Archive for the ‘Shopping’ category

Watch Me Find the Best Deals Online!

I’ve found myself newly rejuvenated by the idea of shopping online.  Why?  Well, I’ve started shopping smart.  I know that is pretty vague.  Let me explain a bit.  We all know that Amazon is one of the biggest online sellers in the world.  That’s true for a very good reason.  They are reliable (a HUGE plus), and they sell just about anything you can imagine.  BUT there is something even better that I’ve only recently considered. DOH!!!

best deals1.  They often have outrageously discounted items for sale.  I never realized how big the discounts could be, but after doing a bit of research, I’ve found that I can easily find deals with discounts of over 80% sometimes.  Not too shabby, and a great way to stock up on items I either want for my family or that I want to put away for future presents.  CLICK HERE to see an example, and be sure to check out the original prices!

2.  I also have found that I’m able to do a little research and dig up the most popular items that have a TON of reviews, a high user satisfaction score, and competitive prices.  This has already helped me out quite a bit in my quest to get good stuff for less money.  You will definitely want to check these out.  Be sure to note the reviews as well as the discount percentage!

My new mission is to provide my readers with this very useful information.  I’ll be posting regular updates on the both the best deals I’ve found, as well as short write-ups about what the hottest products are for the current week.  Can you do this on your own?  Yep.  It will probably take you several hours though.  I’m going to show you what I find for free.    Keep your eyes open as I start the process of sharing this information.  It should make your shopping quite a bit easier.

What’s in it for me?

Ahhh…  There’s the question.  Well, I’d like to think that I’m a pretty nice person, but there is a benefit for me.  You see, I’m signed up as an Amazon associate.  That means if you come here and use one of my links to the products I dig up, I get a commission.  Amazon doesn’t charge you anything extra.  They just give me a commission out of their profit for sending them traffic.  How much?  The commissions range from 4% to around 8.5%.  As you can see, that’s not a ton, but I figured that I’m doing this research for myself anyway, and I might be able to provide a service to you and maybe make a few bucks for myself and my family from Amazon.  Sound like a fair trade?  Like I said, you pay the normal Amazon price.  I provide the research  Seems like a win/win situation to me.  I’ll be adding more comprehensive lists soon, so please bookmark this page!  I hope you will like the deals I find and will stop back often to look for new items.

No comments »

Posted in Shopping

Tags:

Should You Buy Cheap Rings for Women?

I just happened to walk past a television the other day when one of those shopping channels was on.  They were selling cheap rings for women and the people calling in could not say enough wonderful things about them.  I guess that means that they frequently sell rings for cheap on that show and that people, mostly women it seemed, call in and scoop them up with glee.

I had to stop and listen as these women were calling in and talking about how they had purchased not one or to of these rings, but quantities more in the range of 10 and 15 of the different styles of cheap rings.  They said that they give them as gifts to everyone they know.  When I heard that, I pictured a bunch of the caller’s relatives rolling their eyes every year as she wheeled the load of identical gifts into the room for the gift exchange, but I could be wrong.  I guess I should say that I am not talking about really cheap rings.  You know, the kind that come out of a bubble gum machine.  These were not the cheapest rings for sale that you could possibly find.  These still look like they were decent quality to my untrained eye.  Of course there could have been some flaw that you couldn’t really see.  I guess cheap ring settings could be a problem if you put some wear and tear on the ring itself.

I suppose that is where I am going with this.  I wonder why people even go out and spend tons of money on fine jewelry for anything but the most important occasion.  I mean, I understand purchasing the best jewelry that you can for something like a wedding, but for daily wear,  just as an accessory, it seems like cheap rings are the way to go.  Who is going to actually get close enough to it to test it for authenticity?  I suppose if you intend to pass it down to your children, you might want to go for extremely high quality, but otherwise why not purchase something cheap but beautiful?

Cubic zirconia rings look pretty convincing to me.  Honestly, I guess there are people out there who can tell, by taking a close look, whether or not a real gemstone has been used in the setting, but I’m not one of them.

No comments »

Posted in Cheap, Shopping

Tags:

Why an LG Refrigerator?

