Tag Archives: home

Orange Glad May Box

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Orange Glad May BoxThe theme of the brilliant Orange Glad box this month is “Home Is Where Mom Is”! Since Mother’s Day is in May, this was a perfect way to celebrate! If you ever miss the delicious baked goods that your mother makes please consider subscribing to this box because it is truly a taste of home!

There were a variety of treats that filled the insides of the box this month! For starters there was a decadent Award Winning S’mores Cookie by Baking Betty’s, along with a Peanut Butter Cup Cookie, that got our mouthes watering. A fun international twist was the inclusion of Cici’s Italian Butterhorns and the Orange Cranberry Welsh Cakes by Welsh Cakes. To top the frenzy of home baked treats off, there was a chocolaty Gluten-Free Ultimate Brownie by the Fine Sconeheng Baking Company.

Based off of the list of food included in this month’s box, you can probably tell how much thought goes into choosing what foods get sent to your doorstep. We like the care that goes into each box more than anything…ok, and the sugar! This is one of the best monthly subscription boxes on the market and you are sure to enjoy eating the variety of treats that they send each month! Go to www.OrangeGlad.com for more information or to subscribe!

Tips for Home Buying in North Carolina

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The natural beauty of North Carolina is just one of the many reasons why a lot of individuals from other states are eager to acquire land properties there where they can build their dream vacation home. Having three parts – each of which boasting a different scenery and unique vacation experience, there’s definitely a lot to look forward to in this part of the country.

People looking to buy properties in North Carolina usually opt to buy land instead of a ready-made house, primarily because building from scratch offers more flexibility and allows the owners to customize their vacation home according to their specific liking.

And while nothing can seem to be more exciting than the thought of having every nook and cranny of your mountain home built and designed according to your personal preferences, buying land in the mountain requires a great deal of caution and real estate wisdom. Potential buyers may more often than not find themselves easily swayed by a gorgeous mountain view, or the soothing trickling sound of the nearby creek, but know that this should not be the only consideration land buyers should make.

The following are some of the most important questions that you should ask yourself before buying that mountain land in North Carolina:

  1. Are there enough access roads to your chosen property?

Accessibility is important – even though the goal is really to go on a retreat and spend some quality time with nature. Emergencies can crop up at the most unexpected instances and who knows when you will have to drive through that dark, unpaved alley to the main road in the middle of the night, right? Isolation in a real log cabin somewhere in the heart of the woods can be charming, but see to it that safety and convenience are still primary considerations.

  1. Is there enough water supply in the area?

Drinking water is very important, but it is not one of the first things that would enter a land buyer’s mind especially when he has a gorgeous mountain view right in front of him, waiting to be bought. Fortunately though, supply for safe drinking water in North Carolina areas is generally satisfactory. Still, it pays to be sure especially when you’re buying NC mountain land.

  1. Do you have the drive and sense of responsibility it takes to preserve its natural beauty?

Living and owning an environmental area should not only be a pleasure, but as well a responsibility. If you choose to reside in a place where other living things thrive, make sure that you have the capability and interest in maintaining it.

  1. Does the slope of the land entail too much construction costs?

Mountain land in North Carolina is generally more sloped compared to those in other states, which can mean that building a house on these areas may require more time and money. This is to ensure that the site is optimally prepared for construction, and to see to it that adequate access roads are built.

About The Author:

Tyrell Hudson is an experienced real estate businessman who also enjoys writing to relay his knowledge of the real estate industry which he has accumulated over years of experience. He highly recommends Ashe County Real Estate for great mountain homes in North Carolina.

7 DIY Cleaning Tips

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Mothers, as well as fathers, must be smart enough to find out that many of our household items can be used as cleaning agents. Save your precious cents and stay away from hundreds of harmful unknown chemicals that are being sold expensively in the market. Try a few of these surprising cleaning tricks that may work just as well, if not even better. Use a little imagination and be creative. 

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is the cheapest cure for prickly heat especially on babies but you will be surprised to know that you can use it as a safe cleaner for rugs and carpets, and it deodorizes too! Sprinkle sparingly and leave for about 30 minutes them vacuum. Clean and smoothen your stove and counter tops with cornstarch paste made by mixing an equal part with water. Cornstarch will save your dirty stuffed toys, too. Put both the stuffed toy and the cornstarch in a plastic bag and shake then leave for several minutes. Take it out and shake the cornstarch and the dirt off.
Lemon

The versatile lemon that is a good source of vitamin C can go as far as an ingredient for juices, marinades, and dips to whitener of armpits and knuckles to cutter of grease and stains on aluminum, porcelains, bathroom and kitchen. You can mix it equally with water and spray on problem areas.
Toothpaste

Toothpaste is used per se but it can be a refreshing feminine wash as well as it can be used to clean your copper and silverware. Just apply to the area and wipe or scrub with a clean cloth. It is a handy and ready burnt ointment too.


