Your Time: Handy Advice and Apps for Planning a Mom’s Day Off

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Krissyar

You’re a busy mom 24-7 and now it’s time for one of those rare events: a mom’s day off. Don’t waste your precious time wondering what to do. Every second counts. Whether you’re in the mood for a shopping spree, a spa day, lunch with the girls, or catching the latest movie, here is a list of apps you can use to plan your big day out, no matter what the weather.

Take The Weather With You

Before you set foot outside, you need to check your local weather. You can do that quickly and easily with Apalon’s Weather Live Free app. Features include outdoor temperature, wind speed, humidity dew point, weather radar and rain map, 7-day forecast and sunrise sunset times anywhere in the world, so you’ll know exactly how to dress and what to expect on your fun day out.

Your Personal Concierge 

If you live in the DC metro area, and you’re looking for something to do Ouli will make personalized suggestions for you. Whether you want a romantic dinner with your partner, brunch with the girls, a solo spa day, or a shopping spree around town, Ouli will recommend something to suit your wishes. This will save you wasting time searching through lists to find something you really want to do on your mom’s day off. Ouli will personalize your activities based on location, time your history and preferences so you can enjoy the things you like to do. The app will soon be available in other cities.

Find Stuff to Do

Every city has its own particular scene and DoStuff is designed to connect you with them.  You can use it to find dinner theaters, concerts, comedy clubs, even happy hours. DoStuff is connected to 20 cities through the U.S., Canada and Mexico including Tijuana, Vancouver, Victoria, Dallas, Indianapolis, Kansas City, New York City, and Nashville.

Beautify Yourself

If you’re in the mood for a new hair style, a spa day, or perhaps a mani-pedi, download Vanitee to your Android and let it help you find the perfect beauty service for your needs. Once you find what you need, you can book an appointment right there and then on your phone, no hassle. It couldn’t get more convenient.

Share a Secret

If you want to share a secret without anyone knowing who it’s about or from, Whisper is the perfect place to offload. This app will also let you read other people’s secrets, share honest thoughts, trade advice and share interests. Join the 30 million plus people who hand out at Whisper and share your most intimate thoughts.

It’s about time you decided to plan a mom’s day off, take a break from the kids and take some time to do your own thing. Why stress about how to spend your well-earned free time? Simply use these apps to help you plan a great day out or just relax. You’ll feel refreshed and relaxed and you deserve it.

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How to Keep Your Home Healthy

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Krissyar

A healthy home means a healthy and happy family. The fewer allergens and irritants floating around, the better. Making it so comes with the fact that you need to make regular efforts to reduce unwanted and sometimes unseen guests into your home. And, it might take a multipronged effort in the form of regular cleaning, air filtration, and changing habits to keep a home healthy. Following are some tips to help you keep your home feeling like a great place to live.

Get Dust Under Control

Image via Flickr by mdid

Dust is something you’ll never be able to eliminate completely, but it is something you can control through regular cleaning and vigilance. Vacuuming is the most effective way to reduce dust as is wiping surfaces down whenever dust becomes visible. Make sure to change the filter and bag or clean out the container before you vacuum. Vacuum cleaners exhaust some of the dust they collect as part of their operation. The less dust in the vacuum before you start, the less you’ll have flying around in the air. When it comes to surfaces that collect dust, use antistatic sprays to prevent more dust from collecting.

Maintaining Air Quality

This seems like it should fall under the dust category, but air quality is much more than dust alone. Pollutants come in from the outside and mingle with the interior air, dirt tracked in carries contaminants such as mold, and pollen has a way of sneaking in when least expected. Pets also add to the mix when they shed hair and dandruff. You’d be excused for wanting to hermetically seal your home to prevent anything ever getting in from the outside. Since that’s not possible, you need to take steps to minimize what flies around in the air.

Make sure that the filter on the HVAC system is changed regularly and look into adding a home air purifying system to trap additional contaminants. If you can’t go this route, look into room air cleaners as a way to keep the air clean in high-traffic rooms. Another option is to schedule an appointment with an HVAC technician and have them clean out the ducts, vents, and inspect blower fans for dust buildup.

Switch to Nontoxic Cleaning Products

Household cleaning products do a great job of getting surfaces free of dirt, but they also come at a price in the form of chemical inhalation. You might make the assumption that they’re safe for use by people because they’re on the shelf, and you’re right to a point. However, you still inhale those chemicals and irritate sensitive linings in your respiratory system. The effects may be temporary, but why suffer in the first place? Green cleaning products are nontoxic and far less likely to make your home smell like chemicals and won’t irritate your body.

Keeping your home healthy isn’t an easy task, but it’s one that’s worthy of the effort. A home that smells and feels good is one that keeps you healthy and comfortable.

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Perfect Catering Options for Your Dad or Grad

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Krissyar

This post was sponsored by Bravo Restaurants.

