Water is essential to life and the average person can’t live more than three days without it. Most people in the US have water piped into their homes either from a municipal system or a well, which is treated and sanitized. But each year people have growing concerns about just how clean or water really is, and many are filtering their water for extra security.
You can find water filtration pitchers and faucet-mount systems in the water section of most major grocery stores. And while these systems work well, there are several reasons why a whole house water system might be a better option.
Accessibility:
The pitcher and faucet-mount systems are only accessible in one area of your home, like your kitchen. Since most people only think of filtered water in terms of drinking water safety, or how the water might affect the flavor of their recipes and beverages, this might not seem like a big deal.
But water filtration systems do more than just filter the stuff that might make us sick, or make our water taste bad, they also filter sediments and rust that can stain fixtures and clothing.
A whole house system makes filtered water available anywhere that you have a faucet, which means you can use it for bathing, brushing your teeth, and laundry. You can also run filtered water through your refrigerator water and ice dispenser.
Protect Your Fixtures:
Because whole home systems filter rust sediments, you actually protect your fixtures and hardware from water-related wear and tear. You’ll have fewer rust stains on your porcelain finishes, and less hard-water deposits on your faucets, or clogging your shower heads.
Ease of Installation:
Whole house systems install easily on your house water line, which means you don’t have to take apart the faucet, find washers that fit, or worry leaks around the fittings. A technician can install the system, and have you up in running in less than an hour.
Ease of Use:
Simply turn the faucet and you have filtered water – no need to fill a pitcher or flip a switch.
High Capacity:
The filters for whole house systems are more expensive than the faucet mount or pitcher systems, but they also have a much higher capacity. This means you can run more water through the filter before you have to replace it, which ultimately saves you money.
Whole house filters are usually available at home improvement stores, or in the hardware/home improvement section of some department stores. You can also purchase them directly from the manufacturer.
You can purchase whole house water systems at home improvement stores, and places that specialize in plumbing supplies and fixtures. You can also contact a plumber or heating and cooling company that specializes in water filtration systems. Although it is possible for a lay person to install one of these systems himself, a professional installation will ensure the best results.
If you are concerned about your family’s health, or simply want better quality water, consider a whole house water system!
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CB2 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
I love the HGTV shows that help you spruce up your home on a small budget. Those fabulous designers can take a plain room and make it pop with just one color piece.
The CB2 family is excited to partner on their latest furniture collection with husband-and-wife design duo Robert and Cortney Novogratz. This design team offers bold, colorful style as seen on their popular TV home design shows. Their eye is playful, their mix of modern with vintage is fresh and unpredictable.
Their latest CB2 and Novogratz Collection debuted at the beginning of this month and was inspired by their vacation home in Brazil. It features pops of hot color mixed into warm wood, as well as range of items and price points, from the whimsical Luli Table Lamp at $129, to the sophisticated, modern Dupla Credenza at $499.
I love how each piece is full of vibrant color. I could imagine a piece like this in a solid white painted room or a room that has tan walls. This chair could definitely give an amazing blast of color into a rather drab or dull room.
Enter the CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes
You and 3 friends could win the trip of a lifetime! Win a one week stay at the vacation home of CB2 collaborators Bob and Courtney Novogratz in beautiful Trancoso, Brazil. You can enter the CB2 and Novogratz Brasil Sweepstakes by visiting their Facebook page.
10 other lucky winners will receive a CB2 giftcard worth $100 along with a personally signed copy of the book “Home by Novogratz”.
This giveaway ends June 3rd, so be sure and visit to get your entry in. Follow CB2 on their social media channels for more updates on the Brasil trip of a lifetime
-Twitter: @CB2Tweets
-Pinterest: CB2
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cb2
There are 4 people in our house that take daily showers. Almost everyone of us are shower lingerers — you know the kind that takes a 30 minute shower. I will admit, I am the head honcho of that clan. I like my long, extremely hot showers better than anyone. That was until I got my $65 water bill, and almost had a heart attack. Since then, the family and I have worked together to find ways to reduce our shower time, and yet still make it enjoyable.
