My family’s safety is paramount. When the kids are babies we made sure their car seats we’re properly installed. Medications are kept out of their reach. Helmets are fitted to their heads. They learned about stranger danger. Smoke detectors are checked every 6 months and the First Alert CO detector is installed and ready to alert us if dangerous levels creep into the home.
First Alert Onelink Environment Monitor
Father’s Day Gifts with DadGifts.com
It’s June people which means Father’s Day is only a few weeks away on the 19th but you still have time to get that special man in your life something he will love.
If you are looking for a place to get a really nice Father’s Day gift you should check out Dadgifts.com. They have a very nice selection of items for the new dad, the chef, the executive and the list goes on and on. The days of coffee mugs, ties and socks are long gone. Don’t get me wrong those aren’t bad gifts but why not gifts like a humidor (like I received), a cherrywood watch case or even a travel golf putter set. Dadgift.com has gifts for all types of men so you are sure to find just the perfect gift.
Cherrywood 4 Watch CaseWhen my 25 count Cherry wood humidor arrived I was really excited as it is my first humidor. I am pretty new to cigars so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised with the construction and quality of this humidor. My humidor not only looks elegant but it keeps my fine cigars at just the right humidity and comes complete with a gold hygrometer which allows me to monitor the humidity. All is all this is the perfect gift for that gentleman that is looking to store a few cigars for just the right occasion.
Dadgifts.com offers so many different categories to chose from depending on different interests you are sure to find just the right gift. Prices are great and if the quality of their other items is like the humidor I received then rest assured you are getting a great item.
I have bookmarked this site and have even sent a few links to Melinda so she knows exactly what I want for Father’s Day. I know I shouldn’t ask for my own gift but the selection is so great it’s so hard not to.
So if you are still wondering what to get your husband, father, boyfriend or just a friend head over to Dadgifts.com and shop away. The person receiving the gift you selected will be extremely happy, trust me. I know I was when my humidor arrived.
Spring Cleaning with Eureka
I know we are so close to June but there is still plenty of time for you to get done your Spring cleaning. Spring cleaning is one of those things that in my opinion can be done anytime of the year and in our house we do a full house scrub from top to bottom at least four times a year if not more.
Eureka was kind enough to send me the Eureka AirSpeed All Floors Upright Vacuum model AS3012A to help me tackle my Spring cleaning which I really appreciate considering we have a full house. With three kids and three dogs we are using the vacuum at least twice a day sometimes three depending which means we need a dependable vacuum since we put ours through the ringer. (so far this baby is working and cleaning like a CHAMP!)
See below for some really great Spring cleaning tips from Eureka:
Looking for an everyday vacuum that will get your rugs cleaner then they ever have been? If so head over to Walmart where you can pick one up for only $99 which to me is a steal for this awesome vacuum. The first time I used this vacuum it looked like there was a months worth of dirt in the canister but like I said we vacuum often and daily. The suction is awesome and it’s easy to maneuver. It is really lightweight at only 15.5 lbs and the canister is really easy to empty so you wont spill the dirt all over while emptying it.
Let get the specs out of the way so we can get back to cleaning talk:
Certification: UL
Cleaning Path Width: 13 inches
Cord Length: 27 feet
Country of Origin: Mexico
Cyclonic: Multi-Cyclonic
Dimensions: 13.5″ X 12.5″ X 43″
Weight: 15.5 lbs
Dust Capacity: 1.34 quarts
Filter: Washable filter, DCF-25
Height Adjustments: 5 Settings
Hose Length: 12 feet
Power: 12 amps
Surface Type: All Floors
Tools: Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, Stair & Upholstery Turbo Nozzle
Warranty: 3-year warranty
When this vacuum first arrived it took me about 10 minutes from box to use which I thought was pretty good. It was super simple to use right off the bat without reading any instructions and the suction power is insane like I have already mentioned.
Since receiving this vacuum it has been used at least a dozen times and we have put this bad boy to the test cleaning all types of different surfaces and it passed every one with flying colors. We have owned may vacuums over the years and this one ranks at the very top for me. All I look for is good suction and easy to use. If it can clean the rugs and leave them spotless while being simple to use I am all in.
If you are in the market for a new Eureka vacuum (which you are, hint, hint) you are in luck because we are giving one away. All we need you to do is give us your best spring cleaning tip.
World Burger Tour at Hard Rock Cafe
Who doesn’t love a good burger? I can’t tell you how many times in a week I ask Rob what he wants for dinner and he says ” a big juicy burger”. I can’t always accommodate but we have a few local spots we try to visit or create our own masterpiece at home for the grill. So when Hard Rock Cafe came to me and asked if we wanted to test out the World Burger Tour that seemed like a easy answer.
