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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 upscale restaurants and hotels. Looking to perk up your tabletops…
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 mop sellers for [year] so you can see which best…
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 as a drinkware buyer for a top tableware retailer, so…
Modern products like cordless blinds deliver an array of stylish solutions without the worry of dangerous dangling blind cords. Or, you can easily childproof existing blinds and shades with inexpensive blind cord cleats, cord wraps, and breakaway tassels.
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 with being unbreakable, dishwasher-safe and available in a wide selection…
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 glasses for over a decade and have tried and tested…
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 plastics are truly designed to hold up to daily use….
Unbreakable plastic glasses that truly live up to the name “unbreakable” are made from only three types of plastic – polycarbonate, Tritan, or polypropylene. Plastic glasses made from other types of plastic, like acrylic or…
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 a vast array of styles and colors, including dinnerware sets…
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 level. Each method produces extremely break-resistant glass drinking glasses. While…
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 it done. This simple method works with most standard slipcovers,…
Just when I thought it was safe to pull out my size 6 jeans, I find a microwave S’mores maker. S’mores, at home, without flaming marshmallows streaking through the air and landing on hapless siblings??? Happiness itself! If you have kids (or are still a kid yourself), and have a little extra storage space, it’s a fun and inexpensive addition to your kitchen treat makers.
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 counterparts, from convenience and peace of mind to increased security…
Spooky decorations, creepy costumes and candy-filled visions spur kids – and often the entire family – into a fun-filled frenzy on Halloween. But don’t let hidden dangers spoil the evening for your ghouls and booys! Here are ten simple Halloween safety and planning tips to help keep fright night from becoming a real scare.
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 or frosting-oozing brains for your party centerpiece this year? These…
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 without perfect crushed ice! Here’s a quick look at 5 top-rated…
The best bundt cake pans cook evenly, release cakes cleanly and keep the fine details intact. Bundt cake pans come — quite literally — in all shapes and sizes. You’ll find heavy cast aluminum and…
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 choose from a wide range of both glass and plastic…
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 pan! I simply love bundt cakes, and it’s no wonder….
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 of busy bars and restaurants. So it’s sure to meet the…
Any parent knows that managing a home with busy kids – from toddlers to teens – can pose decorating challenges. But having children doesn’t mean delaying the dream of a stylish home. Our family-friendly home…
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 the water used to extinguish fires. Even small fires can…
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.
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, you’ve probably left a few of these parties wondering just…
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 to make a hobby of painting, re-painting, and re- re-painting…
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…
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 tortilla chips. Now I am a true Texan and chips…
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 on a budget that look like a million bucks! Take…
Here are some super easy DIY fun holiday gift bag ideas. They’re fun ways to go green – and even save a little green – when it comes to gift bags this holiday season. DIY…
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 sparkly Christmas ribbon. You’ll end up with garlands with a…
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!
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 and shine. Add to that holiday entertaining, parties, shopping and…
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 from casual to eclectic, and since they’re modern toys, you…
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! Chock-full of Star Wars-inspired crafts and activities, it’s sure to…
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 protect your family with a little planning and preparation. As…
Welcome, summer! School is out and families are looking forward to spending a little quality time together – usually away from home enjoying the great outdoors. Whether it’s a three-week vacation camping in the mountains,…
Fall brings about many changes – crisp cool air, new school schedules and holiday visits. These are just a few of the things that change the family routine and – believe it or not –…
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. First, without the trundle unit underneath, daybeds provide ample out-of-the-way…
Kids books come in many shapes and sizes which can make storing them on shelves or between bookends difficult – not to mention messy and often hard for little ones to manage! Our solution? We…
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 crisp fall weather — and scary stories! This is a…
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 or teachers to the flavors of the season. And making…
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 change and update as your photo collection grows. Materials: Gallery-style…
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 looking (or at least fun) magnets that fit the bill,…
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 dinners. But how many busy family cooks can step away…
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. It also makes a great centerpiece on your Easter table…
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 a few repurposed pieces can easily add space and help…
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 sell ready-made furniture slipcovers, we’ve compiled this slipcover shopping guide…
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 kids to touch, test and even taste whatever they find….
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 a few simple fireplace safety precautions can help ensure that…
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 used, most people don’t really give them a second thought……
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 than ever in home decorating, but there are a few…
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 get overlooked amid the fuss over parents and a newborn….