Some studies suggest that the average life span of a refrigerator in the United States is seventeen years, but many people find themselves buying these big-ticket items more often than that. Whether because of moving or redecorating or handing them down to children moving out on their own, it’s common to have to make this large investment at least several times in a lifetime. In light of the fact that it’s not hard to find refrigerators costing into the thousands of dollars, it’s definitely worth the time and effort to research the available products thoroughly. Buying a refrigerator and finding that it has features that are annoying or that the unit is undependable can be a real headache that isn’t easily cured. Many people who have done this research have been very happy to buy and own an LG refrigerator.

LG refrigerators reflect the manufacturer’s commitment to responding to consumer demand. LG produces many different models of refrigerators, each tailored to cater to the desires and preferences of a segment of the market place. LG engages in extensive market research and actively works to predict trends in preferences and incorporates the results into each new model they design and produce.

LG is a leading seller of bottom freezer refrigerators. Not too many years ago, such units were sold only by a couple of manufacturers. LG came to realize that the bottom freezer design is not only more efficient than other configurations, but that it reflects the reality that, for most people, taking up the eye level portion of a refrigerator with the part that is typically least used made little sense. In response, LG has become a leader in offering this style of refrigerator.

Another significant innovation offered in LG refrigerators is their interesting design employing three and four doors. This is another reflection of their ongoing market research and trend prediction skills. Yet another example of design leadership and responsiveness is their unique in-door ice maker, which frees freezer shelf space for other, more favorable uses.

A particularly convenient innovation of LG refrigerators is the availability of an extra tall ice and water dispensing unit. Anyone who has ever wanted to fill a pitcher or thermos with cold water and/or ice will surely appreciate this thirteen inch high convenience. Also featured is a small shelf which slides out to support your pitcher while filling it. How many other refrigerator makers take account of the fact that a container of water can get heavy as one stands there filling it?

While some manufacturers seem not to take the function of a vegetable crisper very seriously, this is not the case with LG. The available Opti-Bin crisper releases moisture into the compartment as needed to help extend the life of your produce. Particularly if you prefer the more expensive organically grown produce now increasingly available, this innovation will save you a significant amount of money, not to mention aggravation, over the life of your LG refrigerator.

Anyone who is familiar with the concept of flash freezing, which rapidly reduces the temperature of food in order to lock in the maximum of freshness and flavor will appreciate another LG feature. The unique jet-freezing drawer in the freezer section cuts freezing time in half, ensuring that your frozen goods will be as tasty as possible when you eat them.

LG also is a leader in terms of providing the finest in filtered water in their units that dispense water. They have realized that not all household water is created equal, and have accounted for that fact by engineering a variety of different filters for different circumstances. LG recommends that you consult your local water utility for an information sheet detailing the chemical composition of the water it supplies. By having this information, you can then select the right LG filter to deal with your particular situation. In light of the fact that refrigerator water filters are rather expensive and can be inconvenient to change, by buying and installing the right filter, you can not only ensure the highest purity for your family, but also extend the life of the filter.

Whether you would prefer a side by side refrigerator, or a bottom-freezer unit or any other configuration, you can find an LG refrigerator to suit your taste.

2 comments »

Posted in Products for Your Home, Shopping

Tags:

SML-390 Disco Lights Karaoke Machine for Your Home and Entertainment Room

One of the greatest things about karaoke is that it can accommodate different tastes and various levels of singers. There will always be hard-core fans who are dedicated to their hobby in ways that normal people will never understand. They may spend thousands of dollars on their home karaoke setups without one ounce of regret. If you don’t happen to fall into this category there are still plenty of ways you can enjoy karaoke in your own home. In fact, manufacturers are excellent at accommodating a variety of fans these days and there are some truly exciting machines in the beginner market. One of them comes in the form of the Singing Machine SML -390 Disco Lights Karaoke Machine that will give you basic singing performance without blowing a hole in your wallet. It is guaranteed to be a hit among children or anyone looking for a light-hearted entry into the world of karaoke.