6 Tips to Reduce Your Shower Time and Still Make it Enjoyable
- Hot Water vs Warm Water: Running the water on extreme hot is not good for you for two reasons. 1) having the hot water makes you linger longer in the shower. I am the world’s worst about this because I am cold nature, so I stand under the water to get warm for at least 6-7 minutes before I even begin showering. 2) Extremely hot water is not good on your skin. It’s best to use a slightly warm water, or better yet, go cold if you can handle it. This way — you will speed your shower up to get done quickly.
- Washing your hair: If you are washing your hair, do this immediately when you get in the shower. Shampooing first, so you can then put the conditioner on. It can stay on your hair while you wash the rest of your body. Just don’t forget to wash it out when you are done (been there — done that a few times)
- Mood Music and Candles: Taking a shower while music is playing helps me mellow out and gets me in the right frame of mind. A shower is supposed to help wash away the day, so by playing the right music for yourself, and creating the right lighting with candles, you can really get yourself in shower mode. If you want to calm down, play something slow and languid; if you are prepping for a night on the town, put on an upbeat record and witness the power of music to transform your mood.
- Set a timer: For my son, I am definitely going to do this because he takes even longer showers than me! The minute you turn the water on, set the timer. When it goes off, you should be done so get out — don’t linger!
- Don’t Zone Out: If you have had a bad day or just a rough one, sometimes the place where we think about everything that transpired is in the shower. Don’t allow yourself to do that. Your shower is a time when you get to really unwind and just wash off the stresses of the day. Don’t go back over everything that happened. Wait until you have finished and gotten out and dressed before you actually do that.
- Enjoy the moment: The best thing that I can do for myself is enjoy the time when I am in the shower. You should do the same. Sing to yourself, pray, seek God — whatever it is that you want to do that will bring you enjoyment — just do it!
Spring Smells Can Also Bring Enjoyment
One thing that really brings me enjoyment when I take a shower is really good smelling body soap. Softsoap recently introduced two new scents for Springtime — Forever Springtime and Lemonade Berry Splash.
Both body washes are infused with fresh scents and moisture rich formulas to provide the body and mind with a much needed spring awakening. These two new variants are limited edition body washes and will be sold only at Walmart from now until May. They’re the perfect complement to the spring season.
My favorite of the two is the Lemonade Berry Splash. The smell is just so revitalizing. As soon as I step in the shower and I grab my body soap, I take in the scent and let it really awaken my senses.
If you want to really make your shower time more enjoyable, head to your local WalMart and grab a bottle of each of the new scents from Softsoap.
Which scent would you like to try?
I was sent product to review in exchange for my post. All opinions listed are my own.
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Biz Stain Fighter for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
My family and I are THE world’s worst about getting stains on our clothes. These are not just your everyday run of the mill stains. I’m talking like oil, blood, grease, kitchen splatter — you name it, and it is on our clothing. It is so hard keeping clothing looking nice when everyone stains it.
Removing stains can be very tricky, but if done correctly, then you won’t have to worry about your brand new clothing looking like it’s several years old.
5 Common Laundry Stains and How to Remove Them
Red Sauces
One of the most common stains is a red sauce like ketchup. To remove ketchup and other red sauces, you have to scrape the stain as much as possible, followed by immediately soaking it in cold water for 30 minutes, then washing it with detergent. Depending on the fabric, you can use warm water and bleach to thoroughly remove the stain.
Mud
In order to remove mud stains, the first thing you have to do is remove the excess wet mud and then let it dry first. After the mud in your cloth has dried, soak the clothing in one quart of warm water with 1/2 tsp. of detergent and a 1 tbsp. of vinegar for 15 minutes. The mud will then start loosening itself from the clothing.
Deodorant Stains
Deodorant can cause discoloration and can make your clothing icky. You need to apply ammonia and rinse the fabric thoroughly ( be sure to do this in a well ventilated area). If it has already stained your cloth, applying white vinegar before washing the cloth is recommended.
Grease Splatter
I cook a lot so I am always getting grease on my clothes. I use stain removers to soak it before washing it, which does a great job removing it. I also scrub it into the fabric to loosen it from the fabric in the cross sections.
Marker Stains
Homeschooling has its great advantages, like taking our time working on projects. However, when my daughter is being artisitc, she pretty muchs gets marker everwhere. Soaking the fabric in vingegar and then scrubbing with dish soap usually will loosen the stain enough to remove it from the clothing through your regular wash.
