mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents | Dallas Blog

Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

What You Need for Dream Sleep

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A mattress is a personal choice so there’s no magic formula how to find the exact model – it’s gonna be a mix of art and science.

Like a car, it’s an investment and can seem overwhelming or in some cases underwhelming to find the right one. So you’ll need to consider three main factors when you’re look at finding the right bed for you:  

  • Size
  • Budget
  • Test drive

Here’s your guide for choosing the right mattress for you as featured on Good Morning Texas!


Your Dream Bed is the NEW Dream Bed

Or you can just find a bed that does it all. Again, like car buyers, bed buyers are looking for much more from their bed.  Recently launched in October, the Dream Bed is a bed-in-a-box brand with a greater purpose of improving sleeping conditions around the world with a buy one, give one model. Originated in September 2015, the brand was birthed from customer feedback and time-tested, iterative development to offer a ridiculously comfortable bed at an incredible value and a connection to a cause.

For every Dream Bed sold, a twin mattress will be donated to someone in need.

The Dream Bed is available in two models – The Dream Bed Original and The Dream Bed Cool – which features a built-in cooling layer. The Dream Bed Cool will be the first temperature-cooling bed-in-a-box on the market.

DreamBed

Starting at $699, both versions of The Dream Bed include seven inches of high-density base foam to provide comfort and reduce motion transfer for sleep partners. The mattresses also feature one-and-a-half inches of breathable memory foam that automatically adjusts to body weight and temperature, plus a second layer of latex foam that wicks away body heat and moisture.The latex is naturally hypoallergenic, antibacterial and antimicrobial. A queen-sized Dream Bed Original costs $829 with the queen-sized Dream Bed Cool priced at $999.

For more information about the Dream Bed, visit dreambed.com or follow The Dream Bed on Facebook and Twitter.

Sleep Happy or Get Your Money Back Guarante

However, if you are looking for something different than the Dream Bed or decide on another bed, remember different retailers have different policies for returns, but at Mattress Firm it’s a 120 day return policy – they call it the Sleep Happy or Get Your Money Back Guarantee. And with the Dream Bed, you get 180  days. Except here in Dallas – where the policy is a full year for a return, however, make sure to check with your store for details. 

Improve Your Sleep Now

While finding the right bed is a huge part of the better sleeping experience, there are a few things you can do to improve your sleep TONIGHT.

1. Dark Thirty: 

It’s easy to sit in bed for hours with your iPad or iPhone, but studies show you should stop your screen time an hour from your bed time to help your mind relax and get ready for you bed.Don’t just turn off your screens – turn off any other lights in your room and consider turning on a device like a sleep machine to make sure to drown out the other sounds that could keep you awake

2. Routine:

Same time every time. That’s right – keeping a routine of how and when you go to bed helps your body get ready for bed.

3. Pillow:

I’m picky when it comes to my pillow and so are many other. Depending on your needs, your pillow ranges from soft to firm to provide the right amount of support to not just rest your head, but in some cases keep your airflow consistent so you don’t start snoring.

4. Temperature: 

There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night either because you’re too cold or too hot. Start off with the right sleepwear, temperature on the thermostat and the right amount of blankets. Studies show sleeping in a cooler environment is easier than sleeping when it’s too hot.

5. Work It:

Working out at least three times a week can keep help you fall asleep faster and sleep longer. However, make sure to not work out within three hours of bed time so you don’t get your adrenaline running when you need everything else to slow down.

Now – go get your ZZZs!

Night, night!

l_dream_bed_original_pillow

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VarageSale: The NEW Garage Sale

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Once upon a time….in a very crowded house not so long ago…

I decided to have a garage sale.


I purged my house and made big piles of items I wanted to sell. Signs were posted around the neighborhood. I got up at the butt crack of down on my Saturday, made coffee for the visitors, and provided snacks to the people who stopped by to check out my awesome loot….ha.  But the more I thought about it, I really didn’t want to sell my daughter’s Burberry onesie for 25 cents when I knew I paid much more for that at Neiman Marcus. And definitely all the work I did to get it ready to get $20 in my pocket… it was a total bust. 

Sell Items on VS

Now, I don’t have to.