The package comes complete with one karaoke microphone and all of the cables necessary to hook up this product to your television set. This is probably the most user-friendly setup since the screen on the machine itself might require you to squint a bit too much for your own comfort. It’s far better to use a bigger television screen so that everyone can see the lyrics without having to stand directly over the system. The sound is good for a product of this size and the speakers are conveniently located to give you maximum performance in terms of music and a vocal quality. While the karaoke microphone might be considered a bit flimsy by professional standards, it does the job adequately and there’s no reason you can’t upgrade to a fancier model later on down the line.

The Singing Machine SML-390 uses CDG karaoke technology so you want to ensure that you have the right type of CDs to go along with your system. Access to sound controls is extremely convenient and there are just enough features to play around with to keep you from getting bored or during long sessions. And of course there is the disco light display which gives you an added dimension to your karaoke parties. It’s a really simplistic light show that is more of a novelty than a main feature, but it’s something that kids are absolutely going to love. In the end, this is a great machine for young users or people who are looking for an introduction to this unique hobby.

No comments »

Posted in Shopping

Tags:

White Dresses for Every Occasion

If you look in your closet and realize that your clothes for spring and summer are not as in style as they once were, we have some key tips that will help liven up your wardrobe with as little money as possible. We understand that women’s clothing can be expensive and thus, as they say, by understanding the trends of the year, you can easily create new and exciting clothing with a few extra items of clothing. White dresses are perfect for spring and summer, and can be used in several different ways to create a new look every time.

While the big trend this year is focused on standards of bold and bright colors, there is still a place for bright colors like white. White dresses are a very elegant statement that you can create. It can be used in a number of different ways. Fashion accessories for women are the key to a simple white dress. You can create something that is entirely based on your preferences. Scarves are the perfect complement to a white dress. With so many bright colors and patterns to choose from, fashionable scarves can really make a great addition to any white dress of your choice.

Halter dresses and maxi dresses are by far the most popular this season. Every one of these stylish dresses is clean and white. Women tend to get white going out dresses because they are obviously afraid to use this color. Staining a white dress can be a big problem, but the great thing is that it can easily be bleached back to its original white color as long as you know how to properly use stain removal products. White dresses are great dresses to wear to a wedding.

In my opinion, nothing says summer like white dresses and they can be as casual or as formal as you choose. Ideally, you must have something versatile to wear. This is how you can get the most out of your money. I think there are more versatile dresses on the market today. This style of clothing can easily be worn with cropped jackets and sweaters. You can wear it to the office or at the beach.

Beautiful white dress can be used as a beach cover-up. Regardless of the style or color of your swimsuit, you can be sure your favorite white dress costume is ideal for swimming. There are literally so many uses for the big white dress. It is as basic as we all know. We must own the little black dress. If you’re a fan of strapless dresses, occasion dresses, or maxi dresses, you can definitely find something in white. Dresses for women this year are simple and elegant. This is a winning combination for any woman of any body type.

No comments »

Posted in Products for Your Home, Shopping

Tags:

Choosing Handicap Bathtubs and Handicap Showers

Walk in Bathtub Acrylic Dual 2From dining areas to kitchen counters to bathrooms, individuals with disabilities need special care and attention when it comes to facing the challenges of completing even the simplest of what seems to be ordinary daily routines.  And when it comes to regular bathing routines, handicap bathtubs, handicap showers, and portable units will certainly make a difference.

Unless we sail through life with complete physical mobility, these fixtures are a definite must-have to make the concerned individuals’ lives easier. Thankfully, there are now plenty of options in the market to choose from. For example, a walk-in bathtub, with a specialized inward-swinging or outward-swinging door, makes it easier for the individual to gain access to the bathtub. And since the door has special silicone or rubber seals added, you won’t have to worry about the possibility of leaking water.

While walk-in bathtubs with inward-swinging doors are popular, bathtubs with outward-swinging doors may be a better option when it comes to safety and the need to move out of the bathtub quickly in an unlikely event of an emergency. As you know, inward-swinging doors may require complete draining of water to remove the pressure that pushes the door against the bathtub.

Other types of fixtures also provide greater convenience such as handicap showers that can come as stand-alone showers or hand-held showers. And if the existing bathtubs do not have walk-in doors, lift tubs can come in handy that would provide ease of access. These lift tubs are also portable, making it easier to tuck them away when they’re not needed.

