Home Style & Decor
A well styled home need not be expensive..
CheapDeals101 - Latest Deals
- Built NY 16 inch Notebook Sleeve for $14.99 Discount Price: $14.99Original Price: $39.99Savings upto 63% + Free ShippingSave $25 on purchase of Built NY Notebook Sleeve at Buy.com with free shipping. The notebook sleeve is specially made to accommodate Macs & PCs and can easily fit into backpacks, luggage or totes. It features neoprene exterior, eye-catching patterns and proprietary hourglass design which secures your laptop in its position. Stain resistant sleeve is machine washable in cold water and drip dryable. This 16 inch sleeve includes shark gill grips and measures 14" height x 16.75" width x 1" depth.
- Sunbeam 5891 Nonstick Breadmaker for $63.99 Discount Price: $63.99Original Price: $69.99Savings upto 9% + Free ShippingSunbeam 5891 Nonstick Breadmaker is available at lowest price of $63.99 at Buy.com with free shipping. The 5891 bread maker can bake up to 2 lb. horizontal loaves of bread in under an hour. It has LED display and easy-clean touch control panel to choose from 12 cooking functions. This bread maker is perfect for all flour types, including whole wheat & gluten free and can be paddled with mild cleanser. There is a non-stick pan which can be removed for hand wash cleaning. You can bake the bread on 13-hour delay bake function or use the express bake 58-minute cycle to bake it in less than one hour. The 600 watts bread maker comes with an instruction book including bread recipes and measures 14.09'' x 18.91'' x 13.46''. It is made in China and backed by 1-year warranty.
- Gateway DX4831-01U Desktop Computer for $559.99 Discount Price: $559.99Original Price: $599.99Savings upto 7% + Free ShippingTigerdirect.com offers Gateway DX4831-01U Desktop PC at only $559.99 with free shipping and 30 day iron clad guarantee. This desktop computer has Intel Core i3-530 2.93GHz processor, 6GB DDR3 memory, 1TB SATA hard drive, 16X DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive and Intel H57 Express chipset. The integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD graphics card allows you to play high graphical games. It features 7.1 channel surround sound support, optical mouse, standard keyboard and Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium OS. You will get 12 months parts and labor warranty on purchase of this desktop computer. Connectivity:10 USB 2.0 ports1 HDMI & 2 eSATA ports1 IEEE 1394 Firewire portGigabit EthernetWide-type media card reader
- Carl Zeiss Victory T* 6-24X56 Riflescope for $2799 Amazon.com offers Carl Zeiss Victory T* 6-24X56 Riflescope at only $2,799.00. This riflescope has durable one piece tube body with premium anodized finish and is fully-waterproof and nitrogen filled. It has self centered second image plane Rapid-Z reticle with wide field of view & large adjustment range. Features:Legendary carl zeiss qualityHighly durable and resistant to recoilFully multi-coated for superb low light transmissionParallax compensation and elevation adjustment Special Offer: Get Express Checkout with Amazon PayPhrase
- Mach Speed Trio 4GB MP4 Player V2400 (Silver) for $39.99 Discount Price: $39.99Original Price: $49.99Savings upto 20%Compusa.com presents Mach Speed Trio MP4 Player in Silver only for $39.99. The V2400 model has 2.4" color LCD display that gives you sharp & clear videos. This Media Player has 4GB memory, where you can store thousand of songs. It has USB 2.0 port, voice recorder feature and calculator. The Mach Speed Trio V2400 model has on-board speaker and is compatible with microSD card. This Mach Speed MP3 Player can play JPEG, WAV, WMA, MP3, TXT, BMP, AVI and GIF formats. It has rechargeable battery that provides upto 8 hours of play back time. The V2400 MP3 Player comes with USB cable and ear buds. It covers 12 months parts and labor warranty. You will get 30 days IRON CLAD guarantee on this product.
- Sony HDR-XR550V Camcorder Refurbished for $1199.92 Discount Price: $1,199.92Original Price: $1399Savings upto 14% + Free ShippingSave $199.08 on Sony HDR-XR550V Camcorder (Refurb) with free shipping at onecall.com. The Sony camcorder offers 3.5MP 1/4" back-illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor, 1920 x 1080 high definition resolution, 2x faster Quick AF, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization with active mode and 1080/60p playback via HDMI. With the built-in GPS receiver & NAVTEQ maps, you can easily view your current location on the LCD map display. The included active interface shoe allows you to mount intelligent accessories such as external lights and microphone. Features:- BIONZ Image Processor- x.v. Color technology- BRAVIA Sync technology- Dynamic range optimizer- High-speed USB 2.0 interface- 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD display with 230 K pixel resolution Specification:- f/1.8-3.4 aperture range- 30mm filter/wide angle capability- 1/8-1/1000 shutter speed- 160GB non-removable hard disk drive memory- 2.9 - 34.8mm focal distance- InfoLITHIUM battery with AccuPower Meter System The Sony Picture Motion Browser software provides a simple and easy way to transfer, sort & view videos as well as still pictures on the compatible PC. It also offers face detection technology, intelligent auto mode, smile shutter technology, smooth slow record mode and personalized "My Menu" system. The Sony HDR-XR550V Camcorder provides easy playback options, 12x optical zoom, 160x digital zoom, film roll index, face index function and map index function. It also provides dual record with 3.5MP still image capture, built-in flash and auto lens cover. The 13oz camcorder covers 1-year parts and 90-days labor limited warranty.
- Toshiba Tecra M11-ST3502 14 inch Laptop for $1029 Free ShippingPurchase Toshiba Tecra M11-ST3502 laptop at only $1,029.00 with free shipping from toshibadirect.com. View your favorite pictures or play high graphical games on its 14.0" HD display with 1366x768 resolution through integrated Intel graphics card. This laptop features 802.11n Wi-Fi, fingerprint reader and shock-absorbing design. It comes with pre-installed Microsoft Office Professional 2007 (60-day Trial Edition) and Genuine Windows 7 Professional 32/64-bit OS with XP Recovery Media. You will get 1 year standard limited warranty on purchase of this Toshiba laptop. Technical Specification:Intel Core i5-520M 2.40 GHz Processor 2.93 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology3MB L3 Cache & 1066MHz FSB2GB memory250GB hard driveMobile Intel QM57 Express Chipset (AMT 6.0) Standard DVD SuperMulti optical drive
- WipeOut - The Game for Wii for $29.99 Free ShippingAt Buy.com you can purchase WipeOut - The Game for Wii only for $29.99 with free shipping. This video game gives you crazy Wipeout experience. It has customizable characters and more than 50 insane obstacles. You can duck, jump, run and dodge using classic Wii controls and bonus balance board functionality. In multiplayer split-screen mode you can compete with upto four players.
- Smead Hanging Folder, Letter Vinyl Tabs for $15.75 Discount Price: $15.75Original Price: $28.99Savings upto 46%Get Smead Letter Vinyl Tabs at just $15.75 at Amazon.com and get two day free shipping with Free Trial of Amazon Prime. The hanging folder includes 1/2-inch high and 1/5 cut repositionable vinyl tabs with replaceable white tab inserts. It features 10% post-consumer material and 10% recycled content. Dimension of the 4 pounds weighted folder box is 13.3 x 10.2 x 2.3 inches. Special offer: Get Express Checkout with Amazon PayPhrase.
- Encore Calendar Creator Platinum v12.1 Software for $23.98 Discount Price: $23.98Original Price: $29.99Savings upto 20%Buy.com offers Encore Calendar Creator Platinum v12.1 Software at only $23.98. This amazing software allows you to create your own calendar. It contains different types of 500 templates of planners, organizers and calendars. You can also add your own photos and text to create a calendar. Features:Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Yearly Styles200,000+ Premium ImagesVast Collection of Unique FontsFranklin Covey Layouts
Black and White Delight
- Type Ceramic Hooks Capturing the look of collectible antique-shop finds, these white Type Ceramic Hooks are numbered one through four in crisp black vintage type. Crafted of sand-cast iron, thickly plated for strength. Stoneware inserts with decal lettering are hand molded. $9. Buy here.
- Vines Insulated Lunch Bag This fashionable Vines Insulated Lunch Bag features a graphic black and white vines print with fuchsia accents. Made from neoprene (also used to make wetsuits), this bag will insulate food for up to four hours and stores flat. Features an interior pocket, zipper closure, and a long strap that fits over your shoulder. Stain resistant and machine washable on cold, it's the perfectly practical reusable lunch bag. Does not contain vinyl or PVC. $29.95. Buy here.
- Highgate Manor Classico Decorative Pillows 2-pack This Highgate Manor Classico Decorative Pillows 2-pack should be part of everyone's decor. The beautiful metallic sheen and beaded embroidery of this set adds stylish sophistication to your surroundings the second you make it part of your living room, bedroom or den. Enjoy the elegance of these engaging pieces. $39.95. Buy here. (New customers get 15% off your first purchase with Coupon #C77647)
- Larson Black and White Quilt Set Add cozy comfort to your bedroom decor with this Larson Black/ White Quilt Set. Quilt set includes quilt and two shams. Bedding is available in versatile black/white color option and features a white floral pattern on black background. Made of 100-percent cotton. Machine washable. $78.99. Buy here.
- Denby Dinnerware Monsoon Chrysanthemum Serving Bowl Bold florals inspired by 19th century Japanese textiles spring from the Denby Dinnerware Monsoon Chrysanthemum Serving Bowl with striking, graphic style. A bouquet of cream, charcoal and gold on everyday fine china offers the cool, modern look and unparalleled durability of Denby. $50.00 Sale $39.99. Buy here.
- Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers The very nature of these Hug Salt & Pepper Shakers connotes love, making it a perfect gift for your loved ones! The bold use of black and white suggests that we are all brothers and sisters on this planet and we need to treat each other with kindness, compassion and respect. The rethinking of a salt and pepper set on this level, as well the clever geometric aspect of the design and the inherent ergonomic and storage benefits that it provides all contribute to the design's universal appeal. Size: 3" height. $9.89. Buy here.
- Rose Tree "Symphony" Shower Curtain The Rose Tree "Symphony" Shower Curtain features a symphony of black and white scrolling that creates a harmonious custom look for your bathroom on this all-cotton 72x75" shower curtain. $49. Buy here.
- Blissliving Home Stripe Pillar Candle Embrace classic motifs with a chic color palette of black and white on this Blissliving Home Stripe Pillar Candle. Scented with a layered combination. Timeless in style and pattern. $14-$15 Sale $12.60-$13.50. Buy here.
- Jessie Steele Rubber Gloves Black with Fifth Avenue Check and Pink Bow Add some vintage fun to kitchen dirty work with these Jessie Steele Rubber Gloves Black with Fifth Avenue Check and Pink Bow. A sophisticated check in black and white cuffs this rubber glove trimmed with a candy pink bow for flirty personality. A loop is attached for hanging up to dry. $8. Buy here.
- Le Vele Bonita Black Bedding Bring a chic contemporary look to your decor with the Bonita Black Collection by Le Vele bedding, a unique, attention grabbing design sure to be the focal point of your bedroom. The stark black and white contrast of the Bonita Black bedding collection by Le Vele gives the intricate bubble like design with a floral motif a sharp, arresting clarity. Set Includes: One Duvet, One Fitted Sheet, Two Pillowcases. $71.99-$323.99 Sale $57.99- $258.99. Buy here.
Dish on Design
- A Creative (and inexpensive) Way to add Additional Seating As you will discover in my post on Monday, I am somewhat obsessed with Ikea. If I wasn’t completely immersed in renovating our website, it could be a problem! By the way, make sure to take one last look at the current website, because in a week or so we are going to throw a party to celebrate a brand new look [...]
