Disclosure: The Renuzit brand provided me with samples of Renuzit Sensitive Scents in exchange for an honest product review. All opinions are however, 100% my own.
Last weekend I was able to enjoy one of my few unscheduled Saturdays so I took full advantage of it and decided to get a jump start on a little Spring Cleaning.
With the sun’s rays shining through the windows it was obvious that the dust bunnies had multiplied over the winter!
As you know, I have two sons, Malik, who is away at school at Bowie State University and Tayair is home attending the CLSC Program at the University of Delaware.
I had recently received these Renuzit products from Social Insiders so I was anxious to try them out and their bedrooms were the perfect place to begin. When Malik is away his bed is striped of it’s sheets and coverings so I started by spraying his mattress pad and pillows with the Renuzit Trigger Spray.
The Pure White Pear & Lavender scent was light and not overpowering which is great because both of my sons have seasonal allergies. If you watch the video below you will also see that I used the Trigger Spray in Tayair’s room, closet and on his sneakers.
I used the Pure Ocean Breeze Plug-In in Tayair’s room since it needs a bit more of a constant freshening and those of you who have teen age sons or young male adults know what I mean. The Pure Ocean Breeze scent was light and airy and after a few hours it made the whole room smell refreshed.
I was going to leave the Renuzit Sensitive Scent Gel Freshener in Malik’s room but once I took a whiff of the Pure Water Blossom & Cucumber scent, I immediately took it to my bedroom – it was heavenly! I will have to buy another one for Malik’s room before he gets home.
Having used Renuzit products in the past I was familiar with them, however, these new Sensitive Scents are much better and the Plug In Refills are universal so that they fit in any Glade or Air Wick warming unit, which saves you money if you have them already.
And speaking of saving money, I am conducting a Rafflecopter Giveway and will be giving away these 3 Coupons for a FREE Renuzit Sensitive Scents product. You can enter the contest below and make sure to leave a comment as to what your favorite Spring Scent is – good luck!
Drawing is open to USA residents only and will end on Sunday, March 13th.
The season of goodwill and holiday cheer shall soon be upon us. Winter can be a time for family and friendship, but it also brings about its own bundle of troubles once the snow begins to fall. Here are some ideas to get your house up to code for the colder months, so you can enjoy the holidays in peace and comfort!
1. Clean out your gutters
With increased snowfall, your home will soon be covered in a thick layer of frozen water. Your gutters better be up to the task! Cluttered gutters can lead to problems like leaky roofs, or ice buildup around your house. Rolling up your sleeves and cleaning them off now can save you a ton of headache in the long term. Check out this article here for information on how you can keep your gutters from getting clogged in the first place.
2. Sweep the chimney
During winter, nothing makes the inside of your home cozier or more homely than the heat of burning firewood touching your cold hands after a day in the snow. However, if you spent last winter doing this exact thing, it’s safe to say that it might be time to clean your chimney. One of the leading causes of house fires in wintertime is caused by creosote buildup in the chimney over time and use. Having a clean chimney also gives you the most heat, while cutting down the smoke that stays in your house. If you’re not afraid of a little soot, it might be time to make like Santa Claus and head down the chimney!
3. Turn off exterior water
Water buildup inside of hoses and faucets outside will cause damage to these items. In some cases, the frozen water can even build up inside until a pipe bursts on the inside of your, causing tremendous water damage. To save you repair and replacement costs in the future, all you need to do is turn the valves for your outdoor faucets off, and then drain any remaining water. If, for some reason, you still need functional outdoor faucets during winter, it may be wise to purchase insulated covers for them to prevent freezing.
4. Check your heater
Getting the heat in your home in working order is especially important in wintertime, where you will be needing refuge from the colder elements. A proper inspection may be best left to an HVACR professional, but there are some precautions you can take yourself. Before winter begins, change the filter in your furnace, and make sure the furnace isn’t cluttered, but clean and functional. Checking your air ducts for leaks to be repaired can also make your heating system give you the most bang for its buck.
