Thursday, November 8, 2012

Three Easy Ways to Add Fall Décor to your Bathroom

What’s great about accent decorations is that you can take a room in your house and completely change the look and feel of it by simply adding or subtracting accents. There’s no need for a major renovation or even a new paint job. By combining these three simple things you can transition the look of your bathroom from summer to spring in no time at all.

Here’s how?



1. Change the Shower Curtain – The shower curtain is one of the biggest eye catchers in the bathroom especially if it’s a smaller guest bathroom. Rather than sticking with the same old one that’s been up for months, replace it with something more seasonal. Dark, warm colors like oranges and browns are great fall colors and will accent your bathroom beautifully. 


2. Add Festive Scented Candles – What’s great about scented candles is that they’re readily available, cheap and seasonal. Add something like a pumpkin pie, or warm vanilla spice candle to the bathroom and let it fill with the smells of the fall. The glow of the candle also adds a warm ambiance that’s perfect for the changing season.



 3. Use Fall Inspired Towels – Like the shower curtain, this is about color. Rather than using white towels that denote more of a springtime freshness or a bright red that signifies the heat of summer, tone it down with brown towels or warm maroon ones. Again, warm is the aim rather than cool so steer clear of blues, greens, and pinks.

And there you have it. It really is that simple. By adding these small decorative accents to your bathroom you can take it from summer fun to fall festival in no time. Also, by changing the décor regularly you will add a freshness to the house that the entire family will enjoy. Colors are more than just colors after all and by setting the right mood you can seamlessly move from one season into the next by doing something as simple as changing the shower curtain.

Happy Can is a leading Atlanta portapotties rental company that specializes in portable restrooms in Alpharetta

 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Thrifty Mom Guide: Online Shopping or In-Store Shopping?

If you are looking to buy a new sound system or a television, there are two places where you can shop - online or in-store. There are some significant differences between online shopping and in-store shopping. Below you will find a number of comparisons between the two options.

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Who can buy and how soon the item(s) is needed:

Online shopping - A survey carried out by Nielsenwire stated that 59% of American consumers pick online shopping as their first option to shop for a myriad of things. About 68% of Americans feel that online shopping is the easiest and quickest way to purchase items.

To use this option successfully, you will need a PayPal account, a credit card, a checking account, a debit card, or anything similar. While it is very convenient, you will need to wait a few days for the item to arrive at your door. Depending on which online store you buy the product from, you might often be able to obtain free delivery or only pay half-price for the delivery. It all depends where the warehouse is situated and how far your location is from it.

In-Store shopping - The same Nielsenwire survey stated that in-store shopping has not fallen behind that much. 77% of Americans believe in-store shopping is the safest and 69% said this way of shopping is the most consistent.

This is perhaps the easiest place to shop for your item, be it a sound system, a video camera, or even a clothing item. The only thing that will stop you from buying from a brick and mortar is if you do not have the means to get to the store. In addition, you might just have to fight your way through the crowd to get to the good stuff. If you encounter a traffic jam and a crowd, you might waste plenty of time in getting there.

Availability of Product Selection

Online shopping – An analyst from ZK Research, Zues Kerravala said that it is no surprise that many people are happier with online shopping. Almost every retail shop has made the process a lot simpler for its consumers. He cited Amazon.com as the best online shopping website because it provides one-touch buying, which is a feature that enables a shopper to compare shipping rates and prices from numerous merchants or vendors from all over the world.

Without having to drive miles away from your comfort zone, every brand and model are literally at your fingertips. If you do not see anything that you like from one website, you can easily move on to the next one, and you can continue to do so until you come across the right item.

The downside is that you are unable to test the item before you purchase it, unless you can find it at the nearest store in your area. Nevertheless, you can find more than enough reviews and ratings on the Internet. Reputable online stores will normally make you aware of the availability of their products via their websites.

In-store shopping
– Most products are only limited to the ones available in the store, but the advantage is that you can test the product and compare it to the other products in the store. Bear in mind that the availability of items may depend on the size of the stores and the products might be limited in terms of models, series, and designs. If you visit a small store, it may not carry that many products.

Price of Item(s)
Online shopping – Normally, you will find online merchants feature lower price tags because they do not have to rent a store in shopping centers, pay high electricity bills or staff members. These days, promo codes are made available to all online shoppers, which allow them to save more money when they shop. With online shopping, you have the opportunity to use Fatwallet.com where you can earn cash back when you shop via this website.

In-store shopping – With plenty of online purchasing options, traditional stores are constantly slashing their prices to compete with them. In-store discounts and coupon codes may allow them to sell their items as low as the ones you find on the Internet. Additionally, you will find several retail stores that resell their returned products at even more affordable prices.