Many online stores offer plenty of options to choose from. Depending on an individual’s needs, these fixtures such as handicap bathtubs, handicap showers, and even lift tubs may come in many designs and shapes. And of course, you can always take the full advantage of having your specialized fixtures delivered to you with no extra charge at all.

No comments »

Posted in Products for Your Home, Shopping

Tags:

Electric Meat Grinders for Perfectly Ground Meat

You are at the butcher’s and planning to buy a large chunk of meat and have him grind it. While this saves you time from having to do it yourself, it also comes at an extra cost. Why not consider an electric meat grinder as part of your kitchen furniture? Having this handy kitchen appliance will just cost you initially but in the end be the best choice you made, especially if you love your burgers. This device can grind beef, pork, chicken, veal, venison, etc and also vegetables.

Meat grinders come equipped with 3 cutting blades with different hole sizes depending on the coarseness you want your meat ground and a funnel for grinding meat for sausages.  Again, depending on the size you would like your sausages, make sure there are at least two funnels included. Electric meat grinders have a power range from 150 watts to 500 watts. The most frequently used is a 300 to 450 watts grinder. This enables you to grind 2 pounds of meat per minute.

The best way to grind meat is by first cutting it into 1 inch strips and slowly feeding it into the grinder to ensure it runs smoothly. A very important point to note is that your gears are all-metal and not plastic as metal will be more durable and have a longer life span.

In case meat gets stuck while grinding, make sure your grinder comes with a reverse switch to unclog the blades. Try and choose those grinders that have a year’s warranty as some come with only a few months.

A few brands to look out for are:

The Waring Pro MG-800 – this is a stainless steel grinder with a 450 watt motor and is under warranty for 5 years. It has 3 cutting plates and 2 sausage making attachments and a reverse switch for unclogging stuck meat. It is priced at $150.

The Cabela Pro Grinder – this grinder has a die-cast metal hopper and 450 watt motor. It allows for large portions of meat to be ground at a time and has attachments for sausage-making as well. It is priced at $175.

No comments »

Posted in Products for Your Home, Shopping

Tags:

Breville BJE200XL Price Information

Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice FountainThere are many different juicing appliances that you can buy online and in retail stores across the country these days. Have you used a juicing appliance before? If so, you may already know that there are a few different styles of these machines. Another way to discover information about what types there are is to read a variety of juicer reviews. These can help you to find out how much the various models cost and also decide which style suits your lifestyle best. For example masticating juicers help to extract more fiber from the fruit and vegetables that you use than other styles. Twin gear juicers have a reputation for producing the driest pulp and extracting the most juice. And centrifugal juicers are known as the fastest type of juicing appliance that you can use.

For those of you who do not already own a juicer, a good starting appliance in my opinion is to use a centrifugal juicer. This is because they are very simple to use and quick too. This means that it is quite easy to get into the juicing habit. The good thing is that you can find these juicers at a low cost. For example the Breville BJE200XL price is less than $100 if you shop at the online website, Amazon. They have many popular kitchen appliances for very low prices. In fact the Breville BJE200XL is actually the best selling juicer in North America today. As mentioned above, it is simple to use. Setting up the machine is very easy. Making your own juice with this unit is good fun too. It has a very large hole where you feed your produce into. So literally, within seconds, you can turn a bowl of solid fruit and veg into a great tasting and nutritious health drink.

No comments »

Posted in Products for Your Home, Shopping

Tags:

Decorating Ideas for an Outdoor Hot Tub Area

Laguna Hot Tubs Jacuzzi Spa And Recreation RoomAn outdoor hot tub or spa is a luxury in itself; but when the area is decorated tastefully and comfortably it can make using the hot tub that much more enjoyable.  The hot tub area is an excellent place to have furniture and accessories to make the area more pleasant and functional.  You may consider a water resistant colored outdoor rug or carpeting to make stepping out of the tub more comfortable and outdoor lighting can make the area safer and give it a romantic atmosphere.

