October 2015

Faves! Vintage-Look Toys for Playful Decor Style

Retro- and vintage-look toys are a great decorator trick for adding kid-friendly, whimsical charm to busy family spaces. These fun, stylized toys complement many looks

Fave! Star Wars Mania Craft Book by Amanda Formaro

My online buddy Amanda Formaro (author of the fabulous CraftsbyAmanda.com blog) just published her latest, and perhaps greatest, craft MANIA book — STAR WARS MANIA!

Tips for Packing a Family Emergency Kit

Disaster can strike anywhere, at any time. And though you may have little or no control over events in a given situation, you can better

Summer Safety and Sanity for Families on the Go

Welcome, summer! School is out and families are looking forward to spending a little quality time together – usually away from home enjoying the great

Poison Safety – Avoid Accidents with a Few Simple Precautions

Fall brings about many changes – crisp cool air, new school schedules and holiday visits. These are just a few of the things that change

Easy DIY Daybed Dust Ruffle Decorating Project

We bought a white iron daybed for my then-three-year-old daughter’s “big girl bed.” Daybeds are decorative and functional choices in kids’ rooms for many reasons.

DIY Decorative Book Baskets for Kids Rooms

Kids books come in many shapes and sizes which can make storing them on shelves or between bookends difficult – not to mention messy and

DIY Easy No-Sew Fleece Pillow for Halloween — or Anytime

It’s So Easy it’s Spooky! Two simple polar fleece panels come together without a single stitch to create a cuddly no-sew fleece pillow perfect for

DIY Homemade Recipe In a Jar Gifts

Homemade recipe in a jar gifts with beautifully layered ingredients topped with a flourish are a thoughtful and economical way to treat friends, coworkers, neighbors

DIY Easy-to-Update Family Photo Gallery

Got a little extra wall space? Showcase your snapshots, favorite family pictures or gotta-see-it candid shots in a great-looking family photo gallery that’s easy to

DIY Super-Duty Refrigerator Magnets

If your refrigerator serves as a combination community information board, modern art museum and play area, you need strong, unbreakable magnets. We searched for good

DIY: Spice Up Your Kitchen with a Window Herb Garden

A few basic shelves and spare containers turn any sunny window into a garden spot! Fresh herbs brighten any meal, from simple soups to gourmet

Easter Decor DIY: Egg-cellent Easter Wreath

Our Easter Wreath is an inexpensive, easy-to-make twist on the classic grapevine wreath and adds a festive Spring-fresh Easter touch to a door or wall.

Faves! Ten Easy Home Storage Solutions for Busy Families

Whether you’re chasing a busy toddler or are an empty-nester, homes can sometimes feel ready to burst at the seams. But a little creativity and

Slipcover Shopping Guide

We’ve helped thousands of customers choose the right slipcover solution for their home, and have made or installed countless slipcovers ourselves. Though we no longer

Childproofing Checklist: Safe Trekking with Toddlers

As any parent knows, taking young children for visits away from their childproofed, kid-friendly home can be stressful – sometimes downright unnerving. New surroundings inspire

Beyond Babyproofing: Fireplace Safety Tips and Hearth Safety

Fall winds and rustling leaves foretell of cozy family evenings around a crackling fire. A warm hearth is a welcoming spot in any home and

Beyond Babyproofing: Shelf Safety & Stylish Options for Busy Family Homes

Shelves of every variety are a decorating and organizing staple that fulfill numerous roles throughout the home. Aside from how they look and how they’re

Beyond Babyproofing: Candle Safety & Worry-Free Flameless Options

If you enjoy the ambiance and great scents that candles add to a home, you’re not alone. Candle sales are up and they’re more popular

Beyond Babyproofing: Surprise New Grandparents with a Baby-Ready Gift Basket

Give new grandparents the tools they need for keeping busy grandkids! New grandparents play a special role in the lives of children, but they sometimes

Faves! Bar Tools & Wine Accessories

I have one rule when it comes to testing a bar or wine tool. I should be able to use it after a drink or

Faves! Battery-Operated Candles & Lighting

Safe, smart, worry-free, and smoke-free — battery-operated candles are a great way to enjoy candlelight wherever and whenever, without the danger of an open flame.

Faves! Kitchen Tools

I love to cook, and since I’m often rushing home from work to feed the family I gravitate toward tools that make prep and cleanup

strahl unbreakable plastic tumblers and drinkware

Fave! Strahl Unbreakable Plastic Drinkware

Strahl plastic glassware is a Top Tableware Fave in my book for style, quality and durability. I know the line very well since we stocked and sold it for over

Faves! Plastic Drinkware: Cups, Glasses & Tumblers

If you’re in the market for plastic glasses or tumblers of any sort you’re in luck. Plastic drinkware is no longer a seasonal line. We

Faves! Serving Essentials

Who doesn’t love a good party? That’s an easy one — the party host who doesn’t have the right serving tools! Talk about misery —

Faves! Recipe Organizers

Ask any cook what they love to collect and recipes are sure to be a top answer. From magazine clippings to computer printouts to well-loved