Best Washable Rugs for Busy Homes: Compare Ruggable, Real Life & More Top Brands
In a busy home, spills and messes are part of everyday life. Whether you’re dealing with muddy shoes, pet accidents, or toddler chaos, the last…
Author: Krista Fabregas
Our 6 Best Air Fryer Picks of 2025
Air fryers have revolutionized how we cook our favorite foods. From crispy French fries to delicious chicken wings, these innovative kitchen appliances offer a healthier,…
How to Start a Blog for Free in 2025 to Make Money (or Not!)
Whether you’re hoping to turn your passion into income or simply want a creative outlet to share ideas, knowing how to start a blog is…
Best Glass and Plastic Stemless Wine Glasses of 2025
Multi-use stemless wine glasses are fast becoming a mainstay in homes, restaurants and bars. With the growing popularity of this drinkware shape, shoppers can now…
How to Make Money Blogging in 2025 (Yes, You Still Can!)
Wondering if you can still make money blogging in 2025? The answer is yes — absolutely. But it’s not just about posting whenever inspiration strikes….
Summer Fun Strategies for Working Parents
Managing busy summertime work and play schedules can be hectic — sometimes downright stressful — for even the most organized among us. How will you – successful, busy work-at-home Mom or Dad – get your work done and still be a great parent?
7 Cashback Apps and Rewards Program Tips to Maximize Savings in 2025
The internet is known for great deals – especially for those armed with the savvy and strategies to make the most of every dollar spent.
Small Home Office Ideas: Budget-Friendly Finds for 2025
Creating a functional, stylish home office in a small space isn’t about having the perfect room — it’s about making smart choices with the space…
Best Budget Apps for Couples in 2025
Managing money as a couple can be tricky, especially when you’re juggling bills, different spending styles, and both individual and shared financial goals. Fortunately, budgeting…
How to Create a Personal Budget Using a Budgeting App in 2025
Whether you’re trying to pay down debt, save for a big goal, or better manage your monthly expenses, creating a personal budget is one of…
Best Budget Apps: How to Track, Save & Spend Smarter in 2025
The best budget apps let you easily take control of your money, track expenses, save more, and spend smarter. If you’re struggling to stay on…
Strahl Unbreakable Plastic Drinkware: Top Picks for 2025
Strahl unbreakable plastic drinkware offers some of the highest-quality plastic glasses on the market under the brand names Strahl and BOLD. Each line offers stunning…
Best Unbreaklable Plastic Wine Glasses: Top Picks for 2025
With so many choices of plastic wine glasses, picking the best line can be hard, and believe me, I know! I’ve worked with restaurant-quality plastic…
Best Margarita Blenders of 2025: Best Sellers for Every Budget
The best margarita blenders have powerful motors and strong blades that get the ice texture just right. You simply can’t have a great frozen margarita…
Ultimate Guide To The Best Plastic Dinnerware: Best Buys for 2025
Plastic tableware is an outdoor dining staple in most homes, and its popularity as everyday dinnerware is on the rise. Nowadays, plastic dishes come in…
5 Easy Ways to Child Proof Blind Cords & Windowcoverings in 2025
Installing cordless blinds is the best way to keep little ones safe and avoid blind cord safety worries. However, if you have blinds with cords…
Best Unbreakable Plastic Drinking Glasses: Top Picks for 2025
Unbreakable plastic glasses that truly live up to the name “unbreakable” are made from only three types of plastic – polycarbonate, Tritan, or polypropylene. Plastic…
How to Fit Slipcovers on Sofas with Loose Cushions
Finding and fitting slipcovers for sofas with loose cushions or pillows on the back can be challenging, but we found an easy way to get…
The Miracleware Microwave Rice Cooker: Easy Cooking Instructions