5. Put energy saving bulbs in outdoor lights
During winter, we experience less daylight hours, despite still having plenty of outdoor activities to do! This means that outdoor light sources will be on a lot more than you may be used to. Getting energy efficient bulbs for the outdoors will give you more light for longer, and save you money in energy bills that will already go higher around the holiday season.
6. Ready your roof
The winter season can be rough on your house’s roofing. Water damage and buildups of moisture can cause leaks that will rain down inside your home. Prevent this now by getting up there and inspecting it for yourself. Getting a professional opinion may not be such a bad idea, either. Also be sure to sweep off any leaves on your roof, as they may have moisture in them that will freeze and expand once it is covered in a mountain of snow.
7. Fix cracks in concrete
Those tiny cracks in your driveway may look small, now, but after months of being subjected to brutal environmental conditions and a repeating freeze-thaw cycle you may find your concrete in shambles once the flowers blossom for spring. The good news is that most of those smaller cracks can be cheaply and easily repaired right now, but once the winter damage takes hold you may have to start replacing entire chunks of your driveway or sidewalk. Concrete patch tubes are relatively cheap, and can be found at your local department store.
8. Fix leaks in doors and windows
Leaky doors and windows could be costing you hundreds of dollars every year. Updating them will save your gas and electric bill from a little extra pressure. Using a caulking gun around windows and doors is a simple and easy-to-do way to make your home a little more prepared for the holiday season.
9. Store your sprinkler system safely
Discovering that your sprinkling system has been destroyed is a poor way to start off the spring. Stop that from ever happening right now by making sure that your sprinkling system is safe for the winter months. Excess water that expands as it freezes will inevitably burst a pipe, so it is important to drain all water out of the system. Be sure to make sure that you shut it off from the water supply before you do!
10. Clean out garage
One of the greatest discomforts of winter is waiting for a frozen car to defrost, meanwhile you’re sitting, shivering, and wondering if you’ll be to work on time. This is a good reason to make sure that your garage is clean and organized before the first snowflake even falls. Building additional shelving can help clear up space and guarantee that you get a parking spot in your own home.
15 Inexpensive Home Upgrades to Install Before Summer Ends
Author: Andy Andersen
Summer may be coming to an end, but there’s still time to get ahead before the hustle and bustle of back-to-school season. Here are 15 inexpensive home upgrades you can consider completing before summer ends:
1. Convert a Dormant Room
If you have a spare bedroom in your house that currently serves no particular purpose, now is a great time to convert it into something you’ll love. Converting an empty room into a gaming room, study, or hobby area can save you space in other areas of your house and revitalize a dormant interest as well as a room.
2. Motion-Sensor Lights
Installing motion-sensitive lighting for your home is pretty affordable these days and will save you on your electricity bills as well. Get a motion-sensor light for your porch for energy efficiency and extra security.
3. Soft-Close Drawer Slides
Make your drawers quieter and safer by installing soft-close slides. They’re inexpensive and easy to install. Once you have them, you’ll be surprised at the difference they make. No noise, no pain, and at an affordable price. It’s an upgrade you can’t afford to not look into.
4. Ceiling Fans
Looking for an energy-efficient upgrade? Save on cooling costs for the rest of the summer and install some ceiling fans in your home. You’ll be able to cut back on how much you use the AC as you transition from summer to fall.
5. Replace Ornate Lighting
Chandeliers and other ornate lighting fixtures have become outdated and cumbersome for the modern home. Today’s market offers a plethora of great looking contemporary lighting fixtures you can replace them with. Take the time to research how you might achieve greater energy efficiency and look for lighting choices that will cut back on electricity.
6. Temperature Control Sheets
Looking for a way to save on both heating and cooling costs? Look no further than temperature control sheets. This high-tech, low-cost bedding option absorbs and releases heat according to your body temperature, ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep with the added assurance of saving money.
7. Matching Kitchen Appliances
Get rid of your old, mismatched appliances and invest in a set that matches your kitchen. You may not have the funds to do it all at once, but even if you replace your appliances over time, the uniform look you end up with can really revolutionize your kitchen’s decor.
