face.  You can use the rule of thumb: 1 cup Sugar, 1/2 cup EVOO.  This may feel oily at first, but it is opening up pores and clearing out your surface.  Do this in small circular motions all over for about 2 minutes and rinse off with WARM water. You will feel and see the radiant difference on your skin!

OLIVE OIL: Make sure you always store Olive Oil inside cupboards and at decent temperatures, never letting the bottle stay near a stove when cooking and never allow it to sit in direct sunlight.  If it does, then it will pretty much just be regular oil.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), First Cold Pressed is the best Olive Oil type out there and because of it, you must take good care of it in order to last and not lose it's potency.

CREAM: This is my GO-TO skin cream for everything since I became a college student, it helped me prevent stretch marks during pregnancy (I can show you in person!), and it always heals up my dry patches and smoothes out my skin!  I even smother it on my lips when I put it on and make sure I massage it well around my eyes to prevent premature aging with the stress we women carry on a daily basis.  So, make sure you get yourself one of these and keep it a home.  It currently costs around $8 at Sam's Club (which is the only place that sells it, so I always let friend/relative buy it for me with my money).  In warmer places this can last up to a year and is great on legs after shaving and on elbows and knees to make them super soft.  In colder, dry places (like Utah) it'll last me about 5-6 months.  It's the only lotion I use, which saves me loads of money and when you spritz on perfume on yourself, it will last longer because your skin is retaining more! How cool is that?!?!?


**MAKEUP**:  Now, I typically go clean on my face unless I am going out with my family.  3 things I always use are a light foundation, blush, and vitamin E.  Here are the details:

FOUNDATION:  This is one foundation I kept seeing at the drugstores, but never got around to buying it until I went to California over a year ago and bought it for a steal! Since then, my skin pores have not clogged and it blends like a sheer product, but still covers imperfections, never cakes, feels like rose petals, and leaves a light luminosity making it all seem natural! The best part is that it was perfect for my undertones of golden skin tone, so since I am very light colored it's hard to match it without looking pinkish...oh baby, but this was long-awaited discovery for me!  As long as you get the right shade, I promise you will love this too!  Simply apply all over or even just on parts you want to even out.

BLUSH:  This blush looks so very natural and soft.  I always get complemented on how healthy I look when I put it on, but shhhhh! Our little secret.  Now, there are three versions of this blush and I usually just go for the Natural Rose Color.  The other 2 shades are Brick Rose and Silk Rose.  They are so complimentary! They will lightly tint, but not make you look like a clown.  It has a hint of luminosity, but not make you look like you poured on highlighter to look supple.  I mean, this is just like a gentle kiss for your cheeks that will have everyone taking a second look at how much more awake you look.  Here's a few tips I've learned along the way too.  Apply it at the apple of the cheeks, lightly fading away and around.  Then apply sparingly to the bridge and tip of your nose and the part of the forehead that gets most light when in front of a mirror (very lightly), and a light sweep on eye lids. It sounds like a lot, but if you just think of just lightly dusting these parts after your cheeks, you will see a difference and so will everyone else.

EYES and LIPS:  Now, some of you might think I'm crazy, but I like doing this because it works.  During the winter, every exposed area on your face is prone to drying damage.  I like to condition while still showing off what I have.  So, I simply pop with my teeth one soft gel of Vitamin E supplement and squeeze it onto my finger tip to apply to the following:  First, my lips for sheer luminosity that will keep my lips super soft after my treatments above all week.  This will never have your lips begging for more to reapply because they will stay soft all day. Then, squeeze out some more and finger apply to your eyebrows, eyelids, and eyelashes...what?!?! Yes, my dear, just don't let it look goopy.  The trick is in making it sheer because once you brush your eyebrows in place they will look super sophisticated and groomed, while your lids will look supple and highlighted, and your eyelashes will look thicker and so you'll just need to curl them and see it for yourself.  The best part to all this is that you're conditioning the skin, eyebrows (which most people neglect) and your eyelashes. Luminous, soft, and thicker...a triple threat!