If you’ve lost your MiracleWare or PrepSolutions Microwave Cookware Instructions and need a replacement copy, you can find them below. The PrepSolutions (formerly called MiracleWare) plastic microwave cookware…
5 Reasons to Switch to a Smart Door Lock: Top Picks for 2025
If you still use a traditional key and lock system on your doors, it’s time to upgrade. Smart door locks offer many advantages over traditional…
Best Vinyl Placemats for Indoors & Outdoors: 9 Top-Rated Styles for 2025
Easy-clean vinyl placemats have come a long way in terms of style in recent years. Nowadays, you’ll even find these eye-catching placemats adorning tables in…
The 5 Best Hard Floor Mops for Quick & Effective Cleaning in 2025
A pad-style hard floor mop makes it easy to get that satisfying squeaky-clean finish in just minutes. Here’s a quick look at the top pad…
Home Electrical Safety Tips: Simple Ways to Prevent Electric Shocks & Babyproof Your Outlets
Electricity is a vital part of everyday life, from lighting our homes to powering essential devices. However, it also comes with risks if not managed…
Best Drinking Glasses For Everyday Use in 2025
It’s a tall order to name the best drinking glasses sets out of the thousands of options out there. Luckily, I spent nearly two decades…
Best Tritan Plastic Glasses: 10 Top-Rated Picks for 2025
Tritan plastic glasses are the latest innovation in plastic drinkware, offering a perfect combination of clarity and elegance with superior durability and easy care. Along…
The Ultimate Plastic Dinnerware Shopping Guide 2025
Every year, a new round of plastic dinnerware and tableware sets hits the market. But to shop smart, you need to know which types of…
Best Unbreakable Glassware for Home and Bar for 2025
Virtually unbreakable glassware is made in one of three ways: tempering, annealing, or infusion–which combines glass with a metal such as titanium at the molecular…
How To Make Microwave S’mores & Tabletop S’mores: Our Top S’mores Maker Picks for 2025
Just when I thought it was safe to pull out my skinny jeans, I run across a microwave s’mores maker that promises mess-free s’mores in…
Keep Fright Night Fun With These 10 Halloween Safety Tips
Spooky decorations, creepy costumes, and candy-filled visions spur kids into a fun-filled frenzy on Halloween. But don’t let easily avoidable hidden dangers spoil the evening for your…
Scare Up Some Fun With the Best Halloween Cake Pans of 2025
No fright-night get-together is complete without a spooktacular Halloween cake. Shopping for skull, ghost, or jack-o’ lantern-shaped cakes? How about a tasty 3D haunted mansion…
Best Bundt Pans & Bundt Cake Keepers
The best bundt cake pans cook evenly, release cakes cleanly and keep the fine details intact. Bundt cake pans come — quite literally — in…
Best-Selling Bundt Cake Pans – Bundt You Want Me, Baby?
Yes, it’s a shameful nod to an 80’s song, bundt I hope you will forgive me. That’s how much I love a good bundt cake…
Fave! Michley Unbreakable Plastic Tumblers & Wine Glasses
The Michley collection is one of my personal favorites. It’s crafted from restaurant-grade BPA-free Tritan plastic and made to withstand the bumps, bonks and splats…
Family-Friendly Home Decor Ideas
Any parent knows that managing a home with busy kids – from toddlers to teens – can pose decorating challenges. But having children doesn’t mean…
Home Fire Prevention & Safety Tips
Each year, hundreds of thousands of household fires cause billions of dollars in damage to family homes. Damage occurs not only from flames but from smoke and…
Thanksgiving Prep: 5 Steps to a Stress-Free Holiday
I love hosting Thanksgiving, I think even more than hosting Christmas, and I have managed to sidestep house prep woes this year – but that has not always been the case! Here’s how I’ve managed to host Thanksgivings for more than 15 people on a working mom’s schedule and in a house that seats, say 12 on a good day.