VarageSale is the modern, virtual day approach to the tried-and-true garage sales. It’s a marketplace app that allows you to buy and sell pre-loved items with neighbors without driving around the block on a Saturday morning. The app was created by Tami Zuckerman, a mom and former elementary teacher in Toronto, who was frustrated with how difficult it was to sell some of her child’s clothes. She wanted it to be simple for busy moms and dads who were always on the go and didn’t have time to physically sit at a computer. And it couldn’t be easier to use for both buyers and sellers.

join-today

Like most things online, the app is connected through Facebook, so you don’t have to worry about remembering yet another username/password. Download the app, type in your zip code and shop away.

There are seven new communities in the DFW area giving you more opportunities to find the perfect items:

You can search for items like “elsa frozen toys” and voila, it shows you all of the related items in your community. Whether or not your daughter wants to let go of her Elsa toy is another story. Plus, it’s the perfect way to declutter your home and make a little cash in the process. No longer do you have to dread the growing piles of clothes, toys and other knick knacks that the kids have outgrown or “outloved.”

Varage-Sale

Selling on VarageSale is a piece of cake. Once you have sorted through all of the items and decided what is appropriate for the site, snap a photo of the item, price it according to its retail value and how much loved it received and upload away. I really didn’t get rid my daughter’s Burberry onesie, but if I wanted to, now I can sell it closer to the retail value and not shed a little tear when it goes home to a new owner for only a quarter.

Another nifty and helpful trick for VarageSale users?

You can customize your news feed so that only the categories and items you care about, show up! Here’s how! 

Right now, VarageSale is running a super seller cash offer specifically in the new DFW communities and a free family vacation contest. Note that you have to sign up via the links below in order to enter.

Here’s a breakdown on how you can get even more cash in your pocket: 

New VarageSale sign-ups who join a newly launched community will earn $5 for every item they list for sale (up to 25 items). That’s potentially $125 up for grabs!

 SuperSeller - Twitter graphic

Super Seller cash offer available to new VarageSale signs-ups only, and only eligible in new VarageSale communities. Limited to first 100 new sign-ups per community. Disney contest is available to new and existing VarageSale users and is state-wide. Full terms at terms.varagesale.com/tx 

Twitter - Disney v2

BONUS: Every item listed for sale is also an entry into a state-wide contest to win a family vacation (up to 5 people) to the most magical place on earth in Orlando, Florida (Disney World).

VarageSale is quick and fun way to buy products, and the community vibe makes it a little safer to sell items without the fear of being kidnapped.

And you keep on your pajamas and can get it all done before your next round of coffee. 

 

 

My Music Video Debut: Some Carpet to Love

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I fondly remember when I was 5 years old,  jumping on my mother’s bed in just my panties and trying to scream the words of the Madonna song playing on MTV. 

I remembered thinking how cool that people were singing and dancing on a channel devoted to all music all the time. 


Oh, how cool would it be in a video, I thought. 

Oh those were the days…

Since then MTV has changed, although I still love Madonna. 

And a few months ago I was finally able to fulfill that childhood dream and be in a music video.

Mohawk2

So I guess you’re wondering why I might be laying on the floor in what presumes to be in a church choir robe with four other lovely ladies?

No, I haven’t become a member of a gospel girls club…

This was my music video moment. 

And in true #mamachallenge fashion, I wasn’t rolling around being all hot and bothered like the Queen of Pop, but I was talking dirty. Real dirty. 

Like dirty carpet and how I wish I could find some “Carpet to Love,” (the title of the song) featuring Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean Carpet. If you watch the whole video you’ll see what we did to the old carpet before hand and how beautiful the house was once the new SmartStrand was when it was installed. 

The day of shooting the video was pretty hilarious – and not my typical mamachallenge kinda-day. Well..unless you count the days I roll around on my own carpet throwing a big fit, but that’s another story.  But all that time on the floor in the video, I can actually attest this stuff is super durable and really easy to clean!  

Mohawk

I was able to experience Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean Carpet at work as

  • The only carpet with built-in stain and soil resistance that never wears or washes off
  • Has Nanoloc spill protection for quick and easy spill cleanup (a new nanotechnology to protect the fiber)
  • Environmentally friendly because it’s made in part from renewable resources
  • Families that do it all need a carpet that has it all—SmartStrand is the only carpet that has it all!

And since I’m a big video music star and all now (HA!), I get to share this special “Friends and Family” discount with you for 10% off select SmartStrand Forever Clean carpet now through 12/31/15. 

Now without further ado, here is my video music debut! 