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 two. I think this is a sensible rule and one…
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. Whether you’re shopping for home decor candles, outdoor lighting, or…
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 simple and quick. I’m a bit of an addict in…
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 15 years, plus I’ve used it in my own home…
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 retail buyers source it year-round and it commands a proud…
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 — shuffling through cabinets, searching for platters, trays and bowls big…
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 recipe cards handed down through the years, organizing recipes in…
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 longer carry Prodyne since they sell direct on Amazon now,…
The plastic stemware collection we once sold under the Napa brand now goes by many names — Sonoma, Leadingware, even Wine Enthusiast on occasion. But whatever the name, these plastic wine glasses are a Top…
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 the options in polar fleece are limitless! You can finds…
The Clarus plastic drinkware collection is a Top Tableware Fave in my book for style, quality and durability – and I know it well since we stocked and sold it since its introduction nearly 10…
NordicWare Plastic Microwave Cookware is amazingly versatile, offering many specialty pieces that take full advantage of microwave cooking patterns. We stocked most of the line here for well over a decade and still use it…
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 the USA by bakeware leader, NordicWare. Making cakepops usually involves…
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 and outdoor kitchen, tailgating is always one thing — a…
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 trip down the beading aisle at the craft store is…
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 to mention the number of places selling disposable partyware and…
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 considered summertime wares, plastic stemware is now available all year…
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 below before you go shopping. For over 15 years, we…
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.
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 host annual Superbowl parties with upwards of 60 guests I…
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 a healthy and flavorful kick to your next party or…
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 in my kitchen. Seriously, what’s not to love about this…
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 and easy room makeover. In fact, they’re often the first…
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 collection is made by a terrific kitchenware brand, Progressive Intl….
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.
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 even. In fact, I recently put the bits and pieces that…
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 for cooking up the perfect egg without cracking shells, and…
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 made using simple foam or cardboard cones, fuzzy pom-poms or…
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 age can help with this easy craft and will be…
Spring is here and with it comes Easter – a great reason to fill homes with fresh colors and whimsical accents in anticipation of a visit from everyone’s favorite bunny. Colorful eggs, chocolate rabbits, marshmallow…
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 Spring colors and patterns for Easter and Mother’s Day, Patriotic…
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 practically any baby safety gate onto stairway banisters. We sold…
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 dingy chair cushions — or just give them an updated…
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! Cardinal Gates’ Metal Railing Installation Kit offers a quick and…
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.
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 to make lemonade. And yes, I do actually use the…
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 project that’s tough enough to handle bumps and spills from…
Dress up summertime tables or add a pop of color anywhere you need it with this super easy summertime centerpiece! Start with a plain galvanized bucket from the hardware store (or a fancier version from…
Does someone in your life spend the afternoon chillin’ (or getting serious) on the back nine? If you’re scratching your head for ways to celebrate the love of the game, here’s a fun golf themed…
This recipe invented itself last night out of necessity and I’m so, so glad for it. I had a stack of beautiful red, green and yellow bell peppers left over from a video shoot Friday…
We filmed a series of fun table setting videos for eHow.com recently and our How to Decorate a Table with Calla Lilies creates one of my absolute favorite table looks — elegant Calla Lilies paired…
Simple changes, from the arrangement of items in a room to choices in homewares, can make a big difference in a home’s safety, ease of care, and even parental sanity! The following tips can help you create a home that’s safe for small children… yet still welcoming to grown-ups.
I love tea. Truth be told I love coffee too, but that’s a morning love affair. A nice cup of tea is what I crave for an afternoon pick me up that won’t keep me…
A few weeks ago I posted this DIY decorating video for Fabric Panel Wall Art, an easy and eye-catching wall hanging project. As I say in the video, I think it’s the perfect glass-free option…
Here’s a fun Basketball Themed Party Table idea we were asked to do for eHow.com. It’s so easy to put together and fun for any game day table, complete with an interactive basketball centerpiece sure…
Got Ballerinas? Here are some fun little girls dance party table ideas that will make any ballerina-princess spin with glee! We were recently asked by eHow.com to come up with some fun and easy party…
Easy-to-make, inexpensive fabric panel wall art dresses up any area of your home with a pop of color, without the worry of a heavy frame or breakable glass. In this video, we show you how…
Green Living… Eco-friendly… Earth-Wise… You really can’t open a magazine, blog or browser these days without hearing about new ways to save the Earth. I must admit, I’m probably not the greenest gal on the block….