8. Re-paint Your Walls
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as giving your walls a new look. Re-painting your walls in a brand new color or shade is a fun, affordable way to make your home feel like a whole new place. Get it done before summer’s end and you’ll have a whole new home experience for the holidays.
9. Rearrange Your Furniture
Sometimes all your house needs is a simple rearrangement of what’s already in it. Rearranging the furniture can mark the beginning of a new, exciting chapter in your daily life, especially if you do it strategically to create better flow of traffic from room to room. And the best part is, it won’t cost you a dime.
10. Interior Shutters
You may be looking at your windows and noticing that your old blinds are a bit of an eyesore. Luckily for you, interior shutters are a hot commodity in today’s home market. Because of their popularity, you can find affordable quality interior shutters to give your windows a complete makeover just in time for fall.
11. Blackout Shades
High quality blackout shades like these are a window treatment specifically designed to instantly darken a room. Whether you have a nursery, media room, or master bedroom that you’ve never been able to completely darken the way you’ve wanted, blackout shades are an affordable way to finally get the job done.
12. Add Crown Molding
Crown molding is a popular, budget-friendly way to elegantly re-cap your walls. With a variety of do-it-yourself options out there, installing a new crown molding in your home may be just the right upgrade you’ve been looking for.
13. Install a New Dishwasher
Most new dishwashers are designed to conserve more water than previous models. If your dishwasher is getting old, it may be worth your while to get a new one. Though you may have to fork out some cash upfront, the money you’ll save on water will be well worth it.
Modern kitchen interior and furnitures
14. Give Your Kitchen Cabinets a New Finish
If repainting your walls is a task that seems a little too daunting at the tail end of the summer, consider refinishing your kitchen cabinets. Your cabinetry is the face of your kitchen, and giving it a new color or shade will make the whole kitchen pop.
15. Install a Water Filter
You’ll save money and the environment by ditching the store-bought water bottles and installing a water filter. This may also give you and your family the incentive to drink more water from day to day. In this sense, a water filter is an opportunity to keep the whole family healthy and environmentally friendly.
With a fresh perspective, a little money, and a few hours of manpower you can add some simple upgrades that will improve your home just in time to enjoy the benefits all winter long.
10 Simple Ways to Clean Up Your Home’s Exterior This Summer
Author: Alyssa Craig
With the warm weather and the extra daylight, summer is a great time of year to focus on your home’s exterior. Since you spend most of the year inside your home, you may not have noticed the spots that need extra attention outside. So take a walk around the outside of your home and take inventory of what needs to be done. The list below will help you evaluate your home’s exterior. Once you’ve determined what needs to be done, it’s time to prepare for your tasks.
In preparation for your outside cleaning extravaganza, be sure to select a warm day with little wind, as this could otherwise end up working against you. Cover small plants, shrubs, and other landscape with a plastic sheet. Move lawn furniture and decor out of the way. Cover all vents, electrical outlets, and outside light fixtures. Finally, be sure to wear protective clothing and eye protection.
Alright, you are now ready to get cleaning! Here are a few suggestions for where and how you should be cleaning the outside of your house.
1. Pressure Wash Siding: Make sure all windows and doors are tightly closed before you begin. Using the correct hose, spray at a downward angle, testing a small section for damage before continuing. Keep moving in a side-to-side sweeping motion as you continue to wash the side of the house. But be careful! You can cause serious damage (even shattered glass) with a pressure washer.
Thai man do a pressure washing on timber
2. Hand Wash Brick, Stucco, or Delicate Wood Shingles: These materials will not hold up well against a pressure wash. Instead, hand wash with a regular garden hose. There are attachments you can get at home improvement stores to help you out. Pretreat soiled areas with cleanser before spraying with a hose.
3. Paint: A new coat of paint can do great things for making a house look like new. Before you get started wash down the area to be painted and remove any dirt or paint residue. Next, scrape and sand away old paint. Use this as an opportunity to patch and fill areas that are cracking or otherwise damaged. Finally, prime and paint!
4. Remove Mildew and Mold: Unfortunately, mildew and mold will not come off with a powerwash. To remove, scrub it off with a bleach solution (one part bleach, four parts water). Wear gloves to protect your hands from the chemicals.