While these helpful homemade tips remove most stains, sometimes there are those really agressive stubborn ones that need help. Biz Stain Fighter is a laundry booster to help remove those pesky stains. Biz powder is also a multi-purpose cleaner for many cleaning tasks around the house.
There is a $1 Biz coupon available to all of you while supplies last. Locate a store near you that carries Biz: http://www.bizstainfighter.com/buy-now.
You can also like Biz on Facebook and follow @BizStainFighter on Twitter so you can stay up to date on new products, coupons, and more.
March is now here and with that comes lots of Spring Cleaning — well, in my book it does. I will be moving to a new home again soon so I have more than my share of cleaning to do. When that happens, I like to create a list of what I need to clean as well as delegate who will be cleaning what.
I found some really great resources online that have already been compiled that deal with Spring Cleaning your home. These come from my favorite bloggers on the Internet, who are trusted and really know what they are doing. I use their tips and tricks all the time.
Here is my extensive Spring Cleaning List for each room of the house:
Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks
- Martha Stewart has a great printable that I have used for a while now that helps with cleaning your home for the Spring. You can download it here: Martha Stewart’s Spring Cleaning List
- Hillbilly Housewife has a 25 page ebook on deep cleaning your home for the Spring. It’s a free resource that she has written filled with lots of great ideas.
- The Imperfect Homemaker has a great checklist as well. Her site is wonderful and offers lots of tips on how to care and clean your home.
- TipNut offers an extensive list of Spring Cleaning tips — even in places you never thought to clean before!
- One Good Thing By Jillie has tons and tons of homemade cleaning supplies that you will never have to buy store bought again. Search her site and you will see what I mean.
What tools Will I Need?
If you are really going to spring clean your home, you need to make sure you have all the right tools and cleaning supplies on hand. Here is a list that I keep in my home to make sure I am always ready to deep clean something.
- Microfiber Cloths (for general and intricate dusting)
- Vacuum Cleaner Dusting Attachment (for high ceilings, walls, corners)
- Dusting Spray and/or Furniture Polish
- Trash cans (for every room or area in the house)
- Trash can liners (these can be reused grocery sacks, or store bought liners)
- Baking Soda
- Recycling Bins(labeled for easy sorting)
- All-Purpose Cleaner
- Kitchen Cleaner or Wipes
- Bathroom Cleaner or Wipes
- Sponges, Paper Towels, Cleaning Cloths
- Scrubbers
- Gloves
Specialty Cleaners you might need:
- Oven Cleaner
- Stone Cleaner
- Dish Soap
- Dish Detergent
- Wood Polish
- Upholstery Spot Remover
- Leather Cleaner
- Laundry Soap
- Laundry Stain Remover
- Laundry Additives
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Soft Scrubbing Cleaner
- Air Freshener
- Glass Cleaner
- Bleach
- Silver or Metal Polish
Now that you have a huge list of ways to spring clean as well as what you need, there is nothing stopping you from getting your home sparkling, fresh smelling, and clean! Say buh-bye winter and hello to sunshine and warmth!! 
What is your best Spring Cleaning tip?
Often neglected or forgotten, some attics are just waiting for a makeover. If you’ve seen DIY shows about using unused places in homes and making them functional living spaces, then you know the value of this post! That space is a gold mine, so use it the best way you can and transform the cluttered mess into an unforgettable bedroom. Here are a few tips on turning an awkward attic into an amazing cozy bedroom.
Cozy Cottage
You will have pleasant dreams in this bedroom, where harmonizing colors, cozy furniture, and florals envelop the room. For this style, it’s OK to mix and match different pieces and colors. Pair an iron bed with layers of bedding, pillows and blankets. You can create beautiful window displays with window blinds, as well as using curtains. Place a small green side table near the bed with a stripped rug beside it. Perhaps you would rather use a bright red and floral oversized chair to accent the pretty, pastel floral bedding. Accent the walls with a large, round mirror and a few pieces of your favorite artwork.
Fit For a Queen
For a seamless look, apply wall paper to the walls and ceiling. Use a crystal chandelier for lighting and decorate the space with hues of pinks, grays and creams. Turn a side of the bedroom into a sitting room complete with a couch, table and a couple large chairs. Decorate the space with fresh flowers, decorative pillows and French artwork in gold frames. If you’re unsure about what to do with the windows, use pinch pleated drapes, which will add sophistication and a queenly vibe.