“Hard Rock is bringing its menu to life and offering a unique burger experience that takes guests’ taste buds on an international journey. Hard Rock, in conjunction with global experience agency RPMC, is offering a World Burger Tour travel package that includes stops at iconic cities including Seattle, United States; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Athens, Greece; and London, England. This four-stop, once-in a lifetime excursion celebrates the cities that inspired Hard Rock’s World Burger Tour”
Throughout May and June, Hard Rock Cafe menus* will feature the following World Burger Tour offerings:
- English Breakfast Burger (London, England)– a Certified Angus Beef® patty topped with sliced ham, a sausage patty, a fried egg, a portobello mushroom, arugula and garlic aioli and served with a side of baked beans
- Java Lava Burger(Seattle, United States) – a Certified Angus Beef patty grilled and dressed in a house-made espresso rub and topped with lava sauce, crunchy java onions, bacon, melted Cheddar cheese and garnished with a fried jalapeño
- Tandoori Chicken Burger (Mumbai, India)– a dark meat chicken patty seasoned with aromatic spices and fresh herbs, topped with mint mayonnaise and served with a side of cucumber
- Jamaican Jerk Burger (Montego Bay, Jamaica) – a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with banana pepper rings, mango jalapeño cream cheese and jerk mayonnaise
- ATOMIC! Burger (Las Vegas, United States) – a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with Atomic beer-battered peppers, pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, garlic chipotle ketchup and chipotle mayonnaise
- Tango Salsa Burger (Buenos Aires, Argentina) – a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with andouille sausage, Monterey Jack cheese, chips de batata, a fried egg, salsa criolla and garlic aioli
- Greek Burger (Athens, Greece) – a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with arugula, feta cheese and a tomato slice
- Aloha Burger (Honolulu, United States) – a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with Portuguese sausage, Monterey Jack cheese, a grilled pineapple ring with sweet soy glaze, guacamole, pico de gallo, served with Furikake french fries
Rob and I scheduled a date day on a rainy Sunday in Philadelphia. We walked center city, did a little shopping and finally headed in for an early dinner. If you’ve never been to a Hard Rock Cafe you’ll be taken back by the decor. It’s bold and screams rock and roll. I have a thing for ceilings and was immediately drawn to the copper tiles and HUGE sun-like lamps. There were purple drapes held back with chains and music inspired gear all over the walls. Everything you’d expect from a Hard Rock Cafe.
It was a rainy gloomy Sunday but surprisingly it was quite crowded. There were tables of people from all backgrounds. Doesn’t music bring everyone together? We sat down and waited for our server. There was no mention of the World Burger Tour anywhere. No table card, no extra menu, no add-in to the existing menu. When our server arrived we asked and he said the only burger they were offering was the Tango Salsa Burger. I gave him a weird look cause I was really hoping to order a couple different burgers and try them all.
We settled on that burger and a few other things. First to come out was the Jumbo Combo. Who doesn’t love a little bit of everything.
A collection of our most popular appetizers: Signature Wings, Onion Rings, Tupelo Chicken Tenders, Southwest spring rolls and bruschetta. Served with honey mustard, hickory barbecue and blue cheese dressing.
Our meals came out and Rob commandeered the burger right away.
Tango Salsa Burger (Buenos Aires, Argentina) – a Certified Angus Beef patty topped with andouille sausage, Monterey Jack cheese, chips de batata, a fried egg, salsa criolla and garlic aioli.
I didn’t get to taste it. He ate it before I got to even ask for a bite. Instead I ordered the MARGHERITA FLATBREAD. I ate half of it along with the side of Parmesan Fries I ordered. I’m a french fry junkie. Rob also ordered a side of specialty fries. While the burger was GONE we were able to take home all the extra food and feed 2 of our kids for dinner. Portions are definitely on the larger size.
If you’re close to a Hard Rock Cafe check out their World Burger Tour and let us know your favorite. I know you’re not going to pass up on the fries either so let us know which flavor you chose too.
Sun Joe Pressure Washer – FINAL Opinion
I finally got a chance to use my new Sun Joe Pressure Joe 2030 PSI 176 GPM 14.5 amp electric pressure washer to power wash my deck and I am here to tell you it did an awesome job. This is my first pressure washer and it works great. It took all of the years of dirt and mold right off with no problems at all.
I like that the Sun Joe comes with 5 different spray tips so it will handle any job you need. For my deck I used the 15º tip and it worked like a champ. It made power washing my deck pretty much an effortless task. It worked so well my neighbor hired me to power wash her deck as well, LOL.
Now that I finally own a pressure washer I can see cleaning a lot of stuff that I wasn’t able to clean before with a regular hose like my siding and sidewalk. Both need a desperate cleaning so I have added them to my “To Do” list which should be no problem considering how well my deck turned out.
