Roto Rooter for Your Clogged Drains

October 24, 2018 by Leave a Comment
It is very annoying and can be time consuming when your sink or drains begin to back up. Never at a convenient time (although, really, when is there a good time), our good friend Murphy always makes sure that it’s when you are in a rush or have company. Sometimes, though, a quick fix can be had.
roto rooter
We recently tried Roto-Rooter on one of our clogs, and I can tell you that this is not a staged photo. For real. Our bathroom sink has been super annoying, backing up regularly. Not much has helped it, and we’ve tried pretty much everything. Sometimes, you just need something to get the water  moving in a pinch.
clogged drain
These are the kinds of situations you will be glad you have Roto-Rooter on hand. Just follow the directions on the Roto-Rooter bottle, and pour half the bottle down the drain. After it cleared, we flushed hot water down the drain as the directions stated. The clog disappeared, and the water moved down the drain as it should.
There are quite a few options of Roto–Rooter products. You can check out thesite, http://rotorooter-products.com to see the full line of options.
Here is a video with some tips from Roto-Rooter;


If you end up in a messy situation, it’s always good to have some Roto-Rooter on hand. Having to run out to the store with a clogged-up sink is never fun, it’s one of those things that’s just better to have on hand when you need it. No one likes running around, especially for things like this.

Head to the website, and see which product best fits your need. Keep some on hand for your next emergency, it will make your life that much easier.

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DIY Vampirina and Unicorn Hoodies

October 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Vampirina is the spookiest ghoul on Disney Junior. That’s why with Halloween and cooler weather right around the corner, a Vampirina hoodie is a no-brainer. Your little one will feel like she’s checked herself in for the night at the Scare B&B where she can hang with Vee and the whole Hauntley family.
vampirina costume
The best part about this adorable hoodie is that you don’t need to have any sewing skills to recreate it!

All the steps you need to create your very own no-sew Vampirina hoodie are in this post: https://www.wholesalehalloweencostumes.com/blog/diy-no-sew-vampirina-hoodie/

The move from Transylvania to Pennsylvania might’ve been a challenge for the Hauntley family, but bringing this hoodie to life should be easy for you!

If you’ve got a little Vampirina fan on your hands, you could also celebrate in style with a Vampirina party. Wholesale Party Supplies even created a cute Vampirina photo booth backdrop and Vampirina cookies to complete the celebration!

Looking for other no-sew options? Check out this magical unicorn hoodie!

Check out more DIY costumes, makeup tutorials and DIY decorations up on the blog, so keep an eye out on posts that will help you prepare for Halloween 2018.

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Fun Toys That Let You and Your Children be Creative

June 12, 2018 by 1 Comment

It can be hard to find something to do as a family, or something that will entertain the kids that doesn’t need to be charged. Getting kids away from screens can be challenging, but with toys like these, you won’t have to try too hard.

Have a little car lover? (Or maybe a big one, as well- Father’s Day is just around the corner) You can select from a handful of new mini-vehicles from Automoblox®, an award-winning line of high-quality collectible wooden car toy vehicles. Included the pick-up truck Grizzly, the X10 Timber Pack SUV with a trailer, and the very first Automoblox motorcycle. These cars have a body made of European beech wood, and can be manipulated multiple ways to create different designs.  Both kids (recommended for ages 4 and up) and adults love playing with the mix and max, fun to put together cars that don’t require tools to create. New minis are priced at $11.99 – $23.99. The larger  BR100 Hercules 16.5″ hauler (that can also be recreated into a dump truck) is $59.99.  It is not only larger, but also comes with two back ends, a ramp, two mini vehicles, and has room to hold five mini vehicles. Get yours on Amazon.

puzzles autism

If you are a fan of puzzles, TCG has an excellent line that you will want to get your hands on. They have s many options of different photos, scenes, and piece counts, there is something for everyone (and every family ability). These are really beautiful, well crafted puzzles you will be tempted to frame (and in fact, we are framing one of ours). In addition, TCG has a campaign that benefits both Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Canada since 2016. As puzzles help calm and stimulate some children and adults with Autism, it is a wonderful fit and a great cause to support. Every box has Autism Speaks puzzle piece logo on it. “TCG’s Autism Speaks assortment includes puzzles designed for a wide range of puzzlers, from the whimsical and gorgeous renderings of fantasy artist Miharu to original TCG designs, and more.” (as per TCG) Prices range from $3.99 for a 200 piece puzzle to $7.99 for a 1,000 piece puzzle.

DIY kids

Have a creative teen or tween? Consider Juicy Couture Fruit Obsessions Bracelets and Juicy Couture Hair Candy Accessories- Juicy Couture is all the rage with the younger girls right now, and these definitely hit their mark in this house, let me tell you. My daughter was thrilled, couldn’t wait to get her hands on these kits, and was excited about the results. She wears them often, and I’m sure you will have similar results with your young fashionista. What is more fun then making your own accessories? Not much at that age. And these are definitely NOT the cheesy, kiddie kits from our childhood- these make high quality, really nice looking items. They look store bought, more like what you see adults creating on Etsy. If your child is a fan, you will want to check these out. Prices vary, but I’m seeing these for about $15.

