Category Archives: Home & Garden

September 15, 2016 · 9:06 pm

Enjoy Outdoor Colorful Plants, Shrubs & Flowering Trees All Winter

I cannot believe that I have been turning the heat on and walking around in sweatshirts this last week. While it is still warm during  the day, it is turning very cool in the evenings. Seeing as we just hit mid September and it is still officially summer, it is far too early for my taste. I love my plants and I hate knowing it is only a matter of weeks and the first frost will mean the end of the perennials in my flower beds until next spring.

I also dislike having to carry my house plants and trees in and out when they were loving their time on the deck this summer. I am not a winter person. The thing that I dislike the most is the drab grayness that happens right after all the beautiful, fall leaves fall to the ground. There is such a harshness in winter and even when the first snowfall comes the beauty does not last long. Before long, the drabness of the long cold winter leaves me longing for color.

winter-in-park

While I do not have the power to change the weather in New York, I can do something to add color to my home during the winter season. I recently found a company called Permaleaf that has a collection of artificial plants, trees, and flowers that are lifelike and can withstand the elements.

They look great outside, on a patio, by the front door, in planters and more all around my home. I like that they are a nice way to add color during the gray winter months. I ordered a lavender plant in a nice black ornate planter and love it! It is easy to see how the elements will not affect it and I know it will make me smile to see those pops of color over the long winter.

lavender-flowers

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Check it out and let me know what you think.

 


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September 8, 2016 · 11:45 pm

An Easy Way To Add A Pop of Color To Any Room

I love growing things, I have been growing mango trees from seed all summer. I have germinated 10 or 11 trees now that are doing wonderful! I am growing pineapples too from the pineapple top and it is so much fun and so rewarding. I love to garden and also plant and maintain many perennial gardens on my property. I have a vegetable garden too and one of the things I hate about winter is the drabness that seems to take over. Sure the white snow on evergreens is pretty but the long winters can leave me longing for color.

That is where silk flowers come in. They can give me those pops of colors that really cheer me up and make me smile. I also like to use them in areas where it would be hard to maintain real flowering plants. I recently picked out a gorgeous Dancing Orchid. It is 32″ tall and comes in a beautiful ceramic pot.

 

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I am really happy with it and plan to put it around my whirlpool tub in my master bathroom. I like to take a lot of warm baths in the winter and having that colorful orchid there will just help me to feel that spring is not too far away.

Do you decorate with silk plants? Would love to hear your thoughts.

I received the dancing orchid to facilitate my review. As always my words and views are 100% my own.


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July 29, 2016 · 2:06 pm

Kitchen Renovations-What You Should Know

Kitchen renovations are much different today than they ever have been before. It used to be that when someone did a kitchen renovation or a remodel the only real options they had were the design and architectural features of the room such as arches/doorways, walls/ceilings, and flooring or additional space options.

These days, though, you have many other elements you can add such as smart appliances and products for a smartly designed kitchen. If you are curious about the different smart kitchen ideas available, consider reading the article below for some cool and technology driven ideas to make your kitchen more forward friendly, convenient and comfortable.

smart appliances

Smart Appliances For A Smart Kitchen

Most appliances in the kitchen are already pretty darn smart in terms of timers and knowing when to stop cooking a product. But, you also have a lot of other different “smart” options available to you, such as:

– Touchscreen Stove Tops: Not only is this a really cool type of cooking technology, but it can also be used in a kitchen with children as well, since it’s a very safe product to use. Essentially the cook top uses conduction to heat things like pots and pans. But, the other parts of the stove stay cool – to the touch. You can actually use the touch screen to browse the internet, look up recipes to make, check out cookbooks in digital format and more.

– Home Chat: This cool little app is meant for specific things like the fridge. It will essentially keep track of items and ingredients inside the refrigerator and you can ask it questions such as: Do we have butter and it will reply back via text yes two sticks or no we do not. This is really efficient because you can use the app even out of the house.

