EFFECTIVE TIPS TO MAINTAIN A CLEAN MATTRESS

 

We spend roughly one third of our lives sleeping in our bed. And it's gross to think just how much dirt it builds up over time. Not only dust mites and other critters lurk in our bed, but also foul stains such as sweat, urine, blood and more. Hence, regular check and cleaning is necessary. Although this process might be time consuming and hard for some, you don't need to call for a professional cleaning service all the time. 

 It's always handy to have some knowledge on how we can clean our mattresses. The basic and the simplest methods can make a huge difference. There are surprisingly very easy steps you can do on your own to maintain your mattresses clean.

General Cleaning Routine

Always make mattress cleaning a routine. Do it every quarter of the year, basically whenever season change. Here's a simple 5 step guide you can follow.

1. Before you start, remove the entire bedding first and launder them. Wash and dry thoroughly your mattress pad and duvet.

2. Move your mattress away from walls and furniture. Move the bed in a position that is accessible to all sides. 

3. Vacuum the bed thoroughly. Start from the top of your bed going your way down. Then vacuum the sides the same way. 

4. We might not recognize any smell, but overtime body sweat builds up and will potentially emit foul odor. So it's best to prevent before the problem arise. Deodorize the mattress by sprinkling a layer of baking soda all over. Rub it well with a brush and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes.

   Tip: You can add essentials oils like lavender or peppermint to add fragrance and aroma.  

   Simply mix it with the baking soda.

5. Vacuum again. The baking soda you sprinkled absorbs the odor and moisture in the bed. 

    Vacuuming it the second time pulls out the moisture along with other substances that cause 

    odor.

Remove Mattress Stains

Mattresses typically get stains every now and then especially if you don't use a mattress pad. For stubborn stains like urine, sweat and vomit that can't be removed solely by your usual cleaning routine. You might need to add a little more effort in removing them. Consider trying this easy stain removal solution.

1. Spray the stain with white vinegar and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Cover the vinegar spot by sprinkling baking soda. Leave it on until the spot dries.

3. Vacuum the baking soda.

4. If there are stains remaining, make water and borax paste and rub it in the spot until the stain disappears. Let it dry and vacuum.

5. If there are still stain remaining, dampen an unused cloth with hydrogen peroxide and rub in the spot in a circular motion. 

If these methods don't work, consider contacting a professional mattress cleaning service to remedy the stain. You may also consider contacting your mattress retailer to consult on your mattress as it might have specific designs and features that you need to know for you to find a better solution to your stain and other mattress related problems.   

Additional Tips

• Open your windows from time to time, to let the air out.

• Replace your blanket and pillows every week.

• Flip and rotate your mattress every six months.

• It's best to use a mattress pad to protect your mattress from stains.

• Always clean a stain as quickly as possible. Stains are hard to remove when they dry out.

Cleaning your mattress can be a hassle. But it's always better to take a regular cleaning schedule rather than cleaning your mattress only when it's too late. Take these tips and these should help you maintain the condition of your mattress. If done regularly, you won't need to think about possible dust mites and bed bugs. You can have a deep sleep with your clean bed! 

Emmerey Rose is a young blogger from the Philippines who enjoys writing about fashion, beauty and other interesting topic and runs a blog emmereyrose.com.

Why Parents Need To Give Their Kids A Break

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As we get older, it's not uncommon to look back and wish we had our time again. It's kind of ironic, really, because we spend so much time as children wishing we were older, taller and had more freedom. Once we are older, with the wealth of knowledge and experience we have now, we wish we could communicate a little of that to our child self. In truth, kids have a lot of reasons to want to get older.

The fact is that as children, we lack the ability to see that with age comes responsibility. If we had to run a home or find a job at that age, we'd be horrified. But as adults, we seem to forget a lot of what wasn't fun about being a child. And even with our own kids, we can be guilty of lying to them and to ourselves about our own childhood.

We will tell them things like "At your age I would have been grateful to have..." or "When I was your age, I respected my elders!". And maybe sometimes this is true, but it is also a very distilled version of the truth. We shouldn't forget the things we hated as kids.

"He's Such A Fussy Eater!"

