crochet patterns

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Merchant accounts are an integral part of accepting and processing credit card payments through your web site, but failing to properly research your chosen merchant account provider can cost you - in a big way. By knowing how to spot merchant account problems before they happen, you can save yourself significant frustration as well as money.

"Too many Internet marketers don't understand how merchant accounts work," says Matt Bacak, a successful online marketer who trains speakers and authors. "When I first started out, I definitely didn't understand them. First of all, I had no idea that your merchant account provider would freeze your account if you made what they considered to be too much money. I mean, I didn't even know you could make too much money!"

But when it comes to many merchant accounts, it is possible to make too much money. Bacak had given his merchant account provider an estimate of what he expected to make each month. The holiday season brought in far more; in fact, within a few days Bacak had made more money than he'd expected to make in a year! Instead of reveling in his success, he soon found himself battling his merchant account provider for his earnings. "Apparently the amount was more than my merchant account could handle," he says. "They froze my account and held my money until they could be sure that all of my customers had received their credit card statements in the mail. It ended up being six months before I got paid."

With his merchant account frozen, Bacak was unable to continue selling his product online. With no way to process credit card payments, his business was quickly put on hold. "I went out and got another merchant account," he says. "I now had two; I was under contract with the first one so I couldn't just leave them. The new provider was happy to take me on, but not before charging me nearly 10% in fees on every sale I made. In the end they ended up just picking up and leaving, with $30,000 of my profits that I still have yet to recover."

Armin Morin, an online marketer and entrepreneur who has made more than $15 million promoting and selling products online, is no stranger to merchant account problems. "My product brought in over $4 million over a very short period of time. My merchant account provider not only shut me down, but they went into my bank account and took more than $2 million from me! This was half my profits; money that was allocated to pay my affiliates. How can you run a business when half your profits are frozen? I hadn't done anything wrong, and yet my money was gone."

If your merchant account is frozen, your business will basically be dead in the water. You won't be able to process credit card payments online any longer, putting your sales indefinitely on hold. Even worse, you may find that if you've had an account frozen in the past, other merchant account providers will be reluctant to take you on as a customer.

"Once they took my merchant account away no one else would take me on as a merchant," says Morin. "After they took my money, my bank discontinued doing business with me as well. I had a check for over two million dollars in my pocket and no major bank would take me on because they didn't want the hassle caused by my merchant account troubles."

Aside from the potential for frozen accounts, online marketers need to be aware that merchant accounts often come with a host of fees. "One merchant account required that I pay $500 up front just to get started," says Bacak. "That didn't even include my Internet gateway." Others will ask that you pay to lease their equipment in addition. If you buy the equipment on your own, it will only cost you a few hundred dollars; if you lease the equipment from your merchant provider monthly over the course of a three- or five-year contract, you'll pay thousands.

Making Merchant Accounts Work For You

There are millions of online marketers successfully processing credit card payments through merchant accounts. Despite the worst-case scenarios described here, there are ways to avoid merchant account problems and maximize your online sales.

To avoid a frozen merchant account, seek out a provider that does not limit the amount of money you can accept over the course of each month. It will be difficult to anticipate the amount of money your web site will bring in, and if your provider asks you to estimate an amount, you could be setting yourself up for a problem down the line. Additionally, you need to be aware that many merchant accounts end up frozen not because of the amount of money coming in, but because the business in question veered from its original business plan.

"When you apply for a merchant account, you're typically asked to present a business plan," explains Morin. "If your original premise is too narrow, as in teddy bears, and then you decide to start selling Barbie dolls, your provider could shut you down because you've changed gears without their approval."

Allowing yourself more flexibility in your business plan will give you the freedom to change your product line to better suit your customers. Instead of listening your premise as "jam," list it as "food." If you want to offer two products that are entirely different, you should have two merchant accounts, one for each product.

Additional merchant account problems crop up when your provider decides that you have reported too many charge backs. Charge backs occur when one of your customers refutes the credit card charge from your company and refuses to pay his or her bill. Morin says that this can be avoided entirely by offering outstanding customer service that includes quick and no-questions-asked refunds. "We refund people even if they don't want to be refunded," he says. "We contact every customer by phone or email to verify the sale. If we can't contact them then we refund them. We don't want to risk fraud, and we want our customers to know that we care about risk. I think it helps to build our credibility."

You're selling products online because you want to be successful. But when your merchant account is causing you frustration, your success can quickly translate into a very serious problem. By preparing in advance you will be able to quickly and easily process your customers' payments while enjoying the financial success you so richly deserve.

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The Barbie and the Three Musketeers Dolls are this year's big hit when it comes to enchanting fairytale themed dolls. As with all of the Barbie range available, these dolls come with fantastic fabric costumes, synthetic hair and great accessories. Based on the popular Barbie and the three musketeers animated movie, these dolls and play sets have been a massive hit with fans of the dolls, and one of the best selling toy ranges for Christmas.

The range includes dolls of the following characters: Viveca, Renee, Aramina, Corinne, Prince Ken, and even a soft plush Miette kitten toy. The range also features a selection of great play sets that perfectly compliment the dolls, such as the Barbie and the Three Musketeers Castle play set, which is a multi-level castle set that would make an ideal main gift for a young girl this year. There's also a Barbie and the Three Musketeers Balloon Carriage set available that comes with an exclusive version of the Corinne doll.

With their enchanting designs and outfits, this particular set of dolls is a more traditional idea for Christmas gifts for girls. Barbie dolls have long been a fixture of the toy scene, and these in particular have captured the imaginations of girls around the world this year.

The main drawback with the dolls is that they have no interactive features, which is an element that more and more toys are relying on of late in order to draw fans in. Then again, Barbie has never been about that sort of thing, instead focusing on the simple pleasures of playing with dolls. They're very popular choices for Christmas gifts, to the point where many retailers are running out of them. Thankfully the whole range is available widely online, where many sites are specializing in the Barbie and the Three Musketeers dolls at great prices.

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Did you realize that Barbie dolls are not just the favourite toy of little girls? Mattel estimates that there are over 100,000 adult collectors of Barbie dolls. Ninety percent of these collectors are women who are, on average around the age 40, and purchase at least 20 Barbie dolls a year. Almost half of Barbie collectors each spend over $1000 a year.

Mattel in recent years has been catering to this niche market. They have produced a range of collectible Barbie dolls with the aim of encouraging collectors to increase their collections in line with their individual tastes and interests. Barbie dolls of popular TV shows and movies, celebrities and popular singers, for example, have been produced with collectors in mind.

In 2004 Mattel introduced a colour tier system to help categorize collectible Barbie dolls and help collectors to find them. The colours signify the amount of dolls produced worldwide and indicate the rarity factor of the different dolls. The colour also indicates which kind of retail store stocks the particular type of collectible doll.

There are four colours in the collectible tier system, and this article gives the characteristics of each tier.

The first tier is the Pink Label collectible dolls. There is no limit on the quantity of dolls produced with the Pink Label. Pink Label Barbies include 'The Dolls of the World' series, 'Festivals of the World', 'Model Barbie', as well as some of the 'Pop Culture' dolls. Most dolls in the Pink Label are Barbie dolls , but there are also a few of Kelly doll as well. The Pink Label packaging is distinctive; the is box trimmed in pink, and has a clear front.

The next tier is the Silver Label dolls. The packaging is similar to the Pink Label, but with the box trimmed with silver. The criteria for the Silver Label tier is that no more than 50,000 of any Silver Label doll will be produced world wide. Included in the Silver Label are the 'Wedding' series, the 'Birthday Barbies', 'Ballet Barbies' and 'I Dream of a Season' dolls. Some types of Kelly doll and Tommy doll also can be found under the Silver Label.

Following the Silver is the Gold Label collectible dolls. Gold Label dolls are produced in quantities of no more than 25,000 of each doll. The packaging is different from the previous tiers. Silver Label dolls come in a "cake box" type package with an extra see through layer to protect the doll. The box has artwork and photography on the back and lid with gold decorative trimming. Included under the Gold Label are 'Designer Fashion Model' dolls, 'Designer Bride', Vintage Repros' and 'Pin-up Girls' collectible dolls.

The top tier is the Platinum Label dolls. These dolls are produced in editions of less than 1,000, and also include one-of-a-kind-dolls that are available at special events, or are exclusive to one retail store only. An example of a Platinum Label collectible doll is the 'White Chocolate Obsession(TM) Barbie® Doll!' The doll's hair has the scent of white chocolate. Other dolls include the 'Faerie Queen', Badgley Mischka Bride Barbie, and the exclusive 'The Nurse' Barbie doll designed by Robert Best.