Cola Drinks

Any type of cola drinks can leave your toilet bowl sparkling clean. Just pour a bottle of it in the bowl, allow to sit for awhile and then scrub lightly to have an amazingly clean toilet bowl.

 

White Vinegar

White vinegar when mixed with raw sugar become an effective insect attractant. Mix it with salt into paste and it cleans tarnished copper, bronze and pewter; removes molds, mildews, wax and stains. Combine this with baking soda to make a drain de-clogger.

The same vinegar when boiled inside the microwave will automatically loosen sticking foods and eliminate foul odor. Vinegar also works for stainless steel. Just soak your stainless steel pot or pans in warm water and rub with a cloth damp with vinegar. Rinse well afterwards.

 

Baby Powder

Baby powder will absorb that stubborn cooking oil that went to your party dress. Sprinkle considerably over the stained area, cover with a piece of cotton cloth or handkerchief and run a heated iron over it. Best also for removing grease on upholstered sofas.


Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise will remove gums that got stuck on your kids clothes like magic. Apply on the area covering it then leave for few minutes and scrape lightly with a dull knife. Mayonnaise will get rid of watermarks on furniture, head lice. tree sap and tar on fingers.

So there you have it, DIY cleaning tips using items that are probably in your cupboards already.

 

About The Author: Audrey Dunbar is a mom and a blogger. She likes to share household tips. She is also part of HomeJoy team, a house cleaning expert.

Tips to Avoid Summer Cabin Fever

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Tips to Avoid Summer Cabin FeverIf you are like me any you absolutely hate summers, especially in Texas, you will do whatever you can to avoid going outside at any means necessary. Unfortunately I do not have the same days off as my wife, so most of my time on my off days are consumed with Netflix or video games just simply because I refuse to go outside when it is 110 outside. The biggest problem I run into is what to do when I have run out of video games to play and have seen every episode of every series of Star Trek ten times, which anyone who watches Star Trek can tell you that takes a LONG time. Through boredom and desperation, I have managed to come up with a few ways to beat the heat and effects of cabin fever all at the same time.

Usually cabin fever is associated with winter because of snow storms, but the same applies for me when I am stuck inside all day because it is just too hot outside. The first and most important thing to do is make sure you have plenty of snacks stocked up. The last thing anyone wants to do when it’s too hot outside is go hungry to avoid going anywhere. It’s generally a good idea to get lots of food while you are out, after work for example. It is also not a bad idea to go really early in the morning before the heat strikes, but that never works for me because I’m a bit of a night owl and usually sleep till noon on my days off.

While you’re getting stocked up, it’s also not a bad idea to stock up on things to do as well. This can be hard to do sometimes, especially on a budget. I enjoy comic books and just reading in general, so I’ll pick up a few comics since they range from $2-$4 each and some books from half price books. A video game every once in a while wouldn’t hurt either. I usually go back and play games I have not played in a while because it feels like a new experience playing them again.

You can never sleep too much, and is always another option if you ever run out of things to do. Sure it sounds a bit lazy, but that just means you will be well rested and ready to go for the rest of the week. I have a busy schedule as it is and rarely get more than 6 hours of sleep every night, so this is sometimes an option I’ll gladly accept. On one occasion, I was sleeping and forgot to disarm our alarm system, so my wife comes home and triggers the alarm. Talk about a rude awakening! Luckily we were able to sort everything with

Bedford home security and we eventually looked into getting a home security app similar to the one West Lake Hills home security systems has that allows you to disarm your alarm via wi-fi through your smart phone so that will never happen again.

You can never be too prepared for summer. These are just a few ways that I avoid going outside, but the reality of the situation is that you will have to face the heat eventually, and when that time comes, it will only be temporary. I guess the best thing for me to do is just move somewhere with a cooler climate and experience true cabin fever rather than summer cabin fever.

About The Author: Stephen Hamilton is a writer for Smith Monitoring. He is an avid gamer, movie buff, musician, and comic collector

Can Good Exist Without Evil?