Elegance
Drapes. Four-poster bed. Silk bedding. Fine carpet. Need I say more? To add extra elegant flair, opt for a crystal chandelier and flowing drapes. Accent the room with luxurious furniture, floor lamps and crown molding for the baseboards and ceiling.
Nautical
Whitewashed paneling, red and blue bedding, a ship’s wheel, paddles, seashells and roped furniture — everything you need for a nautical-themed room. Since attic ceilings are low, it will be easy to paint a compass on top, so even when you’re lying down you know what direction you are; very important for a mariner.
If the room is for a child, you can have fun with this theme: paint sailboats and an ocean on the walls, decorate the room with lighthouse artwork, a rocking chair and seashell pillows.
Crisp and Clean
For a natural bedroom, use burlap, whites, linens and crisp and clean colors (robin’s egg blue or sea foam green). If there are no windows, you can easily install one: just take a trip to the hardware store and select a style and size.
For a fresh perspective, place wood paneling on the ceiling. You can opt to stain the wood a darker color, or chose one that’s light in color, which will go great with the white linens.
Now that you have some ideas on creating a cozy bedroom in your unused attic space, which idea will you try first? Which one best suits you?
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CLR and CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
The Fly Lady is one of my favorite household names. She will forever be remembered as the woman who helps you shine your sink. Her tips are great and I use them frequently, but my go to item that really helps me get my sink spotless is CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner.
CLR Bath and Kitchen Cleaner tips for cleaning your sink
- Take all the dishes out of the sink.
- Spray your sinks down with CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner.
- Rinse your sink well.
- Take a sharp edge, such as a butter knife, and clean around the rim of the sink, just like you would clean dirt out from under your fingernails.
- Clean around the faucets. You may need an old toothbrush or dental floss (spraying with CLR first will loosen up the dirt and grime and make it easier to scrub off)
About CLR Cleaner
CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner is a little gift from the mom-gurus! It works on all the tough spots – so you don’t have to – and gives you a little extra time to do what YOU want to do during your day!
This cleaner is wonderful and does all of the following:
- Fast acting and powerful
- Cleans quickly and effectively
- Makes short work of stubborn dirt, calcium, lime, hard water stains and soap scum
- Has the Environmental Protection Agency’s “DfE” (Design for the Environment” designation, meaning its safer chemistry is not harmful to everyone in your home.
Be sure to follow CLR brands on Twitter (@clrcleaners) and watch for specials, coupons, and cleaning tips.
What would you start cleaning first at your home?
A clean, organized, and restful home is only 5 days away.
If you’ve picked up this book, you want to reduce the clutter in your home, organize what’s left, and keep it that way. But does the sheer scope of the project give you an anxiety attack? Don’t let fear stop you! Organizing and time management experts Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims show you how, with the right game plan and a healthy dose of adrenaline, you’re just 5 days from your goal.
With their proven team-based approach, even the most overwhelming de-cluttering job becomes doable. Section one shows you how to de-clutter, with each day of the week focused on one reachable goal. Section two shows you how to cultivate time-tested habits that keep your house in the clean, well-ordered state you’ve just achieved. You’ll even learn how to deal with common obstacles such as
- •filing
- storage needs
- health issues
- space restrictions
- the car
- even family sabotage!
So what are you waiting for? The home of your dreams is just a week away.
Jen’s Thoughts:
This book has divided the house up into areas, such as foot to knee, knee to waist, waist to neck, and neck to head (including up to the ceiling.) Then you go through and pick up the clutter in each of those areas, dividing them up into boxes. Such as stuff to possibly throw away, stuff to possibly donate, stuff to move to another room, etc. Then leave the boxes full of the stuff there until the house is uncluttered and you have time to deal with it.
One thing I like about this book is that they begin by stating the positive aspects of people who tend to be disorganized. It’s not shameful or calling you a hoarder, but helps you see things in a new light.
It is so motivational in helping you see that living clutter-free is for you! It gets rid of your excuses to hold onto things “just in case,” or “because I might need it someday.” It takes you from start to finish in making your home function smoothly, and be much more beautiful!
