This is a sponsored post, however all thoughts and opinions are that of my own.
Did you have metal braces growing up? If you didn’t boy were you a lucky duck! When I got braces there were really only two options silver or white/clear metal braces, neither were “cool”. I had them top and bottom for 3 and half years, 8th grade until my jr. year of high school. I just remember all the pain they caused, the food I couldn’t eat, and then there are those embarrassing brace face photos. {above!} Looking back through my scrapbook from high school most of my pictures are full of a metal smile. Although I am happy I was able to correct my teeth the experience wasn’t very fun. Of course when it came time to getting my braces off and given a retainer. Like many other teens… I didn’t wear it like I should of. In turn over the years my front teeth have moved and started to overlap each other. Most people say they can’t even tell but I can and it bothers me to see in photos. I’ve been thinking for awhile that I’ve wanted to fix it however I knew I didn’t want to get metal braces again so I’ve lived with it.
Now there is a new option for teens and tweens {and adults}… Invisalign! It’s a clear alternative to traditional metal braces. Invisalign is simply a plastic clear aligner that slips over your teeth to wear for at least 22 hours a day. Each aligner is made to wear for about two weeks before you change to the next stage of aligner. You can take them off to brush, floss, eat, etc. so now no more white stained spotted teeth from where the metal bracket was. The great thing also about Invisalign is that in many cases it can correct your teeth faster then traditional braces. Since Invisalign is starting to become more popular the price is also being more affordable, most orthodontists are charging the same as traditional braces. So now you may be thinking what if my kid {or I} lose it, well with the plan you are given an allotted amount of extra aligners just in case this happens. Another worry is, since it’s clear will you be able to tell if your child has been wearing it? The answer is yes you will. There are two little blue dots on the aligner that will change color/fade over the course of the 2 weeks you wear the aligner. If the blue dot doesn’t change in color then that is a key player in knowing if your child has been being responsible or not. {To find a certified Invisalign provider be sure to visit the Invisalign doctor locator.}
After talking to my dentist, he agreed that Invisalign would be a great route for me to go to fix my teeth. So if all goes as planned I am planning on starting my very own Invisalign journey this fall and can’t wait to have straight teeth again! For more on Invisalign check them out on Facebook and Twitter.
What do you do with kid’s artwork from school & growing up? If you’re like my mom you keep it all in a big folder until your child is old enough to decide what to do with it. {haha} After years of pondering what to do with it I finally decided to use a promo code for a free photo book and capture it all in there. A. It would take up less space and B. There is a greater possibility more people would see it in a book rather then at the top of a closet shelf.
So keeping that idea in mind I took pictures of all my artwork, edited it, cropped it, etc. Since most were large pieces I couldn’t scan it however if you have lots of small pieces of flat art scanning would be perfect for you. After everything looked as close to the real thing I designed my book. That process was rather easy, since most of my work didn’t have dates I only added in the pictures {without descriptions} in as close to in order as I could. {One thing I would suggest is adding the year and a short description to each piece of art you keep so it is easier years down the road.} 
In about a weeks time I had my childhood artwork book in hand and I think it turned out wonderful. It’s such a great way to preserve all those great memories and one of a kind pieces! What do you do with your artwork from childhood or your own kids artwork?
First boil until pasta is al dente then drain off water.
Lastly add and mix in all other ingredients, chill then serve. Enjoy!