Smart Fridge

This is a really cool option but in the near future, we will also have an even cooler option (it’s a concept right now) that will actually order food, keep track of what’s in the fridge and alert you when you are running low, and do a plethora of other cool options. For now, though, you have these smart refrigerators. The LCD display allows you to watch TV, listen to the radio, check the news, leave memos for yourself or other family members, check out the calendar and leave notes on specific days and more. It’s quite expensive, at around $3600 but if you want a tech driven kitchen, this might be the addition for you… for now anyway, until that higher tech fridge comes along!

Pair 3D Design Application

Okay, this is a really cool app and unlike any other smart application above. It’s only an Apple App right now, though. Essentially what you do is you bring up the camera on your iPhone and the app will give you different furniture options for that camera viewer. In the camera viewer, you can see how that piece of furniture or an appliance would fit in your space, what it would look in a 3D manner and more. The app can also be used by brands and businesses as well. But it’s also a great design tool for home owners that allow you to set up a room in real-time.

Radiant Flooring

In a lot of cases, you see radiant flooring done in a bathroom. But, since more and more people are also using porcelain in the kitchen as well (its durable, budget friendly and beautiful) some manufactures have started to make radiant flooring options for the kitchen too. This is a perfect option for any flooring in the kitchen, but especially stone or tile like porcelain because even though it does have a lot of benefits, one of the disadvantages are that it can get quite cool to the touch in the winter. In order to fix this, you can use radiant heating underneath the flooring to warm it up before you ever set foot on it.

Radiant flooring can be set on a timer so that it turns on every morning before you wake up to make the floor nice and toasty so when you come down for breakfast or coffee the floor is already heated up. You can also use Wi-Fi with a lot of radiant flooring systems so as soon as you wake up you can turn on your app – and have the floor heated so by the time you make it downstairs it’s warmed. Tile flooring like porcelain is a great conductor of heat. In fact, the two best materials to use a radiant floor on are porcelain and wood. Porcelain is a really good option though because it won’t expand as it warms and cools which means it won’t crack which means your flooring will last for longer!

radiant flooring

There you have it, kitchen renovation ideas that you should know before you start your project.


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July 11, 2016 · 5:32 pm

Learn How To Make Your Space, Any Place!

As a mom of 5, I know life throws us the unexpected. However with so many things we can’t control, it is nice when we can eliminate others easily. Have you ever been faced with an unexpected layover at the airport and your kids want to play on the filthy airport floor? Forget your chairs for you child’s soccer game? No space at the picnic tables in the park? Now you don’t have to sweat those things because the Monkey Mat is an ultra-compact mat that fits in your purse or diaper bag. It is perfect for so many things, use it at the beach, lawn concerts, camping and hiking, sporting events and so much more! You can see more on their website.

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As an added incentive My readers get to save! Use coupon code “USFAM” for $5 off + Free Shipping! Click HERE to get your coupon!

monkey mat beach

The Monkey Mat was seen on Shark Tank and comes in different colors and prints. This is a mat I would not want to be without!

Monkey Mat

The Monkey Mat is a clean, portable surface you can take EVERYwhere!

For all ages, all places, all year long.  

  • 5′ x 5′ mat – large enough for several friends or family!
  • Attached pouch – so nothing separate to keep track of!
  • Ultra compact – no more bulky blankets!
  • Ripstop nylon – durable, but still soft to the touch (no plasticky feel)!
  • Lightweight – only 12oz, so really can go everywhere!
  • Machine washable – of course 🙂
  • Water repellant – spills, grass, sand, dirt, etc shake right off!
  • Corner weights – super lightweight, so keeps it from blowing away in the wind!
  • Corner loops  – use stakes, shovels or whatever you have for extra grounding if needed, or tie multiple Monkey Mats together for even more clean floor!
  • Center fun tabs – attach and keep track of toys, keys, dog leashes, etc!

 

 

 

 

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July 10, 2016 · 1:40 pm

A Healthier Way To Slow-Cook Your Food!

Did you know that many slow cookers and crock pots leach lead into food when heated up? Lead can cause many detrimental health issues. There are safer ways to slow cook your food. The VitaClay is the Smart Top Rated Clay Pot Cooker. This cooker has computerized, electronic technology that makes it easy to use. It works with hundreds of recipes and best of all it is a healthy way to cook.

multicooker 1

The secret is in the centuries old, slow-cooking, organic clay pot, combined with the perfect computerized balance of temperature, fused to bring out the textures and flavors that will please the health conscious first timer or pro.