Collectors avidly collect these tier Label dolls, and are rewarded by the exquisite attention to details in the clothes and accessories of each specially designed Barbie. To retain the value of these dolls they should be kept in the box as new. This is unfortunate, as they need to be touched to really appreciate the intricate details of the gown and dolls features. Should dolls like this be played with? A good question and maybe a topic for another article!

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One of the most attractive and interesting things that you can collect are antique toys. There are so many available at the minute that you could well be spoilt for choice. A great collection looks fabulous on display for visitors to admire.

All toy collectors have particular favorite, and regularly scour the online sites to add to their collection. It's also a good way to find out how valuable pieces that you already have are. If you have a few old Barbie dolls knocking around that are still in their original boxes, you have some valuable pieces in your collection. The humble Barbie is still the number one collectible toy, and looking after them and keeping them in their boxes will make their value soar.

A toy that has greatly increased in popularity in recent years is the jack in the box. When I was a child, these were extremely unpopular, so well done to the people who had the forethought of picking them up them for pennies.

You are a collector of baseball memorabilia, you will appreciate that these are not simply collectible toys; they represent the past history of our great game. Gloves, cards, bats etc are all still highly sought after.

Antique toys don't depreciate in value due to scuffs and evidence that they have been played with, quite the opposite in fact.

The thing to remember is, don't just throw old toys away. Check online to find out possible worth and value. If you are clearing out the home of an old, relative who has passed away, there may well be a small fortune stashed away in the form of antique toys.

Antique toys stir memories and are very nostalgic, and even if you think it is the ugliest thing you ever saw; somebody will love it.

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Doll lovers around the world go wild when they find cheap vintage Barbie dolls. These dolls are searched for at both thrift stores and garage sales. E-bay auctions are also good places to find many of these classic dolls. Barbie dolls are known as being relatively cheap in price. They can usually be purchased new for $10-15.These dolls are not the sought after ones that collectors want. Today's modern Barbie differs greatly from the desirable vintage Barbie dolls.

To the uninitiated doll collector, one Barbie doll might appear to be the same as another. Doll experts and Barbie collectors know that this is not the case. The older Barbie dolls are made of very different materials and many of them had hand painted details. The oldest dolls will have a more solid and heavier feel. The clothing and accessories for the vintage Barbie dolls were very well made and Barbie collectors are always on the lookout for these treasured pieces. The truest vintage Barbies are those from the 1959-1972, but even those dolls made up through the early 1980s are very collectible today.

If you look at an older Barbie doll, you will notice that the earrings and necklaces were made to look like pearls and diamonds. These pieces of doll jewelry looked much like the real deal and were extremely popular when these Barbies were first being produced. Today these tiny bits of fashion accessories command very high prices. One of the reasons that the prices are high is that people were not saving and collecting Barbie dolls in the 1960s. Dolls, accessories, and jewelry pieces were discarded or vacuumed up to be thrown away. This means that only a small amount of dolls and accessories are actually around for collectors to grab. Even though there were millions of dolls made and sold at $3 each, limited numbers can be found today.

Finding cheap vintage Barbie dolls today is as much a thrill as finding a winning lottery ticket. Collectors know that most of these dolls command high prices, so when a bargain Barbie comes along they snap it up instantly. Some of these dolls have wonderful wardrobes that come complete with undergarments, gloves, nightgowns, bathing suits and prom dresses. The list of Barbie clothing pieces is staggering in number and stunning in detail and design. There are even rare clothing items that can fetch prices of $500 and up for a MIB piece. MIB stands for mint in box condition. This means that the dolls or accessories look just as they did when they were first offered for sale 40 or 50 years ago.

For collectors who hunt those elusive mint condition, cheap vintage Barbie dolls, unearthing one of them is a miracle. There are tales of some dedicated doll collectors coming up with some gems at garage and estate sales. Sometimes these vintage dolls can be bought for fewer than 10 dollars and this is a great buy indeed. While these dolls could easily be sold for a substantial profit, the collectors usually just add them to their own personal inventory. All of the older Barbies from 59-72 are becoming extremely difficult to find and collectors know this and prefer to keep them for their own enjoyment.

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There are many children who have a favorite type of toy. This can be teddy bears, Cabbage Patch dolls, Care Bears, soft dogs and cats. They can even be the world famous Barbie and Ken dolls. These two dolls are well known by many people and not just children. While these two dolls are mainly used as toys by little girls, collectors will not hesitate to buy either of these should they come across one.

The Barbie and Ken dolls are made so that they resemble adults. The many different careers and styles of the years have an impact on the lives of these dolls. Today you will find that the world of Barbie has many accessories and items that can be used with either of these two dolls. There are also companion dolls that are of different ethnic backgrounds.

The original Barbie doll was based on a German doll called Bild Lilli. Once Mattel made Barbie and acquired the rights to the German doll, Lilli was soon discontinued. Barbie was then officially given the name Barbara Millicent Roberts. Ken was named Ken Carson. The names for the Barbie and Ken dolls were taken from the names of Ruth Handler, who was the original designer of Barbie.

While Barbie made her debut into the toy market during 1959 at the International Toy Fair in New York, Ken made his appearance during 1961. From 1961 Barbie and Ken have been considered as a couple. Their relationship was a on and off relationship. After a 43 year relationship, the Mattel Company decided that it was time for the two dolls relationship to end.

This separation lasted for about 2 years. In 2006 Barbie and Ken were made into a couple again. While the reason for the separation of the famous couple is probably due to a decline in sales, the reason they are a couple is that probably Barbie doesn't sound complete without Ken.

While the popularity of both Barbie and Ken is attributed to the clothes and accessories you can buy, the look of the dolls may also play an important role. For many young girls Barbies looks are in keeping with the careers that she keeps getting. This fashion conscious doll has gone from being merely a fashion doll to a pilot, doctor, airline stewardess, astronaut, rock star to even being a fairy tale princess or mermaid.

Now while Barbie and Ken are just toys they are iconic figures. The looks and careers you see these dolls appearing in are an indication of how toy fashions can change. The one constant perhaps is the imagination and the endless hours of fun that a girl can derive from just playing with her Barbie and Ken dolls.

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Nowadays, people in the entire world know well who are Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. They know very well who of them is human and who of them is vampire. However, when people are asked about Stephenie Meyer, they might just answer that she is the author of The Twilight Saga. They might not know a lot about her career and her achievements in writings. For that reason, this article gives you a brief biography of Stephenie Meyer, a woman who created vampires in Forks.

Stephenie Meyer was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1973 but she was settled in Phoenix in her age of four with her family. She attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Then, she continued her study to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and received her B.A in English in 1997. She had never written a story before she wrote Twilight and even started to consider taking law school. However, the birth of Gabe, her oldest son changed her mind because she just wanted to be her mother.

Before she decided to be an author, she was working as a receptionist in a property company. However, her life then totally changed on 2003. She decided to write something, something that she had not done in a long time and that surprisingly bothered her. She began to think about the plot of the first book of The Twilight Saga Series.

It is quite interesting that she invented the idea of the plot during the day through swim lessons and potty training. Then, she wrote it into words and sentences in the late of the night when her house is pretty quiet, and amazingly she finished the first book, Twilight, in three months only. This book then reached its success in 2005.

Started from this year, she delivered the second book, New Moon, in September 2006 and the third book, Eclipse in 2007. In May 2008, she delivered her other novel, The Host, in the market and still in the list of bestseller more than a year after its debut. Then, the final book of the Twilight Saga was released at 12:01 midnight on August 2, 2008.

The Twilight Saga became more and more famous when Twilight the movie was released on November 21, 2008. It was directed by Catherine Hardwicke and starring Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen and Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan. Then, New Moon was released on November 16, 2009 in USA, and Eclipse also will be released on June 30, 2010.

Although she could be considered as a new American author, Meyer has achieved a lot of awards. They are A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, An Amazon.com Best Book of the Decade...So Far, A Teen People Hot List pick, as well as An American Library Association Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults and Top Ten Books for Reluctant Readers.

Besides the Twilight Saga and The Host, there are still some works that you can find soon in the bookstores. They are Midnight Sun, The Soul, and The Seeker.

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Aside from the fact that Barbie is a billion dollar a year industry, she has been the playmate to millions of little girls worldwide. Her introduction in the late 1950's would impact many generations to come. She shared her love of life with each of us through education, careers, peace and even the Olympics.