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Can Good Exist Without Evil?The Double

The X-Files is absolutely packed with episodes that have to do with the idea of doubling its characters. In “Soft Light”, the villain is not a man, but rather the man’s shadow. Consequentially, the man is not a villain, but rather he is intimately connected to the villain in a way a conjoined twin would be connected to his brother. He has no control over the evil that follows him, and yet he cannot separate himself from it. Furthermore, his narrative suggests that if he dies, the shadow may very well become untethered and unstoppable.

The Shadow

The scientist’s intimate connection with the villain, his shadow, is vital to this episode. On the one hand, both are so similar that they cannot be separated. They share the same form, the same mannerisms, and they move as one. On the other hand, both are so opposite that it seems as though they should not be forced to occupy the same space. The scientist himself is terrified of hurting those around him, while his shadow is both unaware and apathetic to the chaos that it causes. The Scientist is visible, while the shadow exists in darkness.  Both the scientist and the shadow are simultaneously exactly the same and completely opposite from one another. Consequentially, the only way for either to exist peacefully and as a whole is for the other to be destroyed.

The Home

We are used to the concept that the brighter the light, the safer the environment. However, the brighter the light, the more looming and dark our shadow becomes. Good could not exist in the absence of evil.  I couldn’t imagine being so intimately connected to an apathetic and unfeeling killer, but at the same time it seems as though each member of the human race has the capacity for evil such as this shadow. I believe that the shadow in this episode could represent that evil that resides in us all. It’s the same reason we are so concerned with home security monitoring – to ensure that those kinds of people are kept out of our home and away from our loved ones. It’s the same reason I make sure I’m connected to a reliable Sherman home security system. We are all aware of man’s capacity for evil and we all see the need to take precautions against those who would give in to it.

About The Author: Rae Piazza is a writer for Smith Monitoring. Rae is also active on many social networking sites. Follow her on WordPress, Twitter, Instagram, & Poshmark!

3 Ways to Protect Yourself From Trouble

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3 Ways to Protect Yourself From TroubleThis week I was talking to a friend and they mentioned that bad things always happen to them and they feel like they are a magnet for trouble. As I began to think about the way other people viewed themselves it occurred to me that many people in our society say things like that to cover up their lack of wisdom. So there are people who have their cars stolen but not because someone broke in but because they left their car unlocked with the keys in them. There are people who get robbed in broad daylight because they go through the wrong part of town with flashy items. Maybe luck has nothing to do with the issues at hand or misfortunes that befall you but maybe you are not being wise about the way you do life. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself from mishap.

1. Be Aware of your surroundings

This step is one of the most important steps because being aware of your surroundings helps you to know how to equip yourself against danger and issues that could arise. For example if you know that your about to drive through a construction zone it’s probably best to watch out for debris on the road so your car doesn’t get damaged.

2. Read and learn from other people’s mistakes

A phrase that I use often is this: “I want to learn from other people’s spilt blood without having to spill my own to learn the same lesson”. This phrase encompasses my belief that you can gain wisdom and avoid issues if you take some time to learn from other people’s mistakes. If I can learn from something that I didn’t have to work hard for then I am all about it. For example I learned very early from my sibling not to talk back to my mother when she gave clear instructions because it would not end well for us if we did.

3. Set up safeguards for yourself

Most of us are aware of areas where we need to make sure that we are protected in. For example I know that I live in an area where homes are sometimes broken into and robbed because of the nice things within the homes. In light of knowing that we decided to choose Smith Monitoring as our home security company because they have an app that will allow me to control the lights on my home even when I’m not home to deter thieves from coming to my home. Smith Monitoring is an incredible company that specializes in Wylie home security and Bedford home security. In the same way that we have set security measures in our homes you can set standards in your life to protect yourself from things like adultery, or thievery, or negative friends.

There are numerous ways that you can protect yourself from a whole host of bad things that come in life. The world isn’t perfect so we have to be prepared. The question is what are you doing to protect yourself from these things?

About The Author: Katie Melendez is a writer for Smith Monitoring. Katie is also a wife, youth mentor, and a health nut. Follow her blogs for all current trends on home, health, and family.

Fancy Box

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Fancy, the website that has been bringing us exceptionally amazing products and goods for quite some time has users in awe yet once more with their new subscription box! Anyone who has ever used the website knows how it works, but just in case you have somehow missed out and never used it before, here’s a quick rundown. HIgh quality and often high priced items are posted to the website and once you create an account you are able to click the button that says “fancy” on each item that you…well, fancy. You are then able to go back to these items later on or purchase the item. It’s a genius website that has claimed numerous hours of my time spent.