 
Connect with Mohawk Flooring
 

7 New Ways to Use Paper Towels

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Tracking PixelMulti-tasking is my other middle name. Anytime I can combine, multiply or make use of anything for more than its initial purpose, I consider it a win-win. It’s like multi-tasking on a whole new level. If I can just create a way for my kitchen to move the food from the fridge to the oven and then to my table with the push of the button, I’d be rich.

Until then, I rely on my friends (online and off) to share with me what their best practices for making their family day-to-world work a little better, a little easier, and definitely in less steps. (Consider it like huddling up before the big game.) So when Viva® Vantage® invited a few of us mamas to a sponsored event to switch up our normal routine by using Viva® Vantage® instead of our normal paper towels in our normal way, we decided to put it through the wringer (pun intended.)

7DaySwitchViva


Besides, paper towels are made to clean up messes, right? What’s there to challenge? Just take a look at what we discovered.

 

How do you use your Viva® Vantage®? Need another hand in the kitchen? Actually you just may need a new paper towel! See how Viva® Towels has the advantage with these tips! 7daySwitchUp [ad]

Posted by Mama Challenge on Tuesday, October 6, 2015

 

You see these paper towels are the award-winning paper towels, so they don’t just clean up messes. Recently named a 2015 Product of the Year, Viva® Vantage® have the revolutionary V-Flex™ Weave that creates a sponge-like absorbency and takes scrubbing to a whole new level. And anytime a paper towel can also make creating a quality meal on the table a little bit easier than before, then I’m all for switching it up!

Pinterest-Viva

Using one of my favorite recipes for a Steak Salad I love, I was ready to do a little of my own homework. Made with tenderloin, tomatoes, olives, green beans, bleu cheese, red onions, romaine and balsamic vinaigrette, this salad is a full meal deal for everyone in the family and while not complicated, does enlist several prep steps. 

So using what I learned, first off, I was able to wash off the lettuce using Viva® Vantage® as a colander to rinse the leaves.

Lettuce

Then to keep the remaining lettuce fresh longer, I wrapped it up it with the Viva® Vantage® to soak up the excess water. 

Lettuce-Viva

There was no need to for a vegetable scrubber, I just tore off a sheet of a sheet of paper towel and using the great scrubbing power of Viva® Vantage® paper towels I was able to properly clean my potatoes, just like I had done with mushrooms here. 

Potatoes-Viva

However, my favorite switch up was being able to use a damp paper towel under your cutting board to prevent it from shifting while slicing and dicing. I was easily able to slice the tenderloin with no issues or fear of moving on my granite countertop. 

7DaySwitchViva

Now considering I never like cleanup, it was good to know that I could just use a the great scrubbing power of Viva® Vantage® paper towels to clean the toughest messes and get my stove top back to normal. 

Stove

Viola with Viva® Vantage®!

Viva-Steak-Salad

But did you know you can also use Viva® Vantage® to: 
* Hand wash and dry wine glasses and other stemware using the cloth-like texture of Viva® Vantage® paper towels for a sparkling finish 

* Chill wine quickly by wrapping a damp paper towel around the bottle and put in the freezer to chill rapidly.

Never thought a paper towel could be so versatile, right? They are when they are Viva® Vantage®. 

Take your own challenge by doing your own 7-Day Switch Up with Viva® Vantage® and see what Viva® can do to help you with your kitchen “mamachallenges.”

What 7-Day Switch Up with Viva® Vantage® tip really surprised you? 

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Viva® Vantage®.

The Multi-Cooker for the Multi-Tasking Mom

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How many appliances do you own?

I mean, really? How many pots, pans and plugin pots does a gal gotta have to make a meal? Wouldn’t it be nice to have one appliance that steams, sautes, slow cook and even more?


While I may sound a little like the Genie from Aladdin…I feel like my dream has come true with the KitchenAid® Multi-Cooker! Yogurt, risotto, soup, steak and even a strawberry cheesecake, can all be made with this baby and in one pot! With over ten cooking methods and four step-by-step modes, simplify cooking anytime of the day with consistent Even- Heat™ technology.

KitchenAid-MultiCooker

I’ll admit I wasn’t sure exactly where to start with all the different ways I could use the multicooker, so it sat in a box for a few days. But when I did, the sleek design of the multicooker was just the right size to stay on my cabinet for easy, convenient and continued used. With so many options, it was almost overwhelming to figure out what to make, so I just started with the first setting and made my way down to the line from lowest temperature to the hottest. 