Whether your first Barbie was the teenage fashion model, the college student, an Army medic, an astronaut or a princess, in our hearts, minds and actions she was just like us. Sitting on the floor we would change her outfits, change her careers and even change her love interests.

She became a global sensation with each introduction in the world. She has been associated with international celebrations, including the commemoration of the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. She has represented the world via the Dolls of the Worldâ Collection and even been an authentic representative of an Incan Princess.

Barbie has been an active representative for excellence in education, equality and animal rights. She has even campaigned as a presidential candidate on a platform for these very public concerns. She has advocated for those who could not always advocate for themselves.

Girls everywhere have watched her grow up and explore the world all while admiring her wardrobe. She has been the classiest of dressers to the hippest of the hip. Infamous designers, such as Versace, Vera Wang and Gucci, have all helped create a special couture that can only say Barbie. She has donned beautiful gowns, swam with suits that shimmered and dressed with the cut of a precision uniform in the armed forces. She has even been brave enough to try unique styles that can only be born in the minds of 8 year olds.

Her fashion sense became a hit as marketing frontiers were expanded. Her clothing lines now, not only hang in her tiniest of trunks, but now accessorize the smallest of her target audience. She has claims to a successful industry in sleepwear, pants and tops, accessories and backpacks.

As a child when we could not have a pet pony all our own we could look to Barbie to share hers with us. She has always had an amazingly large collection of pet friends. Her pet friends included the typical dogs, cats and horses. She also has some very exotic friends too. The collection grew to include a parrot, chimpanzee, panda, lion cub, zebra and giraffe.

Growing up with Barbie was always an adventure that had no limits. She introduced us to the glamor of modeling, the hard work of being a veterinarian and even the possibility of being president. The bows, ribbons and heels aside, Barbie has been an inspiration to many young girls and a fond memory for the not so young girls. Our love of all things Barbie has definitely not diminished with time but has sprouted into a culture all its' own!

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Princess Rosella Dolls are said to be amongst the most wanted and best selling toys for Christmas this year, and judging by their genuine popularity, the hype is justified. Every little girl dreams of being a princess at some time in their formative years, and princess themed dolls are always a popular item at Christmas time. This holiday season is just the same, and there are some wonderful dolls available in the Barbie Princess Rosella Doll range.

These dolls are amongst the most popular examples of the Barbie franchise in years, and are currently enjoying the limelight alongside the Three Musketeers themed dolls and the new dolls based on the Twilight characters of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. There are always a lot of fans of the movie and TV themed dolls, but sometimes there's a range of original dolls that really captures their imaginations too.

The dolls in this range are made to the usual high standards the company is famous for, and thanks to the range of accessories and play sets that are also available to go with them, there is plenty to choose from for Christmas gift ideas large or small.

Some of the most wanted in this range include toys such as the Island Princess Rosella Doll, or the Barbie Island Princess Rosella Karaoke Styling Head. Other popular toys in the line include the Tika the elephant toy and the Princess Luciana doll. This delightful selection of pretty dolls and handsome princes is the stuff of dreams, and at this most festive time of year, it's the perfect moment to make some of those dreams come true.

Maybe the reason this particular brand has been popular for so long is that the makers know exactly how to tap into what girls want. The Barbie Princess Rosella dolls and accessories are an ideal example of this, and you can easily find them at all of the best retailers online.

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Costumes, dressing up, that may sound like Halloween but not Christmas. To most people Christmas is all about getting presents, having fun and spending time together with friends and family. But things have changed, to some girls gifts and fun does not do it all, dressing up as sexy Santa's helper makes all the fun at Christmas. From sexy lingerie to those tiny outfits that make you look cute and sexy all at once. And to make it better most of these costumes are okay to wear in public.

These costumes are ideal to light up the Christmas events like parties or just when hanging out with your friends. But for those who would like to dress up in a naught Santa's helper lingerie there is a collection of naughty and sexy Bra and panties set, sexy sweeties or a naughty Barbie doll and a thong and many more to choose from.

If your man is getting bored with the same old present every Christmas then no more need to get him any gifts this Christmas. Make this Christmas one he will never forget. You can just get one cute but sexy lingerie that will make him wish Christmas would come back soon. With a large variety to choose from you can make this Christmas a love filled fun Christmas. And for those ladies who have a few more pounds, this does not mean you will be left out on this sexy and naughty Christmas plan. There are also plus sized costumes for big naughty girls who would like to have a sexy and Merry Christmas.

From a plus sized naughty Santa's elf to a candy sweeties that will make you look edible. But wearing that short sexy outfit can make your legs freeze before you arrive at the party, no need to worry. All you need is a pair of sexy Christmas stockings that match your outfit from thigh high to knee high stocking you can choose any that will bust your Christmas spirit.

So you may wonder what will happen to the costume after Christmas is over. And your man is still missing that special Christmas gift that you gave him. No need to wait till the next Christmas because here comes Halloween. You can be an elf or a sexy Santa's helper in Halloween and still have lots of fun. With a sexy outfit your man will want you to wear it every holiday.

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When I was very young, maybe about 5 or 6, I would recite my wish list every night before drifting off to sleep. I wanted the latest Barbie dolls and as many of the outfits that I could remember from the catalogue. I don't know the events leading up to why I should have thought this would be effective - a memory from a past life perhaps? Because I really don't think this idea came from my parents. I just had this strong idea in my mind that all you had to do was ask, and your deepest wishes would be granted.

I would wake up during the night, and in the shadowy light, I would imagine I saw a pile of presents that were mysteriously delivered during the night. And I would worry about how to explain these mysterious gifts to my financially struggling parents. But as dawn broke into daylight and I saw that my stash of presents was just made up of ordinary household things, and I would inevitably feel disappointed. I felt that I hadn't tried hard enough, so I would do it all again the following bedtime. And the following, and the following, for many weeks.

I can laugh about my naiveté now, decades later. But I still can't decide whether I was betrayed by the universe, by my fairy godmother or whoever it was that promised me of an assured outcome. I suspect something was lost in the translation by my six year old mind.

Something similar happens to many people when tapping into the Law Of Attraction to fulfill a goal or dream. They apply great mind power - the greatest they can muster. But are then totally passive, and as you may suspect, they are repeatedly disappointed that what they are seeking continues to elude them.

Remember the saying; as above, so below? The Law Of Attraction will only work when you do. It will mirror your efforts and most often meet you half way. Another saying that reflects the truth is; Heaven helps those who help themselves. So next time you have a deep wish you want fulfilled, don't just hand it over to your fairy godmother to do all the work. Be prepared to get off the sofa and turn off the television, and start making an action plan for you to follow.

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Using eBay to make money on line isn't as hard as you think! I Can tell you a few tricks that have helped me to get my auctions a little more attention then they may have. I know you see it everywhere, make money today, or make money fast, or whatever, but honestly the only thing I have found to date that make you near immediate money for your efforts is eBay. I know they have fees, and you have to have a product, but that's OK. You pay the fees later (after your item sells and you get paid) and finding a product can be as close as a walk to your garage or closet!

Just pick anything, anything at all. Take a snapshot (the more pictures of the item the better) Host your pictures on photo bucket so that you can save money. eBay charges an extra.15 cents (the first picture is free) for each picture you have attached to your auction. However, if you simply host your pictures on photo bucket, or some other picture hosting site, then you can use the code to add your pictures into your auction description for no additional money at all!

Now you have your picture, and your item you want to sell. Now go to eBay and create a new account with them. Click to sell an item, and then create your item description and add in your pictures and list! That's it. However long you selected your auction to be (I suggest a week) That is when you will make your money provided your item sells. Make sure before you set a price, you do a little research first and see if anyone else has sold something similar. You do a search and on the right hand side, pick to search through completed listings. You will see that the auctions that have sold for that item will have the price in green. This will tell you about what you can expect to make for that exact item, and also how popular it is, and if you are facing much completion.

When you are creating your listing, try to make it unique. So that it stands out from others. What is special about your item? Tell a store about it. I saw an auction for a barbie doll once that sold for a couple of hundred dollars, you know why? Because the author of the auction posted a detailed story in their auction description about "the dolls day in the office" and they showed staged pictures of the doll in an office with shipping boxes It was quite hysterical! The moral of my story here is even if you have a plain item that really there may not be much special to it, you can make it special just by being a little creative.

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A paper doll is an inexpensive and also fun way in keeping your kid busy. To make paper dolls, you can read the following information that consists of some easy steps that you can take to get the best result.

The Paper Doll Chains

For the first step, you can select some of plain paper that you will use for the dolls. In doing this, it is important to remember that the key in making paper doll is to always fold in the similar directions and also leave the part of the central fold uncut.