Video DIY: 5 Easy Steps to a Party-Perfect Buffet Table in Any Size Space
Ever been to a party with great food on a beautifully arranged buffet table all served up by an unruffled host? If you’re like me,…
Tips for Picking the Best Wall Paints for Kids
Over the years, we’ve been asked about the best paint for children’s bedrooms, nurseries, and busy family spaces. While we’re not professional painters, we seem…
Make-A-Plate Kit by Makit: Make Your Own Artwork Plates, Bowls & More
Make-a-Plate, the same company that made those draw-it-yourself plate kits eons ago when we were young, is still cranking out priceless keepsakes. If you’ve never heard of Make-a-Plate kits but are looking for a nifty gift for kids, or anyone for that matter, here’s how Make-a-Plate and their other kits for Mugs, Travel Tumblers and Photo Plates work…
5 Yummy Recipes Using Tortilla Chips
Another Superbowl is in the bag, party cleanup is done, and thanks to the generosity of our guests, we have about 10 bags of leftover…
Video DIY: Set Stylish Holiday Tables on a Budget
Is the party at you house this year? Decorating a festive table doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can easily set stylish holiday tables…
DIY Budget-Friendly Holiday Gift Bag Ideas
Here are some super easy DIY fun holiday gift bag ideas. They’re fun ways to go green – and even save a little green –…
Video DIY: Make Easy Christmas Ribbon Garland
Here’s a stylish twist to a Christmas tradition. If the kids want to make looped garlands this year, instead of construction paper, give them some…
Video DIY: Thanksgiving Kids’ Tables Made Easy with These Simple Tips
Ah, the kid’s table… the spot where, if lucky, you might corral busy youngsters for a whopping seven minutes during Thanksgiving dinner. It’s always just enough time for them to smear potatoes across their face, drop their plate on the floor, then materialize at the grownups’ table just as you’re getting seated… But we can fix that!
5 Easy Ways to Add Color to Fall Decorating with Inexpensive Silk Leaves
Fall seems to be a time of decorating quick-change. Within 60 days, we move from spooky Halloween décor, to russet-hued fall colors, to Christmas sparkle…
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…
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…
Fave! Forever & Grand Plastic Drinkware by Prodyne
We stocked Prodyne brand kitchenware for many years and their Forever & Grand unbreakable plastic drinkware lines are tops in my drinkware Top Faves. We no…
Fave! Napa BPA-Free Plastic Wine Glasses & Stemware
The plastic stemware collection we once sold under the Napa brand now goes by many names — Sonoma, Leadingware, even Wine Enthusiast on occasion. But…
Cuddle Weather is Coming! Make a No-Sew Fleece Throw to Fight off the Chill
Our no-sew fleece throw blanket and pillow is a quick and easy DIY project to whip up for yourself and a cuddle buddy. We made ours for Halloween, but…
Fave! Clarus Brand Plastic Drinkware
The Clarus plastic drinkware collection is a Top Tableware Fave in my book for style, quality and durability – and I know it well since…
Faves! NordicWare Plastic Microwave Cookware & Dishes
NordicWare Plastic Microwave Cookware (see their full collection here) is amazingly versatile, offering many specialty pieces that take full advantage of microwave cooking patterns. We…
Fave! Cakepops Made Easy with the Cake Pops Baking Pan
If you’re a fan of cakepops (and really, who isn’t?), then you’ll love this kitchen fave. It’s the Cake pops Baking Pan, proudly made in…
Faves! Tailgating Party Essentials for Sports Fans on the Go
The tailgating party is a main attraction on game day. Whether its a parking lot potluck or a snazzy sit-down affair complete with RV, canopy…
Video DIY: Easy to Make Wine Glass Charms
Help party guests keep track of wine glasses and other stemware with these easy-to-make wine glass charms. A pair of needlenose pliers and a quick…
Faves! Disposable Partyware
As if you don’t have enough to worry about when planning a party! Have you SEEN the vast array of disposable tableware options online? Not…
Faves! Plastic Stemware & Specialty Glasses
If you’re in the market for plastic martini or margarita glasses, champagne flutes, or specialty stemware like hurricanes or dessert dishes, you’re in luck. Once…
Faves! Durable Plastic Mugs for Beer, Coffee & More
If you’re in the market for plastic mugs that look great and hold up to years of use, check out my reviews and top picks…
Faves! Easy-Clean Pillows for Kid-Friendly Style
As one of the easiest, quickest and least expensive home decorating solutions, throw pillows are a particularly easy way for parents to add a dash of style to busy family rooms without worry.