Painter painting the windows of a house
5. Repair Driveway: If you have cracks in your driveway, now is a great time to repair it. Remove grass or weeds growing in the cracks. Next, pressure wash the whole driveway. Patch cracks and holes with concrete resurfacer. Finish with a fresh coat of latex asphalt sealer to make it look like new.
6. Clean Your Deck: Your deck is bound to be used a lot this summer for BBQs and enjoying summer evenings. Apply a special deck cleaner and follow the directions on the bottle and allow it to sit for its designated amount of time. Either pressure wash or clean with a long handle scrub brush. Rinse and allow to dry completely. Refinish and apply a sealer or stain if necessary.
7. Repair Roof: Now is a much easier time to fix roofing problems than in the winter when snow and ice might be your enemy. Look for torn or missing shingles to replace or repair. Seal any gaps in the roofing cement. Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement. Clean up any debris or frisbees that have made their way to the roof.
8. Clean Windows: If possible, clean in the shade to keep the cleaner from drying too quickly and ruining your work. Consider using a 50/50 vinegar and water mixture and newspapers (rather than paper towels) for a more environmentally friendly project. You can also try washing it with a squeegee. It’s faster and more likely to produce a streak free surface.
9. Clean Window Screens: Window screens often get neglected, so as you clean your windows, give these some love too. Remove and soak in a kiddie pool filled with soapy water. Use a soft scrub brush to gently remove dirt. Rinse with a garden hose and allow to dry.
Leaves in a rain gutter during autumn
10. Clean Gutters: Use an extended ladder to put yourself at a good vantage point to the gutter. Use a gutter scoop to get out the debris that has built up. Put the debris into a bucket or dump on a tarp below, as this will make cleanup easier for you. After the large debris has been removed, hose down the gutter, starting opposite of the downspout to remove anything else that may still be there.
As mentioned here, having a clean, put together exterior to your home adds to your home’s curb appeal whether you plan to sell your home in the near future or not. These jobs can quickly add up, but with some elbow grease, a great day off, and determination, these projects can be completed and your home will shine for another year.
Hello friends and Happy Cinco de Mayo! Yes, I will be going to El Charro Negro for lunch, and if you remember that post, you know that I normally “brown bag” my lunch to eat at my desk. I actually gave up the “brown bag” years ago and carry my lunch in an insulated tote bag, and this one from Hydracentials has become my favorite.
This Hydracentials Stylish on The Go Lunch Tote Bag is large enough to carry both my salad and fruit platters with plenty or space available for a water bottle. It keeps everything cool and fresh during my long commutes to work so I don’t have to worry about immediate refrigeration. The front pocket can be used to store utensils, napkins or any other items that don’t need to be kept cool.
It folds flat so I can put in back into my work tote or purse without having it take up too much room and the inside easily wipes clean. I will probably take it on vacation since it is also stylish with it’s black and white classic color combination.
If you are ready to give up the brown bag and are looking for a cute lunch tote to carry to the office, school, soccer field or even to the beach, check out the Hydracentials at Amazon.com using my affiliate link below.
Hello Spring ~ Hello Birdies chirping in the trees ~ Hello Sunshine peeking through the windows ~ Hello oh no ~ dust and lots of it!
Friends the time has come to wash away the winter webs and begin the annual tradition of Spring Cleaning! It doesn’t matter if it’s the kitchen counters, the bathroom sink, in the car or on the barbells in the basement, they all need to be cleaned.
These Microfiber Cloths by VibraWipe are a great alternative to paper towels and are strong enough to clean all areas in your home. They are soft, and non abrasive so they can be used on glass and delicate bulbs…don’t forget that Dining Room chandelier.
They are lint-free and won’t streak so they are great on mirrors and glass doors, are super absorbent which is perfect for the kitchen and bathroom sinks. The Microfiber Cloths come 8 to a pack in 4 pastel colors so you can leave one in each room then throw them into the washer to keep them clean and ready for the next use.
So go ahead and fling back those curtains and raise those blinds, just be sure to have a VibraWipe Microfiber cloth handy to catch all the dust.
