*Movie Filter*

One word for you: ClearPlay. The greatest movie filter since TV-Guardian! This has been one of the best purchases we've made when it comes to entertainment. Instead of being appalled when you try to watch a movie, you can now breathe easily. So, if you're wondering what it does, keep reading!

ClearPlay is actually a dvd player that has a USB port for the filter stick. (A little gadget that plugs into the player.) What it does, (besides giving you peace of mind), is filters bad language, immoral scenes, and heavy violence. There are different levels that you can choose from in your settings panel which controls how much or how little you want to see. It's great!!

Regardless, ClearPlay has been great, and a nice addition to our movie time!

Check out their website below

http://www.clearplay.com/

*Gum*

So...it's not mouthwash, it's not toothpaste, it's not mouth spray....it's...it's...Cobalt 5 gum!! This is some of the longest lasting breath freshener there is!! Go ahead, buy a pack when you go through the Wal*Mart checkout and experience it for yourself!

*Cute Blog Template Sites*

If you're like me, you're always on the lookout for websites that carry cute blog templates! When I first began blogging I used a site that had several different backgrounds to choose from. However, I quit using them and soon utilized another site's designs. Below are just some of the good ones that I have found that I like. If there are any others that you could recommend - please leave a comment and let me know!

The Cutest Blog on the Block ~ They have a large variety of blogger backgrounds, banners, fun gadgets and even a "Blog Secrets" section where you can get information to help you with your blog. At present they are in the process of designing templates for Blogger and Wordpress. (I'm not really sure what the difference is between a background and a template...so, you're on your own there!) Also, they carry designs for Twitter! One other nice feature is that they are pretty decent about updating their site with *new* backgrounds. Enjoy!

Aqua Poppy Designs ~ This site has a TON of templates!! If you are patient with the site you'll be able to find some fun designs. The reason I mention patience is because they have so many designs listed on one page, so they may take awhile to show up. (It can also depend on your Internet connection!)

Hot Bliggity Blog ~ If you look up in the upper left hand corner of my other blog, Lacey's Corner, you'll notice that I'm presntly using one of their wallpapers! I do have to warn you, though, because sometimes they don't look quite as good on a full screen as the sample shows. So, you just may have to test it out and see. But, they do have some fun designs!

Shabby Blogs ~ Before I start typing my write-up, I do have to say that I've never actually used one of their templates. I just haven't chosen one of them. Plus, it looks like they're set up a little differently than the above mentioned sites. If you decide to use them you'll have to leave a comment and let me know what you thought. I have used one of their blinkies on my other blog and it was totally easy to use! One of the features I like about Shabby Blogs is that they offer free banners, too!

As I said before, if there are any other good, clean, pretty, and safe blogging background websites you've discovered, please let me know!

*Magazine*

Here is a treat for you! My mom just purchased this magazine last week and we both liked it. Besides recipes, there are also some cute and inexpensive decorating ideas. Sandra Lee incorporates half prepared and half scratch ingredients in her cooking, hence the name "semi-homemade". Check it out sometime!

*Fashion*

Oh...I have another little gem for you. Have you ever heard of J. Marco? I first came across their site a few years ago. But, although they had cute clothing, their prices were a little high. However, they are having a great sale on their website right now. Even though I haven't ever purchased any clothes or accessories from them, (so I can't tell you how they fit or what the quality is like), they have some cute stuff! They can be pricey, so it's a great time to take advantage of their sales.

Happy shopping!

*Desserts*

Okay, if you're a fan of chocolate like I am, then I have something sweet to tell you about. Hershey's. Yeah, yeah, yeah, who hasn't heard about them? BUT, I receive their e-mails regularly, filled with some tasty looking recipes. It's totally free to get their recipes, so check it out and get some new treat ideas delivered right to your inbox!

*Cleaner*

Not only is this baking staple perfect for all your little goodies and volcanoes, but it's also good for something else...stains! That's right! If, while wiping down your kitchen counter and discover a stain that just won't budge with your sponge, use baking soda. All you do is put a little water on the stain, sprinkle a little baking soda on top, and slowly rub the stain. If it doesn't disappear right away, keep rubbing. I won't claim that it takes away every stain, but it does work great for most counter stains! Give it a try sometime!