For some reason I always thought a gas powered pressure washer was the way to go but this bad boy really surprised me. I am not a huge fan of the electrical cord but that is a small detail to deal with which I am able to do based on its performance. This unit retails for approx $149.99 which is incredible especially based on how well it performed.
So my final rating of the Sun Joe pressure washer is 5 stars out of 5. I didn’t know what to expect on performance but it far exceeded all of my expectations.
Winter Is Coming
So I can’t believe I am saying this but Winter Is Coming which means it’s time to get ready for the freezing temps and possible snow.
Believe it or not I don’t mind the cold weather or the snow to some extent. I like snow here and there but I’m not a huge fan of the snow storms that dump inches upon inches of snow. Part of the reason is because I HATE shoveling, I know who doesn’t hate it. I know it’s great exercise but I always do to much and my back the next day reminds me of that. I do have Shaun who is a strapping 12 year old that can also shovel in my place but I still feel like I should help out.
This year will be the first where I feel prepared and ready to tackle the snow, since receiving the Snow Joe 18-inch 40-volt lithium hybrid snow blower, and the perfect hand grit spreader means I’m able to clear the snow from outside my home, with ease. I am pretty excited because I have never owned a snow blower in my life and I am sorry for saying this but I want at least one snow fall so that I can use my new snow blower.
When it arrived at my house I was pretty excited to put it together right away even though it was October and I knew snow wasn’t coming for another few months. Right out of the box the iON Hybrid Snow Blower was super simple to put together and it took less that 10 minutes total to get it working. I’m pumped that it runs on a 40-volt lithium battery as well as electric instead of gas because that will make it way easier to use and Shaun who is 12 will be able to use it as well without me. I am trying to get away from gas equipment mainly for the simplicity of battery operated ones. I dont have to worry about having gas and oil and everything else that comes along with it. With a battery operated snow blower all I need to do is make sure the battery is charged, push a button hold down a lever and I’m off to the races. I also have the ability to use an extension cord if I want but I feel that the battery will be just fine as it says you should get up to 50 minutes of use on a charge. We don’t have a huge driveway or sidewalk so that should work just fine.
Let me list of the the features of the snow blower for you people who know and are interested in all of this good stuff:
- Lightweight design to easily clear sidewalks, driveways and decks
- 40-Volt 4.0 Ah eco sharp PRO rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 52 minutes of whisper quiet runtime and is compatible with all iON tools
- No pull cords, gas, oil, tune-ups, carbon emissions or tangled extension cords
- Steel auger with 2 rubber blades moves up to 500 lbs. of snow per minute; cuts a path 18 in. W x 8 in. deep without damaging surface
- 180° auto-rotate directional chute throws snow up to 20 ft.
- 3-Watt LED headlight provides increased visibility for nighttime snow removal
- Powerful 500-Watt brushless motor increases battery efficiency, maximizes motor performance, decreases noise and vibration and extends motor life
- Contains electric capability for unlimited clearing time
Not sure how much snow we will receive here in Delaware this winter but I am ready for whatever mother nature throws my way especially with my new Snow Joe snow blower. Be on the look out later in the winter for a few more reviews especially after I get a chance to move some snow around.
Our Summer with Camp Invention
The summer is wrapping up and the kids head back to school next week. While we definitely took advantage of the long summer vacation we definitely made lots of learning moments.
Weekly trips to the library opened their eyes to Greek mythology and magic.
Hikes in the state park introduced them to nature and taught them the Poison Ivy song.
Rainy days reinforced their imagination to beat the boredom.
Then there’s Camp Invention. Shae took a week of her vacation and spent it creating, discovering, inspiring, building and exploring. Camp Invention is the nation’s premier summer enrichment day camp with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with hands on activities.
Her week long experience was amazing. She loved the fun that was injected into each day’s project and came home excited for what was in store the next day.
We started the week with a box full of recycled materials, craft supplies and and old DVD Player. They were told they were going to reverse engineering their broken appliances to create a maze of circuits. This exercise focuses the kids’s minds on strategy, problem solving and innovation. I witnessed the kids in Mr. Ostheimer’s class eager to get started. They listened intently on directions, interjected their own ideas for the upcoming week and immediately got to work learning about the tools and supplies needed to stay safe.
KartWheel might have been the most exciting part of Shae’s week. Utilizing teamwork, communication and household products and cardboard boxes the kids built go karts that were raced then destroyed with water balloons.
There’s no reason to worry about summer brain drain when there are opportunities like Camp Invention in your backyard. We’ll check back next year and hopefully Camp Invention comes back in our area.