While it looks like a crock pot, it is so much more because you can use it for so many purposes including taking the idea of one-pot wonders to a whole new level. And since cook methods can be programmed for up to 12 hours of cooking, you really can fix it and forget it – especially With EvenHeat™ technology monitoring the temperature of the cooking pot from 110° to 450° F.

Saute

The Kitchen Aid Multi-Cooker comes with a dual purpose steam basket/roasting rack, a specially developed lid with a soft rubber handle, for easy pouring and steam release, and a four-quart cooking pot. So you get everything you need to make a four-course meal with just the multi-cooker. 

While I had fun making everything from yogurt to steaming my own vegetables, I eyed a recipe in the digital KitchenAid cookbook you receive after registration, a traditional french dish, Cassoulet with chicken. While it sounds rather impressive, cassoulet is actually a French peasant dish that includes a protein like duck, venison and sausage, beans and a flavorful broth comprised of onions, celery and whatever else you wanna throw in there . Best of all a little splash of wine in this dish gives you a reason to have a glass while you make the cassoulet as well!  So while Americans might want to consider this a big pot of everything you got, I was happy to take on this dish and proudly announce it as its more impressive nomenclature cassoulet.

KitchenAidCassoulet

Hey if Julia Child took time to make it, so would I. However, I was thinking my steps were going to be much, much easier with the multi-cooker. Using one pot and several different settings – from saute, sear, slow cooker high and even boil – this dish was going to make preparation easy and cleanup even more since everything was made in one pot! 

Cassoulet

Print

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Chicken Cassoulet

  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 11⁄2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 13⁄4 pounds bone-in chicken pieces
  • 2 chicken sausages (21⁄4 ounces each), cooked and cut into 1⁄4-inch pieces
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 11⁄2 cups diced red and green bell peppers
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1⁄2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 cans (about 15 ounces each) cannellini or Great Northern beans,
  • rinsed and drained

Instructions

  1. Preheat KitchenAid® Multi-Cooker on Sauté setting. Add bacon; cook 10 minutes or until crisp, stirring occasionally.
  2. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate with slotted spoon.
  3. Add olive oil to drippings in Multi-Cooker.
  4. Combine flour, 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and black pepper in shallow bowl.
  5. Coat chicken pieces with flour mixture; shake off excess.
  6. Brown chicken in batches on Sear setting; reduce heat to Sauté setting if chicken begins to burn.
  7. Transfer to plate.
  8. Reduce heat to Sauté setting. Add sausages, onion, bell peppers,garlic, thyme and rosemary; sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon salt.
  9. Cook 5 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally and add additional olive oil as needed to prevent sticking.
  10. Stir in wine, scraping up browned bits from bottom of Multi-Cooker with spatula. Top with chicken and bacon.
  11. Cover and cook on Slow Cooker High setting 20 minutes; stir in beans.
  12. Cover and cook 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (165°F), stirring gently twice.
  13. Serve.

The KitchenAid Multicooker makes a super holiday gift for your loved ones, but mostly yourself. Get ready to take this baby for a spin with tons of dishes you’ll enjoy making from scratch with a lot of the recognition without all the cleanup. That’s my kinda cookin’. 

Reclaim your kitchen with the KitchenAid Multicooker found at Nebraska Furniture Mart. 

Chicken-Cassoulet-KitchenAid

SafeHome with Your SmartPhone

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If you follow me at all, you know I’m a geek about technology. 

But it’s not just about having the coolest or newest gadget available, it’s about function, convenience and now safety with safehome devices that are controlled with your smartphone using you WiFi network and/or your wireless network like from Verizon. 

Home-Automation-NFM


While these are several on the market that I recommend from radios, lightbulbs and more, here my top 5 for creating a safer home for when you’re on vacation, at work or just want to keep things rolling along, but a little safer.

Wink Connected Home Hub (affiliate link)

Learn more about the Wink Connected Home Hub

Chamberlain MyQ Garage Universal Smartphone Garage Door Controller (affiliate link)

Learn about Chamberlain’s MyQ Garage Door Controller

 

Canary Home Security

canary-all-in-one-home-security-white-iset-can100uswt

 

Learn more about Canary

Belkin WeMo Insight SwitchWemo

Learn more about WeMo

Crock Pot Smart WiFi WeMo 6-Quart Slow Cooker  

Wifi Crockpot

Visit How to Better Step Up Your Home Security to a Safehome for more tips from Verizon.

