Severe acne can cause significant skin trauma and infections, so you must consult your doctor as soon as possible in order to prevent permanent scarring. For this type of acne there are two main kinds of treatment prescribed, topical and oral medications.

Topical treatments are those that are applied directly to the skin and include retinoids (such as Adapalene). The combination of blocked pores and the bacteria known as P.acne are the main causes of acne, and topical treatments work in a similar way to over the counter medications and encourage the outer layer of dead skin to flake away faster to prevent blocked pores, and the antibiotic ingredient combats bacteria to prevent painful inflammations and infections. Topical treatments will need to be used for at least 4 – 6 months to be fully effective.

Oral treatments are normally prescribed for severe cases of acne and are taken internally in the form of tablets. They include strong antibiotics that combat the P.acne bacteria, in order to prevent blocked pores from becoming inflamed and infected. Tetracycline is a commonly prescribed oral treatment, and like the topical medications it will need to be taken daily for around 4 to 6 months. Isotretinoins (oral retinoids) are another form of oral treatment and work by drying up the over production of sebum, which helps to prevent pores from becoming blocked in the first place. There are some serious side effects to oral retinoids though, such as depression and fatigue, and they are only prescribed by dermatologists in certain cases.

As everyone’s skin is different it is a good idea to try a few different medications to find out which is the best acne treatment for you, as you may find over the counter and prescribed medicines too harsh, and prefer a more gentle and natural approach.

Acnezine is a popular and effective natural preparation for mild acne symptoms and combines a topical cream with an oral medication. These treatments include pure collagen, vitamins E and C and amino acids, which can help treat existing acne swellings and also aid the skin’s recovery from healing blemishes.

Cardboard costumes – One of the most popular children’s cartoon characters at the moment is Spongebob, and his bright yellow square shape lends itself perfectly to being made out of a cardboard box. Try and find a big enough box that your child can fit into, so that their arms can come out of holes in the side and hold the box in place. If you can’t find a big enough box, then you could use trouser suspenders or elastic to hold the box in place. Use acrylic paints, and paint the box with a white undercoat, then when this is dry cover with a nice bright yellow coat. Paint Spongebob’s face on the front of the box, and also the little tie that he wears. Cut holes for the arms and head, and completely remove the bottom of the box to allow the legs to move freely. Match the main box costume with yellow trousers and jumper/shirt, and chunky black boots. A very simple, cheap, but effective costume for Halloween!
Old Clothes – you can make a huge range of costumes using old clothes you have lying around at home. A black sweat suit or a leotard matched with thick tights can be easily transformed into a cat costume, with some homemade ears crafted from painted cardboard stuck onto a plastic headband, and a tail made from black felt.
Hand Sewn Costumes – if you are handy with needle and thread then there is no limit to what inventive costumes you can create for your kids at home. There are some excellent ideas on familycrafts.about.com, such as a batman outfit created from a basic black sweat suit, with a cape and cowl mask sewn up from lengths of black fabric, and also a very cute bumble bee costume, which can be hand sewn from some thick yellow and black fuzzy fleece material.

If the trim around your windows and doors isn’t already white, painting these, along with baseboards, would be a great place to start.  Fresh paint on the walls is a relatively inexpensive way to make your home more marketable, but think neutrals, like yellows, tans, and muted greens and not that hot red you’ve always wanted to try but never dared!  Also, don’t neglect your ceilings as you would not believe how much a bright white paint can make your whole room appear larger.

When you have a showing scheduled, bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies or an apple pie that day, if you can.  But if your schedule is as tight as most families these days, burn a scented candle instead, about an hour before leaving the house, in one of those comforting, homey flavors.  This is particularly important if you have a pet, as who wants their first impression of a house to be au de wet dog or smelly litterbox- ugh!   And please, please, please, when at all possible, bring your pet with you when you leave the house.  I know what a pain it is to schlep Fido or Fluffy in the car with you every time, I have been there, but believe me, it will pay off.  So, invest in a good pet carrier and remember- it will all be over soon.  If your landscaping looks neat and tidy and the exterior of your house looks kept up then you are off to a good start.  Again, if a buyer can begin to imagine the possibilities, both inside and out, then you are already halfway there!

So if you find yourself ready to put your home on the market, take a deep breath and try some of these tried and true ideas.  If you want to spend a little bit more money, a professional stager can help you make all of these small changes and can even lend you furniture if necessary.  Your house doesn’t need to be perfect, just unique from the others in some small way. Buyers today look for charm, character and hidden potential.  With the help of a good real estate agent, together you can present your home just as it should be- a great little house for the money.

To find a professional stager in your area, visit www.iasp.com

photo credit: TheTruthAbout…

Sarah Reidy is a mom to 2 children, Meghan, 6 and Jack, 3 and lives in Gorham, Maine.  She’s an at-home mom, part-time real estate agent and freelance writer.  Before Sarah had kids, she worked as a Master’s Level Social Worker with kids!