About the authors
Sandra Felton
Sandra Felton, The Organizer Lady, is a pioneer in the field of organizing. She is the founder and president of Messies Anonymous and the author of many books including Organizing Magic. Sandra lives in Florida.
Continue reading about Sandra Felton
Marsha Sims
Marsha Sims is a national speaker who has taught seminars on time management and organization, managing the front desk, and projects and priorities. She has been a professional organizer for fifteen years as the founder and president of her Miami-based…
Continue reading about Marsha Sims
I received a copy of this book in order to write my review. All opinions listed are my own.
I am a very frugal person. I cannot stand to spend money on something that I know I can make very inexpensively at home. One of those things is Febreze. It is so stinking expensive, but I love the smell of it. Recently though, I discovered — thanks to the help of Pinterest — how to make Homemade Febreze.
Between the dog, the smelly work clothes, and cooking all the time — there are always different scents in my home, but to be honest, I love a home that smells clean. I don’t want to smell fried chicken or bodily smells that come from the back end (if you know what I mean), so I am constantly going around spraying this everywhere.
How to Make Homemade Febreze
What You Need:
- 2 cups warm water
- 1/4 cup liquid fabric softener
- 1 tsp. baking soda
Simply mix these three ingredients together in a spray bottle (I just used an old Febreze bottle that I had on hand), shake well, and start spraying! The great part about this recipe (aside from how well it works and how much money you can save) is that the scent isn’t terribly strong or overpowering. Our home smells like clean laundry for a short time, then the scent quickly dissipates taking any bad smells with it!
What DIY and homemade products have you recently made?
Pin It
Discovering home movies from one’s childhood can be a joyous surprise that soon fizzles out do to the lack of a projector to play those old reels. That is until one takes advantage of the high-quality service available from Scan Digital.
Scan Digital specializes in transforming old movie reels into digital copies that can be enjoyed on any modern device. Their experts restore and transfer 8mm film to a DVD or hard drive with the highest quality output you can expect.
What sets Scan Digital apart from the competition is their superior restoration and cataloging techniques. The company prides themselves on not just scanning, but on restoring old movies to their original quality to be enjoyed digitally by an entirely new generation.
From professional film preparation to expert editing, Scan Digital does everything to ensure old films are not only digitally viewable but easily enjoyed as well. The pricing at Scan Digital is extremely competitive and the quality is top-grade.
Scan Digital is the leader in the film to digital market, with years of satisfied customers to prove it. You can trust Scan Digital with your precious old movies, and allow their experts to bring those films back to life.
When it comes to artificial-substance free, organic cleaning services, there aren’t many choices available. Most companies don’t have the foresight to perfect organic cleaning techniques that are friendly to the environment. That’s why it’s so refreshing to see one finally enter the carpet cleaning scene– Green Choice Carpet.
Green Choice Carpet is new to NYC but already making its mark, as a green alternative to traditional carpet cleaning. There are some drawbacks to selecting Green Choice, but for the most part the benefits outweigh the costs, and organic cleaning is always a good option regardless.
One major advantage of Green Choice is same-day service. Instead of waiting days for your service, you get your cleaning on the same day that you call. This is especially useful for busy NYC residents like myself who need to schedule all cleaning services tightly.
The other major attraction of this service, of course, is the set of organic cleaning compounds used in cleaning your rug. Instead of using toxic arrays of chemicals and cleaners, Green Choice uses specially prepared unique organic cleaners to flush toxins and dirt out of a carpet.
Now that this environmentally safe and earth-friendly option is available, other companies are going to need to step up their green policies to match Green Choice. Select this cleaning service if you absolutely need a toxin-free, organic cleaning solution to a stained or dirty carpet.
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Havertys Furniture for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
My house has an extra room that was built on to the house. We basically have just thrown things in there at the moment without even thinking of a scheme, but the more entertaining we do, I realize I need to fix it up and make it the room I know it can be. Thankfully, Havertys: Discover Something You is going to help me do just that!
I decided to travel to Nashville to visit the Havertys store so I could get a first hand look at how they had their family room prepared and to gather tips on what items would best benefit the room I was trying to create.
Items needed to create the perfect family room
- Lined curtains are the first key. To avoid glare, use panels you can slide closed.
