Do You Make the Bed Every Day?
I know it seems like a silly question but trawling round the internet, I’ve found that many people say that they don’t make the bed every day. This seems so strange to me – and I’m talking here about proper grown-up people, not teenagers. Making the bed every morning makes your home more attractive, neater and more comfortable. It’s lovely at the end of the day to sink into a nicely made bed rather than...
Brush On Block Sunscreen
Which is the best brush on sunscreen? Remember the days of sticky sunblock creams? Thank goodness that we have brush on sunblocks these days. But which is best? Living in Florida, I’m in the ideal location to evaluate them for you. Without doubt the best is the one you see on the right. I was first attracted to Brush On Block because it’s a mineral powder. But its additional advantages are terrific. It’s so easy to...
Want Your Own Personal Drone?
Now you can own one with this DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter. Even though we knew it was coming, I thought it might be a little farther down the line before drones became this accessible, but DJI has made it a reasonably priced reality. It comes fully ready to fly. It’s easy to learn with a few test flights. What would you do with it? Where would you take it? If you like cutting edge technology, a drone is...
Cacoon Hanging Chair
Is it a tent? A hammock? A chair? All three. The Cacoon is a relaxing haven – your own space where you can sleep, read, enjoy the scenery, listen to music, get back to nature, enjoy solitude, enjoy company… It was inspired by nature. See the image at the top of the page. This shows the nests of the weaver birds – don’t they look cosy? That’s what Nick McDonald thought when he saw them in Mexico. But why...
Rolo: The Roll-Up Travel Bag
Travel light with the fabulous Rolo. This must surely be the best travelling bag if you like to travel light. Even when I’m going on long trip, I prefer to avoid checking luggage if I can – I’d rather rely on carry-on bags and avoid all the palaver they can cause.The Rolo is the perfect solution. I can easily pack everything I need for a trip of five or so days – longer if the trip is a warm-weather one and...
Remember the Electric Knife? It’s Still So Handy!
Fast and Efficient for Slicing Bread and Meat Make carving a whole lot easier Essential for holidays or party times is our electric knife. I am still surprised how effective the Cuisinart CEK is–what an improvement over my old one! I love to roast turkeys. In spite of the last minute rush, it seems one of the easiest meals to prepare. Just stuff the bird and stash him in the oven. No matter what I do, several hours later the...
Baby’s Best Blanket: 100% Cotton from aden + anais
100% Muslin Cotton Equals Super Softness aden + anais Muslin Dream Blankets for babies have been at the top of the last three baby registries I’ve seen. I’m starting to think I should order them by the dozen to have them on hand. Both my niece and my nephew requested them, along with the aden + anais swaddles. Parents prefer natural fabrics and products today. They lean away from man-made fibers which can tend to make a...
The Panasonic SD-YD250: Bread Making Made Easy.
So Glad I Got This Bread Machine. This bread machine is one of my top ten favorite presents! I won’t go so far as to say it changed my life, but it’s surely made it more fun. It’s been used so much it would have paid for itself in under six months (if it hadn’t been a gift, that is). For years I didn’t think I would use one. How much bread can a family eat…and so on. My brother-in-law bought this...
Should You Buy a Range with a Glass Ceramic Cooktop?
Electric ranges with smooth cooktops: Perfect for small kitchens. I’m sometimes asked about this because the electric range I have in my small apartment has a smooth ceramic glass hob. Are they easy to clean? Do they work efficiently for cooking? Do they retain their good looks? The range I have is now twelve years old and it looks and works as good as new, despite daily use. They are excellent for any size of kitchen but are...
Good Shoe Choices For Aging Seniors
Good Shoe Choices For Aging Seniors As you age, it is so important to have shoes that are appropriate. Maybe some are able to wear all kinds of heels still, but probably not too many. One of the most common injuries is a broken hip from a fall. Aging brings with it brittle bones. Those bones break more easily. With heels you risk ankle injuries as well as those that may occur from a fall. Depending on the age of the person, a...
Look what my Ninja Master Prep Did Now!