Flickr

Many parents are driven to distraction by trying to get their kids to eat what is put in front of them. As grown-ups, we strive to eat a balanced, healthy diet. But we have the advantage of knowing that some foods - which we may not enjoy - are good for us. We also have the benefit of knowing that some things that look unappetising actually taste good. As a kid, that lack of knowledge can make the unfamiliar worrying. You need to be patient with a kid.

"Bedtime Is A War Zone"

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As an adult, bedtime is something we come to cherish. A long day of work and life's stresses can be pushed away and we can sleep. But your kids can be less keen to drift off. Territorial battles over beds can develop. In bunk beds, someone has to have the top bunk. One way of avoiding these battles is to create separation so everyone has their own space, with specific designs like Cuckooland's collection of triple bunk beds for kids and rotate who sleeps where.

"They Never Want To Do Their Homework"

Show My Homework

Think back to when you were a kid. You spent all day at school, doing work that you mostly didn't want to do. You get home, you get changed and eat dinner, and then you have to do more work that you don't want to do. If your boss came around to your house at 8pm and dropped off a pile of files, or asked you to plumb in a toilet, would you like it much? Of course, homework is important. But your kid is not unique in not wanting to do it. It's the least fun thing ever.

Being a child is actually difficult in ways we seem to forget almost as soon as we turn 18. It helps to remember that when, as a parent, we get frustrated with our kids for just being kids.

How To Keep You And Your Family Healthy This Summer

Summer is a busy and fun time for the whole family, but it's important not to let this stop you from living a healthy lifestyle. there are various steps and tips to keep healthy and happy during the warmer months, but here are eight to start you off:

Image Source

Start Off With A Good Breakfast

We're always told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but sometimes that can be forgotten when there are so many other things to do. Some recipes can be made in advance, whereas others are good for those lazier mornings, but all will keep you and your family energised and ready for the day.

Here are a few suggestions:

Home made Granola

This can be made in advance and kept in an air-tight container. It's pretty easy to make as well, simply mix the following ingredients together, spread on a baking tray and leave in a pre-heated oven for 10 minutes: Rolled oats, maple syrup, honey, vanilla extract, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaked almonds, dried berries and coconut flakes. You can play around with the ingredients and amounts depending on your taste, and serve with milk or yoghurt and fresh fruits.

Over night oats

Prepared the night before, this breakfast will keep everyone full until lunchtime. Mix oats and your favourite milk (coconut and almond work well), and leave in a bowl in the fridge overnight. In the morning, stir in fruit and yoghurt and it's ready to serve.

Eggs

Fried, boiled or poached, eggs make a healthy breakfast for everyone. Serve with toast, or mix with other ingredients as an omelette. There are so many different ways of preparing them, making them an easy and simple option.

Plan A Diary

If your family is spending time off this summer, planning a diary and scheduling events can be really useful. Having things planned gives a little bit of routine and means the summer won't be wasted. Hang it in the kitchen where everyone can see it, and make sure all events and activities are updated on it.

Get Active

The warmer months are a great time to get outside and get moving. Try lots of things to find one that the whole family enjoys, as this will allow more quality time together. Hiking and cycling are great group activities, and days out can be planned around. Encourage children to join sports groups as well, socialising and interacting with other kids is vital. And the teamwork and experiences learnt will help them to develop.

Explore

Summer months are perfect for vacations. The weather is at it's best, and there are plenty more things to do. Choose your holiday carefully, and make sure there is enough to keep everyone interested. Beach or activity holidays are perfect for the whole family as there are plenty of things to do. Pack sensibly for holidays, and make sure you take all the essentials - but don't overpack!

If you aren't going away, there are still loads of places you can visit that are closer to home. Day trips and short trips are just as fun, research and ask friends for recommendations.

Get Plenty of Sleep

With all the extra activity and excitement, you need to make sure everyone is getting enough sleep. A good night’s sleep can have a crucial effect on how productive you are during your waking hours, so ensure you get the best quality sleep to make the most of your days. Try black out blinds to combat the longer hours of sun and use fans or air conditioning to control the room temperature. Comfort has a huge impact on your sleep, so check sites like http://www.mattress-guides.net/ for the comfiest mattresses and beds. Try to keep in a bedtime routine with children, and make sure they are still going to bed at a reasonable time.