The clay pot is non-stick and chemical free. This cooker is perfect for everyone whether you are vegan, vegetarian, health-conscious or just like great food and awesome kitchen appliances.

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We recently tested out the  HIGH-FIRED VITACLAY® SMART ORGANIC MULTICOOKER -in the largest, 8 cup size with a 4.2 qt. capacity. This multicooker also is a Slow Cooker, Steamer, Rice Cooker and Yogurt Maker.

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The VitaClay was designed for the passionate, healthy cook. The award-winning VitaClay®Chef Gourmet Rice and Slow Cooker Pro is now updated to a Smart Organic Multicooker! The cooker features a natural, unglazed, Zisha clay pot that enhances the flavor of food and preserves nutrients, vitamins and enzymes.

The clay pot is free of any non-stick glazes, chemicals or aluminum. To season the pot all you have to do is make rice! That’s right you cook white rice in it for about 2.5 hours and your pot is seasoned. That is very easy to do! The multicooker is programmable and has settings to let you cook stews, soups, all kinds of rice, pot roast and other meats, beans, vegetarian dishes, and even probiotic-rich yogurt.

The all-natural clay pot promotes uniform cooking and the double lid design creates micro-pressure that gives you the most tender meats and flavorful food you can imagine. It also cooks in less time and with less energy! A whole meal can be made in this in as little as 30 minutes!

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After seasoning our pot, I decided to try a chicken recipe in it. I initially thought I was going to make Chicken Cacciatore but I ended up with a slight variation which was a delicious chicken and vegetable dish served over angel hair pasta. The chicken when it was done was so moist and shredded so beautifully. All of the vegetables and colors were delicious and vibrant.

It was simple to make, I just cut up onions, carrots, bell pepper and celery and put in the bottom of the pot. I added some sliced mushrooms and then seasoned with some pepper and garlic powder. I put the skinless, boneless chicken breasts on top of that and then added tomato sauce and Italian style stewed tomatoes. After that I took fresh Italian parsley, basil and oregano from my garden and added that.

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We cooked it for about 2.5 hours and it was just so delicious and perfect for summer because we literally turned it on and left to go swimming at our dock. When we came back after swimming and were famished, everything was ready! I love how it keeps food warm for up to 12 hours without drying it out or overcooking it. That is so nice when you have a large family where everyone may not be eating at the same time. It is also great for those second or third helpings an hour or so later!

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multicooker with cheese

The multicooker came with a nice recipe book and there are more recipes on their website. However you can basically cook all your tried and true slow cooker recipes in it. It has a nice design and does not take up too much room on the counter. It is easy to care for and is something we are going to be cooking in a lot. I will update as I try new things in it.

Enter The Giveaway:

Would you like the chance to win the same multicooker I reviewed? I thought you would, just enter below and good luck!!!

VitaClay___Smart_50a2bc38baa4f2

FEATURES

  • All natural unglazed pure clay pot intensifies flavors of your favorite dishes
  • No aluminum, lead and non-stick chemical coating contacting your food!
  • Up to 4 times faster than conventional slow cooker
  • Easy whole meals are ready in under 45 minutes
  • Food is simmered in its own juices
  • Preserves natural juices, important nutrients, enzymes and vitamins
  • Makes probiotic rich Greek yogurt or yogurt or yogurt cheese
  • 10 minutes up to 5 hours programmable cooking time with 10 minutes increment!
  • Delay timer and automatic Keep Warm
  • Push-button controls and an easy-to-read LCD display / Clock eliminate guesswork
  • Rice paddle & measuring cup included
  • UL listed, FDA, CA Prop 65 and RoHS laboratory tested

 vitaclay logo

 

VitaClay is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win an 8 Cup VITACLAY® SMART ORGANIC MULTICOOKER !  Thank you to VitaClay for the review product and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

VITACLAY® SMART ORGANIC 8 CUP MULTICOOKER Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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July 5, 2016 · 3:39 pm

Win A $100 Gift Card To Decorate Your Home!