EYELASHES:  If putting Vitamin E on your lashes is something you can't walk out with, then try it as you go to sleep so no one will see and wash it off in the morning, but try it!  Sometimes, when I do go out and want to look more put together after applying some eye shadow I will apply some mascara.  I've tried so many and I hate to see clumps and something totally unreal.  So, I found out about Maybelline's Full N' Soft  Mascara.  Holy moly, my outlook sure changed!  This will triple your lashes and make them look full (even my little 21 year-old sister liked this!), and the formula is so thin that it will not clump at all.  It lasts all day and best of all looks natural!  It's great for summer days and winter days where you want that oomph!

**HAIR**

CONDITION:  It doesn't matter what conditioner you buy as long as you use it.  Use it every time you shower!  This will reduce static from putting coats on and then taking them off and back on, etc. It will also help your hair look better too.  Not only is hair dead, but with all the heating and styling we do, we should be replenishing and moisturizing it even more.  Look for a moisturizing and even damage repair conditioner because they have extra benefits for you.

STYLE:  I have learned to appreciate my hair type and embraced my curls, so I use only one product and let it all air dry while I take care of home duties.  You'd think people would notice I'm being lazy about it, but not a day goes by without some one telling me they're jealous of my hair, or brings up the voluptuous look, or asks how I did it.  To be honest, it's the hair I wake up with and then re-apply this product to tame it and scrunch before I walk out the door.  That's it!  No one ever believes me, but it's what I do so it's what I've got to share with you too.  I never use a comb either and finger-comb this into my hair after a shower.  If I want to add some shine, then I will lightly spread hair serum as well.  The trick to styling is being yourself and being confident. Sometimes adding some "hair flair" is special so I use (not all together now) headbands, bobby pins, sheer flowers, braids, twists, change my hair part, and heck even ear warmers.  My husband still thinks I have a different hairstyle each day!  The best part is reducing the time is takes to style and finish in about 3 minutes so you can get on with helping things run smoother for outings, especially as a mom.

**BODY/ HEALTH**
The sugar and EVOO scrub from above can be used in the shower if put into a container with a lid for softer skin too.

DRY THROAT:  This is very common and can result in strep throat.  So, if you simply slice one lemon or lime in half and squeeze it into a cup and gargle it for about 10 seconds until it's gone, then you'll be good for the day.  If you're like me and live with central heating, then most likely you'll wake up with the same symptoms and need to re-do it every so often to prevent infection.

WATER!!!:  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! You're body needs this to keep in balance and also to help maintain good weight.  Take one bottle with you in the car and keep it in your cup holder while you're out.  While at home and craving something, first drink 8 oz of water ( a regular glass) and then see if you're really still hungry in about 30 minutes.  Never skip meals, as this makes your body go into starvation mode and stores fat.  The more water you drink, the better you'll feel. :-)

Audrey Hepburn's Beauty Tips

These are said to have been Audrey's own beauty tips: (she was such a beautiful lady!)

1) For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
2) For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
3) For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
4) For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
5) For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
6) People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
7) Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
8) The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
9) The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows.
10) The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.


I thought this was something worth sharing! Remember that you are more beautiful than you sometimes think and that people see it more when you are kind, not bitter ;-)

Completely Unique and Vintage Inspirations for YOU!

I LOVE vintage chic quality with a modern flair.  I don't per say wear it daily nor do I try to personify it in any way, but I do appreciate the details involved and do accessorize and decorate to accentuate my home in some ways.

Here, I will share with you a website that has an amazing array of products that you can buy or use to inspire you.  You can shop by body type, style, family, jewelry, arts and crafts, and even special occasions!

Many of these looks work great also for pictures or portraits of YOU and your loved ones. Not only are they unique, but wearable for longer than just for one photo session and they are more real than a costume!  I would love to see all my clients dressed up like this or accessorized with this to some degree as long as they stay true to themselves and feel comfortable.  That's what life is about, being YOU and finding what works for you to be better always.