Focus On One Room for 15 Minutes
Looking at a big to-do list filled with different organizing projects can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on one room. Once you get the kitchen organized, move on to your closet, and when that’s finished, move on to the next task.

By focusing on one item at a time, your mind will be more focused and it will be a lot easier to accomplish your goals.

Creative Storage Solutions
Many people are “unorganized” simply because they lack storage space! If this sounds like your house, invest in some creative storage solutions. Many ottomans are actually chests that people can store items in.

Be on the lookout for cute boxes, containers, shelves, and so forth. You’ll be able to display them around the home, and they’ll also double as containers for all your stuff!

Get The Family Involved
Once a week, schedule a family cleaning day. You can assign a different room to each family member or request that each family member find all of their belongings that are misplaced throughout the house and put them back where they belong. The work will get done a lot quicker when everyone pitches in.

Go With The Flow
If you have a hard time keeping things organized, you may be working against the flow of your home. Let’s take the kitchen for example: The cupboards that are closest to your sink area will be a natural place for storing plates, cups, and bowls. The cupboards nearest to your stove should contain spices, oils, and other cooking essentials. This way, you’re not running back and forth against the natural order of your kitchen.

Stay A Step Ahead Of Schedule
The morning rush is hectic enough, all by itself. Keep things speeding along by doing what you can the night before. This includes getting the kids’ school clothes out, organizing their backpacks and placing them by the door, making lunches, and so forth.

Keep that momentum all day by always being on the look-out for little things you can do to stay ahead of schedule.

photo credit: london mummy

These are classes held at your local school at a very affordable cost. These classes may range from hobby topics such as cooking and knitting to technical courses that can teach you some new ways to use your digital camera or use your computer.

You don’t have to stop there. You may also be able to find some fun and unique classes at your local library, county parks, craft stores, and home improvement stores.

Some of these classes may only meet once, and some may meet once a week for several weeks. Before you pay for anything, check to make sure the dates will work with your schedule and ask what their refund policy is, just in case an emergency comes up and you miss a class (or several of them).

It’s also a good idea to find out if the cost of the class covers any supplies you will need. You don’t want to find out that your $20 make your own birdhouse class will end up costing you an additional $100 in materials!

As an adult, heading back to “school” can be all about having a good time, so go out there and learn something new!

photo credit: Menlo School

The following are some ideas to get your family outside and exploring. Remember to bring your jackets along with some water and a few snacks!

Leaf Collecting
Grab the kids and head outside for a nature walk. As you’re walking, pick up interesting leaves that have fallen to the ground. When you get home, use the internet or some leaf guide books to identify the different types of leaves you have collected.

If your children enjoy arts and crafts, have them create their own leaf guide books. Another idea is to grab some crayons and paper to create leaf rubbings.

Visit An Apple Orchard
Taking a trip to an apple orchard can be a fun learning experience. Your family will probably be able to pick your own apples for much less than you would be paying to purchase them at the grocery store.

Ask the owners if they offer a tour through the facilities so you can see how apple cider is made. Afterwards, take some time to savor some cider yourselves!

Visit A Farm
The fall is harvest season and that makes it a great time to tour a working farm. If the farm has animals, your children may be able to pet them and your family may be able to go onto a horse-drawn wagon ride.

Go To The Zoo
Many people think of visiting the zoo as a summer activity, but zoos are open year-round. By going in the fall, you’ll experience less of a crowd and you’ll have much better walking weather.

Rake The Yard
Your family doesn’t need to go anywhere to enjoy some fun outdoor activity together. Turn your yard work into a fun day by getting the whole family involved. Once the work is done, lay a blanket down on your freshly raked yard and enjoy an autumn picnic.

photo credit: Mike Raybourne

If the past week’s temperatures are any indication of what we might be enduring on Halloween, it’s going to be cold, very cold, maybe even freezing.  What’s a hip mama to do? Is it possible to keep your kid warm AND happy on Halloween?

Last year I lucked out. Maggie wanted to be a pumpkin, so bought her a one piece zip up hooded pumpkin suit that was like a thick pair of pajamas. We put that over a pair of pajamas, and we were good to go. She was happy, and super warm. It should be noted however, that last year she was only 2, so we didn’t have to trick or treat for long, and she was pretty compliant when it came to the PJ’s over PJ’s situation. This year, it looks like she wants to be a fairy-witch, though she has also mentioned being a pirate or a ghost, and number of other options. Nonetheless none of them sound particularly warm.

The trick I have decided is going to be all about layers. Maggie will be wearing thick tights and a thin warm shirt under her costume which I’m probably going to make since I’ve noticed that there aren’t a lot of costumes with sleeves out there, probably because the rest of the country isn’t on the verge of a deep freeze by October 31.  I may even purchase a set of toddler sized long-johns.  What are long-johns? Those white waffle weaved shirts and leggings warn by outdoors men and grunge aficionados.  Of course finding black ones might prove difficult.  Thick socks are always a good option, if you don’t have to squeeze them into ballet slippers, and if you can think of a costume that utilizes a hat or hood, even better.