For the second step, you can begin by folding your paper in a half. After that, you have to fold it in a half again, ensure that you will make the fold in the similar side just like the first fold. Then, you can continue folding for this manner until your paper in the right size as you want.

For the next step you need to draw a doll shape on your paper. Ensure that the parts of the shape will be right against a fold. Then, cut the parts of the doll out on the folded side. Remember to not cut all the parts of the doll shape out on a folded side. Most of people often leave their hands and also feet against a fold. After that, open you paper, and now you will have the string of dolls that are connected by the hands and also feet.

The Unconnected Paper Dolls

For the first step, you need to draw the doll design on the heavy piece of paper. After that, you can carefully cut the doll shape out. Then, decorate the doll with the markers or even crayons in order to create the face, clothes and also the hair.

For the second step, you can use the doll as the template in cutting out clothes for it from the colored paper, wallpaper scraps or even material. Then, leave tabs on a paper on the shoulders and also sides in order to attach clothes to the doll. For the last remember to flue the pieces of yarn to the head for the hair of the doll.

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"Children are affected from the beginning by what they see and hear within the walls of their home. Their environment creates their taste." - Arthur Henry King

From the first day I learned that I was going to be a mother, I began collecting books, toys and things that I knew would benefit my child. I read every resource manual I could get my hands on. Like most women, I want the best for my child. I quickly learned that in addition to providing shelter, clothes, food and love, that the environment in the home is an important key to raising a well adjusted child.

Creating an Environment for Learning

Years later when I decided to homeschool my children I was introduced to the Thomas Jefferson Education or a Leadership Education. One of the suggestions was to build a library of classic books. I had maybe a small bookshelf full at that time and not surprisingly my kids weren't big readers. I took the advice to heart and over the next four years I gathered and built a large "brain" storage of books for our home. We have over eight bookshelves now spilling over with fun, classic and educational books. More importantly, my children have caught on to this passion for reading good, wholesome literature-literature that educates. Not a day goes by that I don't see the children pouring through books, rifling through the bookshelves or reading in a corner. We have a large bookshelf outside of my bedroom door which is at the end of a long hallway. When a child is waiting to speak with me, she naturally chooses a book, sits by my door and takes a little adventure with words on the pages. What joy it brings me to see the difference having a library of books in your home can make.

"Every single item is of relevance to our education and to the education of our children."-Arthur Henry King

How many times have you noticed your baby would rather play with empty boxes or magazines than her own baby toys? Children always want to help mommy bake cookies and can't wait to learn how to make their first peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Children have a natural curiosity and we should allow them to explore and learn within the safety of our home.

Children learn naturally through their own environment. Why should a small child fill out a worksheet on how to match socks, when they can learn that same skill only using all their senses: the smell of the laundry detergent used, the visual senses of colors and patterns, touching the various textures of socks and occasionally tasting the texture of socks. I have many fond memories of sock folding growing up and trying the oversized ones on my hands and sliding around the bare floors with them on my feet. The natural learning experiences within the home are powerful.

I've made it a mission to keep the majority of commercialized toys out of our home. They do not foster learning like a set of plain building blocks or a life-like baby doll with clothes and cloth diapers. Even though they wanted them and got them for birthdays, my children have never treasured commercialized toys (such as Barbie dolls, Bratz, etc.). After the initial excitement wears off, I find those toys lying around unused with little to no interest. We have never had that happen with puzzles, wooden beads, blocks, or art supplies- the basics for foundational and explorative learning.

Organization and Structure

I used to cringe when I heard those words, but now as a mother of many I feel excited and inspired when I see them. After being a mother for nearly fourteen years I have learned that children, some more so than others, thrive when there is structure and organization in the home. We have seven children, two children with autism and two others with various disabilities. When things become chaotic in our home, not only do our family pets react (i.e. birds chirp frantically) but the children react to it too. Every family has a rhythm whether they realize it or not. The question is- is it conducive to teaching and does it promote family time?

I love reading Steven and Teri Maxwell who have written a couple of books on this subject. They successfully homeschooled and raised eight children and now write about how they did it- it involved scheduling, structure and organization. "God has given us a powerful example and analogy of scheduling in the natural world. Everything that He has created, from atoms to the universe, has a periodic cycle. There is a timetable God has applied to each part of His creation. This is easily seen in the weather. Year by year, each season comes at its 'scheduled' time bringing with it predictable changes." (1) If God uses scheduling, I believe it is an example to us that using a family schedule is something we should do too.

While it is unnecessary and too constricting to schedule all of your time, coming up with a family schedule/rhythm for each day gives the home an organized environment while giving peace to each family member so they each can know what to expect in their daily routine. This is especially important if you have children or adults in the home with disabilities. Eliminate the disordered feeling and house clutter by prayerfully creating your own unique family rhythm complete with chore time.

Keeping a Morally Clean Environment in the Home is Imperative

"Parents now are concerned about the moral and spiritual diseases. These can have terrible complications when standards and values are abandoned. We must all take protective measures." - Boyd K. Packer

Memories from books and the pictures in the books teach, mold and shape a person. Just as we should fill our homes with uplifting and wholesome books, we should be equally as careful about not bringing anything contrary to that in the home. I heard it once said that if a young boy were to view pornography in his own home he will be a customer for life. Is it worth it to allow anything pornographic in your home? Never. Aside from the fact that it is morally wrong, the risk is too great.

Regarding music-while I am fairly careful about lyrics to the new music, it is easy for things to slip by our notice from time to time. I find that I feel inspiration often to continually sift through the music my family and I listen to. We are all aware of the powerful effects of music on our moods. Music teaches and depending on the words and the beat it can teach negative or positive things. By my vigilantly reviewing music, talking with the kids about their feelings on the songs and reading the lyrics online my family is learning to do the same. Even though you may not always listen to the lyrics, your subconscious mind does and then records it. I think I would rather know what my subconscious mind is recording by paying close attention to what I or my children listen to.

Television needs a filter like the computer. We don't watch regular TV because the morals portrayed on everyday television, especially the commercials, are not in line with ours. Instead we rent Netflix and buy the movies we enjoy the most. We carefully screen the reviews and ratings before watching and buying movies.

Raising children is anything but easy; but it is so worth it. Each child comes to our home with his/her own unique personalities. I find it fascinating to see how for the most part, children naturally pick up many qualities of their parents, whether it be the habits they pick up, facial expressions or one or a combination of both parent's temperaments. I have three sisters and while we don't look exactly alike anyone can tell we are sisters when they listen to us talk or see our mannerisms. It is an art to take into consideration all the differences of personalities in the family and apply the perfect mix of teaching, religion, and love. Children can't help but to be influenced by the home environment especially when the parents care so much about making it a positive one.

Works Cited

1. Maxwell, Steven and Teri. Managers of Their Homes. s.l.: Communications Concepts, Inc., 1998.

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There is such a variety of collectible dolls on the market. Two of the most popular collectible dolls are Barbie dolls and porcelain dolls. These two categories offer dolls in a wide array of styles and types that it would be nearly impossible to complete a collection. For an avid collector, the way to go is to find something to focus his collection on.

Collectible Barbie Dolls

Starting with the first Barbie doll, created in 1959, these dolls are only increasing in popularity. Nowadays, you can find Barbie dolls specifically designed for collectors. If you are just getting started you may want to find an expert or do some reading to tell you which types of Barbie dolls make the best collectibles.

If you are interested in collecting Barbie dolls there are plenty of resources online that will help get you started. You can purchase dolls on special collector's websites, online auction sites, and other places. You can also comb yard sales in your area. Sometimes people have collectible items in their possession without realizing it.

Porcelain Dolls

Starting in the 1800's, dolls started to be made out of porcelain. Now, they are amongst the most popular collectible dolls. Porcelain dolls vary in style, shape, and size. The type you want to collect depends on you. To make your collection more meaningful choose something to focus on, such as porcelain dolls with a wedding theme or those that come from a specific land. Of course, you don't need to specialize. You can always purchase the collectible dolls that you simply like.

Other Collectible Dolls

Of course, if you want to collect dolls you aren't restricted to either Barbie Dolls or porcelain dolls. You can find dolls that are designed as toys. Some older dolls that were designed as toys may have some value. There are also dolls that are made to look like cartoon or comic book characters. If you want to be a serious collector, choose what interests you first then find the dolls within those categories that have the most value.