Adding a table and chairs to the hot tub area will make entertaining easier; giving those guests outside the tub a comfortable place to sit while they socialize with those immersed in the tub.  Low benches and tables are an excellent idea around the hot tub; they can be used as extra seating or as a place to set drinks or towels.  You may also want to think about adding a small cabana or enclosed changing area near the hot tub; this will give guests a place to change into and out of swim suits without tracking through the house.  This will give you an enclosed place to store extra towel as well.

Plants are a nice addition to the hot tub area; you can use tall growing plant as a natural privacy barrier and pretty flowers to add color.  A container garden is an excellent choice for around a hot tub; not only are the plants contained by the size of the pot they are in, the plants will actually benefit from the moisture provided by the hot tub.  Container gardens are moveable as well, allowing you to relocate them if you need additional space.  Evergreen topiaries can make an interesting decoration around a hot tub; they can be sculpted into many different shapes and add character to the area.  Any type of plant is going to create a certain amount of debris that will eventually find its way into your hot tub unless you are diligent about maintenance; keep this in mind when choosing the type of plants you want around your hot tub.

Lighting is an important part of hot tub décor; in addition to the lights in the hot tub, you should have some type of lighting outside the tub.  Not only does this make the area safer at night, it adds ambience and atmosphere.  Candles placed around the tub or holiday lights strung on trees or fences are good ideas.  Landscape lighting along the path to the hot tub will make it easy for guests to make their way to and from the hot tub.

There are many things you can do to make your hot tub more inviting for you, your family and guests.  Furniture, benches and lighting are just some of the things that will make everyone feel at home; make sure you have plenty of towels available and keeps some spare swim suits handy for guests that may have forgotten theirs.

No comments »

Posted in Products for Your Home, Shopping

Tags:

Some Ideas Regarding Futon Covers

The simple futon has had a rebirth in our country.  This has come because of several reasons; the most likely of which is the fact that they are very flexible and functional.  In these times, we are spending more time redecorating our homes and making them more like our little nests again.  There was a time when homes were considered temporary, many people would move every 3-5 years just because they got bored of their home.  Now, people are staying put again and so that boredom turns into home decorating.

Futons are great pieces of furniture because they allow you to have the flexibility of a couch or sofa and then the added benefit of a bed.  In fact, even futon mattresses themselves have gone through a transformation over the past several years.  Where they were once relegated to college dorm rooms and bachelor pads, now they can be found in even the most modern of homes.  If you want yours protected, you use a futon cover.  Futon covers come in a variety of materials from simple cotton to leather and even organic hemps.  The green revolution certainly hasn’t left out these home decorating pieces.

If you have a futon that you use mostly for extra sitting in a home office or den, then a cotton cover will probably be fine.  In fact, this might be the preferred option because they are less expensive as well.  If you use it for extra seating while entertaining, have children or pets, then you might consider going with a leather cover.  This material, as you know, is easier to clean with a simple damp cloth and then dried.  You don’t need to worry about the cotton ones too much, however, because they are easily washed.  You can simply plop them in the washer like your clothes, use a mild soap and gently dry.  Don’t over-dry because it may shrink and not fit on your futon anymore.  Just some things to think about for these versatile pieces.

If you want to learn more, visit aboutfutoncovers.com and discover the world you never knew existed

No comments »

Posted in Products for Your Home, Shopping

Tags:

Homes Can Benefit From A Green Clean

The environmental movement is at a pinnacle in the modern world.  There are many concerns for the environment and the future of the earth.  People everywhere are switching to green vehicles, jobs, and living styles.  One very simple and healthful way to stay green is to use green cleaning products and practices.

Typical household cleaners contain a barrage of scary chemicals that can be dangerous if ingested or breathed in.  The production of many of these items is detrimental to the environment or uses unsustainable materials like petroleum.  Fortunately, it is very easy and low cost for anyone to switch to a green cleaning regimen.

There are a number of green cleaning products available in stores everywhere.  Nature’s Source offers an array of traditional cleaning brands such as Scrubbing Bubbles, Windex, and Shout, in a plant based formulation.  These new blends are ninety-nine percent natural, with the one percent un-natural portion made up of dyes and fragrance.  These products are suitable for use on the same surfaces that the traditional cleaners are used on, including counter tops, fixtures, and toilet bowls.