 

Learn More about SmartHomes on mamachallenge.com: 

Smart Home: Four Must-Haves to Automate Your Home

Not Just a SmartHome, it’s a SafeHome with Verizon

Smart Choice for Unlimited Phone Plan from Walmart

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #FamilyMobileLive #CollectiveBias.

Like most people, as the “hub” of operations for our family, it makes it absolutely necessary to be connected to my mobile phone at all times.

I mean if I was a Barbie, I’d be made with a smartphone sewn on to my hand and if you disconnected it, the Barbie goes into some kind of psychotic episode.

Now, with a child that I want to be able to connect when he’s away, it was time to look at options for a more affordable unlimited phone plan option for our family.

I had heard that Walmart had a phone plan geared towards families, but just because it was cheaper than my current plan, I figured it probably meant that the phones were sub par and the service would be to. “Those plans weren’t meant for super users like me,” I thought.

To make sure I was right on target, I went to Walmart to learn more about its Family Mobile 4G LTE service. I found out I could meet with a special Walmart Family Mobile reps in my local Walmart any weekend.  (Just check out here to see when they will be in your area.)

Walmart-Phone

So when I arrived that day, I quickly found my Walmart ESR Luis ready to answer any questions I had – and I didn’t even have to wait in line no line! After being with one mobile provider for more than 10 years, I needed to rethink how mobile service could work and Luis was ready to help.

We first went over the basics to show me how WFM was different as a post paid phone service versus prepaid plans I had heard about. I knew it was going to be cheap, but with an activation $25 one-time fee, $29.88 per month unlimited talk, text and data on the 4G network, and no contract.  I have to admit I kept waiting for the “hitch” or here’s where ‘they” get you, but there wasn’t one in the plan. So of course, I was thinking there had to be one in the phones.

There was a lot of OMGs uttered during the conversation with not just the price, but the selection.

WFM-Plans

Luis, the ESR, kept a smile, but politely and patiently helped me understand that the plan was easy for families (up to four members at the $29.88 price) and that there were several options when it came to phones. Several brands and diverse types of phones (from smartphone and flip phone) were available from Samsung, Alcatel, LG, and more. And when you’re talking about a smartphone for as low as $19.88. However, I wasn’t just focused on finding the cheapest or most popular option, I wanted to be able to find the “right” choice for a phone for my son (and possibly the whole family to use in the future.)

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to http://cbi.as/ofmp or your local Walmart for current pricing.

We talked how the phone would be used, how often, etc. and figured that there was a super option with the Alcatel. After finally making a decision (I think I asked him every question under the moon about every phone), in only five minutes we were able to activate the phone, start my service and get me out out of the store! I couldn’t believe it was that easy.

WFM-Quicktime

Any thing else I wanted could be handled online with my account. Not only was this super easy for me to use, but I loved I could go online and modify the hours that my son could access the Internet, so I knew he couldn’t sneak in any games after bedtime or during school!

WFM-Taking-Photo

If I didn’t ask enough questions (yes, we spent an hour together because I wanted to go over everything), Luis said I could always call customer service if I couldn’t answer the question online.

Highlights from my Walmart Family Mobile ESR:

  • One of the most popular WFM service plans includes unlimited phone, data, text for $29.88 (for the first line) on the 4G LTE network (up to 1 G).
  • WFM is a no-contract, post-pay plan (you pay after you use your plan at the end of the month.)
  • WFM is part of the T-Mobile Network and has nationwide coverage and international coverage.
  • Find an ESR your area when your schedule works to discuss the WFM plan and all your options.
  • Phones included in the plan range in price and services like smartphones including the latest iPhone! (That’s right, you can use an unlocked iPhone with a $29.88 plan) as well as several other phone option.

What’s the best thing about Walmart Family Mobile? 

 


Down & Dirty DIY Gardening Tips from Calloway’s Nursery

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I admit it. I hate to garden. Actually I’m miserable at it.

If you love spending time in the yard, digging up weeds and planting flower, I tip my hat to you. Martha Stewart and HGTV has tricked all us into thinking we can recreate these beautifully-landscaped backyards in 30 minutes to an hour while wearing a white button down and STILL not get one drop of dirt on it. Please. It’s not realistic and frankly it just makes me roll my eyes.