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A lot of people at these times have a problem on selecting the appropriate wall mirror for their homes. They have a big dilemma on what particular item would blend well in their residence. Well the answer for this problem is just simple. All you have to do is to know what item you should buy in market that will be situated in your home. Also, you have to take into consideration that the thing you will be buying matches the design of your house. This is not merely a game that you purchase what you like. The piece of art should fit in to the motif of your residence.

So gather some information first regarding your home. Ask yourself on the places wherein you will situate the mirror. After you have jotted down the room, ask yourself the style that would really suit your space. If you have a vintage motif in your master's bedroom, you might opt for a mirror that has an antique design. You should never acquire a design that features Spongebob Squarepants nor Dora the Explorer. That would just be an utterly mess. If you will be buying a mirror for your only daughter, be sure that you buy something that is girly or pink in color. You can't deny the fact that little girls like Barbie dolls. It is not advised to buy an item that is very manly which features Transformers nor Robocop. Your daughter will just despise the item and you just wasted your time.

There are a lot of designs in the market at these times. All you have to do is to look for something that suits your taste and theme. There are mirrors that are styled in a conventional, up to date, frameless, flamboyant and Venetian way. So it would be great if you are a wise buyer by following these tips.

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Barbie Millicent Roberts, registered in Willows, state of Wisconsin, has just over 50 years and the body of a 20 year old girl. She has been a movie star, rock star, nurse, doctor, dancer, and a candidate for president. She had 21 dogs, 14 horses, 6 cats and a parrot. Lived, or lives in 150 countries. She is rich, beautiful, famous, smart and is always in fashion. She has the perfect boyfriend, and many friends who adore her. The world of Barbie is pink, made of dreams and fantasy, where anything is possible. This is what guarantees the slogan "Be anything". She has become a reference, a female fashion icon, a symbol of the aspirations of the girls on the way to puberty and adulthood.

History

It was Ruth Handler, wife of Elliot Handler (founder of the Mattel toy company) who had the idea to build an adult doll that until now existed only on paper. Indeed, the Elliot built Lili doll made of celluloid, earlier than Barbie, and may have inspired Ruth. She founded the faces and physiognomy of other dolls of the time too childish, so she decided to design a doll in three dimensions with a more adult look, able to provide the girls all dreams possible. The name Barbie was the nickname (short) of her daughter Barbara. Commissioned by the designer Jack Ryan, in 1958, it was officially launched at the Annual Toy Fair in New York on March 9 of 1959, and began to be sold for only $ 3. Currently, a model of the original doll is being sold for over $ 10 000.

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When we refer to certain professions we call the business of it a practice. My friend's husband has a dental practice, I have a coaching practice, my brother practices law. Within those parameters we might refer to the dentist as "excellent", the coach as "supportive" and the lawyer-at least in my brother's case-as "ethical." I've been thinking about the different ideas around the word "practice."

"To be engaged in professionally" is one definition at Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary. This is a person "doing." The latter descriptions, excellent, supportive, ethical; refer to the person being and represent values.

Regardless of whether we are engaged professionally in something or we are setting a personal goal based on a concept we value the way to mastery lies in practice.

Perhaps The Key to mastery is to practice self acceptance and give up what a set back "means" so that we don't take ourselves out of the game. It has been said that we are "meaning making machines" and I concur. It has also been said that our self talk is the power link to what we see as results in our lives. Physical pain is measurable and more often than not manageable. Self-inflicted mental pain is limitless, can be debilitating, but can also be managed.

In the past if I'd say, "I'm going to clean out that drawer in the bathroom this week" and I don't do it my tendency was to beat myself up. "I never do this, that, or the other thing when I say I will." If I believe that I create results based on what I tell myself it's no wonder the drawer is still full of product samples from my Barbie doll era.

Another sure way to postpone mastery is to repeatedly say, "I'll try." Try infers an attempt; a great place to start. The old saying "if at first you don't succeed" etc. may be good advice but it comes with the flip side of succeed which is fail. Is it ok to fail in this win-win society? Sure it is if you think of that word as a part of the process and not the end of the game. Harv Eker refers to the work of getting to a goal as one of "correct and continue." Each time you set out to hit a target, achieve a personal goal, or change a habit, you either do or do not do it. If you do, great, what's next? If you miss the target take a look at what worked, what didn't, and what you can do better next time. Correct and continue. It's a practice.

In sports the coach may use strong language to motivate the players but he is rooting for them nonetheless. In business managers and heads of companies use coaches who hold them to their intentions by asking for dates and times and following up to see that the thing was done. They too are rooting for the person. In both instances the idea behind the coaching is to support people to master showing up for themselves. To play a bigger game if you will. If we have repeatedly let ourselves down in the past-or perceived we have--we are always doing our best whether you want to believe that or not--the first bit of practice is to refuse to see ourselves as losers.

When we try on a new idea-I can be a millionaire or I can be healthy-and we feel this to be possible we are excited and so take steps towards that goal. Since energy does not travel in a straight line the likely hood of us staying on a straight path of doing and action towards that goal is slim. We may be distracted by life, by fear, by procrastination. With these things comes a loss of energy for achieving our goal. Focus scatters and now is when we often start the negative self talk. We do the try/fail tango because we don't consider that every action or moment of inaction and reflection is part of the journey. That's all. Was buying that cheap laptop a bad choice even though it's not what you'd hoped? No, it was just a choice based on the information you had. Does it mean you are not capable of making good decisions and you should quit right now? I'll let you answer that.

We are encouraged to practice our chosen professions to become proficient enough to be seen as successful by the world's standards. Some practice being a better parent, spouse, team leader; all noble ideas. The majority will have some form of spiritual practice which is essential to their well being. I would like to add another possibility. That to practice self love will enhance all of these.

Remember there really is no "try" as Yoda said, "only do or do not do." Why one choice, to do, makes us good and the other makes us bad should be recognized as self sabotage. Try on the idea that we create our reality with our words. Consider that we have much to learn about ourselves and it's mostly going to come by trial and error. Stay aware that life is a gift and we choose how we spend it. Take a moment to think about what you want to say about the perfection you already are regardless of what you choose to see. That will no doubt take some practice. I believe that mastering this idea will mean you've achieved the greatest goal of all.

What could it mean for you?

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If we look out for the most different gifts, then why not gift wrap them differently too? Gift wrapping is as important as selecting the most appropriate gift. A well wrapped gift shows the person's efforts in personalizing the gift. A personalized gift, brings out the person's love and interest in gifting. An artistically wrapped gift also sets the mood. Gift wrapping ideas are vast. You can gift wrap with various kinds of paper, materials such as lace, tulle, wool, myriad kinds of fabrics and so on. The whole point of gift wrapping ideas, is to make the gift look aesthetically beautiful. Let's see what are some of incredible gift wrapping ideas. Read more on how to wrap a gift.

Gift Wrapping Ideas for Every Occasion

Fabric:

If your gifts are cylindrical in shape, then fabric is the best option. Say for instance, you are looking for gift wrapping ideas for a wine bottle, let's see how to work around fabric. Take a cloth piece, that is longer than length of the bottle. Hold one end of the cloth against the length of the bottle and warp it around. See to it that even the bottom gets covered. Tie a thin woolen string around the neck of the bottle. We usually, use those cards to address the gifts. Instead, dried leaves, flat shells or the remaining part of the ribbon also make great options to write the name of the person. Fabrics like tulle and satin look attractive.

Cartoon Characters:

Children absolutely love colorful attractive gifts. Cartoon characters are always a hit amongst little kids. If you are looking for gift wrapping ideas for birthday party of a girl, then Barbie dolls can never go wrong. Make a face on the wrapped paper, with threads, sequins, toilet paper, sparkles, flannel pieces and so on. I am sure the kid will love the wrapping more than the gift! Great idea to save money too.

Gift Bags and Baskets:

Some gifts can never be wrapped. For instance, baked goods, perfume bottles (I prefer not to wrap them), a dress (best not to wrap it since it gets wrinkled) and generally items that are delicate and fragile in nature. For gifts like these you need bags or baskets. If you are looking for gift wrapping ideas for baked goods, baskets are the best options. The easiest way to do it is, arranging the baked items in the basket and wrapping a plastic foil around it. Then tie a ribbon (any color of your choice) around it, et voila, your present is ready to be presented! You will find numerous gift bags in malls. Just pick the most elegant one and place your gift in it. Attach a small note to it, and give it away! Read more on how to wrap a present.

Boxes:

Boxes and gift wrapping ideas with ribbons have been used for gifting purposes since time immemorial. Today, you can get these DIY kits for paper boxes, which catch the eye with their cute prints. Just place the gift in the box, tie a ribbon around it and the job is done. You also get these metallic boxes with locks and keys, which the person also can use later on.