Unless you can convince your child that being a snowmobile rider, or artic explorer are all the rage this year, chances are it’s going to take some finesse to get them to agree to throwing on a pair of long johns under their Bat Man costume.  I plan on reminding Maggie that wearing warm clothes under her costume is going to be a lot more fun than wearing her winter parka OVER her costume, which I’m sure I’ll be carrying a long with us, just in case.

photo credit: revjim5000

Kate Kastelein is a stay at home mom, freelance writer, and life long Mainer. When she’s not writing or chasing her daughter, she works on a farm part-time, cooks, scours yard-sales, knits, and tries unsuccessfully to keep her free range chicken flock off the porch. In order to keep up with everything she drinks way to much coffee.

Yesterday we were shopping at a local discount department store, and we came to a large display of Halloween items. Not costumes, but more of a costumer accessory display: witch hats, fairy wings, gross fake teeth, feather boas, plastic tiaras, and tattoo sleeves (which by the way I’m seriously considering buying for myself and dressing up as Amy Winehouse). Everything was priced at .99. Maggie gleefully dove in and emerged with a witch hat, and then asked for some wings too. Although this stuff was very cheap, I’m trying to reduce the amount of stuff in our house so I declined on this round. Suddenly it was though I could see the light bulb appear cartoon-like above Maggie’s head “I’m going to be a Witch Fairy!”  She exclaimed. “Can I?”

“Sure!” I replied. She spent much of the next few hours mashing together possible Halloween costume ideas.

“Can I be a vampire ghost, a princess witch, a Scooby Doo vampire?” To which I agreed in the affirmative each time.  Instead of going with a traditional costume this year, I hope that Maggie sticks to this more creative twist on trick or treating, it certainly makes for a more interesting costume and can certainly be more cost effective.

If you have multiple children or friends who would like to do a costume swap, get together and make some funky combinations. Encourage your child to think of a fun twist for an old costume, take last year’s ninja mask and combine it with some dirty ripped up clothes and be a ninja zombie! Costume mash-ups are a super easy, cheap and imaginative way to celebrate Halloween, and besides, the idea of a ninja zombie is infinitely more terrifying than either on their own!

photo credit: eyeliam

Kate Kastelein is a stay at home mom, freelance writer, and life long Mainer. When she’s not writing or chasing her daughter, she works on a farm part-time, cooks, scours yard-sales, knits, and tries unsuccessfully to keep her free range chicken flock off the porch. In order to keep up with everything she drinks way to much coffee.

Sleep is such a tricky subject with kids. Too much of it during the day and they won’t sleep at night, and not enough sleep and they are monsters all day. How do you win? Do you sacrifice the day and put up with a cranky bear all for the sake of some R and R in the evening? How do you choose?

On days that I really need to get stuff done, I just go for it and wrestle my boy into a nap. Sometimes this can take 20-30 minutes, but if it works, it’s well worth it. You’d be surprised how much you can get accomplished, without someone following you around undoing everything you’ve just done. The down side to this of course, is that bedtime will surely be a much more drawn out hassle including numerous trips to the bathroom, and an extremely “thirsty” toddler, I’m sure. But it’s the sacrifice we moms make. We have to choose—peace now, or peace later. For today, I choose peace now.

As for the rest of the week, I might just have to forgo the nap. Its premiere week you know.

photo credit: Docshatt

Marion Burgos is a stay at home mother of four children ages six, four, two and three months. She survives the chaos of her days by laughing and writing about the adventures with her four children. She is an imperfect, highly emotional and sometimes sarcastic mom, who finds comfort in the comradery of motherhood.

Theme It Up
Of course, you want your guests in a costume, but consider adding a theme to your party for an extra fun challenge. Some possibilities include dressing like people did in the 1950’s, dressing up as your favorite Saturday Night Live character, or as a popular historical figure.

Send Out The Invites
Yes, you can send email invites, but sending them out via snail mail will be extra special. You can buy them if you want, or, if you’re crafty, you can choose to make them. You can find lots of free, “spooky” fonts and clip-art online. Print out your invite information and paste it onto some black card stock. For an extra touch, tie a bow around it in black organza ribbon. You just made a beautiful invitation.

Decorate In Style
Decorating for Halloween can be fun and festive! Some easy decorating tips include hanging black and orange crepe paper in the doorways, sitting rubber rats, spiders, and bats throughout the house, and placing a few cauldrons filled with dry ice on tables.

Get Creative With Games
You can’t have a Halloween party without a “best costume” contest, but don’t forget about classic games, such as bobbing for apples. Another fun idea is to have someone do tarot card readings or check out some printable Halloween games that the crowd would enjoy.

Small Details Make A Big Impression
While planning for the “big” stuff, don’t forget to include some “small” touches. For instance, buy some disposable cameras and encourage guests to use them throughout the night. Put some “spooky music” cd’s in the stereo, as well as classics like “Monster Mash, and don’t forget to set out some dishes of candy.

photo credit: paulwan8