Keep Hydrated

During the warmer summer months, it's easy to become dehydrated quickly. 60% of your body is water, and it performs important bodily functions, regulates temperature, and flushes out toxins. In the warmer weather, we sweat and lose water much quicker, meaning we must up our intake. 8-10 glasses a day is advised for an adult, but this all depends on the humidity and temperature levels.

Try flavoured waters and home-made juice drinks to keep the whole family topped up. Use fresh fruit to flavour drinks and ice lollies to add a bit of variety and get extra nutrients.

Stay Protected

Sunscreen is so important during the summer months. Make sure the whole family is protected every day, even if the sun doesn't feel particularly hot. Extra strength creams are available for children's more sensitive skin, and special sunscreens for faces. Wear protective clothing as well, caps are great for covering the scalp, and keep out of the sun from 10 am to 2 pm during its strongest time.

Hay fever can also be an issue for some people during the Summer months. But you can take precautions to make sure nothing is ruined by this. Visit the doctors beforehand, they will advise which sprays and tablets will work best, and keep an eye on the pollen levels on the weather forecast.

Healthy Snacks

You're bound to snack more often when you have more time off in the summer. Keep everyone healthy by making the right choices, though, and try to keep the snacks as wholesome as possible. Fruit and vegetable crudites are great for keeping you going until the next meal. Ice cream can be made from frozen bananas and fruits, so get the kids involved and choose different ingredients and toppings. Try to keep it all light and fun, and avoid added salt and sugar. These will only dehydrate you faster and not keep anyone feeling full.

But most of all, enjoy yourself! Summer is the perfect time to spend quality time together as a family. Invite friends round for BBQ's, and plan family trips out. Make sure you plan as much as you can, and make the most of the good weather before the grey clouds and cold rain returns!

How Becoming Organic Moms can Benefit Your Kids?

Hi there, you gorgeous Organic Moms!

I believe we’ve got something in common (or are about to have)! J

Before I had my family, I was all business and no play; a corner-glass office, always on the wheels to here and there, fast food and an occasional salad serving followed by very little exercising (because I never made the time). After I’ve met my husband, things have started to change gradually for me. Not sure if it was love or me reaching the age when it was about time I started re-thinking my life, but a shift has happened - and for the better. I’ve started taking better care of myself and the choices I make, and suddenly – the life I had been living prior seemed very wrong and opaque. Hold the phone, okay? Before you start judging me, no – I am not one of those women who drop their careers for the sake of their husband’s; I am still working and am as successful as I was, it’s just that I’ve set my (health) priorities straight.

Anyhow, we’re now blessed with three amazing kids and I am doing my best (and so is Mike) to educate them to turn to healthy choices from their early age, helping them understand that eating healthy will not only keep them healthy but it’ll also help save our gorgeous Planet. Ah, if only I had my mother to chase me around the house with celery sticks instead of letting me eat all those crazy stuff! There are many health benefits of celery that everyone should know about! Also, in our family – healthy and organic choices aren’t reduced to food only; we’re talking about organic cleaning products, way to exercise healthy, the clothes we wear, the importance of recycling, organic cosmetics and all other things which constitute life.

Since the choices I’ve been making are working out perfectly for me and my family, I’ve decided to list it all out and (sort of) guide everyone who is looking to balance their life, improve their lifestyle and make a positive impact on the world around us.

Here we go:

It All Starts with Food

Obviously, the first step of the “transition” into an organic lifestyle is food. Explore potentials of your local farmer’s market and you’ll be surprised how amazingly tasty all the veggies and fruits are when they are naturally grown. Further, bear in mind that most organic farms are small, family-based thrifts that create jobs, and consequently benefit the local community.

An additional step to take is grow food yourself. If you are into gardening and have a beautiful space with fertile soil, grow some veggies and fruits yourself for the guaranteed quality. When the soil is free of any chemicals and is fertilized by natural materials, you are getting naturally grown products that have preserved all of their vitamins and minerals.

It is also important to know that eating organic doesn’t mean going vegetarian or vegan; you, of course, can still eat meat but make sure you also purchase it at your local farmer’s market. The meat prepacked and shipped to supermarkets is often GMO or stale.

When your kids get used to the healthy products, they’ll have a tough time switching to the unhealthy stuff, believe me! My kids won’t even touch the junk I sometimes buy at the supermarket… yay!