- Seating is also a key element in this space. A gorgeous sectional in a room the size we are creating looked like the perfect fit! Havertys suggest using their functional styles of Bentley or Visions.
- Color Scheme is very important. Create a movie-night-worthy space with a warm color palette. Your TV, DVR, DVD player, surround sound system and game consoles are most likely grey, black or silver. To offset the tones of technology, surround them with colors in the red, orange or yellow families to create an inviting glow.
- The right entertainment system: To really set the stage for an entertainment room, where there’s no question that the focal point is the TV, an entertainment wall like our PANAMA WALL is a sophisticated choice with a merlot finish and crown molding. This look will define the space and provide subtle storage and chic display with glass shelves and an adjustable light bridge.With DVD pull-out trays, door cabinets and drawers, this piece should hold your family’s movie collection and then some.
- Accessories and accent pieces: Add interest without being distracting with copper details like an accent bowl For the finishing touch, don’t forget a few throws and extra accent pillows to cuddle up with.The Faux Fur Collection is a great place to start!
Havertys can help you get your inspiration on!
On December 1st, visit a Havertys store near you for an Inspiration session on Design. Space is limited so you will want to check it out as quick as possible. During the session you will learn how to transform your space in seconds with pieces that make an impact.
Havertys inspiring design tools, seasoned staff and 125 years of experience will help translate your unique vision into spaces that takes your breath away.
With over 100 locations across 17 states, Havertys has created monthly Inspiration Session to provide you with the latest tips and advice on styling your space straight from our top design experts. Discover thousands of products and customizable options bringing your vision to life.
You can shop with confidence at Havertys because they guarantee the excellent quality, prices, and services that J.J. Haverty founded the company with over 125 years ago.
Havertys has a 97% satisfaction rating for the entire experience (from buying to delivery).
Which Havertys piece would you like to have to grace your home with?
Over the last couple of days I have discovered something about myself. If I put my mind to the things I want to accomplish, I can get them done. Imagine that? There are a few things that I have been doing to help me get better organized in the morning. I share them in the video below.
What tips do you have for creating a more organized morning in your home? I would love to hear them!
Transforming a plain bathroom into a relaxing oasis of beauty does not have to be expensive, nor does the remodeling process have to be inconvenient for everyone living in the home. In fact, updating a bathroom is relatively simple due to its small size. The small size of a bathroom can be a blessing or a curse as it can either be streamlined and modern at best or cramped and cluttered at worst.
In order to give a bathroom an updated look while still remaining functional, there are a few important areas that should be paid attention to when planning for remodeling:
Create the Illusion of Space
Between accessories, grooming products and the bathroom fixtures, a bathroom can quickly become cluttered. This does nothing to enhance the relaxing effect that a bathroom should have on a resident or houseguest. Therefore, a large mirror can be hung to create the illusion of space. There should also be enough storage available for items to be stashed out of sight. A bathroom vanity with matching linen cabinets is essential for creating a streamlined look that also offers the functionality of storage. By ensuring that the cabinets and vanity are in the same color, the continuous lines of the furniture will make the bathroom look much more expansive.
Keep It Neutral
Neutral colors do not necessarily mean boring. In fact, by designing a bathroom with neutral floors, tiles and fixtures, then accessories can be used to provide a splash of color. Neutral colors such as silver, natural wood and white can give a classy look to a bathroom while also enhancing the spa-like appeal to the senses. Some popular ideas for keeping a bathroom neutral include natural wood cabinets, frosted glass shower doors and white or gray marbled tile for the shower walls.
Decorate with Taste
If crocheted toilet paper cozies are your thing, then go ahead and use them sparingly. However, keeping decorations in the bathroom simple is ideal for creating a tranquil space. Black framed art prints in nature themes are a great way to blend décor in with the neutral textiles. Including a small plant is also a great way to let nature inside. Making sure that there is lighting is also important. Sheer curtains can be hung from an outside window to let in natural light or lighting fixtures can be installed to ensure that the bathroom has a bright and cheerful glow.
Remodeling a bathroom can be one of the most exciting types of home repairs that a person can do to enhance their home’s value and functionality. The small space of a bathroom makes planning for decorating simple and exciting as even the smallest of adjustments can create major changes for a bathroom’s overall look. By creating usable space, using neutral colors and carefully choosing decorations for the bathroom, anyone can turn a drab area into a special space for relaxing that everyone can appreciate.
