Find 3 cards from a related holiday, such as Christmas. Tuck each card into mason jars of varying sizes; the cards should bend naturally to fit the curves of the jars. Place the jars together in a group on the table, then decorate the centerpiece with ribbons and cut branches.  Choose ribbons that match the colors of the cards, then tie them into bows around the necks of the jars. Cut some branches that match the season of the cards, such as cherry blossoms for Easter, bare branches for Halloween, and pine branches for Christmas. Use a large and medium-sized jars for vertically-oriented cards, and small mason jars for small or horizontally-oriented cards. This will allow the cards to fill the jars. Choose a card with a simple silhouette design on it, such as a red reindeer on a white background. Find a picture frame that is the same size as the card and goes well with the colors. Remove the back, put the card into the picture frame, then reinsert the back.  You can use an oval frame, just trace the backing onto the card, then cut the card out. If the card is too thick for the frame, you will need to cut the back of the card off. Cut a long piece of yarn or colored string, and tie a small loop in each end. Use the loops to hang the string from nails. Next, choose cards that go well together, and secure them to the string with wooden clothespins.  Choose cards from the same occasion, such as a birthday, wedding, or Christmas. Don't mix-and-match occasions, like a funeral and a baby shower. Lots of people like to hang garlands from doorways, but you can also hang them from walls, fireplace mantles, bannisters, windows, or even a Christmas tree! If this is for a Christmas decoration, use clothespins to secure Christmas cards to an evergreen garland. on a fireplace mantle or windowsill. Find a set of cards from the same holiday or event, such as a birthday, Christmas, or a wedding. Stand the cards up in a row on a mantle or windowsill, leaving an equal amount of space between them. Make your display more interesting by doing the following:  Include both large, small, and medium-sized cards. Use both horizontally-oriented and vertically-oriented cards. Add a garland that matches the season, such as evergreen for Christmas, or bare branches for Thanksgiving. Place some candles or small decorative ornaments between the cards. Make sure that the colors and themes match the cards. Agree with a friend to send the same greeting card back and forth each holiday season. Over the years, the card accumulates notes and becomes a memento, and it might just keep both of you in touch longer. Remember to write your name and the date next to each note or message so that you can keep track of who wrote what and when.

Summary: Tuck cards into mason jars to create a holiday centerpiece. Display simple silhouette cards in matching picture frames. Use clothespins to hang the cards from a string. Display the cards Create a tradition by sending the same card back-and-forth with a friend.


Going through the clothing you already have will help you take stock of what already fits your new style, and what key pieces you might still be missing. Donate clothes that no longer fit you, or clothes that you no longer want, and throw away any items irreparably damaged. Don’t feel pressured to cleanse your entire closet, or get rid items just because they don’t fit your new style. Fashion styles change all the time, and your personal fashion style will change too. Hold onto anything you think that you will miss wearing, even if it does not align with the look you are currently aiming for. You should be able to create an outfit that represents your style in a timely manner. Having a personal fashion style does not mean it should take you an hour to get dressed in the morning. Assemble outfits that you can easily change in and out of for gym class, or for your after school activities. If you don’t have gym class every day, save your more complex outfits for the off days, so you don’t feel rushed to get changed out. Visit your school website or ask a staff member at your school what the dress code regulations are. You most likely will not be able to wear any clothing that is revealing or distracting. There may also be specific widths for shirt straps, and lengths for shorts and skirts, that your clothing will have to meet as well. Find this information out, and bring a copy of it with you when you go shopping. If your school has a uniform, then know what alterations or personal touches you are allowed to add to the uniform. While it is important to stay true to yourself, you also need to be prepared to step out of your comfort zone. When you go out shopping, don’t shy away from differing colors, patterns, or prints. Sometimes, clothing looks a lot better on you than it does on the hanger. Challenge yourself to at least try different items on. Don’t be completely reliant on the scrapbook or online style board you created. Chances are you will not find those exact pieces. Use the collected images as a reference if you feel overwhelmed, but use your best judgment to pick out the clothing. Expensive labels and brands always seem to be fashionable. This does not mean they have to be part of your style. You can put together a stylish outfit in a thrift or department store, and still have money left over for accessories.  If you are interested in purchasing high end pieces, go to an off-the-rack version of the store or to a warehouse store that sells overstocked designer labels. At these places you will be able to find some of your favorite labels or brands at a fraction of the cost. Creating outfits from different stores will also help you develop your own style, rather than just copying one a certain brand or label has put together.

Summary: Clean out your closet. Think about your daily or school routine when purchasing clothes. Know your school dress code before you go shopping. Step out of your comfort zone when purchasing new clothing. Don’t limit yourself or break your budget by shopping for labels.


Polarized filters are like putting polarized sunglasses on your camera. Minimizing reflections may enhance your photos by reducing glare and changing the hue of the body of water. Polarized filters can be turned, or rotated by hand, which changes the polarization effect on your camera lens. When using a photography filter to take a picture of the sky, you can rotate the polarized filter to change the hue or block out fog or haze. For instance, when using filters in photography, you can make the leaves on trees stand out by turning the polarized filter until the leaves appear greener. Your view through the camera lens is the image that is projected onto the film or electronic sensor. For example, when taking a photo of a metallic object, your polarized filter may change the appearance of the reflections, just as polarized sunglasses do.
Summary: Use polarized lens filters to minimize reflections on water. Apply your polarized filter to take pictures of the sky. Attach your polarized filter to your lens to make the colors of your subject more vibrant. Utilize your polarized filter to cut out reflections and glare.