*Picture Development*

Recently, our family got a lot of pictures developed, including our family snapshot for the Christmas newsletter this year. So, we sent our pictures to an online store called MyPhotoPipe for development. Within a very short time, our order was processed and shipped to our door! We were very pleased with the quality and so I am recommending them to you. I am not certain as to the pricing. We had ordered a few bigger sizes--which always adds! But, if you would like to develop pictures from the comfort of your own home, then I would recommend going to PhotoPipe.

*Internet*

Wow, it's been quite a long time since I've showcased any gems from my treasure box! But, I'm finally here and displaying a certain treasure you may never have seen.

Have you ever just come in on a radio program and wanted to go back and listen to the entire broadcast? Maybe you enjoy listening to Adventures In Odyssey while you work on the computer. Well, OnePlace.com has that--and more! Oneplace.com is a Christian owned company dedicated to bringing you programs and devotionals, as well as supplying you with MP3's for download. (They even have select MP3's for free!) Check it out sometime!

*Fireproof*

It's the newly-released film so many people are talking about. A great movie! My family and I viewed this film over the weekend and I must say that Fireproof is excellent!!! A perfect movie for the entire family. We really enjoyed this and I can truly recommend it!

*Daily Devotionals*

I've known about this treasure for at least two years and have really enjoyed it! You may have heard of Dr. Woodrow Kroll and his ministry Back to the Bible. He has a daily radio program which our family has listened to for years. If you go to their website, www.backtothebible.com, you can sign up to receive daily devotionals directly to your e-mail. Right now, we receive, "Early in the Morning" by Dr. Kroll, "Streams in the Desert" by Mrs. Charles Cowman (highly recommended!), and Elisabeth Elliot's devotionals from some of her books. There are some others as well, but these are just the ones that we receive. I particularly enjoy "Streams in the Desert" and have often posted their "food" on my other blog.

It's totally free and you can unsubscribe at any time.

The Most Funnest!!

Alright, I have definitely found a treasure for my fellow bloggers! At least, it's new to me! While looking at some things on The Cutest Blog On The Block's website, I realized they offer some helpful tips to us bloggers. If you've visited this site, perhaps you already found this, but I wanted to share it on The Treasure Trove.

Have you ever wanted a color for your blog other than the ones which Blogger already offers? Well, your desire is about to become a reality! First, go to the website which I just mentioned, then, click on "Blog Secrets". After you've scrolled down, it will educate you on how to get colors to match your blog. It's REALLY simple! You'll also be thrilled to find "how-to's" there as well.

Enjoy!!

*Clip-Art*

Today, while rummaging through my treasure chest, looking for something to help dress up my blog's title box, I found something that will be so helpful to me! In the past I have looked for royalty free clip-art to use. Well, I just happened to come across this website today.

CoolClips offers a wide variety of clip art and animations that you can use for whatever you'd like as well as power point presentations. I liked the fact that they suggested using it for kids' projects, too. I also like the option of REAL pictures! *smile*

*Clothing!*

As I open up my treasure chest, I place inside four treasures, today. Since modest wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses seem to be a rare gem these days, I thought I would tell you all about these websites which carry a good variety of dresses that are modest.

The first one is: Eternity Gowns My sister-in-law picked out her bridesmaid dresses from here. They were both modest and fashionable. Although you can't order online (as far as I'm aware) you can use their store locater for a listing of stores in your area that carry this line of dresses. Also, not only do they carry wedding & bridesmaid dresses, but also prom dresses.

Our second gem is: Beautifully Modest They have several very modest dresses at fairly reasonable prices.

Our third gem is: Jasmine Bridal I had never come across a company who actually modified the wedding dress for you. Some friends recently used Jasmine Bridal for their daughter's wedding dress. Make sure you click on "Temple Ready".

The last of my treasures is called: Latter Day Bride They carry an assortment of wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, bridal accessories, and prom dresses. The prom dresses were a little pricey, so keep that in mind.

Just beginning...

Welcome and thanks for stopping by! The Treasure Trove is designed to recommend and inform you about different treasures I have found and highlight them right here so that you can know about them too. Whether it be modest clothing & accessories, cosmetics, home decor, gift ideas, books, magazines, music, movies, food, restaurants, places to visit, or stores to meander through, I hope you will come to discover your own personal treasures, too!

Come by again!

~Lacey