Take a look into this wonderful site, just shop around and take it all in with a deep relaxing breathe like that of fresh air, but instead, fresh individuality!  There is a certain classy flair you'll see and hopefully you want to try it out, it's flattering on EVERYONE and it's not some fad that will fade with the season, it's timeless...like YOU!

BARGAINS and DECOR!

Here's something interesting!

I was walking down the isles in our closest grocery store and buying some milk we ran out of and so I took a little stroll since my hubby stayed home with our baby.  I liked the time I had for myself, even if it was to buy food.  So, I walked up to the magazine isle and looked over the magazines.  The one that best caught my eye was this one!!!



As you may know, I like to make NEW of the OLD.  I had never seen this magazine before so I went home and remembered the cover and side names and titles to look up in the web.  Turns out this magazine released their first issue late August!!  SO NEW! I am super exited for it and it's darling editors.  It takes a lot of time and work to make something like this happen!  The magazine is packed with beautiful ideas, finds, and tips.  It is one-of-a-kind and I will be one to buy from them asap.   YAY!!!

Engagement Session Tips and styles

If your wedding is heavily into the colors, then why not display that on your invitation.  If you're having a theme, then also display that in your invitations.  It's fun! It's memorable and it's cute!

Try 2 or more outfits, depending on your photographer and time.  Making sure you get 1 casual outfit for both or you and 1 more formal (special date-like) outfit to have fun in for your special shoot.

Click on images to get a netter view.  Remember that you're never fully dressed without a smile! ☺

All clothes is from Boden, Express, Gap, and shoes from Piperlime and Forever 21.

Family Photo shoot ideas and styles

All clothes from 1st image are from Boden.  Shoes from "dad" are from Piperlime, Gap.

All clothes is from Boden, except for Dad's shoes are from Piperlime, Gap, Teen Girl's Top and boots are from Alloy, and Brother's shoes are from Piperlime, Gap.

All clothes from Boden, Forever21, and Gap.

Best clothing colors for YOUR skin color

We've all heard that black is slimming and that certain colors can be too bright or too dark for us.  The difference in knowing this and knowing YOURSELF....which really matters.

So many of us havewalked by a beautiful top in a store, maybe your friend might try it on looking stunning and you look...eww, washed out! Here are a few tips in getting it right, just for you.

Remember that you can follow trends, if you like to do that, and color/seasonal trends as well.  Keep in mind that 2 factors weight in always into what you will exude: Hair color and skin color.  The eyes and other features are played up by your make-up.

1.  Determine your tone. There are 2 types of skin tone (not skin color, which is different) and they are: cool-toned or warm-toned.  Take off all makeup and look in the mirror with natural light. Look for warm(golden,olive) undertones or cooler(pinks,reds,blues) undertones in your skin. If you can't decide which one you are, look at the underside of your arm. If the veins look green, you're warm-toned.  If the veins look bluish, you're cool-toned. Your haircolor can either play up or play down your skin tone.

Can YOU tell which side is warm and which is cool?
Click here to see if you were right.

• Darker/black skin with cool tones is very dark and looks almost soft grayish. Darker/black skin with warm tones looks dark brown even yellowis with golden undertones.

2.  Now that you know what your natural look leans more to, it's time for the colors to come in and help. These colors enhance your natural skin tone, don't be afraid to try it, no matter your skin color...it't about tone.

and more in these tones!

• If you are cool-toned: bold, vivid, primary colors(red,yellow,blue) or icy, cool pastels. 
Also black, true white, blue reds, royal blues, fuchsia, lemon yellow, hot pink and blue greens.
• If you are warm-toned: black, true gray and navy make great base colors for black, brown or olive skin with warm, yellow and golden undertones. Also aqua, turquoise, evergreen, tangerine and orange-based reds.

and more in these tones!

Ask an honest friend for an undistorted opinion if you're torn in choosing something right for you. Once you are sure of what compliments YOU and YOUR features, go through your wardrobe and clean up.  It's THAT easy.  Don't deliberately stay with something because it's been there forever...there's a reason you were made the way you were and you gotta embrace it!