- Sunny Days, Sandy Beaches, Family and Friends I’ve gone to the beach for a week each summer since I was a young child and this year was no different. I know I’ve been awfully quiet around here – but it’s been busy behind the scenes and there are lots of good things happening around here. I’ll share more over the next [...]
- A Must Have Tool for Home Decorating! Chances are if you love to decorate, you also love to move your furniture around and if you’re like me… when you’re ready to move it, you don’t have time to wait for someone to help you. Enter the worlds greatest backsaving invention: Furniture Sliders. These little suckers will take the weight of a piece [...]
- I Heart Labelling I haven’t updated you lately on Project Organize 2010, but I assure you it is alive and well. I actually have fallen in love during the process – this week I’m love with labelling! The thing about this whole house organizing project is it’s fun and instantly rewarding. You can’t beat that! I actually look [...]
- New Carpet on the Stairs, a Confession and Solution. I have a confession to make. I H-A-T-E looking at my new carpet. Hate it. It is driving me nuts. Don’t get me wrong, I love the carpet. It has flecks of gold, creme and brown and it’s exactly what I wanted. It will hold up to traffic, feels good on my feet, doesn’t show a [...]
- Selecting Carpet for your Home – Tips and Thoughts I said in a post back in April (oh my, how time flies!), it is definitely time to replace the upstairs carpet. Not only because it’s horribly old, extremely ugly and here when we moved in, but because our beloved black lab Duncan had some serious bladder control issues before he lost his battle to lymphoma. I pulled up [...]
- Finding Inspiration and Hope from our Beloved Gulf Coast I spent a week every summer of my childhood on a beach. Most of those weeks were spent at the ocean on a Gulf Shore in Florida or Alabama. When I married and had children, my husband and I along with my parents, continued the tradition by creating beach memories of our own each year and in July of this year [...]
- Fans with Style…Bring on the Breeze. It’s steamy hot here in Florida and I’m told it’s just as uncomfortable back home in the mid-west. When I get hot here, rather than kick down the air-conditioning, I simply turn a fan towards me till I cool off, which got me to thinking today: why don’t I have more fans in my home? This question led me [...]
- Italian food, Ocean View and a Lost Dog I landed in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday to take care of some personal business on Wednesday. By the time my friend collected me and we got on the road from the airport I was s-t-a-r-v-e-d. We were both starved. We decided to look for a place to eat near the beach and found this adorable Italian Restaurant [...]
- The “What do you See” Challenge: The Airport It’s was Tuesday afternoon as I sat in the Tampa airport luggage terminal to write this. I had personal business in Tampa on Wednesday and will be doing business in another part of Florida for the next few weeks. As I sat there, I had this thought: wouldn’t it be fun to share the cool things we [...]
Inspiring Home Decorating Ideas
- Unique Bud Vase Floral Arrangements Looking for a ideas to decorate a reception hall, or how to decorate a church for a wedding? Maybe you are looking for a nice centerpiece for a dining room or living room. Unique bud vase floral arrangements are a great solution for all of these decorating needs.When you are decorating a reception hall or a church for a wedding, you want something unique and beautiful. I found these unique and interesting bud vases at www.coniartglass.com that are handmade in Europe. They are extremely affordable, and make wonderful gifts too. They are versatile in that they can be used as a bud vases, oil lamps, or even as reed diffusers. Coni Art Glass will send you the hardware to use them as oil lamps if you wish, or reeds in case you wish to use them as reed diffusers, just let them know. For any purpose, they are a perfect solution for many decorating needs.These bud vases come in many colors, shapes and sizes, and are extremely affordable. Contact www.coniartglass.com to order today.
- Fragrance Lamps for Aromatherapy and More Aromatherapy is known to be good for reducing stress, preventing insomnia, and many other health benefits. In addition, it freshens the scent of a room, which is an added benefit. Fragrance lamps are one of the most decorative ways to use aromatherapy essential oils.One of the hottest and newest trends in aromatherapy and home fragrance today, fragrance lamps are not actually a new product. Also known as Lamp Berger, perfume lamps or effusion lamps, these scented oil lamps were first used in the mid 1800's. They use a catalytic combustion process to purify the air, destroying odors and killing bacteria while adding fragrance the air. Fragrance lamps quickly fill the air with your favorite scent of essential oil. They are quite beautiful, usually with a decorative collar or cap on top of a lovely glass base. These fragrance lamps are not only a nice decorative accent piece for use anywhere in the house, but eliminate odors and perfume the air. You can find these fragrance lamps in many sizes, shapes and colors at www.ConiArtGlass.com. Each lamp comes with complete step by step instructions for use, stone wick, vent cap, snuffer, funnel, and individual glossy gift box.
- Glass Hearts and Weddings! Incorporate wedding favors into your wedding or party decorations. I've said it before, you can use many different types of items to decorate the tables at your reception which may also double as favors. An item that I particularly like are glass heart ornaments. ConiArtGlass.com offers lovely glass hearts in many beautiful colors. Use them many ways. For example, attach your place cards to a glass heart and place it at your table setting. If you are not using place cards, attach a small note thanking your guest for attending your nuptials. It's a gift that your guests will treasure forever. These hearts are handmade, mouth blown glass ornaments produced in Eastern Europe. Every color is carefully selected to make the most beautiful, pleasing pieces. Cornel Plescan, the glass artist that produces these unique, collectible gifts, works with each customer to be certain that the colors are just perfect for your event.
- Tips to Protect Your Art Collection Any lover and collector of art will do his or her utmost to protect their art collection. Artwork is not only a major investment these days, it is also an essential part of the fabric of any home. It is rare to find a home with no prints, sketches or paintings on the wall, not to mention sculptures figurines or art glass adorning mantelpieces and sideboards. It is vital that collectors take proper care of their artwork to make sure that no piece is degraded in any way, shape or form.There are a number of ways that you can keep your artwork in perfect condition, but careful planning is required from the start. Put a strategy in place to protect your artwork before you even bring it home from the gallery or fair. Think about where you will place or hang the artwork to avoid any hazards that may turn into situations that leave the art damaged. For example, if a glass window does not protect the shelf on which a piece is to be placed, it may be wise to purchase a case in which to put it before it is actually placed on the shelf.The majority of measures that you should take concerning the placing of your artwork are common sense really. For example, you should not place any art in the kitchen or above a fireplace because the heat, steam and fumes can cause untold damage. You should also avoid smoking in the vicinity of your artwork because this is liable to cause irreversible staining. Similarly, placing art in direct sunlight can cause it to fade, and this would instantly be noticeable to the untrained eye as well as other collectors. If you have pets or young children then artwork should always be kept out of their reach so that no accidental damage occurs.The placement of artwork, as you can see above, can be extremely hazardous so it does require serious thought. It may be necessary to try a piece out in a few places during the first day that you own it so you can make an on the spot assessment of where its permanent home should be.When you do buy the art in question then you should always ask the attendant that oversees your transaction whether or not any special measures need to be taken in order to preserve its condition. Some galleries actually hand out care leaflets when a sale goes through, whilst others may have extremely knowledgeable staff that can give you hints and tips that they have picked up over the years. There are also various publications that you can purchase to give you a good grounding in the care of artwork. You should read at least one of these if you are an art collection beginner.The final thing that is essential in the preservation of you artwork is actually the cleaning regime that you have. It goes without saying that you should avoid using furniture polish and other similar oily substances in the vicinity of your artwork because that can cause irreparable harm. However, it is essential that a certain level of care be administered to regularly maintain it. For example, all sketches, paintings and prints should be framed wherever possible, and all sculptures and models should be encased in a protective cover. Although advice is usually specific to the nature of the piece and the materials present in its composition, it is fairly safe to pass a dry and clean cloth over all artwork from time to time to remove any dust build-ups. Dust can be just as harmful to art as any chemical, so it is essential that it is removed.The golden rule of caring for your artwork is to always ask for help whenever you are unsure. Always think carefully about what you are doing and do not take the art for granted. One moment of foolishness can work out to be extremely expensive!
- Set up a Home Office for Your Business For those people who have decided to start their own business, or who already work from home, what they need is a work space so they can work in peace, take care of their endeavors, and concentrate on taking care of the needs of their business. For many individuals, this means a home office.With the success of online businesses, more and more people have decided to work at home; which places the fate of their financial future in their own hands. Today, the internet has become an essential part of people's everyday lives: this new trend of working at home reflects the increasing use of the internet in the business world.It is important that a home office is treated with the same respect as a regular office since it is where work is done and transactions occur. Basically it is the place where individuals earn their money: whether on the internet, via phone, or video conference. It is possible you may have clients coming to your home office to conduct.It is essential that a person who wants to have a home based business set aside a space in their home that will provide them with comfort and privacy adequately conduct their business.Where to set up a home office.Ideally a separate room in the house is the best place for a home office. The best area is away from congestion noise: such as the children's bedroom or play area, the kitchen, or the entertainment room.How to furnish your officeA home office should be orderly and give the appearance of a professional workplace. It should be contain the equipment that you would find in an office: such as a phone with an answering machine that is capable of transferring calls, making conference calls, etc.A separate phone line for the home office is necessary so that personal calls meant for the family and business calls do not interfere with each other. Having a separate phone line in the office will also allow for concentration on business without any distractions.Other equipment you will need is: a computer that has an internet connection, fax machine, copier, organizers, and other office supplies. Things that a person will need in a home office will also depend on the type of business he/she is operating.Setting up a home office will probably mean acquiring furniture: this includes a desk, lamps, tables, and professional looking chairs. The most important piece of furniture needed will be a comfortable office chair –invest in a really good office chair that provides comfort as well as stability. Since a person working in a home office will spend numerous hours in his/her chair, it must be one that does not induce backache and/or make your body feel stiff. Before purchasing any of these items, you should know how you will conduct your home business so that only necessary items are purchased. This way you will not be spending money for things that you do not need or are not necessary.Choose your colors wisely Color scheme of a home office should not be distracting to the person(s) working in the office. This means that bright pastel colors, and gaudy colors like shocking pink and neon green would probably not be appropriate. If you have clients and/or hold business meetings in your home office, a professional atmosphere should be attained; so be wise when it comes to choosing your decorating colors. Neutral colors are best; since they are not distracting but consider using a few brighter and contrasting colors for accessories to add accents and interest. Setting up a home office is serious business. The right environment will be attractive and conducive to a good working atmosphere. Those who are thinking of setting up a home office should pay careful attention to detail when creating their office since they will be spending many hours working in it. Take the time to make your home office a comfortable and wonderful place!
- History of Murano Glass Murano, Italy has been the longest lasting center for glass making in history. It has been a popular location for the art since the 9th century. The craft has gone through a variety of changes and has some of the most creative and elegant artwork and the region has survived its successes and failures and despite everything it has found the ability to bounce back amid adversity.Murano is situated as a small island in the North West of Venice, Italy. The history of glassmaking in the region goes back to 800 AD in Rome, along with a mixture of influences from Asia and the religion of Islam. As Venice was a major port, trading of multicolored beads with African, Asian and Islamic neighbors became a mainstay of the region.According to historical records, Murano became a center for glassmaking after frequent fires in Venice forced authorities to move its factories to the Island of Murano in 1291. Consequently, the Murano style is often interwoven that of the Venetians.Murano held a monopoly on the craft for centuries and craftsmen on the island developed and improved several technologies like crystalline, aventurine which has threads of gold, lattimo - milk glass, smalto - containing enamel, millefiori - containing multicolors, and artificial gemstones. Even today, craftmen in the industry are said to follow these same techniques. However, now Murano has given way to a wide range of glass art including contemporary, jewelry, as well as chandeliers.The art of Murano glass is rather complex and normally uses a technique known as lampworking. Silica, which turns into liquid form at high temperatures, is used to make glass. While the glass cools from the liquid to a solid phase, the artisan is able to manipulate it to make it into a desired shape or form.Murano glass, over the centuries, has faced its moments of praise as well as decline. Nonetheless, region's glassmakers also strive toward quality and perfection. The glass art from the region is especially well known for its esthetics, which has set it apart from its competition. And no other region has been able to reproduce the esthetic superiority of Murano glassware. Throughout the history of glassmaking, the hollow blown glass technique from the region has made its stamp on the art of fine glassware. Clearly, the hallmark of Murano glass lies in its variations. A variety of glassware including multi-colored glazing and others that are light and transparent all represent the history of Murano glass art.Murano art glassware is also part of the European Glass collection at many galleries. This collection includes mouth-blown cranes and flamingos that are often large in size. The art of producing Murano glass vases has been popular for the craftsmanship that stems from the glass-blowing method. Murano glass art can include a variety of fish, birds and ducks. These small animal collections or figurines are made utilizing the glass blowing technique from Murano.