Summertime is a time for making memories, right? Why not let Coca Cola and Wal Mart help you do that?
Source: mycokerewards.com via Jennifer on Pinterest
WalMart and Coca Cola have teamed up to bring you a summer to remember! If you follow me on Pinterest, you have definitely seen all my pins I have been pinning for summer family party needs. If you are looking for ideas, check out my board!
Get 28 4×6 prints FREE!
Beginning July 9th, Coca-Cola and Walmart are offering 28 free 4×6 prints at Walmart’s Photo Center with any Coca-Cola 28 pack purchase at the store. Plus, you can unlock exclusive rewards when you enter the code on the pack at MCR.com/Walmart.
How to claim your free photos:
Go to mycokerewards.com/summer for complete details. Enter your my Coke Rewards code from the 28 pack to redeem free prints. The code is located right inside the shrink wrap! See package bottom for code and more info. Open to My Coke rewards members who are legal residents of the 50 US States and DC age 13 or older. Keyword expires 9/30/12. Limit one per My Coke Rewards member. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer, and is only while supplies last. This offer is only available with your Coke 28 pack MCR code. Additionally, the free prints from Walmart will be available online through 9/30/12.
Like WalMart on Facebook.
Compensation was provided by The Coca-Cola Company. The Coca-Cola Company is not a sponsor, administrator or connected in any other way. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of The Coca-Cola Company.”
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whitney Farms for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Kayla and I have been playing around with gardens for a couple of years now. The first year we gardened, we just threw our seeds out without any organic plant food and we wound up with just a few plants. The next year, we took more care with our garden and tried to add organic soil into the garden. What happened after that was amazing! Our plants really took off and we wound up with some of the most beautiful of all the plants we have ever grown, with an abundance of fruit.
Whitney Farms® is a maker of organic plant food for your vegetable garden. What you feed your plants is important, because later down the road, you will be eating that as well. Who wants to eat chemicals anyway, right?
Whitney Farms® has 25+ years of leading gardening experience and has improved their products to have:
-low to no dust
-no manure odor
-easy to apply
-Contains beneficial microbes
-Specially designed protein-based blends provide your plants with
both macro and micronutrients they need to grow and thrive
I have noticed that when you feed your plants the correct food, they do thrive better than with just plain old conventional plant food. Think of your own body — do you want to feed yourself harsh chemicals and toxins?
I didn't think so.
Right now, you can try out Whitney Farms with a $3 coupon!!
So what will you use to grow your best garden this year?
I hate my bathroom mirrors. There. I said it. In fact, they are the ugliest things I have ever seen! It’s just basically a piece of glass hanging on the wall that looks like a mirror.
I think I just need a whole new bathroom.
I cannot stand when things don’t match either. I have gold bathroom ceiling lighting and silver bathroom mirrors in BOTH of our bathrooms. It honestly looks like a hot mess. I’m thinking of redoing it and going with these matching pieces I found at Home Depot.
Do you think that the light fixture above will go with this mirror? I really like both a whole lot!
What about you? Do you have any ideas or tips for matching sets that will look good with a deeper yellow paint color?
My house has just been so dusty this year and closed up due to the winter months. But now that winter is over and Spring has arrived, I am SO ready to throw open my windows and get everything in my home cleaned. I do use a few products from the store that help me get that spring cleaning smell and feeling going through each and every area of my home.
For instance:
I clean all my mini blinds using a Swiffer Duster.
It gets all the dirt out without me having to take them outside and spray them down with water (which is what I used to do). Since the Swiffer catches all the dust particles, it does a great job cleaning those blinds. These are also great for cleaning ceiling fan blades. I don’t know about yours, but mine catch a WORLD of dirt. Using a Swiffer duster helps me catch all the dust particles without dropping any on the floor.
Swiffer Dusters are perfect for trapping and locking dust on any surface in the home, whether it be on counter tops or tight spaces. The Dusters have trapping and locking fibers to provide a complete clean more thoroughly than a dry dust cloth. Also available are Swiffer Dusters Extenders, which extend up to three feet and are perfect on angled surfaces such ceiling fans, wood furniture, cabinet corners, baseboards and crown molding. The extendable handle also has a pivoting head that can be adjusted and locked into four different positions to reach high and low places.