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As many doll collectors (and little girls, of course) know, 2005 has been the "year of the Bratz." Bratz dolls have replaced Barbie dolls in many countries as the top selling dolls, bringing an end to Barbie's control of the doll market and giving birth to what may be called "the age of the Bratz dolls."

But what's the main reason behind little girls preferring Bratz dolls over their formidable competition? The answer is simple: coolness. While a lot of moms out there seem to avoid buying Bratz because of their diva looks, the excess of makeup on the dolls' faces, their bad attitude expressions and the "trashy" clothes they wear; these precise features are what make little girls (and not-so-little too) go crazy for Bratz dolls. Let's face it: reality shows us that more and more young women every day tend to adopt the latest fashions and trends, so it is rather logical for a little girl to prefer stylistic Bratz dolls over the more conservative and outdated Barbie dolls.

It seems to me that MGA Entertainment (the creator of Bratz dolls) made the right choice when they started producing these cool fashion dolls back in the summer of 2001 since these chunky, ten-inch vinyl dolls are the number one choice among girls between 8 and 12 years of age.

Maybe the reason for the popularity of the Bratz dolls is the large number of accessories available: from clothing for different seasons to mini-malls, from a sushi restaurant to a cool disco, these Bratz seem to know how to have fun! The different Bratz available include: Bratz Angelz (yes, they are rock stars!), and of course the Angelz tour bus and party plane (every rock star should have one...), the cool Wild West Bratz (I just love those little cowboy hats and the horse), the plain Step Out Bratz dolls, and (my favorites) the Bratz Campfire Girlz. There is also a couple of little Bratz (the Bratz Babiez, Phoebe and Roxxi) to choose from. I specially recommend the Bratz Holiday Doll, a nice lovely doll with a beautiful long evening dress.

There is also a huge number of cool playsets for the Bratz, including the CampFire tent, the limousine, a sushi - karaoke bar, the Bratz shopping mall, the retro cafe, and a vast selection of different places where your Bratz dolls can hang out.

MGA Entertainment has, as has many other doll-producing companies, introduced a line of makeup and many other lifestyle products for girls to complement the "Bratz dolls experience." Maybe the biggest news in this area is the brand new line of Bratz electronics. A portable DVD player, a digital video recorder (yes, a Bratz camcorder!) and a TV/DVD combo are just some of the Bratz dolls electronic products available. Bratz dolls DVD's, a video game and even a movie to be released this year complete the magical Bratz dolls world.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

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When you are searching for handmade doll clothes, what are you looking for? The obvious answer is that you are looking for quality, uniqueness and a fair price as well. If you want the same doll clothing that everyone else has then you can certainly find those at any store that specializes in selling these items.

However, if you want something that is completely different from what anyone else has then why not opt for handmade doll clothing. These doll items can make for quite the unique gift for your daughter, granddaughter or niece.

The 18-inch doll craze has really caught North America by storm. Not just young girls are into this hobby, many grown women enjoy the hobby because it takes them back to their childhood and provides a relaxing distraction from life's daily stresses. Some mothers enjoy sharing the hobby with their daughters as well. One of the most popular brands of 18-inch doll is American Girl. However, homemade doll clothes will fit any brand of 18 inch doll.

What to Look for When Searching for Quality Doll Clothing

When you are purchasing homemade doll clothes, a key factor that may influence your decision is if the item comes from a smoke free or pet free environment. If you are not sure, then all you need to do is ask. Another important fact to consider is whether the item has been pre-washed or not. This helps to prevent shrinkage. You want to make sure that the item still fits the doll after it has been washed.

A good place to look for handmade doll clothes is on the popular auction site eBay. Just search for 18-inch doll clothing or handmade doll clothes and you should find a good selection of items. When shopping for a new outfit for your doll or for a gift for someone, make sure you know what you are getting. Sometimes you can buy complete outfits with all the accessories as well.

If buying online, find out the cost of shipping before buying, so that there are no surprises later on. In conclusion, you can find some unique and quality handmade doll clothes online and in many craft shops as well. You can outfit your doll with something that either no one else has or only a very few have.

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Barbie or Barbara Millicent Roberts a fashionable doll that has become an essential constituent of every girl's childhood was first introduced to the world on March 9, 1959. What convinced Ruth Handler to entertain this idea was perhaps a little girl's realm of hand made paper dolls. This little girl was her daughter and with the right approach Mattel was able to bring into existence what every child dreamt of.

Did you know that Barbie dolls have managed to capture the hearts of so many people worldwide that every second three Barbie dolls are sold worldwide? Barbie games and products have now become a cultural legend worldwide. For girls, playing with Barbie dolls is one of the most cherished childhood memories. Even today, we find Barbie in almost every product ranging from school bags to pencil boxes to wrapping paper and coloring books. And of course, as the era we now live in is more technology-prone than ever, Barbie has also found her way online.

Barbie games are popular among diverse groups, particularly little girls who wish to exercise their creative mindset while also living in a beautiful pink Barbie fantasy. Barbie games can be found in numerous versions which are compatible with various devices. For instance, computer games, video games, online games, story book games etc.

Free Barbie games can be found on a number of websites nowadays. These games are not only attractive for all age groups but with their exciting features you are sure to get hooked to these games in no time at all. From makeovers to online dressing games to hair styles and accessories, Barbie games are available in humungous varieties each game carrying its own distinctive appeal and charm.

Furthermore, there are also websites on the internet that allow players to use their own creativity to create a personalized Barbie. Experimenting with colors, dresses and makeup is both an exciting and thrilling pastime.
Barbie dress up games allow you to choose from an assortment of dresses, accessories including jewelry and footwear. There are also games which require the player to dress up Barbie for a particular occasion such as parties, dinners or wedding ceremonies.

The realm of Barbie games is not limited to fashion games or dress up games. In actual, several versions of Barbie games also allow the user to embark upon an adventurous ride with Barbie. If you have watched Barbie movies then surely you know that these fairytale adventures are indeed worth a shot. Not only do these games promise hours of nonstop fun and entertainment but with their assistive instruction set and fast and easy navigations, the games are an excellent choice to go for.

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Barbie toys and dolls will never be out of style. Let's face it, little girls have been playing with Barbies for a very long time. Even women have been collectors of them. Each year are many new dolls come out all the market and with each doll there are lots of neat accessories to buy.

There are many types of Barbies as well. There is a doll for every type of little girl. There are also Disney Princess Barbies, Wizard of Oz dolls, Scarlett O'Hara dolls, and these days, even Harry Potter and Twilight Barbie and Ken dolls!

The Barbie doll house and other accessories are very popular as well. These doll houses are a lot larger than they were in the past. Some of them are 4 feet tall. Once you buy the dollhouse you will need furniture and clothes to fill that big house up.

Some dollhouses come with furniture but usually only the very basic pieces. Parents might want to purchase extra furniture to make the dollhouses complete. Little girls love to decorate Barbies house for her. Luckily the furniture is rather inexpensive.

Other popular Barbie toys are her cars. If there?s one thing Barbie always has, it?s a luxury vehicle! There is her classic pink corvette convertible, of course. She can also have a Ford Escape, Jeep, Cruiser, Volkswagen, and everything in between!

Barbie always has pets. Mattel sells all kinds of animals for the Barbie line. There are cute dogs, cats and even horses. You can also use the animals with veterinarian Barbie!

One of the best things about Barbie toys now is how durable they are. They're much more sturdy than they used to be. Thankfully the head and limbs do not break off easily. The accessories are also just as durable. They may cost a little bit more than they did in the past, but their durability and makes it worth it.

Barbie will always be popular among little girls around the world. Make your little girl happy today by buying her Barbie toys, dvds, books and games. You can never go wrong with a Barbie toy!

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Online games are the most entertaining and exciting games which have proved to be a blessing for the gaming enthusiasts. You can now get access to great activities and games by means of World Wide Web. Most of such games are free while some may require you to pay a little fee. In any case, these games are the most amazing mode to play your favorite games and evade your boredom as they present you with unlimited choices. No matter if you enjoy racing games or love to play with your Barbie dolls, these games provide a world of fun for young ones with different interests. In fact, they know no age as you can find games which can be enjoyed by all.