Still, after a long day at work and the kids are sound asleep in their beds, who doesn’t like to sit out on a your deck, porch, whatever, grab a beverage and enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet?


With a little guidance from Calloway’s Nursery, gardening will go from being a boring chore that you dread during the spring and summer, to a fun activity that just also happens to be rewarding! And even if you have a “brown thumb” like me, there are easy ways you can bring color and love to your yard.

Mother-Daughter Gardening

The first trick to gardening, and frankly everything in life, is to start slow.

Don’t walk into Calloway’s, find the biggest rose bush and wander why it doesn’t grow. You’re setting yourself up for failure and that will discourage you from every picking up a shovel again. Instead of trying to tackle your entire yard, start your journey with a container garden, like those cute pot or planters you’ve seen on Pinterest that hold flowers, herbs and vegetables. This is really a win-win idea. Not only are you able to control many of the elements required for growing, but you can also introduce your family to gardening and show your kids how something simple like basil grows and eventually ends up in their favorite spaghetti sauce. And the Best Mom Award Goes To…

GIRL GARDENING

In our rather warm, and by warm I mean scorching, sometimes unbearable, summer weather, herbs like basil, mint, thyme and oregano will thrive in the hot conditions. Plants like vinca, purslane, moss roes and lantana will also do well. You can also ask your local Calloway’s nursery professional and they’ll be able to tell you which items are the best for your climate.

Another thing that can be really intimidating is all of the fancy terms that you hear those “experts” mention on home and garden TV shows. Annuals, perennials and biennials. Oh My. Have fun in your yard! Choose plants and flowers that make you smile and will bring joy to your family. If you are really concerned about how long they will last, the folks at Calloway’s will offer great suggestions that will not leave you more confused.

PENTAS

Now that you’ve gotten the 411 on gardening, grab your gloves, some clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and let’s get started!

There are just a few items you will need:

And it’s super easy to pot your new plant friends.

  1. Arrange your plants and flowers outside the potter FIRST to see what looks best. Remember it doesn’t have to look perfect – just whatever makes you happy.
  2. Once you have an arrangement, place a rock or piece of bark over the drainage holes so that water doesn’t leak everywhere and then fill the pot halfway with potting soil.
  3. Time for your flowers! Fill the extra space around the plants with more potting soil, leaving one inch of space at the top for water.
  4. Add flower food to container, more potting soil if needed, a good supply of water and ENJOY!

Now, we already talked about how the Texas heats beats down in the spring and summer months, so make sure you water often until you see water seeping out the drainage holes. Remove faded blooms to promote new growth and regularly trim any extra stems so that your pots stay gorgeous. Think of it like you’re getting rid of your plant’s split ends.

CONTAINER GARDEN

And it’s just that easy. If it makes you feel more official, go ahead and put on a white button down like Martha. After all, that’s why we purchase all of those fancy laundry detergents and bleach.

Happy Gardening! 

Cool it with the Hottest Coolers

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Summer is hot, but your food and fun shouldn’t be! Here’s how to to Cool it with the Hottest Coolers. Affiliate links may apply. 

“It’s summer time”….(cue the Will Smith…)

With summer approaches hot times with fun activities that require you to keep your drinks and food cool while you hang with the heat. Whether you’re throwing a party, going camping or just roadtripping for a few days, these coolers definitely will take your ice chest to the next level.


Coleman // 54 Quart Steel Belted Cooler
$149.99

 

Coleman

Looks like the original steel-belted coolers of your grandparents’ days, but with today’s technologies. This stainless steel baby holds 85 cans, has rubber grip handles for easy carrying and comes with a solid steel latch seals it completely. Rust resistant with easy to clean base, lid and liner, this is the kind of cooler that will make you feel like you are ready for battle.

[Tweet “What’s the key to loading an ice chest? 2:1 ice to contents AND put the drinks in first! “]

YETI // Tundra
$399.99

Yeti

Austin-based YETI coolers have taken the cooler market to new heights! The Tundra coolers are built from the same process that premium kayaks are made from. It’s a process called roto-molding and the end result is a beyond durable cooler that will last for years. However, it’s the Fat Wall design – extra thick walls that include 2” of insulation all around that allow the YEIT to hold ice for days..and days…and days. If you check out their website, you’ll see every outdoorsman of every type is committed to the YETI and if you bring it to a party, better keep your eye on because someone will want it! Other features include non-slip feet, easy drain system and comfortable carrying options. YETI started with hard sided coolers, but now offers soft sided coolers and a whole line of drinkware….so something for everything!