If you want to be safe or just make sure you always have a quick go-to color always, check out The 4 Universally Flattering Clothing Colors, by REAL SIMPLE.

Maternity shoot style ideas...more

Click on the image to read some tips and details!

MEN - How to be a model

These poses are hilarious, but get results and I think ALL men can benefit from this since I've noticed that most guys have a really hard time feeling comfortable in front of a camera. ALL of this info is from Boden online clothing store.

11 easy tips/poses...
1. The Thinker

2. Talk to Your Imaginary Friend

3. Mouse Knitting

4. The Leg Bender

5. Pay the Cabbie

6. The FA Cup that Becomes a Teapot (2 part)

7. Itchy Scalp

8. Look for Money on the Floor

9. Wait for the Bus

10. Tennis Elbow

11. Roll the Bogey

...and that's it!

If you wanna see the complete video, click here.  Like I said before, this was made by Boden clothing and they offer clothes for the ENTIRE family.  Check them out!

Home-made Cleaning tips

Have you ever had to clean and clean and clean...and clean?  It never ends!  Can you imagine the harsh chemicals constantly seeping into your skin? Even if you wear gloves, a thin layer of that chemical residue will stay on surfaces and rub off on you and even your kids!  Now, you may think that's no big deal because it's "clean", but the truth is, it's just removed dirt and applied a layer of something toxic.  I'm sure you wouldn't expose your family or yourself to a plant that makes these chemical cleaners...if it's not safe to throw it outside into your lawn, then why use inside?  So, I Here are some easy cleaning mixtures I use and get results.  I wrote these down the same year I married my husband and still use them when I deep clean every week.

Window treatment:  Mix 2 quarts warm water with 1/2 cup cornstarch. Apply with a sponge and buff dry for sparkling windows and mirrors.

For sinks: Baking soda is an excellent choice because it is a mild abrasive. Mix 1 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup borax and sprinkle in the sink. The mixture won't scratch the finish, cleans beautifully, and as a bonus, it also deodorizes the plumbing.

Now, another very USEFUL ingredient, VINEGAR!!!

Cleaning with vinegar:
1. Cleaning drains Pour 1/2 cup baking soda in the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar; the mixture will foam as it cleans and deodorizes. Use every few weeks to keep drains clean.
2. Mildew on plastic shower curtains Put the shower curtain in the washing machine with light-colored towels; add 1 cup white vinegar to the detergent and wash.
3. Soap scum on shower Spray on vinegar, scrub and rinse.
4. Toilet hard-water rings Shut off water at the tank and flush to remove as much water as possible. Spray vinegar on the ring, sprinkle in borax and scrub with drywall sandpaper.
5. Showerhead deposits Pour white vinegar into a plastic bag, tape to the showerhead and leave overnight. Brush the showerhead to remove remaining deposits.
6. Softening laundry Fill dispenser with 1/4 cup white vinegar to soften laundry without leaving odors.
7. Cleaning vinyl floors Add 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 gallon hot water for spotless floors.
8. Cleaning windows Mix 50 percent white vinegar with 50 percent water in a spray bottle. Spray glass surfaces and wipe dry.
9. Neutralize pet odors Mix 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water. Pour on stained areas and blot; never rub to remove stains and odors.
10. Greasy dishes Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar to liquid dish soap to boost its cleaning power.

Go on, this is safe enough for newborns!  You'll be clean and safe ;-)

Senior Photo Shoot Tips and style for Young Women

Go for colors that compliment you and won't restrict you so you feel and LOOK  comfortable and can focus instead on making a pretty smile and look.

Family Photo shoot tips and styles

Baby Photo Shoot Tips and styles

Engagement Session Tips and styles

Rose and peaches, and pale grays compliment ANY skin tone and make you look dreamy and help you glow too.

For the casual guy, looking to just pinch in some formalness.

Very chic, but remember to make sure you can always sit comfortably with your dresses.

Modern, and yet relaxed.

For the secure woman and confident one to let her style showcase more of her than anything else.  Remember not to go overboard with bright colors since that will distract from focusing on you and your new-found love.