I Daydream #wordsmatter @Hallmark
As a child I remember sitting in the playground imagining a different life. This didnt’ stop as I got older. I’m a daydreamer. I always have been. That doesn’t mean I’m not happy with my life it just means I like to wonder “what if”.
Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Update
A couple months back I tried out Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening System. I wrote about my first reactions and shared drastic before and after pics already but after continued use I wanted to make sure I shared my final thoughts.
After receiving my trays in the mail I was very excited to try the Smile Brilliant System and I instantly broke out my kit. There was definitely a little discomfort in the beginning. It was a process, learning the correct amounts of gel to put on the trays, the right amount of time to leave them in and whether or not to use the desensitizing gel. I took some notes for the first week of my treatment.
Day One
40 Minutes
Slight gum irritation after removal, no sensitivity
Day Two
3 Hours
Slightly more gum irritation after removal; no sensitivity
Day Three
3 Hours
Slightly more gum irritation (than Day Two) after removal; some sensitivity
Applied sensitivity gel, 15 minutes
Initial stinging, tasted delicious
Day Four
1 Hour
Gums sensitive before application, used less gel
Sensitivity Gel, 15 Minutes
Reduced gum irritation
Day Five
1 1/2 Hour
Gums sensitive around edges of trays, used Day Four amount of gel
Sensitivity Gel, 20 Minutes
Used more and left in a bit longer
The best things about this product is definitely the speedy and noticeable whitening that it provides. It also whitens all of your teeth evenly. It doesn’t leave gaps between your teeth that are slightly less white then the fronts, it gets into every nook and cranny and whitens all of your teeth beautifully.
The only issues that I had were with the trays at the beginning of the process. The edges of them irritated my gums a lot for about a week and a half. They stretched out and ended up fitting perfectly but I feel like people will give up with that kind of irritation. Push though and wear your trays with no gel in the for a little. It’ll help them adjust to the true shape of your mouth. Also, the desensitizing gel burns like crazy the first few times you use it. It actually hurt me way more than the actual bleach gel ever did. It does go away after a minute or so though so push on.
It took me about two weeks to get my process down. If I had any suggestion for others trying this product out it would be to:
1. Start out with less gel, not more. To much just irritates your gums and makes them all red and stingy. Plus, it’ll just squish out of the top when you put the trays in and get all in your mouth. It’s not awful tasting but you definitely don’t want to swallow too much. Save your gel and use less than you think you’ll need. You can always put more gel in if it’s not covering all of your teeth, but don’t waste it by putting in too much.
2. Use the desensitizing gel. Use too much of that. Let it sit on your gums, it really helps.
3. Wear your trays when you won’t have to talk. The more you talk and move your mouth around, the more you push the gel out of the trays. Wear them when you’ll have like an hour or so to sit quietly on the computer or watch tv and not talk.
4. Brush your teeth before and after each application just like it tells you to in the instructions.
5. Don’t try to wear your trays for too long or too often. You can’t use your trays seven days a week, three hours a day. You’re mouth will be so sensitive and your gums will burn like crazy. You’re just going to make yourself miserable. Take a break every day or two and give your gums some time to recover.
If you’re looking for a great way to brighten your teeth without visiting the dentist then I suggest Smile Brilliant.
Bean Bag Chair from One Step Ahead
What’s on your child’s wishlist this holiday season? There are so many choices this year ranging from technology and gaming to creative play and fashion. Having three children with a wide ranges of age makes shopping enjoyable. Shae is still at the stage where she asks for fun items that are just for her.
Last Christmas we gave her a gaming chair to go along with her new video games but it just was never right. She recently said she wanted something more comfy. One Step Ahead came through with a tear drop bean bag in pink and white chevron. This is exactly what she wanted.
As you can see the pink color is perfect. It matches her doll bed, pajamas, comforter and so much more in her room. A beanbag is every kids just right spot. It’s a place of their very own. A custom seat for whatever their doing. A beanbag transforms any place into a reading nook, study spot, gaming chair, lounge or just a place to watch tv. Shae pulls her into her bunk bed fort along with books and the dogs for super comfy quiet time.
The One Step Ahead Tear Drop Bean Bag Chair is available in pink chevron or blue twill. They are light enough to be moved room to room to accommodate specific activities. The clever tear drop design offers some back support with squishy foam beans in its own enclosure. The zip-off cover is washable making is a must for kids.
This holiday season One Step Ahead is sharing oodles of fun crafty ideas and activities to get you and your kids in the holiday spirit. Check out their Pinterest page for printable, kid friendly crafts and even fun food inspiration.
Follow One Step Ahead’s board Holiday Crafts & Activities for Kids on Pinterest.
Stop by their Facebook page to see if they have any fun giveaways going on.