Opt for Organic Home Products

The hygiene products we use on a daily basis, whether they are for cleaning or cosmetic use, contain a lot of harmful chemicals which are more often than not extremely toxic for both humans and the environment. By embracing organic-based hygiene products you are not only protecting your entire household but you are also contributing to the Planet living (a bit) longer. Still, even though organic products are not harmful, keep them at a safe distance from your kids and pets – and lock them away in the back kitchen cabinet; this course of action would be the wisest thing to do. We’ve had an unfortunate occurrence with Bobby (that’s our Golden Retriever) opening the bottom cabinet with chemicals with his paw and almost spilling everything (and, God forbid, get poisoned!). Luckily, we saw it in time and prevented it! Lesson received and learnt!

Understand the Importance of Recycling

Recycling is very important for both the nature and everyone in your family! Why? Well, recycling is our way to give something back to the nature that’s been taking such great care of all of us. With so much pollution these days - thinking green and recycling is an essential part of living organic. Do know that recycling doesn’t only mean separating glass bottles from used milk cartoons, disposing your electronics and dead vegetables but it also relates to your clothing choices.

Sustainable clothing can get a bit expensive but with good deals that are to be found around (never be too lazy to browse!) and second hand pieces, you’ll be wonderfully dressed and at the same time save money. Also, I’ve found some amazing low cost baby clothing online and my youngest adores it! It’s comfy, it’s of great quality and it came pretty cheap. My warm recommendations, honestly!

Embrace Organic Cosmetics

Organic cosmetics are usually made from natural ingredients, and unlike the “regular” products we keep on our shelves – isn’t at all harmful for the skin. Replace the products you now use to take care of your and your kids’ teeth, hair, skin and body with potent organic options.

Why 7-minute workout is perfect for moms?

Moms lack time. They have to perform a variety of roles and duties on a regular basis. They have to prepare the breakfast, send the kids to schools and pack the lunch box of the hubby to the office.

They have to do other household chores. All this leaves them with very little time to devote to fitness.
So, moms can’t afford joining the gym as their schedule is punishing at most times. So, what options are they left with? They should try the much-publicized 7-minute workout which will suit their schedules and fitness needs perfectly.

They needn’t spend hours in the gym now as only a seven-minute time at the home will do the trick.

What is 7-minute workout?

It’s basically a high-intensity circuit training (HICT) workout in which moms need to do a series of exercises on a continuous basis without no rest in between. They are not new and for years, have been helping people burn fat and boost the metabolism. In this workout, each exercise has to perform for 30 seconds, followed by a break of 15 seconds between moves. Exercises include pushups, lunges, crunches, step ups, squats and so on.

Why 7-minute workout is helpful for moms?

In recent time, 7-minute workout has become quite a rage among moms worldwide. More people want to benefit from the workout for its inherent benefits. For moms, it’s beneficial for many reasons, including -

The most important aspect of the workout is its ability to target all body areas in an equal manner.

It builds strength in all major muscle groups in the body.

It helps achieve a balance of strength whose impact is spread right through the body.

HICT is considered an intense and speedy way to burn fat.

In this, workouts will alternate between major muscle groups, so neither the focus will be on one group nor the rest period will be more in moves.

Moves are designed in a way to help ‘up’ the heart rate and then ‘down’ it in an alternate manner.

The workout has moves that will target each major muscle group and that too with great intensity.  

It’s designed in a way to keep the intensity high for as long as the moves last with very little scope or time for rest in between.

Rest time is minimized in the workout which helps a lot as the momentum is always there right through.

Moms need to set aside a 7-minute time slot for the workout and to get more benefits, they can go on and compete three circuits for more benefits with more times (20 minutes) devoted.

It does not involve any investment in fitness classes or equipment, and it can be done anytime according to own convenience and schedule.

Moms can manage their fitness and household chores with ease as this workout is in no way an interference to their daily routine.

In overall, moms can rejoice and feel good as they now have a workout especially made for them.

Author Bio :
Akshay Sharma is a digital marketing enthusiast and has written many topics in the related field. He works with Air Vault, which is counted among one of the Best Indoor Trampoline Park UK.

What Is The Best HIIT Workout? 