- Collectible Glassware from Romania Romanian Mouth-Blown Glassware Makes Its Way Into Mainstream ArtBy Cornel PlescanThe art of glass making holds a special relevance in Eastern Europe and particularly in Romania. What is quite extraordinary about Romanian glass manufacturing is that it combines traditional themes from Rome and Constantinople, lending vivacious color and ethnic design to the glasswork. Eastern Europe has lots of fine sand, which allows glassmaking to flourish in the region and Romania in particular is well known for its exquisite art glass pieces.Glass making in Eastern Europe and Romania emanates from the Murano style in Italy as most of the artisans studied glassmaking there. Up to the 13 century, European glassmaking was exclusive to Venice. But frequent fires prompted Venetian authorities to shift the furnaces to the island of Murano.There has been a long history of making glass in Romania. Romanian glassmakers have successfully passed on this art for several generations and the craft continues to thrive in this part of Eastern Europe. In Romania, it is said that artisan's only pass on the secrets of glass making to members of their family. More importantly, there is a rigid hierarchy in obtaining the coveted position as a glass blower. For example, a young man may take years before he can get to that stage within this strict hierarchy.Romanian glass is comparable to any great piece of Eastern European mouth blown glass. And they are nothing like the ones that are made by machinery or inexpensive duplicates. Traditionally Romanian factories and glass studios manufacture clear glass utilizing pellets that are distinct and commonly found in Western Europe. And depending on the artisan, German pigments are popularly used for coloring or painting glass. The combination of this blend makes Romanian crafted glass truly a superior product anywhere in Europe. Though Romanian glasswork is normally not made from crystal, nonetheless, it carries a similar purity and shine. Glass products in Romania are not just great looking, they are also being produced to suit a host of lifestyles, from the traditional to modern and the line of products are guaranteed quality glassware that is both functional and decorative.Romanian mouth-blown glassware is made by highly skilled artisans. They are very creative pieces with exceptional quality. They are also a prized collector's item. Some of the work includes vases and bowls that are made as centerpieces as well as plates - the artisans who create these masterpieces learned their skills in Murano itself.When it comes to Romanian glassware, each piece is distinctly unique. Each of the mouth-blown glassware may be described as an individual masterpiece in itself. They are exceptionally colorful, creative and elegant. Some of the works made by glass artisans in Romania are the most sought after pieces of contemporary art and have been on display in several galleries across the world. They are also prized as some of the top-notch pieces of glassware in the craft of modern blown glass art.The contemporary glassware is not just placed in galleries to be on display, they also make great gifts, particularly wedding gifts, and decorations especially in restaurants, businesses and hotels. They can also be used as decorations while designing your home.A Romanian glass artist and designer, Cornel Plescan now lives in the United States. For more information about him and his products go to: http://www.coniartglass.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cornel_Plescanhttp://EzineArticles.com/?Romanian-Mouth-Blown-Glassware-Makes-Its-Way-Into-Mainstream-Art&id=1193127
- A Garden for the Entire Family A Garden for the Entire FamilyYou can have the most elaborated back yard from the entire neighborhood, but if it isn’t functional you have built it in vain. We all want to have beautiful and flourishing gardens, but when we have a family, we must also take into consideration the needs of the other members of it. Divide the space of your yard in two or three visual spaces, one for play and relaxation, one for gardening and maybe one for pets.An open space, covered by lawn is ideal for your children. Here you can install a table for open air lunches or for a romantic summer evening dinner.Do you have a fireplace? Keep a portion of your garden especially for depositing fire woods, but make sure it is at a considerable distance from the house or animals that can cause damage.How about pets? You can build for these little members of your family special spaces, in which they can play and exercise. Before you plant bushes and ornamental plants, surround the pet space. Cats and dogs tend to be attracted exactly by the things we try to keep them away from.Keep the by-passers’ eyes away from your personal life. Before planning the scenery, you must have in sight a place for the garbage cans. It wouldn’t be very nice to have a wonderful garden right next to the garbage cans. These can be efficiently hidden in some kind of surrounded space, decorated on the sides with life fence.Functionality is an important factor in your garden, so you have to think about children, little pets and family assets before you plant anything. Save a portion of the yard especially for you, in which you can plant whatever you want and leave for the others some space to breathe freely.You will find it more satisfying this way, once the whole family is happy with your garden and they might even bring their personal ideas for it. It is important that personal space is respected and that is why the garden must not be very wide, taking up all available space. Build from time to time a pathway or some benches where you can just relax and admire your work.Tag: gardening
- You Can Use Your Pottery Collection Great Uses for Your Pottery CollectionIf you are just starting to collect pottery here's a little secret that avid collectors know all too well: pottery is infinitely useful and extremely versatile. What this means is that most pottery has multiple functionality. Just make sure that there aren't certain restrictions on the pieces you purchase. Normally, pottery dealers will let you know the necessary care instructions and precautions that should be taken when you make the purchase. You will find that most pottery is dishwasher and microwave safe (depending on the glazing method-Raku pottery is not), food safe (again this depends largely on the glazing method and any paints that may have been used), safe for use in the oven, and able to hold liquid. So, you have a lot of options with most pottery pieces that go well beyond the uses for which the specific piece may have been designed to carry out. Storage. Vases and other vessels are great for holding things. They are by no means limited to flowers or fruit. Small pottery pieces are great for holding perfumes, particularly those with stoppers, or oils, and countless other small treasures you have lying around. Larger pieces of pottery are perfect for storing large amounts of food. And various medium sized pieces make excellent canisters in the kitchen for storing so many different things.Display. Of course there are many pottery pieces that you will want to showcase and display but did you realize that pottery could also be used to display other items you want to show off in your home. For example, use a pottery spoon rest in the bathroom as a soap dish. It's great for displaying special hand soaps in the bathroom and will add a little splash of color to the bathroom counter top.Cooking. You may not know that pottery can withstand fairly high temperatures with grace and style. Therefore, it's an excellent choice for cooking. Use pottery in the microwave and the oven, though never on the stove top for preparing and serving all kinds of dishes. If you are wary about using these beautiful pieces for cooking, they can make excellent choices for serving food. Dining. Stoneware is a very popular style of casual dinnerware these days and with good reason. Not only is it a beautiful addition to any table but it is also quite versatile. You may also find mugs, plates, and bowls that are thrown or hand built for your dining pleasure. Regardless, most tables are greatly enhanced by the addition of pottery rather than many other choices on the market today.There are so many thingsyou can do with your pottery, so don't miss out on much of the versatility that many find the primary incentive for investing in pottery for the home. Pottery is a beautiful addition to any home, so don't hide it away but use it fully and regularly in order to enjoy the true value of the pieces and get your money's worth. The true value in pottery is in how much it enhances your life; it won't enhance your life very much if kept locked away in the kitchen cabinets!Tag: pottery collection uses
- Six Popular Collectables It's never too late to start a collection. Some people start collecting when they are young - baseball cards, stamps, coins, or other items. Others may start later in life. Whatever you collect, make it something that you love.Personally, I love to collect various rocks, crystals, or seashells when I travel. Someone else I know collects porcelain figures. There are so many things to collect, and many of them can net you a good profit a few years later. We've all heard about people who made a fortune from one stamp or a baseball card. If you have collectables that are suitable, make a nice display in one or more rooms of your home. Family photo collections make beautiful displays. I know one woman who has at least 50 family photos, all in sterling silver frames arranged on top of her grand piano in the living room. The ebony grand piano makes a lovely backdrop for all of the various shaped sterling frames, and she can enjoy seeing her children and grandchildren everyday.Another friend of mine has a collection of Lladro porcelain from Spain. She displays them tastefully in groupings around her home. Art glass is also a highly sought after collectible, and welcome decorative pieces for the home. Here are six items that make popular collections:Cookbooks or travel booksKitchen gadgets - vintage Photos - family, travel, pets...Art GlassFigurines Linens and pillows (of the same type or vintage) If there is something you love, start a collection now to enjoy for years to come.
ECOSHOPPER.NET
- Smoke Green e-cigarettes that have no real smoke! Check this new invention. Its called the green cigarette. It is safe smoking as there are no tar or carcinogens. No smoke or ash to bother your friends with! They produce no pollution as the “smoke” is simply water vapor. There are no cigarette buts to discard. Did you know 4.5 million cigarette butts are [...]
- Cell Phone that charges while you twirl and spin it! I can see it a little addicting twirling this phone around your finger. There is a model that spins around your finger pictured here. Another model is of the crank variety. Well now you will have no excuse to have a dead cell phone battery. I wonder how quickly it charges? Designed by Mikhail Stawsky. Found [...]
- Solar headphone radio I could use this solar headphone radio when walking the dog. No more needing to worry if I have batteries or have batteries charged. It recharges even while listening. One hour of sunlight provides 1-3 hours of listening. and fully charge the headset will run up to 20 hours. Its 25 British Pounds. Available at Ecotopia.co.uk ShareThis
- Clock made out of an old PC hard drive Why not make something functional out of your old PC components?! This clock is made out of an old hard drive. It measures 4″w x 5″h. It comes with a battery too. This is a cool conversation piece too or give it as a gift to your favorite geek buddy. Only $35 and hand made in the [...]
- Cute lanterns are pencil sharpeners These cool lanterns are more than just cute. These Eco Twinkle lights are actual pencil sharpeners. Well you don’t have to sharpen a pencil. You can just crank it! Apparently, pencil sharpeners and human powered generators have the same mechanical twist structures. The designer has combined the two inventions to make a dual function. There is not [...]
- Sleek looking Piaggio USB scooter gets 156 MPG! Paggio is coming out with the first two-wheeled hyprid called the USB (Urban Sport Bike). And its not your typical dorky looking scooter! You will be proud to ride this one! It has a 30 mile radius on only electric or with the hybrid motor switched on it can get a whopping 156 MPG. The bike [...]
- The Fuel Cell Car and Experiment Kit The Fuel Cell and Car Experiment Kit offered by Hammacher Schlemmer offers children a look at one of the most important technologies of the 21st century. The overall quality of this experiment set means that children and students of all ages can use it extensively to learn these lessons. This kit can further be adapted [...]
- Shop eco goods with style at Planetforward Planet Forward is an ecommerce shop from Ontario, Canada. They sell only eco friendly sustainable goods. All of their products promote the health and well being of people and the planet while adhering to strict corporate justice and environmental welfare policies. You can find stainless steel bottles, thermal bottles, reusable bags, organic fashion, green cleaning kits [...]
- Chairs recycled from Vespa’s These cute chairs are unique and create a conversation topic. They are made from old fossil fuel Vespa min motorcycles. Most motorcycles are going hybrid or electric and we must do something with the old ones! These chairs are modern and sleek looking! These are made by a Spanish design studio Bel & Bel. Via Autoblog. There [...]
