Homemade gift basket ideas for Mother's Day

Did you know that Mother's Day is May 9th this year? That means it will be here before you know it! Are you planning on giving mom something special this year? Let me make a suggestion. Remember when you were a kid and you'd make your mom a card and a necklace made out of pasta? She LOVED those things because it was something YOU made yourself. Why not give mom a gift you made yourself again THIS year!

Use any of the tips and ideas in the following articles, and you can give mom a beautiful gift that will look professionally made. Really! All of these homemade gift baskets can be made for under $ 25.00.

How to make a coffee lovers gift basket

How to make a healthy gift basket

How to make a gardener's gift basket

Sweepstakes and contests for you!

Being the kind hearted person that I am, from time to time I like to share some of the sweepstakes and contests I find worthwhile. In no particular order, here are some of my favorites sweepstakes and contests involving home improvement and design. Not entering is just crazy! It's free - there's no strings attached - so go for it!

Better Home & Gardens Best New Product Awards


A chance to win a basket filled with all 42 products that were voted 'best' by consumers. Read more about this sweepstakes.

The Suzanne Kasler Sweepstakes

A chance to win a room decorated by Suzanne Kasler herself! Author of "Suzanne Kasler" Inspired Interiors, and renowned interior decorator, a room decorated by Ms. Kasler would be a dream come true!

Other prizes are available. Read more about this sweepstakes.

Uncompromising Design - Jenn-Air Sweepstakes

Enter to win $ 4,000 worth of Jenn-Air appliances! Simply cast a vote of which kitchen attracts your interest and enter.

Read more about this sweepstakes.

Nude photos of 180-lb model in Glamour magazine inspires women

Can a 180-lb nude model change the fashion industry? Maybe not, but she can inspire the millions of women with her body type.

When Glamour magazine featured nude photos of Lizzi Miller, a 180-lb model, women all over the country began asking to see more models just like her. Read more...

Love shouldn't hurt - You deserve better!

The piece that follows is something I wrote to try to show how easy it is to fall victim to domestic violence. So many outsiders think that an abusive relationship is only about abuse, so it's easy for them to say, "Why doesn't she just leave?" I wanted to convey an inside look at the turmoil that goes on inside the mind of an abused woman.

Be assured, that though it may start out as a love story, it is anything but.

This is not love....

She felt her panties slide off her hips, their smooth silk caressing her legs as they fell to the floor. She knew she was making a mistake, yet she felt helpless to stop herself. How could she resist this man that had been hers for so long?

"Won't you forgive me?" he asked, kneeling on the ground in front of her. He kissed her knee, then her thigh, then moved to the other side and did the same. His big brown eyes looked at her, pleading. "You know I'd never hurt you," he whispered as he kissed her shaking hand......read more.

The Dangers of Bikini Waxing

It's almost beach weather, which means many ladies will be getting their bikini area waxed soon. While some may say it's insane to endure a bikini wax, just to look sleek & sexy in a bikini, lots of women put themselves through the pain each year. See what we do for you, guys?

But, not only is it painful, bikini waxing can be down-right dangerous too! Before YOU head to the salon for a bikini wax, take a moment and read this article, titled - "The Dangers of Bikini Waxing". You may learn something new!

Write for Associated Content and earn money!

If you're looking for an easy way to earn money, consider writing for Associated Content. Join now and publish your first piece by May 31, 2010, and you'll be entered for a chance to win an Apple iPad.

When you write for Associated Content, you can earn upfront payment for your content PLUS receive monthly payments for the page views you receive. You don't have to be a professional writer to earn money writing for Associated Content, so what are you waiting for? Sign up now!