BRAVO Cucina Italiana and BRIO Tuscan Grille are offering new catering to-go menus, just in time for party season!

From Dads to Grads and everyone in between, these catering packages can be ordered through the restaurants’ quick and simple online platform. Catering To-Go is delicious, stress-free and can be ordered in a few simple clicks! Both BRAVO and BRIO feature a number of different packages including Catering Pans, Family Bundles, Catering Bundles and Create Your Own Pasta Station. All orders come complete with serveware, utensils, and sturdy packaging.  

 For a limited time, BRAVO and BRIO will be offering 20% off Catering To-Go and Carryout. Guests may use the discount code TGO5003 at checkout or show at restaurant upon pickup. This offer is valid May 18 through June 5, 2017 and is not valid with any other offers, discounts or rewards. The discount does not apply to third party delivery services.

Check out the Bravo Catering Packages for Dad, or Brio Catering Options for your Grad. Either one is a great choice – and a great deal!

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4 Mystery Reasons Your Energy Bill Is High

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Krissyar

Even with all the energy-saving methods available, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that electricity consumption will increase by 1.9 percent in 2018. Homeowners may be baffled by this finding, even as they make energy-reduction measures around their homes. Discover some of the reasons your electricity bill might still remain high.

You Leave the Lights On


Image via Flickr by Orange Steeler

Turning off the lights may seem like a simple solution; however, burning light bulbs is still one of the many causes for high energy bills.

The Internet of Things (IoT), an integration between computers and everyday objects, could offer some helpful solutions in and around the home. These solutions will not only improve the energy bill, but also reduce the time you spend on household chores. Further, the IoT also embraces LED lighting, which has a longer lifespan and requires less energy to operate. Moms who hope to update their homes with energy-saving solutions will appreciate this news and the stylish options available for lighting.

You Block the Flow of Air in Your Home

Regular maintenance improves an HVAC system’s performance, which includes clear vents and clean filters. This regular maintenance also reduces the service requirements of the HVAC system. In addition, proper ventilation is another important part of HVAC system maintenance.

The thermostat that controls the temperature of the home performs better when air inside the home flows freely. Proper ventilation is also great news for moms who worry about the health of their families. When the vents are clean and the air travels freely, dust particles don’t have places to build up.

You Don’t Bother Studying Your Energy Bill

 


Image via Flickr by triviaqueen

While you can easily assume that everything gets automated, many meter readings still take place by live representatives from your utility provider. But these workers could also make mistakes. You only need to take a few minutes to compare the meter reading to your statement to make sure all the figures align. With this check, moms like you will able to tell whether your household’s energy consumption is increasing or decreasing.

You’re Not Thinking About Embracing Technology

Consumers can not only change from a manual thermostat to one that has a timer, for example, but they also have their pick of more energy-efficient appliances. These appliances include refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, and televisions. Apart from the estimated savings on the energy bills, consumers should keep an eye out for government incentives as well. Switching out old appliances for new ones can mean a reduction in maintenance costs. Appliances that are not maintained or are in need of service may require more energy to run.

Investing a few dollars in a technology upgrade will do wonders for comfort levels and have a positive effect on your home energy bill. Sometimes, the investment doesn’t require more funds at all, just a little time out of a busy schedule. The extra money you save could result in a fuller pocket while allowing you and your household to make a positive impact on the environment.

 

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Embrace the Mess

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Krissyar

Sometimes as a parent we can’t see past today – the chasing little ones around the house, constantly picking up messes,changing diapers, force feeding vegetables, trying to calm those  and of course the cost of it all. It feels like it may never end and you’re just waiting for the day when your child is independent and you can feel human again.

When my older kids were little, I didn’t really get the whole “you’re gonna’ miss this” that everyone kept saying to me. Or the “Oh just wait, this will be the good ol’ days that you look back on”, or the “one day you’ll wish that you could shrink them back down.” But with 2 teenagers and a rambunctious 8 year old who no longer likes to cuddle with his Mama – I finally get it.

I get as Mom’s with little ones we get tired – past exhausted even. From morning until dark we are putting everyone else before ourselves. But guess what Moms? They are right.

You are gonna’ miss this.

When they are older you won’t remember (well, mostly won’t remember) the sleepless nights, or constant mess; you’ll remember the cute and funny moments, the snuggles, and silly – that you wish you could have all over again.

So embrace the mess; and Huggies is encouraging parents to do just that – and offering big savings on diapers and wipes at Family Dollar!

We know that one of the biggest concerns with little ones is finances – and Huggies & Family Dollar wants to help. Sign-up for Family Dollars Digital Coupons and save $2 on Huggies Diapers, and 50 cents on wipes!

So stop and smell the roses – laugh and enjoy the mess. Spend more time enjoying and less time worrying – and save money while doing it with Huggies! Find a Family Dollar near you now!

 

 

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