Your child might also enjoy making his or her own blanket or hoodie blanket- these are both adorable. There is the “Make It Real” Unicorn Blanket Hoodie, which comes with everything needed to make a super cute blanket (although I think it looks more like a cape) complete with unicorn hood. This fleece knotted blanket will help your child develop and learn skills useful both for making the item and for the future, which I love. Learning toys are the best. Know how to sew? That much easier. Learning how? No problem at all, making the Unicorn Blanket Hoodie will help teach you.  $24.99 on Amazon and Jo-Ann Fabrics.

wear shark fin

Prefer something with a little more bite? ALEX makes the new DIY Knot A Shark for kids who’d like to try their fin at something new. The ALEX DIY Knot-A-Shark comes with everything you need to make your own snuggly, scary blanket. Not JUST a blanket, but also a tail- your child can get inside it once finished and swim off to bedtime or to cuddle on the couch for shark week. $30.99 on https://www.alexbrands.com

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Roto-Rooter 101 (Unclogging the Bathroom Sink)

April 3, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Have you ever had a clogged sink or bathtub? If you are like me, the answer is yes, all the time yes.  The bathroom sink is the major pain in my house, and there is not much that seems to help. On a regular yet irregular basis, it gets clogged up and fills with water and whatever else was going on at the time.
We recently tried Roto-Rooter, and as you can tell this is NOT a staged photo. For real.
I have no idea why it keeps clogging up, we’ve snaked it, pulled the U-shaped thing out and replaced it, the whole nine. Who knows? Not me, that’s for sure.
So, after this clog, we followed the directions on the Roto-Rooter bottle, and pured half the bottle down the drain. After it cleared, we poured hot water down the drain as requested. It did indeed keep it clog free for quite some time.
There are quite a few options of Roto–Rooter products. You can check out thesite, http://rotorooter-products.com to see the full line of options.
Here is a video with some tips on unclogging a stubborn sink from Roto-Rooter;

If you end up in a sticky situation, it’s always good to have some Roto-Rooter on hand. Having to run out to the store with a clogged-up sink is never fun- and you know it’s likely to happen with you have a house full of guests or you are running out the door (or some such mess, it’s always something).

Head to the website, and see which product best fits your need. Keep some on hand for your next emergency, it will make your life that much easier.

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How to Make Your Own Natural Face Masks

April 2, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

Buying quality skin care products is expensive. Many popular brands contain unwanted chemical additives and preservatives. This may motivate you to look for at-home alternatives to these products.

If you have a little time and only a few ingredients, you can make face masks at home. These do-it-yourself masks are easy and fun to make, and their benefits to your skin rival those of the most expensive commercial masks. Try some of our easy recipes and see the benefits first hand.

Before using any of these masks, it is best to wash your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser. This allows the mask to penetrate into your pores. After using the masks, rinse your face clean with lukewarm water. Then rinse it with cool water. This closes your pores. Gently pat your face and neck dry.

  1. Banana Facial Mask

To make a banana facial mask, the easiest way is to simply mash up a ripe banana and apply it to your face. This mask is smoothing and moisturizing, providing a fresh faced glow.

If you have a few more ingredients around the house, try mixing a little plain yogurt and honey into your mask. The yogurt adds moisturizing power and the honey naturally fights acne.

  1. Strawberry Mask

Another fresh, seasonal ingredient to mix into your DIY facial mask is the strawberry. Strawberries are naturally very high in Vitamin C. They also contain several beneficial fruit acids to combat skin aging and soothe acne prone skin. Salicylic acid, an ingredient in many over-the-counter acne products, is present in the strawberry.

This exfoliating mask will brighten your skin. Mix a few mashed strawberries with a little lemon juice. Apply gently to your face and neck. After 15 minutes, rinse the mask from your face. This mask works even better if used after exfoliating the skin with a natural scrub such as brown sugar and honey.

  1. Oatmeal Facial Masks

Oatmeal is a proven moisturizing ingredient that soothes the skin. It is used in many commercial lotions and bath products, especially for those with dry, itchy skin. See the benefits of oatmeal for yourself by trying one of these facial masks.

In a blender or food processor, puree a small amount of whole rolled oats with a little milk until the mixture has a soft texture. You can also use cream if your skin is severely dry. Gently smooth this mixture over your face and let it sit for 20 minutes.

For oily skin, mix oatmeal, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Vinegar is an astringent which gently dries the skin and also combats bacteria without being too harsh. The oatmeal will absorb excess oil from your skin.