Arm and Hammer has a series of cleaners that are plant based and are available in refillable bottles to save money and re-use bottles.

Seventh Generation has been manufacturing environmentally safe cleaning and other household products for over twenty years.  A number of cleaning materials are available from this company, including disinfectants that are proven to kill certain flu viruses.
It is also very easy to find products already in the home to use for safer cleaning.  Vinegar, baking soda, and warm water can be combined to create an effective all-purpose cleaner.  Baking soda can be sprinkled on a carpet or furniture, then vacuumed to eliminate odors such as pet smells.  Baking soda and liquid detergent can be mixed to make a soft scrub for showers and tubs. Liquid detergent, vinegar, and water make a useful window cleaner.

Green-conscious cleaning is not only better for the environment, it is better for one’s health and wallet as well.

More on green cleaning

No comments »

Posted in Products for Your Home, Shopping

Tags:

Mattress Pads Increase The Comfort Of Your Bed

There are many reasons that you may wish to make use of mattress pads within the home. Mattress pads can be easily placed over a mattress to increase the comfort of the mattress and they can even be used to bring support back to a bed that has lost some of its original support. For as little as one hundred dollars you have the ability to completely change the feeling and level of support that is associated with the bed through the use of a simple mattress pads.

One of the main uses for mattress pads is to increase the comfort that comes with spending time in bed and sleeping. The mattress pads can be placed through the top of the bed, under the sheets that have been placed on the bed and can be easily used to increase the softness and comfort within the bed. Through the mattress pad, you are able to avoid the costs that are associated with replacing the mattress and therefore create room within the budget to allocate the several hundred to one thousand dollars elsewhere, to other purchases.

The mattress pads guide says they can be simple to use but there are various types that should be chosen from and considered while you are making the decision. You can choose from mattress pads of various types and levels of firmness, depending on the type of comfort level that you would like and the type of bed that you are accustomed to and would prefer. Depending on the type of mattress pad that you would like and the budget that is associated with the mattress pad you can make the decision.

In most stores, there are samples available that can be tested while shopping to assist in making the right decision. Some stores even offer an exchange program in the case that the mattress pad that has been chosen is too soft, or does not provide the support that you need. Taking these options into account while shopping can allow you to be protected while considering the various options that are available for mattress pads and ensures that you can get a good night’s sleep! A

No comments »

Posted in Products for Your Home, Shopping

Tags:

Jack LaLanne Power Juicer Reviews

The Jack LaLanne Power Juicer is probably the most famous of juicers. The fact that you could hardly turn on your TV some time back without seeing the power juicer infomercials is the key factor in this popularity. Although, for juicer to do so well in the market it has to actually do a good job as well as being well marketed, right?

One of the major selling points of the power juicer is the large ‘feed’ chute. At a 3″ diameter it is one of the biggest chutes you will find on a juicing machine. Smaller apples can fit into the chute whole, while bigger apples will just need to be halved before hand. This cuts down on prep time because with most other juicers you will usually need to chop up most produce several times before it will fit in the chute.

You can also put several carrots into the chute at the same time as opposed to putting them in one at time with some other juicers. Clearly this also helps to save on time. One draw back to keep in mind when you put an apple or some other fruit or vegetable into a juicing machine whole is that you wont see if there is any rotting inside.

The infomercial claims that the left over pulp is very dry.

Another great time saving aspect of the Jack LaLanne power juicer is that the pulp is ejected out of the machine into a separate container placed at the back of the machine. This is not always the case with some other centrifugal juicing machines in which the pulp collects within the machine and will soon ‘block it up’. This means that you will need to keep emptying and cleaning out the machine to continue juicing. The container at the back of the Jack LaLanne power juicer can hold a lot of pulp and even when it does fill up all you need to do is empty it. So there is no need to clean out the machine.

Although it is not a nightmare to clean a Jack LaLanne power juicer it is not the easiest of juicing machines to clean. There are 8 individual parts that need to be cleaned. Most of them clean nicely with a rinse but a few parts need a little more scrubbing. Once you get used to it, it will take about 5 minutes top to clean. For more information about the power juicer classic visit power juicer Review.