- Sproutbaby.com offers eco-friendly diapers and more Sproutbaby.com is an ecommerce retailer offering a selection of environmentally safe and affordable baby products including organic, affordable baby food and products for eco-conscious parents. They now offer biodegradable disposable diapers which keep a more sustainable environment. They have selected the Nature Babycare line of eco-friendly diapers. They are made of 99% compostable material. [...]
Deal-Seeking Diva
- More Deals from all over the Internet Happy Monday everyone! We had a busy weekend with friends and spent a lot of time trying to keep warm. It was cold here in Colorado! And three kiddos are certainly keeping me on my toes. They are so much fun! At any rate, here are some fun deals!Office DepotDon’t forget to use this printable coupon and save $30 off your purchase of $150 or more at Office Depot.Party CityGet $20 off at Party City when you use this printable coupon.Toys R UsToys R Us, http://www.toysrus.com/, has a 20 percent off coupon code that is good until Oct. 31. Enter 922600 to save.J. CrewJ. Crew, located at http://www.jcrew.com/, has a new code for 20 percent off purchases of $175 or more. Enter PRIVATESALEOCT to get this deal.ELFELF (Eyes Lips Face), located at http://www.elf.com/, has some fun coupons right now. Enter GET50 at checkout to receive 50 percent off your lowest priced or equal priced second item. Enter SHIP45 at checkout to receive free shipping and the code atlanta will get you 15 percent off all orders over $15 or more.Children’s PlaceChildren’s Place, http://www.childrensplace.com/, has a great coupon code for use during their fall sale. Enter HAA8 to save 15 percent.Banana RepublicBanana Republic has a great coupon too. Get 25 percent off $100 purchase with this printable coupon.ThinkGeekThink Geek, located at http://www.thinkgeek.com/, has a $10 off $30 purchases coupon. Enter PUZZLER to save!New York and CompanyNew York and Company has a 20 percent off $80 purchase coupon. Enter 1328 at checkout to get this deal.Hot TopicHot Topic has a $10 off $10 purchase coupon. Enter YHTBD101W at http://www.hottopic.com/ to save.
- Weekend Deals and Steals Happy Saturday everyone! My family and I have had a great week—my husband has been home the whole week on paternity leave and all of us have been enjoying getting to hang out as a family. This weekend is low-key, but fun. Besides getting flu shots (yuck!), we have spent time playing on the playground, visiting the Museum and other fun activities. Speaking of fun, here are this week’s fun deals…PetcoPetco has a 10 percent off coupon. Use this printable coupon to take 10 percent off your entire purchase.Dress BarnDress Barn has a printable coupon that will take 15 percent off your entire regular priced merchandise purchase.Old NavyOld Navy is offering 20 percent off and free shipping this weekend. Visit http://www.oldnavy.com/ and enter code BFF to get this discount. Enter JUST4YOU for free shipping.AeropostaleAeropostale has a 20 percent off coupon code. Visit http://www.aeropostale.com/ and enter SEPT20 to get this deal. Also enter 7B4A39 to get $10 off.GapGap.com will give you 20 percent off with code BFF and free shipping with code SILVER.Ann Taylor LoftAnn Taylor Loft will give you free shipping at http://www.anntaylorloft.com/ with code FREE75. You can also get 20 percent off with code 104004057. Enter code 15OFF75 to receive a $15 discount on purchases over $75.Babies R UsBabies R Us has a printable coupon good for $5 off a purchase of $25 or more today through September 21. Excludes diapers and formula.Crazy 8Visit http://www.crazy8.com/ and get your kids some new clothes. Take 20 percent off your order with code C8ONLINE. Here's a coupon for use in store.
- Monday Deals from babyGap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and more! Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. We spent a lot of time with little sick kiddos…but were able to spend some time around the house. Here are the deals I found for you! Bath and Body WorksBath and Body Works has a printable coupon that you can use to get a free body lotion with any in store purchaseAeropostaleAeropostale, http://www.aeropostale.com/, has a coupon code that will give you $10 off. Enter 7B4A39 to get this deal.Shoebuy.comShoebuy.com is offering to take $20 off your purchase of $50 or more when you pay with PayPal. They also have free shipping.Banana RepublicBanana Republic has a coupon for 30 percent off your order. Use online code HAPPY30 at http://www.bananarepublic.com/ or use this Printable Coupon.babyGapbabyGap has a great 15 percent of $50 purchase coupon. Use code BF836P86L9VQ at http://www.babygap.com/.Coldwater CreekColdwater Creek has a 25 percent off purchases code and is offering $10 off all denim jeans. Use code WXH5119 at http://www.coldwatercreek.com/.Old NavyOld Navy is having a great sale right now! Get 40 percent off baby and maternity items. Visit http://www.oldnavy.com/ to check it out!
- I'm Back with new deals for you! Good morning everyone! I am so sorry for taking such a long break from the Blog…but, I had the baby! Reid was born on August 6 and has been keeping me very busy ever since. My eldest daughter also started preschool a week after his birth and it has taken me a little bit longer than I thought it would to get back into the swing of things. I apologize for the lack of posts, but I am back and ready to get you the great deals! I hope you enjoy!Kohl’sKohl’s has a coupon for their online site, http://www.kohls.com/, for 10 percent off with code NEW8163. Kohl’s card holders can use MVCSAVE15 for 15 percent off.New York and CompanyNew York and Company, http://www.newyorkandcompany.com/, has a great coupon code that will get you $30 off purchases of $75 or more. Enter 4466 to get this deal. Get free shipping with code 2665.TargetTarget is having a great clearance sale on women’s items! Check it out at http://www.target.com/. Shipping is $5, and is free on orders of $50 or more.Hot TopicHot Topic, http://www.hottopic.com/, is giving $10 off orders of $10.01 or more with code GHTBD91W. Check it out!BuyCostumes.comBuyCostumes.com is having a great site wide clearance sale on select Halloween costumes. This would be a great place to get those costumes early…Eddie BauerEddie Bauer, http://www.eddiebauer.com/, has a 20 percent off code useable when you purchase pants from their store. Enter code FALRESH8 to get this deal.ShutterflyShutterfly.com is offering 15 percent off $25 purchases with code AF63-AG08.
- Tuesday Deals from all over the Internet Happy Tuesday night everyone! I hope all is well and you are enjoying your week. It has been HOT here in Colorado and the girls and I are enjoying some outdoor activities (albeit in the shade) before the new little one arrives. We have been swimming, to the zoo and tomorrow we are going to a nice air conditioned movie theater for a free movie. I hope everyone is keeping cool…here are this week’s “cool” deals:Jamba JuiceJamba Juice has a fun printable coupon where you can buy any Jamba Juice smoothie and get one free. Use it quick as it expires July 30.Dress BarnDress Barn has a great printable coupon where you can save an additional 20 percent on all sale and clearance items. Use your Dress Barn card and save 25 percent.JC PenneyJC Penney, located at http://www.jcpenney.com/, has a 20 percent off coupon code. Enter WKIT862 to save.Home DepotHome Depot is having a great sale you can save 50 percent off select patio furniture. Check out the deals at your nearest store.Ann TaylorAnn Taylor has a great coupon saving you 20 percent off your order of $100 at http://www.anntaylorloft.com/. Enter 104016307 to get this deal.Crayola StoreSave 15 percent at http://www.crayola.com/ with code SCHOOL8.Michael’sMichael’s has a 20 percent off your entire purchase printable coupon.WalgreensWalgreens has a 20 percent off school supplies coupon. Visit http://www.walgreens.com/ and enter code SCHOOL.
- Monday Deals and Steals from Kohl's, Old Navy, Children's Place and More! Good morning and happy Monday to you all. We had a fun-filled weekend at our local amusement park, Elitch Gardens, and then went to our friend’s Indian baby blessing ceremony. Not only was it really beautiful, but we got to eat authentic homemade Indian food for lunch. It made my tuna fish sandwich for dinner seem pretty lame!At any rate, here are today’s deals...Kohl’sKohl’s has some great deals online right now. Visit http://www.kohls.com/ and enter code NEW2616 to save 10 percent. If you have a Koh’s card, use MVCSAVENOW to save 15 percent. Also, until July 22, use SAVE30JULY to save 30 percent on your order.Limited TooLimited Too has a bunch of good deals too. Visit http://www.imitedtoo.com/ and enter code 755 to save 25 percent on your purchases.American EagleAmerican Eagle has a 15 percent off code too. Visit http://www.americaneagleoutfitters.com/ and enter code 57960481 to save. Also, if you spend over $100, you will get free shipping.Woman WithinWoman Within stores have some great coupon codes right now. Visit http://www.womanwithin.com/ to check out the deals. Enter code WW23807 to save 30 percent on your highest priced item. Save $20 off $80 with code WW23799. Enter WW23815 to save 20 percent on purchases of $100 or more. And, enter WW20514 to get free shipping on orders of $75 or more.New York and CompanyVisit http://www.newyorkandcompany.com/ and look at all the fun deals. Enter code 4461 to receive a $25 discount on orders over $50. Enter 9076 to get $20 off $60. Enter 9065 to get a $40 discount on orders online over $120.Old NavyOld Navy has a fun coupon right now. Visit http://www.oldnavy.com/ and check out the clearance. When you get to the checkout, enter EXTRA20 for an additional 20 percent discount on anything you buy from the clearance section. Get free shipping if you spend $100 or more with code JUST4YOU.The Children’s PlaceThe Children’s Place Monster Sale is going on right now with TONS of good deals. Visit http://www.childrensplace.com/ and get an additional 15 percent off the sale prices with FA78.Crazy 8Get 15 percent off your entire purchase at Crazy 8. Visit http://www.crazy8.com/ and enter code SAVE15.The LimitedThe Limited has a fun printable coupon that will get you $20 off purchases of $60 and $30 off $100 purchase.Linens ‘n ThingsLinens ‘n Things has a $5 off $15 coupon. Check out the printable coupon today!
- Great Tuesday savings and coupons Happy Tuesday to everyone! I am excited for the ned of the week and the fourth of July celebrations and fireworks. I hope you and your friends and family enjoy the holiday and the following deals…7-ElevenGet a free slurpee at 7-Eleven on July 11. Use the store locator to find a 7-Eleven near you.Toys R UsToys R Us has a printable coupon that will save you $10 off $50. Click for the printable coupon. You can also use it online at http://www.toysrus.com/ with code 922822 at checkout.Bath and Body WorksBath and Body Works is offering a printable coupon for free lotion. Use this printable coupon to get a free 2 oz. Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Body Lotion with any purchase. You can use the coupon online at http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/ by entering code WELCOME617.Children’s PlaceThere is a new Children’s Place Coupon code that will save you 15 percent off your order of $75 or more. Enter code MSAT78 at http://www.childrensplace.com/ to get this great deal.Babies R UsHere is a great link to a bunch of printable Babies R Us coupons!ExpressExpress is offering a Printable Coupon for $10 off $20 or $20 off $60 or $30 off $100 through July 6, which may be used in Express or Express Men's stores.Shoes.comShoes.com is offering a coupon code that will take off 20 percent off your total purchases. Use code HEAT08 to get this great deal!DisneyDisneyshopping.com has a 25 percent off purchases coupon. Use code SUMMER25 to save!New York and CompanyVisit New York and Company to get a great deal. Visit http://www.newyorkandcompany.com/ and get $15 off your purchase of $75 or more with code 8073.