So what’s in the box? Good question, you’re going to love the answer! You know how a lot of subscription boxes send everyone the same thing each and every month? Fancy does not do that, you have the option to choose the category that you would like to be sent items from, for example: Men, Women, Home, Gadgets, Media. This is a cool twist on the subscription box idea because with such a vast catalogue like the website has, it would have been a shame not to diversify the items included in the boxes. The final and most important thing that we are sure you care the most about is getting the bang for your buck, right? Each month you only pay $30 and though that is on the higher end of some subscription boxes, you get $60+ worth of goods in your box every time.

The final verdict, get this box! We have yet to see a box that has such a vast selection of goods included in it, sends expensive and high quality items to you once a month, and does it for only $30.

Fancy Box Subscription   Fancy Box Subscription   Fancy Box Subscription

Tea and Sensibility

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Tea and SensibilityNothing says that fall has arrived quite like a nice hot cup of tea. One company, Tea and Sensibility, sells organic and aromatic teas that are sure to make any tea lover feel like they’ve found their dream cup of tea. With a variety of flavors and the option of either whole leaf or bagged tea there’s something for just about anyone.

When you get your order in the mail you truly feel like something special has arrived, and that’s because something special has. The packaging is tremendous and really shows that the people at Tea and Sensibility really care about their product and want you to have the best cup of tea possible. Another great thing about the teas coming in such cool packaging is that they are ready for gift giving and this holiday season is the perfect time to spread the joys of tea.

The main thing that you will notice upon opening your new teas is that they smell just as amazing as they taste. The blends of natural herbs in the teas from Tea and Sensibility are very aromatic and make the experience of drinking a cup of one of their Tea and Sensibilityblends of teas even more special. If you are like us and love the smell of a great blend of tea just as much as the taste, then this is just one more reason for you to order a special blend of tea from Tea and Sensibility.

It’s rare that you find a company that cares so much about their products and their customers, and on top of that has a product that is truly worth bragging about. Tea and Sensibility is one of those great places to buy tea from that makes you feel special in every way from the packaging to the last sip you take of your perfectly blended cup of tea! Be sure to check out their blends of teas this fall season and enjoy one of the best cups of tea you’ve had in a long time!

You can visit their shop online at Etsy or their Facebook page for more information.

Everyday Art Imitating Life or Life Imitating Everyday Art?

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Have you ever wondered if life imitates art? Or if art imitates life? Everyday Art does both through a very popular trend blending aesthetic photography, architecture, and even nature. This artistic concoction formulates letters of the alphabet from unexpected places like buildings, windows, street signs, floor tiles, stairs, plants, boots and much more! Jerrad and Machel Green are the front-runners in this “letter-art” movement and the folks behind Everyday Art. What started as an activity on a Sunday stroll has led their work to be featured on HGTV.com and coveted all over the U.S. and Canada.

With over hundreds of original images to choose from, the Greens are sure you’ll find what’s right for you. Their most recent collection about which they boast is Vintage Letter Lights. Actually see your name in lights with antique metal marquee letters with working lights! They’re actually crafted from rusted metal, giving them an authentic and antique look. Each structure is twenty-four inches tall, and four inches deep. Width varies. Costs run $199 USD per letter, and delivery time takes two to three weeks.

So does Everyday Art imitate life? Or does life imitate Everyday Art? However you see it, you’ll be seeing the world in a whole new way with prints from Everyday Art!

Diela Maharanie Makes Magical Art

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When redecorating a space, be it an office or room in your home, you always need to consider the walls. Walls are boring on their own, but luckily there are tons of new artist to choose from when picking out the perfect piece of art for your wall. One of those artist by the name of Diela Maharanie is making an impact on the world of art with her creative tones of color and imaginative scenes that are depicted in her work.

Her art is not average, it possesses a creative quality that makes the viewer of the art become engulfed within the blocky chunks of color and precisely drawn characters. One look at her art and you will quite possibly want your entire wall to be covered in Diela Maharanie originals.

The patterns that are used in her art are nice and vibrant, yet they still only just add to the overall beauty of the art instead of consume the piece. It’s rare to find an artist who can incorporate elements that are borderline supernatural and those of the real world so well.

So if you are looking for some art, I suggest you consider Diela Maharanie’s work. You are sure to love it, and it is sure to love your walls. Make note of this artist on the rise because I have no doubt that we will be seeing great things from her in the future.