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OhMiBod releases award-winning Lovelife krush Bluetooth® Kegel exerciser

Smart Kegel exerciser awarded highest honor at International CES 2016, the world’s largest electronics show

Adult pleasure product manufacturer OhMiBod has released the much-anticipated Lovelife krush, a Bluetooth® Kegel exerciser that uses haptic (vibratory) and visual feedback along with voice-guided training programs to aid women in toning and strengthening pelvic floor (PC) muscles through regular Kegel exercise.

In January, Engadget named Lovelife krush the winner of the "Digital Health and Fitness Product" category at the International CES® 2016 "Best of CES Awards." Michael Gorman, editor-in-chief of Engadget noted, "We were impressed by OhMiBod's vision and execution, and it had the buzz of the show as one of the best innovations to come out of CES this year… we've evaluated thousands of devices and products to find the technologies that will change the industry and our lives. OhMiBod clearly was the best in show in 'Digital Health and Fitness Product'."

OhMiBod made Lovelife krush available for preorder and recently completed shipments. By receiving the Kegel exerciser before it hit the retail market, these enthusiastic and supportive customers became some of the first in the world to use this Bluetooth®-enabled product to aid in improving their sexual health, while simultaneously boosting sexual pleasure.

"The customer feedback has been phenomenal," said Suki Dunham, founder of OhMiBod. "These trailblazers — who have long believed in the potential of Lovelife krush — are seeing firsthand the correlation between regular Kegel fitness and physical and emotional wellbeing and healthy sex lives. The keys to better sexual health are in their hands, and they couldn’t be happier."

Lovelife krush works with OhMiBod’s new TASL (pronounced taz-əl) app to measure the pressure, control, endurance and grip of PC muscles and help women strengthen them through training challenges. Stronger PC muscles improve sexual pleasure and also aid in keeping incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse at bay — outcomes that make Lovelife krush a victory for women’s health. TASL features built-in patterns and uses gamification to help motivate users to achieve training goals that, in turn, will unlock hidden features. The innovative app can also be used for pleasure.

Lovelife krush is available at lovelifetoys.com for $149.

###

About OhMiBod

OhMiBod is an award-winning innovator of technology-focused sexual health and pleasure products. Headquartered in New Hampshire, USA, OhMiBod seeks to be the catalyst that shifts cultural attitudes toward intimacy and self pleasure and the vital role it plays in one’s sexual health and well-being. For more information on OhMiBod and its range of pleasure products and accessories, visit http://www.OhMiBod.com.

Who will speak for the voiceless in times of abuse?

Social worker hopes to empower girls around the globe to find their voices

While young children, girls in particular, are often warned of the dangers of strangers, sometimes it is family members or trusted individuals who harm them. When entangled in a web of abuse, having an advocate and a path forward are extremely important.

Lorraine Sherman Mason, whose career has been in social work, understands the global need for young girls to be encouraged to speak up for help and educated on the steps to take when they find themselves in harmful situations, such as sexual abuse. 

“Based on my experience in the field, I know it’s hard to know what to do in certain situations, which is why I want these young girls to be aware and educated,” Mason said. “A recent trip to Africa and Hong Kong further drove home the point that girls all over the world were subjected to similar abuse at the hands of many – strangers and family alike.”

Mason works with foster homes, nonprofits, private agencies and through volunteer work to make children aware of the importance of keeping safe, recognizing unsafe situations, identifying advocates and speaking up against perpetrators and enablers.

Her new book, “Who Will Speak for Me?,” presents a variety of scenarios and possible solutions, including examples of people to trust, to not only illustrate to young readers the importance of speaking up, but to also show adults that the responsibility lies with everyone to listen to, encourage and protect the young girls of the world.

“It is incumbent upon us all to keep a watchful eye, be accountable, and be advocates for the safety and well-being of those least able to protect themselves, girls and children in general,” Mason said. “I hope this book will help give all girls a voice and teaches them to speak up for their safety, no matter who or what is harming them.”

“Who Will Speak for Me?”