Let 3 tablespoons of oatmeal soak for a few minutes in ¼ cup hot water. Then add a teaspoon of honey. Blend these ingredients together. Whisk in 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. When the mixture has cooled a bit, gently smooth it over your face and neck. Let it sit for 20 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.

  1. Avocado Masks

Another superfood ingredient that is great for your skin is avocado. Avocado contains high levels of oleic acid, a plant acid that helps your skin retain moisture. Avocado is also a source of antioxidants and Vitamin C. The plant oils in avocado keep your skin soft and supple.

For a moisturizing mask, mix ½ of a mashed ripe avocado with a little plain Greek yogurt. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to make the mask even richer for your skin. Blend well and let it sit on your face for 15 minutes.

Avocado also goes well with oatmeal in another moisturizing mask. Mix ½ cup of mashed ripe avocado with ½ cup of oatmeal. Blend the mixture well and apply to your face and neck.

With only a few simple ingredients from your pantry and from the produce section, you can make easy DIY facial masks for any skin type. Try some of these recipes today and see the benefits for yourself. Alternatively, you can be creative and mix some of these recipes together for your own special touch.

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Rebuilding After Disaster

November 22, 2017 by Leave a Comment

There are few things more traumatic for a family than seeing their home damaged by fire or severe weather. The loss of treasured items is compounded by the financial loss and inconvenience of getting things back to normal.

If you have had the misfortune of experiencing one of these events, you already know what a complicated process it is to clean up and repair things. It is also a time when it is very easy to make mistakes because there are many people involved, including insurance adjusters, contractors, salespeople, and even government entities like FEMA and your fire department.

As you get the process underway, try to stay on track with these tips. They’ll help you focus on the right steps to recovery.

Know How To Prioritize

When your home has been damaged, you want to save everything. But in a practical sense, spending hours and hours trying to restore replaceable items in your home is not a good allocation of your time.

Focus on the things that are irreplaceable but salvageable and work on those first. Don’t worry about general belongings like furniture. A couch that is soaked with water from a flood or from firefighting efforts will take days to thoroughly dry, and even then will be filled with odors, dirt, and fungus. Bernhardt Furniture can replace those items, so put your energy into finding and preserving things like heirloom china and family photographs.

Make Sure The Damage Has Stopped

When a disaster strikes, there is an immediate reaction to the problem and then there is a need for longer-term attention. Floods in particular are notorious for creating additional damage even after the water recedes, because it has penetrated into so many spaces that it can be nearly impossible to clean them all.

Remove sources of further damage. Items that are full of smoke odor should be taken outside so that they don’t perpetuate the smell in other items. Get into walls and let water drain out, and be sure that wet floor coverings are taken outside. If your home has been properly protected from groundwater, it should stay dry once flood water is removed.

Prepare For Next Time

It can be so easy to get in a hurry when you’re trying to recover from a disaster. You just want to get things cleaned, repaired, and replaced as quickly as possible and return to the routine you had prior to the event, and that’s understandable.

But during that recovery, it can also be very easy to make some preparations for next time, in case the unthinkable happens twice. If you’ve had a fire in your home and you’re doing extensive repairs, investigate a residential sprinkler system. They have a documented ability to reduce fire damage and contain flames to a smaller area.

If you’ve been flooded, see about improving drainage around the home and possibly installing barriers to divert swollen streams. You might also be able to change floor coverings in the lowest parts of your home to make them more tolerant of another flood.

Remember that much of this work is cheaper, easier, and faster when you’ve already got a mess from the previous damage, so try to slow down enough to check into these options. There may also be insurance incentives to help defray the costs, or at least discounts on your premiums.

Fires and floods are incredibly traumatic. We see the things we have worked hard for being consumed in hours or even minutes. Recovery is the first thought we have when the event is over, but it is very important that you manage that correctly in order to make it the best recovery it can be.

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Awesome DIY Halloween Costume!

October 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment

pinterest halloween costume

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Shabby Chic Valentines Decorations

January 11, 2013 by 6 Comments

Valentines Day Crafts

For some reason this year Valentine’s Day has me inspired! I just keep finding ways to decorate my house for the holidays! Pink and red everywhere are not my cup of tea, so I am trying to find a way to decorate for the day without it looking like cupid threw up all over my house.

Valentine's Day Crafts

This project is really simple, plus it cost me less than $2 for the total project! It saved something from the landfill, makes my house look amazing, and didn’t break the bank. Now THAT sounds like a win/win/win situation to me!

For this project there are really only a few supplies that you will need.

Supplies

Picture frame (got mine for $1 at Goodwill)

Cream colored card stock or scrapbook paper

5 sheets of valentine’s or red/purple/pink scrapbook paper

Scissors (I LOVE using my Cutterbee’s for this)

Tape

Pencil

Directions

To get start on this frame, you want to measure the area in your frame. For this particular one, I needed [Read more…]

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