5 Things You Don’t Have in Your Bathroom But Probably Should {Guest Post}
Author: Amber Brubaker
You may think that your bathroom is outfitted with everything necessary for you and your family’s needs. But think again. There’s always a way that you can spruce up your bathroom for both looks and functionality. Once you try these five functional and attractive bathroom additions, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without them!
1. Nifty, Creative Storage
Maybe you don’t have very much cupboard or drawer space and something always gets left out without a home. Or maybe you have plenty of cupboard and drawer space, but they’re always cluttered and unsightly. Either way, you need some new, creative DIY storage solutions like the ones below.
Mounted Mason Jars: Mason jars are the perfect and cute way to store your cotton balls, q-tips, and makeup brushes. Just nail some large metal, adjustable hoop rings to a painted board, put your mason jars in the rings, and hang the display for some adorable storage!
Cupboard Door Cubbies: Use some wood glue to attach boards to your cupboard door to create an open box where you can store lotions, toilet paper, and more. Or, if that seems a little too complex for you, simply use adhesive plastic hooks and hang wire baskets from them.
Floating Shelves: Over-the-toilet stands are bulky and not always classy-looking, but floating shelves are the perfect, attractive solution to your storage needs. Whether they’re over your toilet, next to your towel rack, or by the door, floating shelves will look great and work perfectly for your towels, toothbrushes, and bathroom decor.
2. Framed Bathroom Mirror
Don’t you love that giant mirror spanning the entire wall of your bathroom? That big mirror is the reason you and your partner never argue about space in front of the mirror in the morning. But that’s pretty much the only good thing about it. It’s not exactly the most attractive part of the room. That can all change if you frame it.
Start by measuring the perimeter of the mirror so that you know how much trim you need to buy. Carefully remove the clips around your mirror and make sure it’s glued to the wall. If it’s not, glue it on. Ask advice from a professional on this one.
Next, collect your trim from a hardware store. You’ll want the edges to be angled so that they’ll fit together in a nice corner. Spray paint the trim with the color of your choice, and use wood glue to attach it to the wall around the mirror. Voila! A perfectly attractive frame to enhance your favorite bathroom feature!
3. Indoor Shutters
You’re curtains may be cute, but honestly, they aren’t the best window covering for your bathroom. They fade quickly, aren’t exactly sanitary, and it’s hard to keep them clean. If you want the best possible window covering, you should look into indoor shutters for your windows. They’re the most modern, yet cozy window covering available. You can get them in any color to match your bathroom decor, not to mention, they’ll increase the value of your home. If that’s not enough to convince you that your bathroom needs indoor shutters, read this article for more dynamite reasons.
4. Reminder Boards
Do you have little ones who forget to brush their teeth, wash behind their ears, or any other hygiene necessities? Sounds like you need some cute reminder boards to give them a hand. You could use a plain white board to write daily reminders for your forgetful mini yous, but if you want it to be really cute and match the decor of your space perfectly, make a cute dry erase board out of a picture frame.
All you need is a picture frame of any size, a piece of scrapbook paper that matches your home decor, and some dry erase markers. Put the scrapbook paper in the picture frame, hang the frame on your wall, and use it for your reminders. The dry erase markers work on the glass just like they would on a white board.
5. Towel Hooks
Boring towel racks are a thing of the past. They aren’t exactly attractive, and they usually only hold two towels. You probably also end up with a pile of wet towels on the floor every morning. If that sounds like your bathroom, remove the towel rack ASAP and add cute hooks instead.
You can make your own with some fancy, decorative hooks attached to a painted board that you can hang on the wall. Or, look for a row of hooks in your favorite home goods store. This update is not only stylish, but it will also encourage the other members of your household to hang up their towels because it’s so easy.
So, there you have it! Some simple bathroom remodel ideas that will make your plain bathroom fabulous!
Disclosure: This Guest Post was written by someone other than the author of DeDivahDeals. The author of this post submitted the article to me for the purpose of being published on this blog as a Guest Writer.