3 Super-Easy Super Bowl Party Menu Ideas
The last place any Superbowl party host wants to be on game day is stuck in the kitchen wondering about the latest score. Since we…
Easy Hummus Recipe: Better Than Store-Bought
The best hummus recipe! 5/5 Hummus… this versatile dip essential to middle-eastern cuisine is moving mainstream. Rich, creamy and protein-packed, it’s a great way to add…
Super Easy Guacamole Dip Recipe
I’m a born-and-bred Texan, so guacamole is essentially my fifth food group (together with salsa and queso). It’s a staple as necessary as olive oil…
Faves! Washable Area Rugs Perfect for Busy Family Life
Have an area in your home that needs a style refresher or a pop of color to liven things up? Area rugs offer a quick…
Fave! Lead Test Kits Make it Easy to Prevent Lead Exposure
Lead-contaminated childrens’ products have topped the recent news stories… and for good reason. Lead exposure can have a very profound and long-term negative affect on childrens’ health. So lead exposure is, and should remain, a concern to parents.
Fave! Wire Storage Cubes for Quick, Cheap Home Organization
From kids’ rooms and family areas to closets and bathrooms, I’ve been using these versatile wire-sided storage cube units with great satisfaction for years. Decades…
How to Cook Up the Perfect Easter Egg
Decorating and hunting brightly colored eggs tops many Easter to-do list, and it all starts with the simple boiled egg. Here are a few tips…
Easter Decor DIY: Fluffy Easter Bunny and Chick Topiaries
Kids will love creating and displaying these cuddly bunny and chick tabletop decorations — and making them couldn’t be easier! These friendly Easter critters are…
Easter DIY: Egg-Cellent Easter Egg Tulips
Add a touch of springtime freshness to your Easter tabletop with our stylish (and inexpensive) Easter Egg Tulips project. Best of all, kids of any…
Beyond Babyproofing: Easter Safety Tips
Spring is here and with it comes Easter – a great reason to fill homes with fresh colors and whimsical accents in anticipation of a…
DIY Holiday Photo Frame Wall Hanging
This easy DIY Holiday Photo Frame Wall Hanging is a fun, easy-to-do craft project and a great gift idea any time of the year. Pick…
Baby Gate Reviews: Stairway Banister Installation Kit How-to’s
A professional babyproofer gave us the inside scoop on how to turn Cardinal Gates’ No-Holes Banister Clamps into a versatile kit that lets you install…
Video DIY: How to Re-Cover Chair Cushions
Have an out-of-date or dingy upholstered chair seat that’s seen one too many spills? Our DIY Re-Cover Chair Cushions video shows you how to easily re-cover…
Baby Gate Installation Kit Reviews & Where to Buy: Metal Stairway Railing Installation Kit by Cardinal
For informational purposes only. If you’re unsure of your skills installing baby gates or other childproofing items, hiring a licensed installer is the smart choice!…
Four Quick Low-Cost Decorating Tips to Perk Up Post-Holiday Homes
You can create a new look, add pizzazz or a make decorative statement on even the tiniest budget. Just add your own creativity to some helpful tips from a few innovative decorators. Here are some great ways to make the most of shoestring-budget decorating projects.
When Life Gives You 100+ Degree Temps, Make Lemonade! Here’s a great recipe…
Hi ya’ll — from Texas! My car thermometer hit 100 for the outdoor temp when I parked a second ago, and I have a hankering…
Fun DIY Fourth of July Centerpiece Adds Kid-Friendly Style to Tables
Add patriotic flair anywhere this Fourth of July with this easy flag finial project. It’s a great Fourth of July centerpiece and a truly KidSmart…