By Lorraine Sherman Mason

ISBN: 978-1-4808-2270-2

Available in softcover, hardcover, e-book

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Archway

About the author

Lorraine Sherman Mason worked tirelessly as a licensed clinician and advocate for children in the Texas foster care system after earning her master’s degree in social work. She assisted in the opening of Central Pennsylvania's first grief center for children and their families. Currently living in Bellaire, Texas, Mason is a married mother of three, a blogger, freelance writer, a Time contributing editor and author of “Sassywood Man and Other Folklores

TTPM announces giveaway

(4 prize packages = total value $2,000) All TTPM Best of Baby 2016 Winners

Enter to win here.  Or share the link  https://ttpm.com/contests/best-of-baby-2016-giveaway/

Just in case you missed it, here are the exciting details from the TTPM Best of Baby Awards.

New parents can spend up to $12,000 during baby's first year, and many end up buying products they never use.   The comprehensive review site, TTPM (www.ttpm.com), has taken the guess work out of selecting baby products and has just released the results of the Best of Baby 2016 Awards based on hands-on reviews by top experts in the juvenile industry.   Over 500 products were tested in 11 categories to help parents choose (and spend) wisely.  The reviewers looked at design, ease of use and durability among other criteria, and all products included on their site feature a video review so you can actually see the product in action.   Which is the best stroller?  Best bottle?  Best bath toy? Toy expert and parent Tami Kruchkow would love to bring the Best of Baby 2016 winners to the studio to demonstrate what makes these picks the top in their category. View the full results here.

Duct Tape Bags

From the author of the #1 best-sellers, Tape It & Make It, Tape It & Make More and Tape It & Wear It comes the fourth book in this revolutionary “duct tape craft series:” Duct Tape Bags: 40 Projects for Totes, Clutches, Messenger Bags, and Bowlers(Clarkson Potter, July 2016). With the upcoming release of her new book, Richela Fabian Morgan is continuing to take the crafting and fashion world by storm, turning the humble roll of duct tape into the trendiest craft item since glitter glue.
 
Everyone from trendy teens to famous fashionistas can begin exploring the infinite uses this easy-to-follow guide provides to making handbags so fashionable, you won’t actually believe they’re made of duct-tape. Part art-piece, part usable accessory, Fabian Morgan shows how each of these gorgeous handbags can be recreated one manageable section at a time.
 
“About eight years ago, my kids and I were in our local hardware store when we spotted duct tape with patterns and colors,” says Fabian Morgan. “Since then, duct tape has been an obsession of mine. My daughter and her friends were my excuse to break out my vast collection of tape and try out different ideas for craft projects. Out of all the projects, the bags were the biggest hit! I started making bags for myself. So, it was only natural that I turned my attention to writing a book on duct tape bags. I wrote other books on duct tape crafts with a total of 242 projects spread out over three books, everything from housewares to costumes. Duct tape bags were on my radar. I had to write this book!”
Duct Tape Bags provides DIYers with 40 fun projects using duct tape, including:

• Clutches and wristlets
• Hobo and Shoulder Bags
• Satchels
• Messenger and Flap Bags
• Tote Bags
• And tons of other one-of-a-kind bags!

 
Richela Fabian Morgan has select availability for Q&As, profiles and interviews around the release of Duct Tape Bags, in which she can:

• Reveal what inspired her to begin crafting with duct tape
• Provide finished samples of the many bags included in her book
• Do print or video demos and step by step how-tos not only on her bags but any of the 240+ projects found in her duct tape books
• Provide the perfect summer duct tape projects for girls, boys and teens
• Look ahead to back to school: duct tape wallets, folders, book bags, pencil cases,  lunch boxes and more!
• Tips to incorporate recycled items in your duct tape projects
• And so much more!

With detailed step-by-step instructions and primers on duct tape "fabric," different types of closures from magnet snaps to jeans buttons, and bag accessories like bows and luggage tags, Fabian Morgan catapults this trend from the streets into the stratosphere. A mix of pop art and urban style photos of each project and a cool vibe throughout will make you want to immediately roll up your sleeves and rolling out the duct tape for a bag of your own!

About Richela Fabian Morgan:
 
Richela Fabian Morgan began her duct tape odyssey 8 years ago with a simple bi-fold wallet, before writing the best-selling crafting books Tape It & Make It, Tape It & Make More, and Tape It & Wear It. She is an indie crafter specializing in paper, adhesives, and found materials, and has taught craft projects at elementary schools, public libraries, and charitable organizations around the U.S. Her next duct tape crafting book, Duct Tape Bags, will be published by Clarkson Potter in July 2016.
 