With so many options on the Internet and the convenience of online shopping, would you consider it?

Taylor Swanson has been shopping online for a few years already and has great knowledge and experience. She enjoys finding the best coupon codes the internet has to offer and sharing them with others.

Of Victorian Hairstyles and Vintage Dolls

Fancy some curly ringlets or a Victorian Hair Style? Head on to agirlforalltime.com for this lovely Victorian hairstyle tutorial that even little girls can do at a slumber party or with mom before bedtime.

Ringlets twisted in small pieces of cloth and by morning, you got some of 'em nice Downtown Abbey-like curls!

This very quaint Victorian doll has a similar hairstyle. I love vintage dolls! This little lady's name is Amelia. I love her period piece frock and the sun hat reminds me of scenes from Little House on the Prarie.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Food Safety for Moms: Why Does FDA Approved Food Inks Matter?

Many people are unaware that the Food and Drug Administration also monitors inks. But it’s true. In fact, the FDA conducts many different tests on different types of ink to ensure that they’re safe for the public to consume. Think of stamps on eggs. That ink that was used on the actual egg itself has to be non-toxic and safe for public consumption, otherwise it could be dangerous.


The two issues that arise concerning FDA approved ink are safety and contaminants. Obviously you’re looking for a product that’s the safest as well as the most contaminant-free on the market otherwise consumers could be put at undue risk.

Governmental oversight by the FDA makes certain that in the event that a child licks the ink off the egg that he or she won’t get sick. They do this by utilizing a rigorous testing process that all inks are subjected to. By doing so, the FDA ensures that the inks are free of contaminants and non-toxic to the human body.

Obviously inks do not occur in nature and are the work of human hands. As such, during the manufacturing process of inks it’s easy to see how they could become contaminated and unsafe for public consumption. That’s where the FDA comes in. The cost of contaminated products is astronomical and the FDA can prevent that. Between the initial product launch, recalls because of contamination, press releases and destroying the contaminated product, the cost of contamination can skyrocket. It’s not only in the best interest of the company to keep you safe but it’s also cost-effective to have rigorous safety standards in place.

Food distributors are in business to make money. They do this by selling many of their products to consumers daily. To keep their profit margins high, people have to keep buying their products which have to be safe and contaminant-free. From the stamps on eggs, to meat and dairy products in the store, and even the printing on bread packaging, all of it has to be safe and the FDA ensures that all quality and safety standards are met.

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Independent Ink specializes in industrial inkjets as well as industrial ink and provides these items to customers across the globe.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Makeup and Skincare Tips for Moms

Being a Mom, as we all know, is more than a full-time job. Part of that round the clock commitment can mean that certain things, such as our own appearance and skin care regimes suffering. In fact, in the case of the latter, it often becomes non-existent.


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What can you do to ensure that you have time to apply makeup and have a great skin care regime to boost your appearance at all times?

Making Time
The hardest part, and the biggest tip we could ever give, is to actually find or make the time to look after your skin. Whether this means taking a minute to do it while you are showering or bathing, or get yourself out of bed fifteen minutes earlier in the morning, do whatever it takes to fit in a little “me time” for yourself.

Minimalist Makeup
This sounds obvious, too, but it amazes us how many Moms we see sporting elaborate and detailed makeup, which must have taken them some time and probably a fair bit of stress while trying to look after the children at the same time.

Remember your natural beauty and if you are going to wear makeup, go for the minimalist appearance. After all, why take the time to look after your skin and get yourself out of bed a few minutes earlier to use great cleansing products, only to throw on an inch of makeup over the top of it.

For a minimalist look, choose an area to focus on, such as the eyes. Use a mascara or an eye powder, these can be quick and easy, emphasize the eyes, and improve the appearance of your whole face.

Think on Your Feet
Chances are, with the children in tow, you aren’t going to have the time to stop and reapply makeup and other cosmetic products every hour or so when you are walking around the shopping mall.

Therefore, ensure that your bag is stocked with simple, easy to apply products that you can use quickly and then get on with the day. We touched on eye products earlier, and in terms of skin care you could simply add facial wipes, a hairbrush and a hand and nail cream so that you are able to keep up with your skin care regime on the go.

Perhaps the hardest thing to do as a Mom is to avoid the stereotypical “Mom” look, tired, drawn, hair all over the place, and dry, cracked hands. Keep your makeup and skin care regime simple yet effective, and you’ll see how easy it is to avoid all of those issues.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Simple Ways of Identifying Gum Disease


Hey Moms, if you've noticed your gums bleeding whenever you brush your teeth, then this article is a must read. I know we can be too busy with the kids at times, but we shouldn't take our personal health and hygiene for granted. Don't let the early signs of dental problems slip past you. Our kids need their moms in good shape which includes having healthy gums and teeth :) - love Mommycow

Copyright Gingivitis Mayo Clinic
Identifying the signs of gum disease is easy once you understand the causes of the condition and some of the most obvious symptoms. It is really important to understand a little about this oral health condition as it is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and more than two-thirds of us will develop the condition. This startling rate of gum disease is caused by a negligence of the condition.  Fortunately, once you know the signs, it is very easy to spot and to prevent.