Covering Up Against the Cold – #loveseatcover12 #armchaircover12
Hello friends and welcome to winter. In the Northeast it’s time to baton down the hatches and cover up or put away the outdoor furniture. Unfortunately, our garage is filled to the gill with the riding lawn mower, snow blower, cushions, umbrellas and pool supplies so I can’t put any more items inside including our cars!
The deck cushions are all neatly packed and put away, but I have to keep a few pieces of deck furniture out so it’s important to have it covered in order to prevent damage during the winter.
These Astor premium covers from Amazon.com are sized to fit chairs up to 38″x33.5″ and loveseats 58″x32.5″ and as you can see they fit both of mine perfectly. Each has an adjustable elasticized hem and a click buckle strap to keep the wind from blowing them off.
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The Astor premium covers are easy to put on and take off, havesturdy, padded handles and comes with a 2 Year Warranty against damage by dry rot, sun exposure, mold or mildew. Your lounge or patio chair will come out from under the cover looking just as good as it did when it went in!
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If you are looking for a custom fit outdoor armchair or loveseat cover to protect your deck furniture this winter, check these out and then order them from Amazon.com today.
If your house is like ours, there is at least one area that is totally dark with no light switch or a lamp, perhaps it’s a hallway or the stairs. We keep the vacuum in a small cubbie in the basement and when the boys were younger they hated going in there to get it because it was too dark.
If we had these Mr. Beams Stick Anywhere Task Lights there would have been no excuse because these high illumination lights really brightens up the area.
Mr. Beams lights are bright, battery operated LEDs that provide safety and security at an affordable price. They can be installed anywhere with heavy duty double sided tape, velcro or two screws (not included). They are also great for kitchen cabinets, inside toy boxes, closets and shelves.
These motion sensors lights have a range of 10-15 ft. and can be set to stay on from 20 to 60 seconds. Mr. Beams Stick Anywhere Task Lights need 4 – AA batteries and only illuminate in the dark so they would be good for a hallway, stairway or as a nightlight in the bathroom. Mr. Beams also has a variety of other energy efficient wireless LED lights which can be ordered today to arrive quickly in time for the holidays.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
It doesn’t matter if you’re having a big holiday gathering or just a small fun-filled afternoon with a few of your friends, if your partyware is from Smarty Had A Party, it’s sure to be a blast!
Last weekend one of my girlfriends hosted a Silpada Jewelry party so I offered to bring my Smarty Had a Party Hors d’oeuvre Party Set. This Elegant Cocktail/Hors d’oeuvre Party Set included Black Plastic Plates, Mini forks, Frosted Stem Wine Glasses, Mini Crock Pots and a package of Dual Peacock Blue Napkins.
I loved the mini Crock Pots which were just too adorable, and we used them for the veggies but wouldn’t they be cool for holding a bean dip? All the items in the set, especially the Black Plates are very sturdy and can be hand washed to be used again.
As you can see from the pictures, the frosted, Stem Wine Glasses were our favorites, especially when filled with cold Apple Cider…and then later with some chilled wine!
My sponsor over at Smarty Had a Party would like to send to one of my lucky readers their own Elegant Cocktail/Hors d’oeuvre Party set, which will include the following items:
Mini Cooking Pot Blue Dual-Sided Paper Cocktail Napkins Reflections Mini Forks Renaissance Black Salad Plates Onde Wine Glasses
Leave a comment below then enter the Rafflecopter contest for your chance to win. *Contest ends at midnight on November 21st and winner’s name, address, email address and telephone number will be sent directly to Smarty Had a Party on November 25th.
Let Smarty Had a Party be your PPP (Personal Party Provider), and take a look at some of the other great items at http://www.smartyhadaparty.com I am sure you will find something special for your own get togethers and events.
Smarty Had A Party is the nation’s top-rated online party store for entertaining, from back yard pool parties to weddings, bridal showers, holiday dinners and special occasions. Smarty offers the widest selection of budget-friendly, elegant disposable dinnerware, eco-friendly party supplies and table linen on the web, enabling party and event planners to save the expense and hassle of rentals
*The contest is limited to participants in the 48 contiguous US States only
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. a Rafflecopter giveaway