- Monday Codes from Chadwick's, Target, PetSmart and more! Happy Monday everyone. I hope all of you had a great weekend and enjoyed your time with friends and family. We celebrated Father’s Day a week late and went to a fun martial arts tournament that a friend was participating in. All in all, it was a fun time! Speaking of fun…here are some fun deals!Jack in the BoxJack in the Box is giving you two free tacos when you bring in your gas receipts. They know it is expensive to fill up your tank, so they are helping you fill up your tummy!Speaking of eating out, click here to visit http://www.dealocker.com/ for some great freebies from eight restaurants. Chadwick’sVisit http://www.chadwicks.com/ and check out their great deals. Enter CHBESTJUNE for $20 off $60 orders. If you spend $90 it'll take off $30 and $40 will take off $120. If you enter CH15928, you can get 50 percent off on the third item you buy. If you put in CHWELCOME33, you will get a 30 percent off discount on any single item over $20, plus free shipping.TargetEnter target coupon code GOIH5SPN at http://www.target.com/ and get 10 percent off your entire online order.UltaUlta has a geat deal going on right now. Visit http://www.ulta.com/ and if you spend $10, get $3.50 off your order. Spend $25 and get $3.50 off your order plus a free cosmetic bag and samples. Spend $50 or more and get $3.50 off your order, a free cosmetic bag and samples and free shipping.Crate and BarrelVisit www.cb2.com/sale and check out the great deals. Get 50 percent off on select furniture, lighting, rungs, pillows, linens, etc.Ann TaylorAnn Taylor has a great coupon for its shoppers. Save 20 percent at http://www.anntaylor.com/ with code COOLLOOKS. Shipping is free on orders of $100 or more.PetSmartPetSmart.com is offering 15 percent off purchases of $70 or more. Use code JUNEBONUS to save.Wear ItAlso, there is a new coupon website that I was told about that might help all of us save some moolah. Check out http://www.wearit.com/coupons and notice all the great coupons they have from leading fashion and lifestyle companies. They also have “The List” which is a free personal shopper available via email. Check it out at http://thelist.wearit.com/.
- Tuesday Deals from Limted Too, Zales, Shutterfly and more Happy Tuesday afternoon. I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far. The girls and I have been swimming, to the park, to the carnival and running errands all week. We don’t have anything too exciting goin on right now, but are looking forward to August when the new baby brother should be making his appearance.Hope everyone is doing well and is ready to shop. Here are this week’s deals…Limited TooUse this printable coupon to save 25 percent off your purchase at the Limited Too.ZalesHere is another great deal Use this printable coupon to receive a $50 discount on a jewelry purchase of $200 or more at Zales.AeropostaleVisit http://www.aeropostale.com/ and save $7 with code CCSEVEN. Make sure you spend $70 to get this deal.JC PenneyVisit http://www.jcpenney.com/ and save some money. Enter code WKIT842 to save 20 percent on orders over $75.ShutterflySave money at http://www.shutterfly.com/. Save 20 percent off prints with code AF61-URK8.J CrewVisit http://www.jcrew.com/ and get 20 percent off purchases of $175 or more with code PRIVATE.Fashion BugVisit http://www.fashionbug.com/ and save some good money. Enter code 776208506 and get $10 off orders of $60 or more.StuffedAnimals.comVisit http://www.stuffedanimals.com/ and save 30 percent off with code 622358. They have most major brands to chose from!MichaelsSave 40 percent off any one item at Michaels with this printable coupon.
- Thursday Deals and Steals from all over the net Hello everyone! Happy Thursday to you! We have had a busy week around our house…my husband has been traveling for work all week and we have been keeping busy swimming and getting out and about. My girls have their ballet recital this weekend and we are really looking forward to it. Hope everyone is ready for the weekend—it is coming up soon. Here are this week’s great deals:eBaySave 10 percent on eBay.com with code C2MAY0810P. This is only valid on auctions that accept PayPal.ReebokSave 40 percent off at Reebok Outlet Stores with this printable coupon. Babies R UsBabies R Us has a Printable Coupon that will save you $5 off purchases of $25 or more. This is only good for store visits and is good until June 8.Macy’sMacy’s has a fun printable coupon for a free pair of Jockey’s Panties. Kohl’sKohls.com is having a great sale. The coupon code for 30 percent off is JUNESAVE30 at http://www.kohls.com/. Hurry and use this code—it expires June 10.American EagleAmerican Eagle, http://www.americaneagleoutfitters.com/, has a 20 percent off entire online purchase coupon code. Enter 58248203 to save.Krispy KremeTomorrow, Friday, June 6, is free doughnut day at Krispy Kreme. Get a free doughnut of your choice when you visit.Lane BryantLane Bryant has a 30 percent off code for their Website, http://www.lanebryant.com/. No code is needed—the prices are on the Website. Get free shipping on orders of $75 or more.JC PenneyJC Penney has a 30 percent off coupon for shoppers who visit http://www.jcpenney.com/. Enter code BLAZING and save.Limited TooGet 20 percent off your purchases at Limited Too. Visit http://www.limitedtoo.com/ and get the discount automatically.The LimitedVisit The Limited and use this printable coupon to save $15 on $60 purchases and $30 on purchases of $100 or more.Accessory BugVisit the new site at http://www.accessorybug.com/ and check out their new luck. Save 10 percent on your purchase with code stim08.
Bargainist
- Shutterfly coupon - Labor Day Sale: Save up to 50% + free shipping on orders of $25 or more Shutterfly coupon - Labor Day Sale: Save up to 50% + free shipping on orders of $25 or more Let Shutterfly show you just how creative you can get with special photos by shopping their huge Labor Day Sale that has just begun. Look for big savings on items from throughout the store, including 50% off cards and stationery, 30% off photo books, 20% off address labels, 30% off CenterStage products, and more. Place an order of at least $25 and apply coupon code SHIP25 and shipping will be free. Offer ends 09/08/2010. Visit The Bargainist for more.
- Eddie Bauer - Labor Day Blowout: $5 shirts, $10 polos, $15 shorts & up to 75% off outerwear Eddie Bauer - Labor Day Blowout: $5 shirts, $10 polos, $15 shorts & up to 75% off outerwear Chances are that you've not seen a sale as big as the Labor Day Blowout that's going on over at Eddie Bauer right now. Score great deals on apparel for men and women, like $5 t-shirts, $10 polos, $15 shorts, and amazing savings of up to 75% off outerwear. It's the sale of the season, and it's a must shop for any fan of Eddie Bauer's style. Sale ends 09/06/2010.Visit The Bargainist for more.
- Next Best Is Better: Heeled Oxford Pumps Next Best Is Better: Heeled Oxford PumpsOxfords aren't just for white-haired college professors in tweed jackets, smoking pipes: Nope. Not anymore! This fall, they're everywhere, getting feminine updates like heels, new fabrics, and special detailing. And, fortunately, since they're everywhere, you don't have to pay high designer prices, like for the Cole Haan "Air Violet" Pumps pictured above (#1), which gouge you for $298. We found two budget-minded lookalikes... Enjoy! 1 - Cole Haan "Air Violet" Pumps ($298) 2 - Nine West Roothy Oxfords ($79) 3 - Xhilaration Tertia Heeled Oxford Shoes ($29.99) In our label-crazy-but-budget-conscious world, it's all about the fakeouts. Got your eye on a fabulous designer leather purse, but your budget is more pleather than leather? Need a luxurious set of towels for your guest bathroom to impress your mother in law, but can't find a deal? Send us a request, and we might do the shopping work for you in a future Next Best Is Better feature!Visit The Bargainist for more.
- EntirelyPets.com coupon - 15% off site wide EntirelyPets.com coupon - 15% off site wideYour pets are there for you through thick and thin, always ready for a cuddle (and a slobbery kiss) and some playtime. Shouldn't you reward them for all that love and hard work? Click over to the Labor Day Sale going on now at EntirelyPets.com, for deals on medications, supplements, pet supplies, toys, costumes (Isn't this Prison Pooch costume adorable? Just wookit da ickle widdwe convict puppy!), and more, and save an extra 15% on your order with coupon code LABORDAY15. Coupon expires 09/06/2010.Visit The Bargainist for more.
- ShoeSteal coupon - 15% off + Up to 75% off boots sale ShoeSteal coupon - 15% off + Up to 75% off boots saleQuite possibly our favorite part of cooler weather? Boots, baby! Whether heeled or flat, leather or suede, they add classic style to any outfit and protect our feet from the cold and snow. Through Labor Day at ShoeSteal, you can save up to 75% on their entire stock of boots for the whole family. Add in coupon code STEAL15, which cuts an extra 15% off prices site wide, and you've got some serious deal potential goin' on! Boot sale ends 09/06/2010, coupon expires 09/30/2010.Visit The Bargainist for more.
- Bargainist Product Pick - Fab fall boots Bargainist Product Pick - Fab fall boots A Bargainist Product Pick! September is upon us - fall is slowly but surely barreling towards us. While we're always sad to pack up strappy sandals and summer dresses, getting back into boots and sexy jeans is a fair exchange.This fall the cuffed or slouchy ankle boot is all the rage - and with good reason. They're a bit more fun than a straight up riding-style knee boot and come in an incredible range of fabrics and colors. Here are some of our favorites from Endless. 1 - Naughty Monkey Turnout Wedge Boot $90 2 - Pilar Abril Sandra Boot $123 3 - Blowfish Himble Ankle Boot $70 4 - Seychelles Women's Enigma Boot $170 P.S. Got a product you love, or are trying to find at a good price? Send us a message!Visit The Bargainist for more.
- Bargainist Product Pick - 20% off the Inspire Apple Tote Bag + 20% off CafePress coupon Bargainist Product Pick - 20% off the Inspire Apple Tote Bag + 20% off CafePress couponA Bargainist Product Pick! Looking for a great back-to-school gift for your kids' teachers? How about this Inspire Apple Tote Bag from CafePress? It's cute, practical for lugging graded quizzes (or a load of groceries after school!), and would make a beautiful present, especially filled with school supplies for their classroom. Regularly $17, you can apply CafePress coupon code LBRSALE to save an extra 20% on this and every other item site wide. That'll save you $3.40, bringing the price for the tote to just $13.60! Coupon expires 09/06/2010. P.S. Got a product you love, or are trying to find at a good price? Send us a message!Visit The Bargainist for more.
- Dell Small Business coupon - 30% off Dell E6410 & E6510 laptops over $999 Dell Small Business coupon - 30% off Dell E6410 & E6510 laptops over $999Head over to Dell Small Business to check out the new Latitude E6410 and E6510 laptop computers, and save 30% with coupon code LBSMF214JWN70G. Computer must be configured at $999 or more to take advantage of the discount. Select from popular options, such as an upgraded processor and additional memory. Coupon expires 09/08/2010.Visit The Bargainist for more.
- Express coupon - $15 off every $60 spent Express coupon - $15 off every $60 spentMake your way over to Express to save and score some phenomenal fashions! This weekend you can save $15 on every $60 spent when you use coupon code 2974 at checkout. Choose from dresses, mini skirts, blouses, tunics, jackets, accessories and more for her as well as dress shirts, blazers, polos, jeans, khakis and more for him. Shop soon as this coupon expires 09/06/2010.Visit The Bargainist for more.
- momAgenda coupon - 15% off MyPlan Planners momAgenda coupon - 15% off MyPlan PlannersShe's seen you steer the family ship in order with your momAgenda planner, now get your pre-teen, teenager or college student her very own MyPlan Planner and get her started on an organized path! The MyPlan is the perfect size to suit her young, active lifestyle. Hurry, this great offer won't last, use code MP15 to take advantage of this deal. Offer ends 09/06/2010.Visit The Bargainist for more.
Gentleman's Gadgets | The Inspirationsource for Men
- Quincy Jones Signature Collection Since he signed his first big deal with ABC-Paramount Records back in 1956, Quincy Jones got used to utilize AKG equipment over the years of a legendary recording career. Finally, AKG introduces the...
- Dunhill Pure Stainless Steel Topple Bricks Few might abstract a metaphorical meaning of a simple stacking game, regarding the increasingly unstable structure while the tower grows as the game progresses, this or the simple fact that...