Why I Think Everyone Should Have A Ninja Anyone who knows me very well knows how much I love this one little kitchen appliance. The Ninja Master Prep Professional is the best, most effective appliance I own. That is competing against the coffee maker and the bread machine. Those are excellent for their specific tasks, but for versatility and performance, the Ninja wins hands down. The Ninja company makes a variety of...
The Solar Charger, an Essential for Your Cell Phone
Emergency Solar Power When You Need It. Over 21,000 of these small WakaWaka solar chargers were put to good use in the Philippines after the typhoon Yolanda struck in November of 2013. Besides providing solar power to charge their cell phones and tablet, the flashlight also aided them during the dark hours. This solar powered charger was recently featured as one of the highlights at the Consumer Electronics Show. Using a USB cord, It...
The amazing hair clip multi-tool
Clippa – the hair clip that’s a mini-tool You never know when you’re going to need a screwdriver, a wrench, a ruler, a cutting blade … and that’s why Swiss Army Knives have been popular for so many years. I found though that for my purposes, the army knife was cumbersome to carry around all day. The I discovered the multi-tool card, which you see below. But now, if I need a Phillips screwdriver or if I...
Planet-friendly charging station for multiple devices
Bamboo charging station for multiple devices At last the charging of our various devices in under control. With two of these little beauties in our home,our cellphones, tablets and laptops are tidily charging with no wires snaking their way across our surfaces. It was becoming a real problem until we discovered these. And we’re not a particularly teckie household – or so I thought. There are only two of us but between us,...
Solvetta: The Lunch Box that’s a Placemat
How can you be sure that the healthy meal you pack stays germ-free? Many of us take healthy lunches to work – or pack them for our families – but did you know that the great foods you pack are liable to be exposed to germs? The Solvetta is the answer. It was developed by Rita Floyd-Vester, a teacher and mother of three, who discovered that the most germ-laden places in today’s schools are cafeteria tables. The same...
The Magnetic Wristband by MagnoGrip
Saves Time A magnetic wristband that will hold screws and nails as you work. This one of the best ideas I’ve seen for any do-it-yourself project. Talk about a time saver! How many times have you stood on a ladder, drill or hammer in hand, ready to nail or screw something to a wall, only to drop the screw? Back down the ladder–careful now–then back up. I would guess more than fifty percent in our household. It...
The Pocket Monkey Multi Purpose Tool
The best and thinnest multi purpose tool. I’ve always loved those small credit card sized tools – the ones that are a smaller and lighter version of the Swiss Army knife – and I’ve found this one to be the best. The reasons are simple, it’s so thin that it easily fits into the credit card section of my wallet, it has just the tools I need and it doesn’t get confiscated at the airport when you...
The Best Little Carpet Cleaner for Spots
The Bissell Spotlifter 2x Portable Deep Carpet Cleaner Cordless Spot Carpet Cleaning–So Easy My little carpet cleaner by Bissell is a favorite around our house for those little spots that seem to come from nowhere. I don’t know what we did without it. I suppose we tried cleaning up spills and spots by hand. That usually worked okay, but it seemed like we could never get the liquid out sufficiently so eventually it would...
Anolon Hard Anodized Cookware, for more even cooking
The Value of One Good Set of Pans Until my husband gave me this set of hard anodized Anolon pans one year, I never thought the quality of pans mattered much when cooking. For several decades, the pans would wear out every few years, and a new set would replace them. I never thought much about it. The first time I cooked with the new hard anodized calphalon pans, I learned the difference. They were–and are still–amazing....
The Lasko Desktop Fan, Small but Mighty
A Cool Breeze in a Very Small Package A mini lifesaver for a hot day! I’m so pleased with the small Lasko desktop fan that I bought three of them. The last few days were very hot for our area. It’s moved on now, most likely heading east. This little fan sure helped during those days! When the air is still, the heat seems to hang in the air, totally draining my energy. The breeze from this fan was all I needed. I set it on...
The best solar charger for your phone & devices
Charging your phone using solar power And it’s not just your phone – when there’s no electricity, you discover just how much you rely on other devices such as your iPad, Kindle or other devices. Perfect for extreme weather Today, bad weather can knock out power for many of us and losing the use of your communication methods isn’t only inconvenient, it’s dangerous. Living in Florida, I know only too well...
Is a Lightweight Vacuum Right for You?