What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an oral health condition that affects mainly the gum tissue, but can also affect the jawbone and teeth. It is a bacterial infection that is caused by the toxins released in food particles leftover from eating. The bacteria produced mix with saliva and this also causes plaque to grow on the teeth and stifle gum health. Over time, plaque can harden and become tartar, which further damages gum health, and it can only be removed by a dentist.

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and it does not cause any significant harm to the gum structure that may require surgical procedures. If you do not react to the signs of gum disease and the condition continues to worsen, however, you are most likely to suffer from periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.  These conditions are likely to cause long-term oral health problems and will likely need surgery to restore gum health.
It is best to spot the condition early on and seek treatment while it is a condition that is easily reversed.

Gum Disease Signs
Below is a list of the most common gum disease symptoms that are present early on during the gingivitis phase of the condition:
•    Gums bleed more than usual
•    You experience pain
•    You have chronic bad breath
•    There is a constant bad taste in your mouth
•    The teeth become loose, especially when you bite
•    The color of the gums turns redder than normal
•    The gums swell
•    The gums shrink, making your teeth appear longer

What To Do After Discovering Gum Disease Signs
If you have noticed any of the above symptoms, then you should visit your dentist and have them make a diagnosis. They can also clean off some of the plaque and tartar that are exacerbating the condition and suggest a treatment plan.

How To Avoid Gum Disease

One of the most effective things that you can do is to become committed to your gum health by following a good home dental hygiene routine. This should involve brushing twice daily, flossing and using a mouthwash.

OraMD is a natural oral health product that can help to prevent or treat gum disease. In addition, the product website offers a four-step oral hygiene program, which will maximize your oral health.

 

Cuckoo for Couponing: How to turn Everyday Errands into Fun Games to Keep your Kids Happy and Busy

Are you that parent at the grocery store who always has a crowd of screaming kids who like to run around the store and knock over food displays? Although sometimes kids can just throw fits for no apparent reason, most of the time they act out because they're bored and dislike running errands without entertainment.

Photo by Polycart
You could spend hundreds of dollars a month on a nanny to watch the kids while you run your daily errands or you could keep your kids entertained by turning grocery shopping into a fun and interactive game that your kids will actually want to play.

Sound too good to be true? It's not.

Introducing: Cuckoo for Couponing
Cuckoo for Couponing is an entirely made-up game that convinces your kids that shopping is fun. Since you love saving money, recruiting the kids to help you clip and use coupons makes sense. But what incentive do you give them for helping you with this task? In the Cuckoo for Couponing game, kids get prizes after reaching a certain dollar amount of savings with the coupons they've clipped. For example, if your child clips 10 $1 coupons for toilet paper and you use every single one of them, he has earned 10 savings points.

It's up to you where you want to set the boundary and what rewards you'd like to give. However, you'll want to keep in mind that kids will need to start seeing some results from their efforts fairly quickly, so they don't get bored with the game. Usually, it's good to shoot for about $50 of savings. However, you can also create a point ladder for kids to aim for and assign prizes accordingly. For example, five points will win you a piece of candy, 10 points will earn you a movie rental, 20 points will earn you freedom from one weekly chore, and so on.

Allow kids to personally benefit from coupon use
Although some kids may be sold with all of the points they earn for helping mom and dad save, others may want a more immediate incentive to help out and behave appropriately. This is usually the case with younger children, in which case you can engage kids in couponing by allowing them to clip grocery coupons that will be used for one or two special items just for them. This could be a discount on a candy bar, popsicles, Lunchables or another kid favorite item that will satisfy your little one.

You can also offer similar privileges for different types of coupons. However, to get the most out of this game, make sure your child also maintains good behavior when running errands, since this will be part of how they earn their prize.

Kids can be tricked into doing pretty much anything if you make it seem fun – just take a look at Tom Sawyer's famous fence whitewashing scheme. By making shopping and couponing into a game, you can keep your kids entertained and better behaved when you run those essential errands throughout the day. If it works with this task, just imagine the endless list of chores you can trick your kids into doing to make your life easier!

Grady Winston is an avid internet entrepreneur and guest blogger from Indianapolis. He has worked in the fields of technology, business, marketing, and advertising implementing multiple creative projects and solutions for a range of clients. The best way to save is to ensure you clip grocery coupons and maximize your shopping experience.