Website: www.RichelaFabianMorgan.com
 
Connect with Richela on:
 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CraftyRichela
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richelafabianmorgan
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CraftyRichela
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/craftyrichela
Instagram: @richelafm
 
Duct Tape Bags will be released July 12, 2016 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com and all major booksellers.

Cash For Coupons

Swagbucks is the web’s most popular rewards program that gives you free gift cards and cash for the everyday things you already do online. Whenever you shop, watch videos or search the web, Swagbucks gives you points called SB. You can use your SB to redeem gift cards to hundreds of your favorite stores. 

And with Swagbucks, it pays to save. Did you know you can earn free gift cards by redeeming coupons at your grocery store? By clipping coupons through Swagbucks, you can earn 10 SB for every coupon used.[Have you earned a gift card yet? Saving up your SB for one? Talk about it here!]

The Swagbucks coupon page lets me browse through the most recent coupons and cater it to my shopping list, from cereal to laundry detergent to pet food. [Here you can talk about when you use coupons, what you use them the most for!]

Swagbucks has over $700 worth of savings conveniently located in one place! Just use your cell phone number to verify your account, print and go.

Back To School With SwagBucks

While the kids have been out of school, it’s like I’ve been MC Mommy: Entertainment Guru for the past month. As fun as it is, I’m ready for class to resume. 

And although the only part of summer ending that my kids like is Back-To-School shopping, that hefty receipt hangs over my head from the start of July until the middle of September. Didn’t I buy them enough pens and binders last year?!

Well, I think it’s about time for Mommy to be rewarded. 

From now until September 1st, Swagbucks is offering double cash back in the form of points (called SB) when you shop for all your back to school essentials. 

• Shoebuy - Up to 12 SB per $1
• Indigo- Up to 2 SB per $1
• The Shopping Channel - Up to 2 SB per $1
• Forever 21 - Up to 3 SB per $1
• Macy’s - Up to 6 SB per $1
• Staples - Up to 1 SB per $1
• Old Navy - Up to 4 SB per $1
• Five Star - Up to 7 SB per $1
• Book Outlet - Up to 6 SB per $1
• And so many more

Points can be redeemed for gift cards to stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target or Paypal cash so I can treat myself. 

Who said back to school shopping is all about the kids? Swagbucks also gives you 4% Cash Back at Starbucks, so order your Java Chip Frappuccino tumbler online and treat yo’self when you pick up your kids’ back to school goodies!

Your Ultimate Guide To House Moving Without All The Stress

Most of us have to move house at least once in our lives. And most of us wish we never have to do it again! It can be so stressful, and it can also be incredibly expensive. When you first get excited about buying a new house, you carefully check your savings account, your mortgage offer, and your budget. But when it comes to actually moving, the final cost of getting into your new house sky rockets, along with your blood pressure. We’ve put together a great guide to doing what needs to be done without it costing you a full head of hair and all your savings too:

Reasons

There are lots of reasons for moving house. You may have an exciting new job in a new state. Or maybe you want to move closer to your extended family. Sometimes a relationship breakdown means you have to sell the family home and find somewhere new. Each of these reasons will bring additional stress to your move. Managing the emotional side of this isn’t easy, but it’s important not to bring the negative side of these to your new home. Find a property that suits you rather than just being convenient for the situation. Pick a place you can easily love.

Declutter

Before you pick up the keys for your new home, it’s time to clear out the clutter of your old one. Most of us are hoarders, so chances are you have a lot of stuff lurking in the closet you haven’t seen for years. This is the stuff to say goodbye to first. Shedding personal mementos can be quite freeing and help you feel like a new, exciting life is about to start. Of course, if you have anything of value, selling it can help cover the cost of the removal firm.

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You might gift some of your old things away. Charity stores always welcome generous donations of clothes and household items. Perhaps you’ll try and raise some cash through an online auction service. Of course, this can cost you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to postage and packaging. The best place to sell your stuff when you’re in a hurry to raise some cash easily could be an online service that manages the postal side of things for you.

Packing

Once you’ve cleared out everything you no longer need, you may start thinking about packing. You’ll need to get hold of lots of boxes from your removal company. Try to pack things up by sorting them into the rooms they need to go in. Keep all your kitchen things in one set of boxes, and bedroom bits in another. If you’re likely to need storage for a while, don’t pack any food items! Mice, rats, and insects will find their way in, then destroy all your other stuff looking for more.