Light to Lift! My new vacuum is the Hoover WindTunnel Air Bagless Steerable Upright. It’s perfect. After twelve years my big Hoover Upright finally died. Actually it probably would have lived except that I broke off an important part (oops) when I was checking the belt. Yes, lesson learned. I didn’t do it on purpose–honest! Nevertheless, it was a treat to start the search for a new one. With so many different brands,...
Magic in the Air!
While most birds do not have any difficulty finding food for themselves in the spring, summer and fall, there is one exception to that rule. Our everyday (I won’t ever call them ordinary) birds, the ones that frequent our gardens throughout the year, know very well how to forage for seeds, nuts and bugs. However there is a bird that frequents us in the nicer months and I’m sure that everyone would love to have them in their gardens...
The Cuisinart Hand Mixer, a Review of a Favorite
The Easy Hand Mixer My hand mixer is one small appliance I use several times a week. Personally I think they’re one of the best inventions out there and a necessity for every household. It’s so easy to use and light-weight to hold, I find myself using it for all sorts of things, mixing cookies, cake, frostings, purees, and even mashed (or whipped) potatoes. I like that I can take it from counter to counter too. I know the...
Water Floss Your Teeth
Love my Waterpik The Waterpik: Better than Flossing Do you floss every day like your dentist tells you to, or could you use a Waterpik water flosser to. I love mine, so much so that I don’t know why I didn’t get one years ago. Every six months at my dental cleaning appointment the dentist would tell me I need to floss more. Right. I knew that–you too? I’d be really good about it for the following week. He would...
Our Dog’s Favorite: Plush Hide-a-Squirrel Dog Toy
Three Paws Up Rating for This Toy Our dogs have given this toy a unanimous paws up! When we first brought this toy home, we were curious to see how they would play with it. Two dogs over 60 pounds and one more under 10 pounds, all with very distinct personalities. The toy kept them entertained for such a long time! After a lot of initial sniffing and biting, noses poked in each hole trying to see what was inside, two of the dogs laid...
Silicone Baking Pans and More
Let the Baking Begin! Are you ready to bake? With all the holidays to choose from, I am usually ready to bake all year round. Easter, definitely. I love decorating with pastel colors for the Easter season. Christmas means bright colors with plenty of red and green. For Independence Day, Labor Day and Memorial Day, red white and blue is appropriate. Whatever the season, I am so in the mood to bake. It’s a lovely way to relax...
Lasko Tower Heater
Lasko Tower Heater: My favourite appliance I am totally in love with this space heater. Believe me, if a heater can keep this chilly person warm, then it will keep everyone cozy. I’m convinced that no-one in the world feels the cold the way I do and yet with this wonderful heater, I’m toasty. Until yesterday, we had no heating in our home at all. You see, we live in Florida and 99.9% of the time, we are beautifully warm...
The Cuisinart 5 in 1 Griddler; Do Your Barbecuing Inside
The Cuisinart 5 in 1 Griddler; Do Your Barbecuing Inside How do you feel about the Cuisinart Griddler? I start with that question because a friend once told me that she seems grills like this at every garage sale. Then she asked, “Who really uses them?” Well, I do. I love mine! How about some chicken and vegetable skewers to start off? Since I no longer have a place to barbecue, I looked around for a grill that would be easy to...
The Wonder of a Drawstring Bag
The Wonder of a Drawstring Bag The Scenario of a Work Day The workday for me doesn’t start with the alarm. I wish it did. I always anticipate the alarm sounding in my sleep, so I wake up fifteen to thirty minutes earlier than the alarm. There being no point going back to bed, I don’t. I used to pack a bento lunch to to go work, but find it’s no longer possible due to time constraints in the morning. I just eat in the cafeteria at work...
Most Useful Gift Idea: The Ninja Master Prep Professional
A Small Appliance that Works Like a Giant Chopper and Ice Crusher: More Power & 2 Times Faster If you are still looking for a gift for family or friend that will be used and loved for a long time, do consider the Ninja Master Prep Professional . I don’t think I’ve ever had an appliance that has exceeded so many expectations. I found the Ninja after trying a blender in the traditional style (motor on the bottom). After returning it...
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