If you are looking to spruce up your living space with some unique and decorative accents, My Wonderful Walls has so much to help you do that. Whether you are looking for colorful wall stencils and decals, throw pillows, throws or blankets, you will a huge selection there.

Their website is easy to navigate and you can search for what you want or browse by product type or category. I recently selected a personalized twin size fleece blanket in an absolutely fantastic jungle safari animals design.

Jungle Fleece Blanket Monogramed

Elegant elephants walk among a grassy field while a gorgeous giraffe stands nearby. The playful monkeys swing from the trees as a vibrant tree frog, brilliant butterfly and colorful toucan enjoy the fresh jungle air against a blue, cloud-filled sky. Personalizing this with my son’s name makes this super soft, blanket extra special. This can also be purchased as a throw. They are cuddly, cozy and amazing soft made of 100% polyester that can be machined washed.

If you absolutely love a design, you can create a theme room with their coordinating wall decals, stencils, throw pillows, blankets and throws!

Check out some other items from their site I think are awesome!

terrier pillow

throw pillow

wall stencil decals

labrador wall decal

 

Now if you are getting that decorating bug, you can use the code SummerFun16 to take 15% off any purchase at My Wonderful Walls (offer expires 8/1/16) and don’t forget to enter the giveaway  below to win a $100 dollar gift card to My Wonderful Walls! Just use the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

 

My wonderful walls logo

$100 Gift Card To My Wonderful Walls Giveaway:

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June 17, 2016 · 4:56 pm

Save Money While Cleaning Your Air! #HimalayanSalt

I like to keep things natural as possible in my home. Did you know that Himalayan Salt Lamps  are all-natural air purifiers? These pristine pink Himalayan salt crystal lamps clean the air in your home while providing a warm, stunning glow that enhances any decor.

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These unique health and wellness lamps are available from the Himalayan Salt Shop.  Himalayan Salt Lamps have been popular in Europe for decades, but have only recently become known in the United States.  Visit www.HimalayanSaltshop.com to learn more. If you decide to order one of these unique, natural lamps use code USFAMILY for 20% off.

himalayan

 

 

I will receive a complimentary Himalayan Salt Lamp for review. All opinions are my own.

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May 14, 2016 · 12:41 am

The Better Way To Clean Your BBQ Grill

We are starting to really fire up that grill now that we are almost into the unofficial start of summer. If your grill needs a bit of spiffing up from a mostly unused winter or just cleaning between grilling, I have the product for you! This USA Q’Grill BBQ Stainless Steel brush is all business!

bbq brush

It is strong and durable and made to last. It will also cut your cleaning time down because it gets your grill clean 3 times faster than conventional grill brushes. The brush’s ergonomic design and sturdy construction offers unparalleled durability. You can see it in the polymer enhanced handle that feels great and looks great! The stainless steel bristles offer a horizontal 3 in 1 grill cleaning that will get your grill sparkling clean fast. So no matter what your entertaining schedule looks like this summer, cleaning your grill will be fast and easy!

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See my video below to get up close and personal with this awesome brush.

You can purchase it right on Amazon, just click on the link at the bottom of this post. Makes an awesome Father’s Day Gift too! If you do get it, let me know what you think.

 


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May 6, 2016 · 12:26 pm

Beautify Your Home With Porcelain Tile

Porcelain floor tiles are the hardest and most durable tile option available.  They are available in two types – through bodied and glazed.  Through bodied have the color and pattern throughout the tile whereas glazed tiles are covered with a hard finish, which makes them very strong and dense.  They are available in a wide selection of colors and sizes, making it very easy for you to customize patterns.  They resist water, stains, scratches, chips and even mold and mildew.  They are also relatively easy to keep clean.  Because of their versatility, porcelain floor tiles are a fantastic option for just about any room in your home.

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Bathroom

The bathroom sees not only a lot of foot traffic, but a lot of moisture as well.  People often spend a lot of time in this room.  Humidity often finds its way onto every bathroom surface.  Water from showers and baths is routinely splashed or dripped onto the floor.  Damp towels may be left lying around.  Porcelain is an excellent choice for flooring, walls and even counters.  It will resist all of the moisture in the air.  It will also make your bathroom a gorgeous place to be.  By choosing the right colors and smaller tiles, you can create a relaxing pattern on floors and walls.