Igloo // Party Bar Cooler
$199 – $249.99

igloo-studio-threeqrts-full

The folks at Texas-based Igloo definitely know a thing or two about keeping it cool, and their new Party Bar cooler powered by LiddUp is bound to take even the coolest parties. When darkness falls, the exclusive LiddUp® LED light system emits a cool glow that both sets the party mood and illuminates the cooler’s contents—letting thirsty guests find what they want quickly. The Party Bar effortlessly rolls your drinks from the pantry to the party on locking casters. Or if you prefer a more classic look, remove the Party Bar from its base for use it as a standard ice chest. With a built-in bottle opener with Catch bin to removable drink dividers and wine caddy to the convenient utility loops and removable lid…The Party Bar comes equipped with all the essentials you need to easily pick your poison, pop the top and party on.

Coolest Cooler // The Coolest Cooler
$299.00
TheCoolestCooler
Seting a Kickstarter record for the most-funded campaign ($13.3 million), The Coolest Cooler is just a presale away. Just check out what your under $500 purchase makes.

  • High-performance Blender
  • Outdoor BlueTooth Speaker with Party Pairing®
  • USB Charger
  • LED Lid Light
  • Cooler Divider / Cutting board
  • Bottle Opener
  • Done in One™ Tie-down bungee cord
  • 20V Rechargeable Lithium Battery
  • Accessory Deck
  • Ergonomic Design Built to Last

Keep it Cool this Summer!

Not Just a SmartHome, it’s a SafeHome with Verizon

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Disclaimer

When mobile phones became a standard around a decade (or two ago), it was about being constantly connected even in an emergency. As we’ve progressed with technology, it’s not just our phone that is connected, it’s now the front door, the lamp, and now even your kids’ who can’t even operate a phone can be reached with the swipe of a button.  It’s not just a SmartHome, it’s SafeHome with Verizon and their new array of safehome products.

 


http://www.verizonwireless.com/accessories/kwikset-kevo-venetian-bronze/#?color=Bronze

 

Need to unlock the door for the technician, your friend who needed to borrow something while you’re at work or did you forget to lock the door? The Kwikset Kevo let’s you lock and unlock your door with the easy of your smartphone for assurance.

Kwikset Kevo – Venetian Bronze
$199.99 RIGHT NOW

  • Turn your compatible Apple® iOS or Android® 5.0 device into an electronic house key
  • Unlock a door with the simple touch of your hand when your smartphone is nearby
  • Send guests or family a temporary electronic key, so they can let themselves in

Wemo

If you’re mornings are as crazy as mind, you’re still wondering if you turned off the coffee pot or your flatiron well into your workday – until now. Belkin’s WeMo Insight Switch gives you the capability to turn off and on the switch while you’re away, allows you to set a schedule when you want electronics to turn off and on, or even monitor the amount of energy you are using.

Belkin WeMo Insight Switch
$59.99

  • Turn home electronics on or off from your smartphone or tablet
  • See how much energy your home appliances are using
  • Create customized schedules, such as turning a lamp on at sunset

canary-all-in-one-home-security-white-iset-can100uswt

Wish you could see what’s happening at home when you’re traveling or even when you’re away from your hotel room? There are tons of options for security anywhere with the Canary Home Security system. Check in on home with your smartphone to see real time video with no installation or wires, but can also work with your automated security system for the ultimate anytime, anywhere safehome.

Canary Home Security – White
$249

  • Complete home security system in one device
  • Adapts to your home over time, sends notifications with HD video to your smartphone
  • No monthly fees or contracts needed; quick and easy set up

 

GitzmoPal

Even if your child doesn’t need their own mobile phone, you still need to reach them or at least know where they’re at. With GitzmoPal you can always call or find your child whereever they are and they can call up to two different numbers if they need to reach you. And with up to six numbers set to reach GitzmoPal, Grandma, the babysitter and even your sister can reach your child if necessary.

GitzmoPal by LG
$79.00 (with one year contract)

  • Make and receive calls with one button
  • Locate GizmoPal on a map from your smartphone
  • Water resistant, durable and fun to wear

Verizon-logo

Visit How to Better Step Up Your Home Security to a Safehome for more tips from Verizon.

 

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