- Restoration Hardware - Mayfair Metal Steamer Trunk Brushed steel wrapped around a wood frame, strapped with thick leather which is accented with up to 3,000 hand-hammered brass nail-heads, and many small details define an impressive steamer trunk...
- Maui Jim Lighthouse Sunglasses If you’re still in quest for sturdy and versatile shades to replace those throw-aways, even though they usually pay off when you break them frequently, however sunglasses of Maui Jim are made...
- Pineider 1774 Rugato Calfskin Trolley Travel with sophisticated style and priceless comfort, this upright leather trolley of the Italian leathergoods maker Pineider takes inspiration from the world of fine shoemaking using a classical...
- Tiger of Sweden Brown Suede Fall Brogues Even though color is in urgent need regarding the upcoming season, it’s definitely a hard challenge to combine an utterly colored pair of shoes, hence discreet yet versatile footwear remains a...
- Paul Smith Epsom Coat It’s noticeably easier to be an energetic paragon of productivity when the sun is shining and whilst every place seems to be picture perfect leaving you with a warm glow, but with autumn...
- Tateossian Gear Tie Clip In a comparably short time, to be precise in a short 20 years, the British label Tateossian accomplished to become a staple choice for the contemporary, sartorially dressed men who believes in the...
- Jaguar XJ75 Platinum Concept To commemorate 75 years of persistently conceiving elegant yet powerful vehicles, Jaguar Cars came up with the one-of-a-kind XJ75 Platinum Concept, a unique and striking way to celebrate and...
- Makr Farm Rucksack For the stroll to the gym, the intense ride around the blocks, the laid-back get together, this canvas backpack by Makr answers your demand for a stylish companion on your back. Almost to chick to be...
Outblush
- YOU Be the Stylist: What should Nicole wear with this dress & clutch? Sometimes, we get a Personal Shopper request that gets us so intrigued, we find it impossible to narrow down our options. We decided, therefore, that our beloved readers should help,...Visit Outblush for the full post.
- A New Look for Lord & Taylor Manhattan Recently Lord & Taylor's flagship store on 5th Avenue invited us to checkout their newly renovated cosmetic department. At first we were mainly excited about the prospect of free swanky...Visit Outblush for the full post.
- Personal Shopper: A black tie wedding guest dress under $300 for Elizabeth - FAST! Elizabeth F. wrote, "Help! I need a full-length dress for a black-tie optional wedding. my budget is preferably less than $300. i'd prefer to purchase from a brick& mortar store...Visit Outblush for the full post.
- Kate Belt Add a cannonball splash of color and texture to your Summer-Fall wardrobe with the one-of-a-kind Kate Belt ($68). Each fuzzy wool piece is hand embroidered with tender love and care...Visit Outblush for the full post.
- Colorful Doves Coasters Folk art has made some kind of come back, and we're digging the hand drawn, rustic trend. The cluster of birdies on the Colorful Doves Coasters ($24) just made our...Visit Outblush for the full post.
- Dual USB & Power Socket Dual Power & USB Sockets ($20 on sale, available for pre-order) are pretty much the answer to our geekiest prayers. Think of it... you won't have to hunt down an...Visit Outblush for the full post.
- Denim Design Lab Kit Sure, you can buy distressed denim, but then you've got the same worn knees and ripped pockets as the girl next to you on the subway. Awkward. Instead, take matters...Visit Outblush for the full post.
- 2-Light Hanging Wine Rack Look, you need a light fixture in your kitchen anyway, you know you're going to have a bottle or two of wine, so why not marry the two? This modern...Visit Outblush for the full post.
- Serotonin Necklace Serotonin - that lovely little neurotransmitter that makes us feel good, isn't just for biology class. The Serotonin Necklace ($85) is way better than Prozac, and cuter too. The molecular...Visit Outblush for the full post.
- Crosley Corsair Radio No doubt it's kitschy, but it's also kinda cool. This Crosley Clock Radio/CD ($70) is made to look like it came straight from an old Corsair and will add interest...Visit Outblush for the full post.
Consumer Reports
- Oil ad from the mad '60s brags about glacier-melting ability Oil ad from the mad '60s brags about glacier-melting ability Here’s an ad from the 1960s that Mad Men’s Don Draper might have dreamt up, before dashing off to a three-martini lunch. In it, the oil company Humble (which would later become Exxon) boasts that, “This giant glacier has remained unmelted for centuries. Yet, the petroleum energy Humble supplies—if converted into heat—could melt it at the rate of 80 tons each second!"Times have changed, as evidenced by Exxon’s latest ad campaign touting its research into greenhouse gas-reducing algae. But an investigation into U.S. energy policy in the October 2010 issue of Consumer Reports finds there’s still plenty of room for improvement. Check back next week—when the issue will be online and on newsstands—for the full details.—Daniel DiClericoImage courtesy of Sociological Images Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences
- Thirsty potted plant exacts fiery revenge on Arkansas homeowner Thirsty potted plant exacts fiery revenge on Arkansas homeowner You can't make this stuff up. State Farm recently concluded that a fire that caused $20,000 damage to an Arkansas home was caused by a dead plant. Or in insurance-speak: “The fire was caused by self-heating through decomposition of organic materials contained within a plastic flowerpot.” Translation: Spontaneous combustion.The homeowner told the Associated Press that the flowerpot had contained dead, decomposing flowers and potting soil that his wife had planted in the summer of 2009. “She had intended on repotting (the flowers),” he said. Sadly, they sat on the porch, unwanted and unwatered, and eventually died.What happened next was even sadder. On July 25, the plant burst into flames, burned a hole in the deck and spread to the vinyl siding. The heat caused a sidelight window next to the front door to break. But that wasn't the end of it. The air conditioning was running and the house filled with smoke. Fortunately, the homeowner’s father-in-law was able to put out the fire with a garden hose before it spread further.In the end, according to the AP, the family had to repaint the entire interior of the 2,200-square-foot home and replace the carpeting. Outside they replaced the window, the vinyl siding and the wooden decking. Lesson learned: Water the plants and consider buying a fire extinguisher. Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences
- Scientists close to understanding gravity … again Scientists close to understanding gravity … again What, you thought Newton cracked this one already? Physicists at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) say they may have a way to measure the effects of gravity at very short distances, say 1/1,000 the diameter of a human hair. “There are lots of competing theories about whether gravity behaves differently at such close range,” says NIST physicist Andrew Geraci. It’s not entirely clear how this information might be used. But, adds Geraci, “progress in the scientific community comes not just from individual experiments, but from new ideas.” And so we thought you’d want to know. —Daniel DiClerico Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences
- Labor Day deals without the legwork Labor Day deals without the legwork Of all the holiday-weekend sales, Labor Day is the biggest. Not only is it wedged between summer and fall, when retailers slash prices on seasonal wares to make room for new inventories, but it also catches the tail end of the back-to-school rush. Consumer Reports has combed through the circulars, websites, direct mailings, and Facebook pages (yep, Lowe’s, Sears and Walmart, among others, all have ‘em) in search of the product categories that will likely see the most red tags this weekend. If you’re a subscriber to ConsumerReports.org, remember that you can access our Ratings and other shopping advice through your mobile phone. The great outdoors Things like mowers, grills, and patio furniture may not be displayed front-and-center this late in the season. But take a stroll to the back of the store, where you’ll find closeout deals on lots of outdoor equipment and furnishings. Sears tells us they’ll be offering 20 percent off all Craftsman mowers. In our latest review, the Craftsman 37659 and the Craftsman 37435 self-propelled mowers were both recommended. You might find even steeper discounts—50 percent and up—on used floor models or those that have been returned and must therefore be sold as rebuilt. Looking ahead to winter, Lowe’s is shaving 15 percent off all Troy-Bilt snow blowers as part of its Labor Day promotion. In our snow blower reviews, the Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP 31AH5ZQ earned the top rating, thanks to its excellent speed, handling and ability to clear compacted snow. Sears is also promising competitive, pre-season deals on snow blowers.Appliances aplenty Many retailers are taking 30 percent off kitchen and laundry appliances. Lowe’s, for example, has an advertised price of $878 for the Whirlpool WFW9050XW front-loading washer and Whirlpool WED9050XW electric dryer. Consumer Reports paid $700 for our test model of the washer alone, which delivered very good performance and efficiency in the lab. We have not tested this particular dryer, but we have many models of dryers both from Whirlpool and others that have performed well in our testing and have a good repair history.Hhgregg is cutting prices on all items over $99, including 20 to 30 percent off Energy Star appliances and electronics. You might be able to get additional savings on Energy Star models if your state’s cash for appliances rebate program is still going on. If you’re going for the stainless steel look, GE is offering free stainless steel upgrades on select refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, and microwaves. In the bedroom The mattress industry loves 3-day holiday weekends, especially Labor Day, which can account for up to 20 percent of the annual take. “Retailers can’t predict when someone is going to want to buy a mattress, so they have to be competitive when they know people will be out shopping,” explains Dan Butler, vice president of merchandising and retail operations with the National Retail Foundation. In our latest Consumer Reports National Research Center survey of mattress brands, Tempur-Pedic, Original Mattress Factory, and Select Comfort scored higher for customer satisfaction than Serta and Sealy. But our investigation found that retailers continue to lure customers in with offers on sub-premium mattresses and then upsell them to a pricier model. So how do you spot a real deal this Labor Day weekend? Sleep on it—the in-store mattress that is, for at least fifteen minutes. This is the only way to judge if a mattress has the support your body needs. According to our tests, the difference between a $2,000 mattress and a $1,000 one will be negligible for many people. Once you settle on a model, don’t be shy about haggling. Given the price variability with mattresses, salespeople usually have a fair amount of wiggle room. Linens are another white-hot Labor Day item, with some retailers saying they’ll slash prices by 50 percent. In our latest review of sheets, two Bed, Bath & Beyond exclusives—Wamsutta 1000 and Wamsutta Dreamzone—were top-rated. We don’t see these sheets on sale just yet, but first-time e-mail subscribers to Bed, Bath & Beyond get a 20-percent off savings certificate for any one item. Not keen on battling the crowds (or wary of Hurricane Earl)? You can also find great deals online, especially on small appliances, such as vacuum cleaners and toaster ovens. In our annual survey of appliance retailers, perennial-favorite Amazon was again deemed best overall for smaller purchases, combining excellent pricing and selection. —Daniel DiClerico Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences
- New Whirlpool plant cooks up some jobs in Tennessee New Whirlpool plant cooks up some jobs in Tennessee Whirlpool refrigerators tends to perform well in Consumer Reports’ tests, with the brand’s Gold GX5FHTXV[Q] topping our Ratings of bottom-freezer refrigerators. The home-appliance maker said today it is taking at least a small step back from offshore manufacturing when it announced its plan to rebuild a cooking-appliance plant in Cleveland, Tennessee, with construction of the one-million-square foot facility beginning at the end of 2010. That would add 130 employees to the current 1,500 at Whirlpool’s Cleveland plant. There had been talk of the Benton Harbor, Michigan-based company moving its Cleveland operation to Mexico, as it had with thousands of jobs from its refrigerator/freezer factories in Arkansas and Michigan in recent years. Industry experts see Whirlpool’s decision to stay as part of a broader recommitment to domestic manufacturing. Caterpillar Inc, the world’s largest manufacturer of construction equipment, is also discussing plans for several new plants in the U.S. Whirlpool has also been a winner in Consumer Reports’ laundry tests—five out of seven top-loading washing machines we recommend are from Whirlpool or Whirlpool-owned Maytag or Amana. But the company has been less dominant in the kitchen: GE, Kenmore, LG, and Frigidaire have all posted better results in Consumer Reports reviews of electric and gas ranges and cooktops, as well as electric wall ovens. The new facility is going to specialize in built-in, premium cooking products.—Daniel DiClerico Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences
- Watching out for Earl? Here's how to be prepared Watching out for Earl? Here's how to be prepared Thousands of tourists were ordered to evacuate islands off the coast of North Carolina as Hurricane Earl continued its inexorable approach towards the mid-Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center issued various warnings and watches that extended up to the New England states. A warning indicates hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours; a watch indicates 48 hours."Our two biggest concerns," Bill Read, director of the National Hurricane Center Director, told NBC's Today are "the coast of North Carolina and extreme southeast Virginia on early Friday morning, late Thursday night, and then on Friday into Saturday for southeastern New England. Just a small change in the direction of the storm could raise an impact, and the large waves, beach erosion and rip currents will be a problem along the East Coast."The Federal Emergency Management Agency advised residents in the projected storm path to "get a kit" together in the event that they lose power. The agency recommends: One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food Battery-powered or hand crank radio and extra batteries Flashlight and extra batteries First aid kit Whistle to signal for help Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities Can opener for food Local maps Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger The U.S. Department of Agriculture offered tips to help keep food safe, even if you don't have a backup generator (read our report). Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer to indicate the temperature in case of a power outage. Make sure the freezer is at 0 degrees F or below and the refrigerator is at 40 F or below. Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator or coolers after the power is out. Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately — this helps keep them at a safe temperature longer. Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased. Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power is out for more than four hours. Purchase or make ice and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers. Group food together in the freezer — this helps it stay cold longer. Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding. If you do lose power for a prolonged period, read the USDA tips on How to keep food safe during an emergency, which includes a chart of which foods to save and which to toss. Here are the two most important bits of advice: Never taste a food to determine its safety, and when in doubt throw it out.Read our Storm and Emergency Guide for for more helpful information. Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences
- Calif. lawmakers to anti-plastic advocates: That's not my bag, baby! Calif. lawmakers to anti-plastic advocates: That's not my bag, baby! California lawmakers have rejected a bill seeking to ban plastic shopping bags after a contentious debate over whether the state was going too far in trying to regulate personal choice, the Associated Press reports. The Democratic bill, which failed late Tuesday, would have been the first statewide ban, although a few California cities already prohibit their use. Supporters of the bill said it would be good for the environment while opponents claimed the measure would be bad for the economy. The bill's author isn't giving up. "It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when consumers bring their own bags and become good stewards of the environment," said Democratic Assemblywoman Julia Brownley the AP reported today. Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences
- DOE reports on new Energy Star verification testing DOE reports on new Energy Star verification testing Early results show a significant number of qualified products might not meet specifications Seventeen percent of appliances tested so far might use too much energy to qualify for the Energy Stars they currently carry, according to Richard Karney, team leader for the Department of Energy’s appliance testing and verification program. He presented the findings in a recent webinar. These models, tested over 5 percent worse than their Energy Star specification. Twenty-nine percent of room air conditioners fell into this category, as did 16 percent of refrigerators, and 4 percent of residential clothes washers.In addition, 18 percent of washers used more water than they should. These results are based on the testing—performed by third-party independent labs—of one sample of several different basic models for each product category. Most of the products were randomly selected for testing and they were bought from retailers. The DOE will be contacting the manufacturers and if they don't request additional testing of their models, the companies will face government action.In March, the Department of Energy announced that it had started testing Energy Star qualified appliances to confirm that they performed to Energy Star specifications. This pilot program was partially due to a scathing report by the Government Accountability Office criticizing the Energy Star program. “Energy Star has lost some luster,” our 2008 investigation, covered Energy Star-qualified refrigerators that used significantly more electricity in our energy-use tests than what was stated by the manufacturers. (We used comparative energy tests, which we felt were tougher than those mandated by the federal government.) A year later, we reported that the Haier HUF138EA freezer used 70 percent more energy than stated on its EnergyGuide label, consumption that we believed exceeded the federal government's allowable energy use and would preclude it from qualifying for Energy Star. And we have continued to find products that use between 33 and 50 percent more energy in our tests than the numbers on their labels.The DOE's pilot verification testing program includes clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, room air conditioners, storage water heaters, and tankless water heaters. So far 110 models have gone through initial energy testing. The agency plans to test an additional 157 models and expand testing to other Energy Star products under long-term programs. According to Karney, the goals of the program include maintaining the integrity of the Energy Star program and consumer trust; ensuring consumers and the nation achieve expected energy and water savings; and establishing the foundation for a future extended verification program. —Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences
- Easier leaf cleanup: Best power blowers for fall Easier leaf cleanup: Best power blowers for fall Power blowers may be a controversial topic these days as more communities restrict or even ban them, as in parts of California. Some communities, such as Yonkers, N.Y.—home to Consumers Union's headquarters—ban only gasoline-powered blowers during the summer months but allow electric models. Several of the 14 top gas and electric leaf blowers in Consumer Reports' latest tests proved less noisy than most. Home and Yard Editor Bob Markovich was on the Fox News Channel this weekend to demonstrate hand-held and backpack blowers that meet some of the tougher blower regulations.Toro’s corded-electric Ultra Blower Vac 51599, $70, delivers nearly as much leaf-sweeping and loosening power as gas-powered models. It should also meet the strictest noise restrictions (usually 65 decibels at 50 feet). And its metal fan, or impeller, should hold up better than the usual plastic versions in the vacuum mode this blower includes. Assuming your community allows them, gas-powered blowers are the obvious choice for larger properties and those with lots of cord-entangling trees and shrubs. The Weed Eater FB25, $90, a CR Best Buy, is among the quietest and least expensive gas blowers in Consumer Reports' Ratings of more than 30 models (available to subscribers). And at just eight pounds, it's no heavier than the Toro Ultra Blower Vac electric. The Echo PB-500H, $300, also a CR Best Buy, packs even more leaf-blowing power while shifting its added weight from your arms to your shoulders. You’ll also find two top picks among gas-powered wheeled blowers for bigger leaf-clearing jobs. Whichever power blower you're considering, check any local leaf-blower regulations first. And use it courteously by not running it too early or late—before 9 AM and after 6 PM, say—and not blowing leaves and other yard debris onto your neighbor's property.Latest on Leaf blowers Overview Ratings Recommendations Buying Advice Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences
- Home prices rise modestly but can gains be sustained? Home prices rise modestly but can gains be sustained? Year-over-year home prices edged up 4.2 percent in June, according to the latest Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index. Prices rose in 17 out of the 20 markets that make up the composite, with Seattle (14.4 percent), San Francisco (11.2 percent), and Minneapolis (10.7 percent) leading the charge. The positive report seemed to steady nerves on Wall Street, but it doesn’t mean the housing slump is over. “While the numbers are upbeat, other more recent data on home sales and mortgages point to fewer gains ahead,” said David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at Standard & Poor's. He cited a stubborn foreclosure rate, the high inventory of unsold homes, and expiration of the home buyer’s tax credit in April.Translation? If you’re trying to sell your home, you’ll still need to do everything in your power to attract buyers—let alone bring in top dollar. Consumer Reports’ “simple spruce-ups” will improve your home’s curb appeal, while “5 home repairs you shouldn’t ignore” will help keep it safe, regardless of who’s living there. —Daniel DiClerico Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences
Home & Garden Blog
- Recipe Books: Become an Out of This World Chef Its not every day that a person gets to meld their love of science fiction with their devotion to creating the perfect meal. There are a series of cookbooks geared toward popular science fiction and fantasy books and television shows. Ever want to try a little Star Wars Cantina Chili or the Darth Malt? Here are a few of the coolest science fiction cookbooks on the market. Star Wars Cookbook I and II: You can take the battle of the rebel alliance and the evil empire into the kitchen with these Star Wars cookbooks. The books cover the entire series from Episode One to Return of the Jedi and provide provocative treats such as Wookie Cookies and Qui Gon Jinn-ger Snaps. The cookbooks are filled with fun and colorful illustrations featuring action figures from the famed George Lucas films. Star Trek Cookbook: There are only two types of people in this world: Star Wars and Star Trek. They may be similar genres, but the fans are bitter enemies. I am a trekker and will be until the day I die. When I saw this cookbook, my nerd meter revved into high gear. The book features foods beloved to the characters of the various series and movies as well as a listing for drinks served at Quarks bar on Deep Space 9. The book is co-authored by Ethan Phillips, who is best known at the Talaxian chef and morale officer aboard the U.S.S. Voyager. Related posts:Recipe Book: “Im Just Here For The Food” Dream Maker Spas – This Is What Heaven Must Be Like Creative Date Ideas: Have a Great Night
- Feng Shui: Ancient Mysticism or Bologna? I am a simple man, but I take pride in my home and how it looks. I try my best to keep up with the interior design trends that come in and out of style and skip the ones that are a little too out there for Midwestern small town culture. When Feng Shui burst onto the scene several years ago, I chalked it up to that weird L.A. pish posh and passed on Fenging and Shuiing my furniture. The essence of this mystical far eastern concept is that placement of furniture and the design of buildings can have an effect on the universal qi, pronounced chee, which flows through your home. Anyone that has grown up studying martial arts or just watched a bunch of old kung fu movies will immediately notice that qi is often talked about and can be channeled to do all kinds of cool stuff like flying, breaking bricks with your head and shooting fireballs. Ok, I got that last one from the video game Street Fighter. Related posts:Go Green: Paint with the Environment in Mind Best and Worst: Theories for Interior Decorating Grant K Gibson and California Dreaming
- How to Come Out of the Gardening Closet When gardening went from a weekend distraction to more of a industrious hobby, I was faced with an odd conundrum. How do I tell people I am an avid gardener? I dont know if I didnt want to sound like I was bragging or possibly even a little ashamed that my backyard could have been a farmers market, but I found myself skirting the topic at parties and get-togethers. Years later, I now shout my gardening ability from the rooftops and am often asked advice and even the occasionally in-person tutorial. Dont be ashamed or embarrassed at being a gardener. Some people spend their spare time collecting coins or playing video games; your hobby is just as important and deserves to get the spotlight. So heres the best way to come out of the gardening closet. Related posts:Gardening Deal: Year End Sale on Indoor Gardening Tool Sets Have Plans for Fourth of July Gardening? Gardening Hat – Khaki Sun Protection
- Residential Columns: When You Need a Little Support In the small town where I live, there is a large home built on a hill that is the vision of opulence. It has a fountain in front, at least five bedrooms and large Roman columns holding up a massive front porch. Few people drive by without taking a look at the house and dreaming about what the inside has to look like. I have always liked the look of columns on a home it creates an air of aristocracy to an otherwise mundane home. A column is an architectural design that been around for thousands of years and served both a decorative and necessary purpose. Buildings were made of stone and were much heavier than than the wooden homes built today and as such needed support. Columns are made up of three parts: the base, the shaft and the capital. Most people have Corinthian or Ionic columns as these have the most decorative bases and capitals. Columns dont have to be ornate as I have seen many front porches with wooden columns that are basic designs. While bland columns are used for support purposes, the more ornate ones are more for decoration than anything else. Columns were once made of stone just like the buildings, but as materials developed so did columns. They no longer had to be individually carved, but are created out of plaster and fiberglass using molds. Related posts:Brookstone Pillows – NapForm Lumbar Back Support My Neck Hurts – Shop for Neck Pillow Support Affordable Home Decor – Decorative Quilt Rack
- How to Handle a Root Problem Without Hurting Your Tree A friend of mine walked up to me a while back red faced and covered in dirt. Strangely enough, this isnt all that uncommon for me. He had been expanding his garden and making way for a whole new area for perennials when his hoe hit something solid. He cleared away the dirt and found to his dismay a tree root that appeared to be running from a large tree in his neighbors yard into his newly expanded garden. He didnt think much of it and decided to keep going thinking that he would just deal with it later. About 10 minutes later, CLUNK! Another root, then another and another. This massive tree had several roots that had grown under the fence and into his yard. Needless to say, my friend was perplexed. He wanted to expand his garden, but he didnt want to end up killing this beautiful behemoth that had probably been there for a hundred years or more. Related posts:Tree Diseases: Plants Can Get Sick Too Household Plants – Large Money Tree Tropical and Exotic Plants – Bonzai, Lotus, Bamboo and Money Tree!