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tile bath vanity

Kitchen

The kitchen is another room that sees a good amount of use.  The durability of porcelain floor tiles ensures that your floor will resist damage from foot traffic, but remain shiny and bright for many years.  Large tiles can make the kitchen appear more open.  Smaller porcelain tiles are also excellent for walls and floors.  You can create unique patterns on your wall to create a specific atmosphere.  Their durability makes them excellent for counters.

 

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tile back splash

Entryway

Large floor tiles can create a very open and inviting entry to your home that is also resistant to most damage.  You can also use a variety of sizes to once again create a unique pattern.

tile floor

Porcelain floor tiles are extremely versatile.  You can use them on the floors, walls and counters of various rooms to unify the house.  And, with the overwhelming variety of colors and patterns available, you can create your own unique atmosphere that is both beautiful and long-lasting. For more information on porcelain floor tiles, head on over to PlumbTile.com and request your flooring samples today!

 

 

This is a sponsored guest post and the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Mommy Ramblings.

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April 19, 2016 · 10:53 pm

Win An Orkin, Summer Scientist Kit #Giveaway #LearnWithOrkin

There are some downsides to the very mild winter we had. The May bugs and Mosquitos are already out in full force. They just seem to put the biggest damper on being outside. With baseball practice, getting the garden started, yard work, BBQs and more these pests are a nuisece but more than that they can pose a serious health risk. Fortunately, the experts at Orkin study the science of mosquitoes and other pests closely in order to better tailor plans that help keep them out of your home this summer.

Are you prepared for mosquito season this year?

At Orkin, they use the latest technology and unparalleled training to develop an effective treatment that’s right for your needs. To learn more about our pest control based in science or to schedule an inspection, visit Orkin or call 1-800-800-ORKIN.  You can also find Orkin on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

To help you better prepare yourself and your family to fight the bite, Orkin presents the “Buzzer Beater” app, which features its deep scientific knowledge of mosquitoes.

Are you prepared for mosquito season this year? Take the quiz to see if you’re ready to earn your badge in Mosquito Season Prep.

 

Watch the “How to Deal With Mosquitoes” & “Do Mosquitoes Prefer Adults over Children” videos, as well as the rest of Orkin’s How-To video series, to get the most up-to-date knowledge on dealing with pesky home invaders.

Download Orkin’s yearly “Mosquito Cities” list and find out if your city made it!

Now Enter to Win An Orkin Summer Scientist Bug Catching Kit in our giveaway below!!! 

Orkin, Summer Scientist Bug Catching Kit, #Giveaway, Mommy Ramblings

The Orkin Summer Scientist Bug Catching Kits are fun for the whole family! Each pack includes:

2 Bug Catcher Craft Kits: These awesome DIY bug catcher kits will let your family’s personality shine through while also learning about nature and the world around us. The kits include a variety of foam ladybugs, dragonflies and more!

2 Bug Nets: Explore the great outdoors with these fun mesh insect nets. They can be used to collect and study butterflies, ladybugs, caterpillars and many other backyard creatures.

2 See-Through Bug Jars: Reveal the wonders of your backyard with these clear bug jars. Each transparent plastic box has a magnifying lid for better insect viewing. Young explorers love discovering worms, butterflies, ants and insects. These containers allow them to make homes for their new discoveries.

2 Magic Color Scratch Little Garden Critters: Scratch faces, designs and more on these Magic Color Scratch Little Garden Critters! A perfect kids’ activity for critter lovers, simply scratch away the black coating to reveal vibrant rainbow colors. Includes butterflies, frogs, turtles and more.

Glow-in-the-Dark Creepy Crawlers: Turn off the lights and let them glow! These vinyl glow-in-the-dark bugs are lots of fun for all ages.

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

Rules: Each household is only eligible to win 1 Summer Scientist Bug Catching Kit via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Giveaway is open to US residents. Winner will not be able to us a PO Box for delivery.

 

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