There are a number of popular things which enables players of different inclinations to indulge in the activities that they love the most. Here are some popular ones which have become the heartthrob of countless gamers around the world:

1. Online Car Games

The car/games are as entertaining for grown ups as they are for young boys. Owing to the great categories in these games one can find these car-games which is according to his age and interest. The car racing games are extremely entertaining and fun. You can compete using the vehicles of your choices and beat the opponent that can be the computer or your friend. The online car parking games are also very interesting. In fact, they have provided a great new way of entertainment which was not known to the gamers in the past. Likewise, there are police car chasing games in which you play as a cop and chase the culprits. They also have options of different weapons which makes these games extremely thrilling.

2. Online Barbie and Bratz

These are particularity meant for little girls who love to play with these charming dolls. You can dress up your favorite dolls, make over their rooms, color them, apply make up and change their appearance besides indulging in a number of other activities with them.

3. Online Cooking Fun

Online cooking games are another popular category of games which provide a great way of entertainment for your kid. You can try various recipes and play other related ones such as chef games, bar games, BBQ games, serving games etc.

4. Online Coloring Fun

These are wonderful games which enable young kids to color their favorite pages and quench their fervor for painting. They are great for little boys as well as girls who can color the pages of their choice.

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Lawyer Jokes

Q: How does a pregnant woman know she is carrying a future lawyer?

A: She has an extreme craving for baloney.

Q: What is the legal definition of "Appeal"?

A: Something a person slips on in a grocery store.

Q: Why did God make snakes just before lawyers?

A: To practice.

Q: What do you call a lawyer with an IQ of 12?

A: Your Honor.

Q: What's the difference between a lawyer and a herd of buffalo?

A: The lawyer charges more.

Q: What do you call a smiling, sober, courteous person at a bar association convention?

A: The caterer.

Q: Why are lawyers like nuclear weapons?

A: If one side has one, the other side has to get one.

Q: What do you get when you cross the Godfather with a lawyer?

A: An offer you can't understand.

Q: What do you call a lawyer gone bad?

A: Senator

Q: Did you hear they just released a new Barbie doll called "Divorced Barbie"?

A: It comes with half of Ken's things and alimony.

Q: What's the difference between an attorney and a pit bull?

A: Jewelry.

Q: What's the definition of mixed emotions?

A: Watching your attorney drive over a cliff in your new Ferrari.

Q: What's the difference between lawyers and accountants?

A: At least accountants know they're boring.

Stories:

1. A man who had been caught embezzling millions went to a lawyer. His lawyer told him, "Don't worry. You'll never go to jail with all that money? In fact, when the man was sent to prison, he didn't have a dime.

2. As the lawyer awoke from surgery, he asked, "Why are all the blinds drawn?" The nurse answered, "There's a fire across the street, and we didn't want you to think you had died."

3. God decided to take the devil to court and settle their differences once and for all. Satan heard this, laughed and said, "And where do you think you're going to find a lawyer?"

4. A lawyer is sitting at the desk in his new office. He hears
someone coming to the door. To impress his first potential client, he picks up the phone as the door opens and says, "I demand one million and not a penny less." As he hangs up, the man now standing in his office says, "I'm here to hook up your phone."

And finally:

You Might Be A Lawyer If.... You are charging someone to read these jokes.

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Image : http://www.flickr.com

Think back to when you were a kid. Remember when your Mom would tell you to do something? Sometimes it was a random request; like you are playing with your Barbie dolls or Legos and she sticks her head in the door and says, "Come on, get your coat on."

Well, you don't remember any appointment. Nobody told you there were plans to go someplace. You are right in the middle of a Barbie/Ken date and finally found the perfect outfit for Barbie. You even located two shoes that match. You look up to find your Mom has already left your room and you holler, "Why?"

"BECAUSE I SAID SO."

Oh, many times, she pulled the "because I said so" card. Grudgingly you drag yourself off the floor, looking longingly down at your dolls and slowly turn towards your door.

"NOW!"

You hear your Mom yell at you to move faster.

You know where I'm going with this, right? How many times have we done the same thing at work? Oh, maybe we don't say "because I told you" but it's the impression we give.

So how does that make our associates feel? How many communications have you read or even wrote that spelled out mandatory edicts without an explanation? I know, who has time to bring everyone up to speed.

But how quickly do you achieve 100% compliance without clearly communicating the "whys."

Let's turn it around and apply the Golden Rule. How would we like to be treated? How important are the "whys" to us?

Go back to Barbie. What if Mom had said, "Hey, come get your coat on? I can hear the marching band practicing at the high school - let's go watch them play."

Or

"Grandma called, she's not feeling well and she asked us to come for a visit. Go get your coat."

We'd leave Barbie to fend for herself in a minute, right?

As the former Director of Communications for Cole National, I often had to communicate messages to associates that would require change or additional work. Most frequently my writing went under the signature of the President or Vice President of Stores. Their goal was a communication that achieved results. My responsibility was to ensure the message was read - understood - and acted upon.

To that end, I always included the 'why' behind the information. It doesn't need to be lengthy or complicated, in fact, if it is - it won't be read.

When communicating with your associates remember these tips:

- If there is an action, task or deadline for the reader, state it early and often

- Explain the why behind the message - it should be as simple as a sentence:

"In response to competitor's recent advertising we are..."

"Due to changes in our vendor supply capability you will need to..."

"In response to requests from your peers we are changing..."

-Tell them how their compliance will impact the company. When associates realize that the request isn't busy work but will actually impact the overall company results, they are more likely to comply.

-Thank them in advance

-Reinforce any specific task and/or deadline

-Give them a contact in case they have questions or comments

Create a partnership for success by being informative and providing associates with the "who", "what", "where", "why", "when", and "how". You are letting associates understand the value they provide to the company's success. That makes everyone a winner.

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Image : http://www.flickr.com

Designer checks are checks that are printed based on a specific design or theme. Everyone can have his/her own type of designer checks. These checks can be imprinted with designs of animals, birds, cartoon characters, symbols, and patterns of their choice.

Inspirational personal check designs will give anyone's spirits a gentle lift, no matter where they are used. These checks symbolize various inspirational designs. They also are printed with certain messages like "Jesus, Light of the World" for example, which help propagate a message or belief. These messages which contain various themes such as happiness, trust and motivation are passed on wherever these checks are written or processed.

There are also checks that inspire patriotism too. Anybody can show their patriotic spirit with these kinds of patriotic checks. The message of patriotism is passed on to the receiver as well. Checks that come in red, white, and blue color patterns will help show the individual's love for America. These checks that contain patriotic images and words will not only show off the issuer's patriotism, but will also help pass on this patriotic spirit to others.

Impressionist checks have popular themes designed on them. These themes range from Barbie doll to the imaginative Max and his creatures. Barbie doll designer checks have been hot favorites all over ever since their introduction. These checks help bring a sense of fashion to the often boring world of finance.

Checks can be printed with an individual's favorite photos too. Just by printing checks with favorite photos, the checks become very personalized. Personalized messages can be added to these personalized checks as well. These checks can be personalized with pictures of animals also. Getting a person's beloved pets on the check is a way of honoring those pets. Cat lovers can get some adorable kittens printed on the checks to show their love for cats to the world.

Beautiful landscapes, beautiful flowers, birds, and many other things can also be printed onto a check. Printing one's own photo onto the check help make business transactions that much more reliable.

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Image : http://www.flickr.com

Summer is in full swing. One of the skills that I always have to be transferred to my clients "The Wrap Up." Once you finish something, finish it completely. For example:

After going a party, not to bed without cleaning the kitchen
When you come home from vacation, empty the bag immediately and enter your beauty
After shopping and get in the door with packets, each element behaves as a "place to live" like a kitchen or bathroom cabinetVanity tray, is not complete.

Realistically, only takes a few minutes to do the tasks mentioned above, but many people procrastinate. Just do it. Now you have the idea, I would like to install a larger, as school children, during the last week of school to concentrate full backpacks take home at the end of papers and art projects. Or could it be college students age to pull on your way with a truck or minivan with dorm / apartment that was loadedsingle car garage.

Younger children

Set aside a period of time with each child only for the organization dedicated to his collection of year-end goodies. Create some space on the floor and then seven characters with the paper waste or ITS post:

Your child Memorabilia
Parent's Memorabilia
Other damage
Recycle
Garbage
The future study
School supplies

Now order your child's documents, projects, etc from his backpack, closet, bedroom on topCategories. be ruthlessly. If you save only 10 items of memorabilia from all K-12 are 130 pieces of work they have at home, to be saved. It may be necessary in order to do this with other children. Now we are talking about nearly 400 pieces of paper for one year, if you have three children. This is the work of 5,200 high school diploma!