Another product I use and love to get my house smelling like Spring is Dawn Dish Detergent.
I use Dawn not just for doing dishes, but I use it to clean out the refrigerator, wipe down walls and doors (it does a superb job in removing greasy fingerprints and smudges). I use the Hand Renewal kind that way my own skin does not dry out. Bet ya didn’t know you could do more than wash dishes with Dawn?
Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay Beauty elevates dishwashing to a beautifying experience by combining Dawn’s superb cleaning power with revitalizing proteins to help smooth hands while you do dishes and improves the look and feel of your hands in just five uses.
After I do all my cleaning and washing down of walls, I go through the house and spray all my furniture and curtains with Febreeze.
The Febreeze gives my home that fresh spring smell that I look for every year. I cannot tell you how many people have walked in my home only to tell me that my house smells really good (and I have 3 dogs inside).
The Febreze Fabric Refresher eliminates odors in the air and on fabrics using a unique fine mist spray, allowing for even application and creating freshness that will surround you like never before. The modern bottle design includes an easy-to-use trigger that will help reduce leakage, nozzle sticking and “quacking.”
You can always find ways to clean your home and give it that fresh outside smell. The trick is not waiting for ever to do it. Try giving your home a once a month cleaning. It will help SO much in keeping everything smelling fresh and Springy!
I was sent one of each of the products above in order to write my review. All opinions are my own.
As many of you are probably aware, the Fairy Hobmother has been doing her rounds lately and granting people a wish. After reading a post at Once Upon a Feast on how her wish had been granted, I left a comment myself for a little wish (or two) and Ive had my wish granted!!!!!
Now obviously the Fairy HobMother doesn’t have a huge budget, as she has been granting a lot of wishes and wants to carry on, so I think my wishes were a little bit out of her budget, but she couldn’t have surprised me more by offering me a $40.00 amazon gift card to spend on anything I want! So here is what I bought
With my Amazon gift card, I purchased a mandolin (which I have been really wanting for a very long time), a new muffin pan ( I ruined mine in the oven), and a cooling rack (because I saw this awesome recipe for Candied bacon and in order to fix that I have to have one of these).
So if you leave a comment here on this post about what appliance or item you most wish you had for your kitchen or home and why you need it, who knows, you may be receiving a visit from the Fairy Hobmother yourself in the near future!
I recently tried my hand at making laundry detergent. It was very easy and all in all I liked the smell of the homemade version versus the store bought version.
The thing that I did not like though is that with heavily soiled or sweaty clothes, I had to wash them twice to get them clean. That being said, I like the ability to be able to make my own and save money for my family.
If you have ever wondered about making homemade laundry detergent, give it a try. To purchase all the items needed, I only spent about $8 and I have TONS left over to use to make many more batches.
The recipe that I am going to share with you about making homemade laundry detergent is the liquid version. You can make the powdered version, but I decided to go with the other after reading numerous reviews.
Things you will need to make homemade laundry detergent:
~Grater or Food Processor
~2 gallon bucket
~1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap or Ivory will work too
~1/2 cup Borax
~ 1/2 cup Washing Soda (not baking soda and not laundry powder)
~water
Steps to making your own laundry detergent
- In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar soap and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
- In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated soap mixture.
- Fill the pail the rest of the way to the top with cold water and stir well.
- Allow mixture to set overnight, making sure you stir every few hours. Mixture will become like a gel.
- Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring soap before each use.
You can find many more homemade laundry deteregent recipes at TipNut (just in case you want to fix a larger batch). I started with a smaller batch because I was not for sure if our family would like it or not. Like I said, I really liked it, but my family is a Gain family through and through and it is just really hard to get that smell with anything else!
But homemade DOES smell really good!
How about you? Have you ever tried making homemade laundry detergent? What was the outcome?
Hi! I am Jen--a wife to the most amazing man ever and a homeschool mom to one teenager. I just graduated my oldest.
I have been blogging since 2007. I love to watch movies, spend time in the kitchen, crochet, dance, drink coffee, and lay on the beach. Between recipes, reviews, and hilarious life story moments you'll find many helpful posts on this blog. Welcome, pull up a chair and stay for a while!
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