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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…
Let’s talk about something we all use every day: electricity. It’s like the superstar of modern life, powering everything from our gadgets to our coffee makers. But here’s the twist—it comes with some not-so-fun risks,…
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…
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, more convenient way to prepare meals at home. But with…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
It’s a tragedy that’s surprisingly common. A child reaching for something as mundane as a juice box pulls a heavy television over, is caught underneath, and loses his life. This terrible accident happened in a…
If you have a Mom who loves to cook, collect recipes and try new dishes, then a customized recipe binder or recipe box might be a perfect Mother’s Day gift – and they’re really easy to…
I admit I’m not likely to be the greenest gal in the crowd, but I try to do my part. So I’m always thrilled to find products that make “doing my part” easy — and countertop composters do just that….
In the age of endless imports filling store shelves, it may surprise (even shock?) you to know that yes, there are still a few things being made right here in the good ‘ol U.S.A. That includes…
If you have more than one child sharing a bedroom — or are just plain short on space (and who isn’t these days?) — here are a few easy, fast and inexpensive tips to keep little clutterbugs organized.
Recipe binders are a great way to organize all of those clipped recipes from magazines, recipe printouts, and cards all in one convenient go-to cookbook. Customized recipe binders with a few family favorites tucked inside are also wonderful gifts for brides, new…
Armed with a few safety precautions, decorating alternatives, and a dash of creativity, parents can create fun, worry and hazard-free holiday homes for all to enjoy.
Cooks everywhere, especially those of you navigating tight kitchens, prepare to rejoice! A new generation of space-saving collapsible kitchen tools has arrived to make even the stingiest kitchen cabinet seem downright expansive.
Believe me, if I can create a manageable method for grocery shopping, and stick to it, there’s hope for all freestyle grocery shoppers out there! If all goes well, I’ll add my finalized Grocery Shopping Staples-to-Specialty Checklist to this Blog in May.
Oh, the promise a plastic glass labeled “top rack dishwasher-safe” holds! Carefree kitchens with drinkware that’s not only unbreakable, but dishwasher-friendly. But anyone with a dishwasher less than ten years old may hold a different view. Their “top rack dishwasher-safe” tumblers often come out of the top rack crackled, scaly or clouded – sometimes after just a few wash cycles. What gives?
From diapers to formula, not to mention all the other “stuff,” parents can quickly find themselves spending a good amount of money on little ones’ needs. With a plan in-hand when you go shopping, you’ll avoid overspending on unnecessary items. Plus, you’ll have the right items and quantities on-hand when you begin to install, saving time and frustration.
Shop Smart! Print the DIY Childproofing Checklist before you hit the stores. Visited a baby superstore lately? You’ll agree there are ALOT of childproofing products to choose from – and many of them seem to…
Baby safety gates are effective barriers in many areas of the home and come in a variety of designs to meet different needs. Selecting the right gate for your space is key for both safety and livability – and it’s easy to do with a little pre-planning!
As I begin this entry — a look at five easy ways to reduce household waste without even realizing it — I wonder if readers see me as yet another voice preaching an occasional “Go Green” message as the new fashionable “it” thing.
I hope not, and here’s why.
It’s just common sense — and for parents, common knowledge — that storage needs multiply rapidly when children arrive. So what’s a style-sensitive parent to do? Happily, there are many simple, inexpensive, and best of all – stylish – storage solutions that do everything from protecting valuable items to neatly disguising mounds of toys.