Holly Bartos, the artist behind Goodbloom (featured in Daily Candy) found that there was something missing in her otherwise fulfilled and happy life.  Early in 2008, she discovered what it was:   a need for a creative outlet.  3 years ago she painted flowers on her daughter’s walls and enjoyed it so much, she started painting what she knew…flowers.  Go to Goodbloom.com to see her latest collection and be sure to check out her current blog.

Daily Candy Dallas Feature:

From the minute you get up until the time you lay your head on the pillow, there are moments that you need to spend money.  There are always ways in which you spend that you could get it for less,swap it for something cheaper or walk away completely.  Can you challenge yourself by saving $10 a day (OR MORE!!) on your usual purchases, go frugal and let the thrifty side of your life loose?  It’s fun and it won’t hurt you if you make it a game.  Here are some ways to do it:

1) MORNING COFFEE. Straight to Starbucks or brewing at home.  Latte versus drip?  What’s your flavor?

• ROUTE 1: If you usually sip something at a coffee shop in the morning, forking out $3 for a drink, brew at home and add that to your savings.  SAVINGS: $3.00

• ROUTE 2: If you usually go for a latte, try a drip instead and save almost $1.50.  SAVINGS: $1.50

2) LUNCH. Getting ready to go out the door for work or hauling the kids out for the day and you just think that you will stop by and get food on the go?  Think ahead about what you are going to do for lunch. Ready to just fork out the $7.00 for a sandwich at the corner deli?  Being prepared means you make healthy choices and eliminate a hole in your pocket.

• ROUTE 1: Prepare your own lunch.  Slop together PB & J, make a nice turkey with the fixings, or cook up some pasta the night before.  SAVINGS: $7.00 or more (per person)
• ROUTE 2: Make a sandwich at home and buy yourself a salad or soup to go with it.  SAVINGS: $3.50. (per person)

3) TRANSPORTATION. Driving to work?  Hauling the kids around town to school and actiivities. Think about the savings you could make if you take the bus, walk, ride bikes or carpool.  You will instantly save on gas and parking.

• INSTANT SAVINGS: $ 5-10 per day!

4) DINNER. Bag dinner savings by preparing meals ahead.  While being frugal, you will also be prepared when you grocery shop.  There are so many ways to save on food, but thinking ahead of time means you may save money and cut down on wasting food. Savings: $3-15 or more.

• ROUTE 1: Make and freeze meals in large batches, so you always have a fresh meal on hand when you are in a pinch.  It will be a lot less tempting to call take-out or order a pizza to be delivered when you know that you have vegetarian lasanga waiting in the freezer to heat up.
• ROUTE 2: Go meatless twice a week or more.  You can potentially shave off $25.00 or more per week on groceries if you just go vegetarian part of the time.
• ROUTE 3: Grow some of your own vegetables.  Having a small garden can add up to savings during the harvesting months and kids will enjoy the process.  Remember when neighbors would bring over fresh tomatoes and peppers when growing up?  You can offer your children that same experience of getting friendly with dirt, caring for something and watching it grow.
• ROUTE 4: Eat simply.  Kids love pasta with a simple red sauce and so can you.  Try some new recipes that are easy to make and provide nutrition without all of the costly ingredients.  Try Indian Rice and Lentils (Dal).  It is cheap, healthy and fortified with vitamins and minerals to add to your family’s health.

5) WATCH THE BEVERAGES.  Say no to unhealthy juices, expensive smoothies, sodas and watch your alcohol consumption.  If you like to have a glass of wine, try the recession varieties, like Charles Shaw (2 Buck Chuck) for instant savings and they aren’t that bad either! SAVINGS: $5-12 or more per day.

6) GYM MEMBERSHIP. Use it or lose it.  Gyms can cost 1-2 dollars per day, so if you are paying and not using the gym think it over.  Try walking, jogging outdoors, hiking, exercising with your children (biking, swimming, roller blading) and have fun without the weight of memberships. SAVINGS: $1-2 per day.

Anymore daily savings that you can think of?  Please post comments.  Your thriftiness will help other families think of unique ways to make a difference for their families.

I found this artist on my favorite site Poppy Talk Handmade – find it.  It is great art eye candy!

Shira Sela is an illustrator and designer with the website shirasela.com that displays her collection of personal work.

Working with both traditional and digital mediums she makes us of inks, pens and markers as well as various graphic and illustration softwares.

Her work is available in boutiques around the world and on etsy at http://shirae.etsy.com.

Trying to find ingredients for recipes that aren’t in your average grocery store.  See CHEFSHOP.COM for a pantry that is stuffed with hard-to-find, top-of-the line Imported, unique and fresh products.

“In medical astrology, different parts of the body are associated with each of the 12 signs,” writes Stephanie Gailing in her new book, “Planetary Apothecary.” Those parts of the body may be the most vulnerable, but, she argues, when taken care of, can be areas of great strength.

She has been recently featured in Daily Candy and on AOL’s homepage with an article featuring each sign and the particular body part that the sign is linked to.

Personally, I have to admit that she is right on about Pisces (my sign) and our dear feet.  I have broken my foot twice, have had two knee surgeries and foot reflexology does a world of good for my feet that beg to be cared for daily!  Is it all in our mind, or does astrology and when you were born have something to do with it?

Read her blog-based web site to find out more about the book and the author at www.planetaryapothecary.com.

What a concept at BabyPlays.com!

Toys delivered to your home for ages 5 and under.

You pick the plan; they send the toys.

• Reduce cost on buying new toys.
• Save money.
• Declutter your home.
• Have developmentally appropriate toys at every stage of your child’s learning.
• Fun for the whole family.

Go to BabyPlays.com and start your child’s learning!

Get the kids geared up for Earth Day with this Green Revolution tee.  Online 10 percent off coupon at mamaom.com.

MamaOm has organic and eco-friendly mommy and me tees, beachwear and accesories.