- Recipe Book: “Im Just Here For The Food” There is one reason I watch Food Network: Alton Brown. I could care less about Bobby Flay, Rachel Ray and Paula Dean, but Brown is by far the most interesting, funny and knowledgeable chef as well as host of Good Eats and Iron Chef America. His first cookbook, Im Just Here for The Food, is far more than a simple tome of recipes, but an encyclopedia of food science and quirky humor. What separates Brown from other chefs is he not only understands the best ways to make mouthwatering dishes, but also the science behind it. He knows why sugar caramelizes, what oils are good for frying what foods and the importance of the proper cooking utensils. Im Just Here For The Food is separated into the expected chapters by subject such as brining, sauces, eggs, etc., but it also talks about proper disinfection and has several charts and graphs to help explain the science behind the food. I am a science nut. I always have been and to find a cookbook that explains the science of food was a must have. Anyone used to the easy-to-follow explanations and steps that are in his show Good Eats might be a little disappointed. The directions are straight forward, but can be complicated for the cooking newbie. Anyone with experience cooking or using cookbooks should be able to muddle through some of the more difficult parts with a little extra care and concentration. Related posts:Recipe Books: Become an Out of This World Chef What’s Cooking, Coolio? No Seriously, What’s Cooking? Diet Food Inspiration
- Mirror Mirror on the Wall: Streamline My Space I have always been fascinated with mirrors since I was a child. My parents bedroom had a mirrored closets on each side of the hallway as you entered the bathroom. When you walked up to them, it gave the illusion of endless clones of me mimicking my every move. It was a little creepy and yet cool at the same time. I mean who wouldnt be excited at the thought of a million clones of me. When it comes to decorating your home, mirrors are a simple and fun way to create new perspectives in a room and provide focus on specific objects. Adding space: Mirrors are famous for their ability to create faux space in small rooms by reflecting the interior. If you have a small bathroom, a few well placed mirrors can create the feeling of open and airiness without the expense of remodeling. If you have a long thin corridor, small mirrors placed on the walls can create the same openness. For long thin rooms or corridors, it is better to use several small mirrors rather than one large mirror as that can may actually bring focus to the smallness of the corridor. Spotlighting: While a large mirror isnt suited for a small corridor, it is excellent for bringing focus on specific furniture or decorative pieces in the home. If you have an amazing wingback chair or lamp from your great aunt Tilly that you want everyone to comment on, then place a mirror above it so that it is reflected in the mirror. You are basically getting double exposure and more of a chance of it sparking a conversation. This is also perfect for city skylines. If you have a large window that overlooks the skyline, put a mirror on the opposite wall so the view is reflected. Its sure to get noticed by people passing by. Related posts:Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who is the Cheapest of Them All Best and Worst Places for a Mirror Discount Home Decor – Stained Glass Mirror
- How to Start a Flower Garden in Five Steps The most common question I get is, Brock, why are you so weird?" The second most common is "How do I start my own flower garden. I just don't have the time and know-how. The first cannot be answered in one posting, so let's concentrate on the second question. When you are starting a flower garden from scratch, it can be daunting as the tasks seem to pile on. If you take it step by step and don't get discouraged, you're lilacs and roses will make your neighborhood beautiful in no time. Step 1: Choose your spot. You're first flower garden doesn't have to be huge. You can build a flower bed using old rail road ties or simply chooses a patch of land. It can be along your house, in your backyard or smack dab in the middle of your front if you want. The only requirements is it must have a fair amount of direct sunlight. For the interest of how-to-itiveness, we'll concentrate on the patch of land. Step 2: Prepare the ground. This is by far the hardest part of the process. In order for flowers to grow, they can't be competing with grass and weeds for the nutrients. If your soil isn't too rocky, you can use a tiller to clear out the grass, this provides you with not only a top layer of soil, but also decaying plant matter for nutrients. If you don't have a tiller, a hoe, trowel or your bare hands will do the trick. Related posts:Plan to Take Advantage of Daylight Savings & Plant Roses Window Planters Xeriscaping: Green Your Garden
- Earth Sheltered Homes: More Than a Swanky Hobbit House I will admit that I always wanted to live in an earth sheltered home because well The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. I know, stop giving me the eye roll. Im a nerd; I know it and have accepted it. Lets move on now shall we. An earth sheltered home is built so three of the sides and the roof are built into a hill and is covered by Earth and the front is left open. This provides amazing benefits for heating and cooling as well as security against weather-related phenomenon. It stays cool during the summer and keeps heat in during the winter. One company insists their earth sheltered homes never fall below 55 degrees even in the dead of winter. Thats all great and all, but they never mention being visited by dwarves and wizards. What about Hobbits also known as Halflings in J.R.R. Tolkiens world of Middle Earth? Related posts:Earth Friendly House Cleaning Get Green for Earth Day! Foreclosed Homes in Florida Might Become Hurricane Shelters
- Top Five Mistakes When Building Your Own Fountain I owe my father everything including my knowledge of gardening. We would spend hours out in the hot sun pulling weeds and manicuring the backyard. Some of the best lessons I learned were what not to do and its was learning by experience. Small backyard and garden fountains are popular fixtures and can be purchased at a wide range of prices. They can be as small as a birdbath or as large as a small pond. One summer, my dad decided that these fountains looked nice and he had everything he needed to build one from scratch. What transpired has become a Cooper legend that is recounted every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The five reasons below are all related to Coopers folly as it has become known. So without further ado, the five mistakes when building your own fountain. Related posts:Large Solar Fountain Pump This Week in Home and Garden Celebrity Spotlight: Building with Trees
MSN Shopping: Results for Home Furnishings
- Glass Hanger Racks - 10'' Brass Plated - Sold As: 1 Each - on sale at $3.24 Glass Hanger Rack 10 Over All Length For Stemware Brass Plated Included: Brass Plated Mounting Screws Our Stemware Glass Hanger Racks Add Counter Space To Your Bar. Easy &Amp; Quick Installation Almost Anywhere. Features Manufacturer's...
- ShowHouse by Moen Towel Ring YB9086WR - on sale at $56.97 ShowHouse Bathroom AccessoriesCasa CollectionCoordinates with Casa Powder Room FaucetsComes with Mounting Hardware and InstructionsTowel RingUniquely Styled Open Ring DesignThe Casa selection brings a romantic Mediterranean touch to your...
- Glass Hanger Racks - 24''; Chrome Plated - Sold As: 1 Each - on sale at $3.43 Glass Hanger Rack 24 Over All Length For Stemware Chrome Plated Included: Brass Plated Mounting Screws Our Stemware Glass Hanger Racks add counter space to your bar. Easy & quick installation almost anywhere. Features Manufacturer's...
- ShowHouse by Moen Towel Ring YB9786ORB - on sale at $50.51 ShowHouse Bathroom AccessoriesFelicity CollectionComes with Mounting Hardware and InstructionsTowel RingCoordinates with Felicity Faucet
- Kohler Towel Ring K-208-BN - on sale at $254.69 Kohler Towel RingAntique Collection7-3/4"W x 3-1/2"D x 5-3/4"HFinish-matched KOHLER® accessories complement the design and function of your KOHLER sink and allow you to customize your kitchen work space.
- Can Tapper & Bottle Opener, 4'', nickel-plated (100 per case) (6 Cases/Unit) - Sold As: 6 Cases - on sale at $222.72 Can Tapper & Bottle Opener, 4'', nickel-plated (100 per case)
- Kohler Towel Ring K-16140-PB - on sale at $166.12 Kohler Towel RingRevival Collection5-7/8" W x 3-3/4" D x 6-7/8" H
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- ShowHouse by Moen Towel Ring YB7786AN - on sale at $51.45 Towel Ringuniquely styled ring designcoordinates with Tres Chic powder room faucetscomes with mounting hardware and instructions
- ShowHouse by Moen Towel Ring YB7586NL - on sale at $54.54 ShowHouse Bathroom AccessoriesMannerly CollectionComes with Mounting Hardware and InstructionsCoordinates with Mannerly Powder Room FaucetsTowel RingThe Mannerly selection brings a comfortable, classic look to your powder room - with...
MSN Shopping: Results for Kitchen & Housewares
- Glass Hanger Racks - 16''; Chrome Plated - Sold As: 1 Each - on sale at $2.69 Glass Hanger Rack 16 Over All Length For Stemware Chrome Plated Included: Brass Plated Mounting Screws Our Stemware Glass Hanger Racks add counter space to your bar. Easy &Amp; quick installation almost anywhere. Features Manufacturer's...
- Chafer Round Roll Top Gold Titanium Plated Handle - Sold As: 1 Each - on sale at $211.91 Create a beautiful buffet setting with a touch of elegance High polish 18/8 stainless steel finish and gold accents make this roll-top chafer your best bet. Features Manufacturer's Category: Chafer Shape: Round
- Glass Hanger Racks - 16''; Brass Plated - Sold As: 1 Each - on sale at $3.43 Glass Hanger Rack 16 Over All Length For Stemware Brass Plated Included: Brass Plated Mounting Screws Our Stemware Glass Hanger Racks add counter space to your bar. Easy & quick installation almost anywhere. Features Manufacturer's...
- Scoop 9-1/2'' X 5-3/4'' X 3-1/2'' flat bottom dishwasher safe non-toxic one-piece plastic - Sold As: 1 Each - on sale at $6.67 Scoop, 9-1/2'' X 5-3/4'' X 3-1/2'', flat bottom, dishwasher safe, non-toxic, one-piece plastic construction, white Features Construction: plastic Capacity: 82 ounce Type: utility type
- Retro BAR32 Espresso Machine (4 Cup, Black) - on sale from $99.95 This product has a Retro design, Self priming pump, Stainless steel boiler, Two separate thermostats for brewing and steam removable drip tray, and an Exclusive pod system uses espresso pods or regular ground coffee.
- Chafer Rectangular Roll Top Gold Titanium Plated Handle - Sold As: 1 Each - on sale at $290.34 Create a beautiful buffet setting with a touch of elegance High polish 18/8 stainless steel finish and gold accents make this roll-top chafer your best bet. Features Manufacturer's Category: Chafer Capacity: 8 Qt Shape: Rectangular
- DFP-14BCN Custom 14 Food Processor (14 Cup, 720-Watt, Stainless Steel) - on sale from $168.29 For serious cooks who love to entertain or cook for parties and family gatherings, this is the ultimate Food Processor. The 14-cup capacity lets you prep complete amounts rather than adding in portions. It includes large and small feed...
- Colanders - 16 Qt. Al. - Sold As: 1 Each - on sale at $34.28 Colander 16 Qt. 16-1/8 D X 9-1/2'''' H Aluminum Our Aluminum Colanders Are Handy For Draining Your Favorite Pasta And Just The Thing For Rinsing Your Fresh Fruits And Vegetables. Two Side Handles Make The Colander Easier To Transport And...
- DLC2007N Prep Food Processor (7 Cup, White) - on sale from $110.18 The right choice for everyday food prep. Big enough to process plenty of ingredients, and sized for exceptionally easy handling. With trademark features like the wide, one-piece feed tube and accessories for virtually any processing task,...
- Sauce Pans - 4? Quart Tapered Al. Black Label - Sold As: 1 Each - on sale at $29.23 sauce pans - 4-1/2 quart tapered al. black label Features Manufacturer's Category: Sauce Pan Construction: 3.5 Gauge Aluminum Construction Handle: Non-Insulated Capacity: 4-1/2 Quart