When you have deleted the child and through each point of bleeding, which can immediately into the garbage or recycling. Mail or deliver otherbeautiful works of art, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who do not see often, or save the wrapping paper for gifts for all holidays.

Keep the scientific work in hanging folders file, a folder for each subject. Make sure the card, label the contents of each folder. Then put the folder in a bankers box or plastic storage box that has the edge for hanging folders. Label the outside of the box. For example:

Michael

FifthNote

2008-2009

If you leave your child has not asked for the documents, is a safe bet, you can let go.

Obviously, you will also find many school supplies that were not used or can be easily re-designed to September. Deciding where and how all these pencils, erasers, glue sticks for the home and more. Then, when you make the trip to Staples with the list "Back to School be sure to check your inventory Wrap Up first in order not to waste timeEnergy, money and space.

TIP: Encourage your children to Let 'Go for bulky items such as cereal box book report "or dioramas from digital images. Turn it into a slide show, screen savers, using a digital image or make the old style, developed for photo albums.

Older children

Even our older kids could use a hand to organize their documents and objects. If you're a high school or college childprobably to save paper and more things as souvenirs. Just want you to go through the creation of a dedicated block (s) of time with your students their collections this year.

Orders for its products into categories that fit for your students age. Perhaps you:

Academic Papers
Books
School supplies
Electronics
Kitchen Appliances
Furniture Fashion
Toiletries

Go through each category with your child and decide what to keep, donate, recycleClean and perhaps even sell, especially electronic equipment, which could be more than video games.

If your student can no longer house her bedroom to try a series of strong plastic or metal brackets around your garage, basement or attic finally time for the summer influx. If you have room in your garden, you can buy a house and then going on to assess some of your garden / seasonal items out of there for two months, so your student is easy and outside science.

Asfor documents, you should be fine as above with the use of a hanging file folder for each class and saves them in a box bankers correspond with appropriate labels. Keep adding to the field in each half from your children are working on a degree and May his work for future study or reference materials necessary addition, use a jump drive to backup all his studies and electronic.

Regarding the memorabilia is also true for the older child, so that your room is set according to ageStudies. the collection of Barbie dolls and stuffed animals sure are not required their "Prime Real Estate". Discuss what they would like to save for their future and discover what was pulling your heart in her bedroom. So honor these treasures safe packaging boxes for storage or in a different part of the house, not how unused space of everyday life.

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Image : http://www.flickr.com

Having a baby shower for a baby boy or baby girl can be a very fun event. A shower can be either thrown for you or by you. The easiest way to color scheme is with blue or pink, depending on whether you are having a boy or girl.

Some ideas for boys are:

- planes, trains, and automobiles
- Nascar
- red and blue color
- baseball
- a football
- a soccer
- a fisherman
- Mickey Mouse
- an Elmo theme
- a Cookie Monster theme
- a Cars theme
- a Hercules theme
- a Monsters Inc. theme

Some neutral themes for boys or girls can include:

- a clown
- Finding Nemo theme
- a Barney theme
- 101 Dalmatians theme
- teddy bears

Some themes for girls can include:

- a princess  (such as Jasmine, Belle, Snow White, Ariel, Cinderella)
- a Barbie doll or Barbie girl theme
- a Minnie Mouse theme
- a Tinkerbell theme
- a ballerina
- a cheerleader

Once you have figured out which to choose, then you can start having fun with putting it all together. Then all you need to do is send out the invitations. Get the decorations, a cake, and some party food. Get registered at your favorite store for the gifts you want for your newborn. Then last but not least, make the baby shower favors for the guests. There are tons of ideas for how to plan the perfect shower available at the library and in magazines and the internet. Be sure to begin planning early so your party will be a success.

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Image : http://www.flickr.com

Barbie doll clothes are an important part of the fun of playing with
the Barbie doll. When Barbie first came out, the clothes were
fashion model outfits. Since then, however, outfits can be worn for
almost any occasion or situation. The only limit is the imagination.

Children love to play with the exquisite little Barbie clothes and the
fun accessories that came with each outfit.
Close attention was paid to the design and creation of these tiny
clothes. Barbie Doll clothes have hems, zippers, minute buttons
and even linings. &nbspThe quality finish of these dolls clothes was
achieved by hand finishing.

The fasteners used on the Barbie doll clothes were miniscule.
Mattel had these custom made in Japan. A company called YKK was
founded and managed by Yoshida Kogig. This was dedicated to
manufacturing fasteners and other miniature accessories which
accompanied each set of Barbie clothing. For example, the "Nighty-
Negligee Set" #965 1959-1964 contained a baby-doll set of a night
gown with a matching robe in the traditional pink. The accessories
included pom-pom slippers, a toy stuffed dog, an alarm clock, diary,
and an apple for a midnight snack.
There are certainly plenty of Barbie clothes to choose from to dress
your Barbie doll.
Where can you find Barbie doll clothes?
Obviously you will easily be able to find Barbie doll clothes at retail
stores. These stores will certainly have the latest clothes available.
However this isn't the only place to find &nbspdoll outfits for
Barbie.
A great source to pick up bargains of doll clothes for Barbie is on
eBay. Usually the approximate age of the clothes is indicated. You
can find vintage or modern Barbie clothes, and they are auctioned
in different quantities as well.

Another place to look for Barbie doll clothes is in local garage and
yard sales and also thrift stores. You can often find some great
bargains, as people's children have out grown them, and will sell
them very reasonably priced.

Barbie doll clothes are an important part of the fun of playing with the Barbie doll. When Barbie first came out, the clothes were fashion model outfits. Since then, however, outfits can be worn for almost any occasion or situation. The only limit is the imagination.

Children love to play with the exquisite little Barbie clothes and the fun accessories that came with each outfit.
Close attention was paid to the design and creation of these tiny clothes. Barbie Doll clothes have hems, zippers, minute buttons and even linings. &nbspThe quality finish of these dolls clothes was achieved by hand finishing.

The fasteners used on the Barbie doll clothes were miniscule. Mattel had these custom made in Japan. A company called YKK was founded and managed by Yoshida Kogig. This was dedicated to manufacturing fasteners and other miniature accessories which accompanied each set of Barbie clothing. For example, the "Nighty-Negligee Set" #965 1959-1964 contained a baby-doll set of a night gown with a matching robe in the traditional pink. The accessories included pom-pom slippers, a toy stuffed dog, an alarm clock, diary, and an apple for a midnight snack.
There are certainly plenty of Barbie clothes to choose from to dress your Barbie doll.
Where can you find Barbie doll clothes?
Obviously you will easily be able to find Barbie doll clothes at retail stores. These stores will certainly have the latest clothes available. However this isn't the only place to find &nbspdoll outfits for Barbie.
A great source to pick up bargains of doll clothes for Barbie is on eBay. Usually the approximate age of the clothes is indicated. You can find vintage or modern Barbie clothes, and they are auctioned in different quantities as well.

Another place to look for Barbie doll clothes is in local garage and yard sales and also thrift stores. You can often find some great bargains, as people's children have out grown them, and will sell them very reasonably priced.

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Image : http://www.flickr.com

If you collect antique toys, you are just one of many such collectors scattered throughout the world. What was once an obscure niche community has really blossomed in recent years to include groups almost everywhere.

Buyers bargain online and in person. And you might be shocked to discover what some seemingly innocuous toy might draw on the worldwide market. Even within the subcategories of toy collectors there is great money to be found.

One such niche is the collections of Barbie dolls. Barbie has been around for a very long time and has been consistently popular year over year. So it is no surprise the sheer number of toys that exist and the furor that follows their collection and sale.

Another popular old-time toy is the classic jack-in-the-box. This is another subcategory of collectible, since they were very popular at one point in time, but have become all but obsolete in modern days. But the old ones have experienced an upsurge in popularity related to their obscurity.

Another category of collectible toy is the subset of baseball memorabilia. From baseball cards to balls and gloves, an including even baseball-style windups or models, these types of toys seem to never go down in popularity. This is gratifying for their collectors who rarely see their investments go down in value.

Some people believe that a toy's value is destroyed if it is not in the utmost condition. This is not necessarily true. Toys may have some scuffs or scratches and still be extremely valuable to some people. Value isn't just tied to the care of the particular item.

The collecting of antique toys and other playthings just seems to become more and more popular as time goes on. Who knows why. It may be that adults are more nostalgic for days gone by, or it may just be an increased interest in things that seem to go up in value. Whatever the case, toy collecting is something that seems to be around forever and will be for some time to come.

Whether you are personally fascinated by this practice or not, you should always know that there may be somebody out there who will pay big money to get ahold of what you think is just trash.

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