By now your kids will definitely be clued up about the impending move. They may be quite reluctant to go because they’ll miss their friends. Give them a chance to organize their personal possessions into boxes. It helps them to take ownership of the task. And it means they can be responsible for ensuring their treasured possessions travel safely. It can also help you get through the packing process a bit more quickly!

Kids

Your children may be very excited about the move, or absolutely heartbroken. Either way, there will be a few moments of insecurity. To turn the experience into a more positive one, arrange a day trip to your new town. If you can get into your new property as well, that’s even better. Explore your new neighborhood. Let the kids track down their new play park and leisure center. Maybe you could encourage them to sign up for a couple of classes or a sports team?

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Pick a fun family restaurant that will become your new Friday night hangout. See what is on at the movie theater that you can all enjoy your first weekend here. Why not go and check out the new school and see what kind of teams and activities go on there? And if you do get to check out your new house, why not let the kids pick their bedrooms while you’re there? All these things give the children plenty to look forward to. It helps make the situation a little more real to them too so they can say their goodbyes at home.

Paperwork

When you’re busy trying to clear out a house and pack, you can quickly lose important things like documents and paperwork for the sale. Choose a cupboard that is empty and keep everything to do with the sale and purchase in there. That way you’ll always know where it is, and you can catch up with forms and things when you get a break later on.

You will also need to tie up loose ends at your current home. Make a list of all the subscriptions and utility companies you use. In the final month before your move, jot down all the companies that write to you so you can inform them of your new address. If you need the internet, phone and cable ready to go when you arrive at your new place, let the companies know as soon as possible.

On your last day, you will need to take all your meter readings so you can close the accounts for your old house. Get a clipboard with a pencil attached and some note paper on top. This can make life a lot easier for jotting those last minute details down. Alternatively, take pics of each meter on your phone, so you have a time and date stamp for each of them in the case of a dispute.

Removal Company

When the removal company turns up, be clear about what you expect of them. If you have fragile items, keep them all together in one place, clearly marked. Make sure all the boxes are marked up with the room you want them to be put in at your new house. You should also write down your new address and your phone number on a piece of paper. Hand it to the driver to be absolutely certain you’re both going to the same place!

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You’ll probably have quite a few bits left over to take with you and the kids in the car. Put these in a place where they won’t be picked up by mistake. Double check the garage, shed, loft and basement are all cleared out. If you’re going to stay in a hotel overnight, let the removal company know which one in case they struggle to get hold of you.

Cleaning

Moving house is a messy job. There will always be rubbish to get rid of a vacuuming to do. But moving into your new house can be just as messy. Sometimes a property is not left to the standard you expect. You can either go ahead of the removal company and give it a good scrub down before your things are moved in. You may even have a day or two to give it a fresh lick of paint. Or you might hire a cleaning crew or decorating team to do this for you.

You’ll also need to clean up your old house. Why not invite your friends over and ask them to help? Make sure you have everything you need. Antibacterial wipes are sometimes more convenient than bottles of spray and sponges. If the carpet needs a clean, give yourself an extra half day to ensure it dries out before you need to lock the windows shut.

The Journey

The long journey to your new house may take you more than a day. Keeping the kids entertained while you drive can be hard work. If you prepare in advance, you can make sure they have plenty of movies, games, and books to keep them occupied. Why not gather a list of fun car games you can all participate in? Check your route ahead of leaving for plenty of places to stop and rest. You may want to pick some good places for a meal. Don’t forget to give yourself an option for an overnight stay if you’re feeling tired.

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When you finally arrive, you may have to wait hours or even days for all your furniture. Make sure you have a hotel booking in place! If you’ve packed an overnight case for the move, you might even enjoy camping out in your empty house with the kids! Of course, to settle their worries and fears, a fun night in a family hotel may be best. Perhaps there is a pool or a kid’s play center on site?

The secret to a stress-free move is organization and planning. If you stay ahead of things, you can make sure you’re ready to tackle any potential hold-ups or problems. There are lots of moving templates you can download from the internet. And if it does start to get a bit stressful, be sure to treat yourself to a relaxing massage. Love your new house.