No comments »

Posted in Products for Your Home, Shopping

Tags:

Using Different Styles of Valances for Windows

There are several styles available when it comes to a valance for windows in your home. Adding a valance to a standard window treatment is a nice way to create a professionally styled window. The valance is generally used in kitchens in combination with tiers. It creates a softer look to a typically square window area. The tiers and valances can come as a matching set which helps create the professional look for the room. This particular style of valance is usually created as a pocket type which is used with the standard type of rods.

There are some other designs in the style of valance for windows you can choose from. Some are created specifically to be used with the new designs of blinds or shades that many homes have. These styles can come as typical fabric pieces or as a box type of item. The box look is one that works well when used with a shade. It creates a more finished look to the top area which is often left bare and can look unattractive. Using a valance with a shade or blind helps cover up that top portion where the unit is hung so the look is more visually appealing.

If your home has some specialty windows such as the bay, you will easily find some bay window valances to purchase. These look good when used in combination with swag pieces. A straight valance used for the center rod would be offset by two opposite swags on either side. A bay style window will generally need three separate rods for the valance treatment. The valance also makes a nice addition to a small door window that you wouldn’t normally use a full size curtain on. The colors and patterns available for valances are extremely diverse so it is easy to match the interior décor of your home.

No comments »

Posted in Home Decor, Shopping

Tags:

Women’s Baseball Jewelry

Women’s Baseball Jewelry

Sterling Silver Baseball CharmI mentioned in a previous post that I have an appreciation for inexpensive jewelry.  That does not mean that I like to wear much jewelry personally, but I don’t see any good reason to spend a fortune on something that will receive daily wear and tear if you can find something quite comparable for a price that doesn’t empty your bank account.  Anyway, I was recently put in charge of purchasing a gift for one of our nieces.  Knowing her pretty well, I figured jewelry would be a good bet.  She loves baseball.  She and a friend of hers actually purchased season tickets for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  If you know anything about baseball, you realize that doing this is a real sign of devotion.  The Pirates have not fielded a competitive team since the early 1990s.  So, I started my quest.  I didn’t realize that finding women’s baseball jewelry would be as tough as it was.

Before I purchase anything online, jewelry or anything else, I tend to look around for deals.  I was looking for a bracelet to give another niece for Christmas the other day and was going through my normal routine of checking various sites.  (I should point out that I’m pretty proud of the fact that I’m shopping for Christmas more than a week out from the holiday!)  I hit all of the traditional bigger sites and then started to focus in on smaller sites that I thought might be throwing some deals around to draw people in.  I found a few decent places.  I really was starting almost from scratch with the idea.  I knew that I wanted a bracelet and that’s about it.  I ended up spending a bit of time checking out this post about Pandora charms.  It was good information and I left knowing a lot more than I did when I arrived.

I’m still very much amazed at how easy it is today to learn about things and purchase what you want right from home.  It makes me wonder what the shopping experience will be like in another ten or twenty years.

No comments »

Posted in Cheap, Shopping

Tags:

Me and My Cheap Barstools

How to decorate the inside of your home obviously is a hot topic with some people.  I was sitting with some people at work the other day and they began discussing all of the different television shows they watch related to interior design or fixing up the outside of their house.  Listening to them, it seemed that a spend a lot of time and money making things looked just the way they have seen them on TV.

At this point, the cheap part of me started to come out.  I kept my mouth shut but as I listened to them talk about the thousands of dollars they spent decorating their game rooms, I could not help but think about the custom made barstools I had purchased the weekend before at an estate sale.  I got the beautiful, heavy wood stools for a steal as the sale was ending.  But hey, that’s just me.  I do not mind buying something secondhand if it is in good shape, or even fixing things up if they are a bit rough around the edges.

What amazed me, was that my friends did not even look around to see if they could find better prices on anything.  They simply went out, saw what they wanted and bought it wherever they found it.  It was as though spending a ton of money on things was a badge of honor for them.  To me, that just seems silly.  Why would you pay extra for something just to say that you spent a lot of money on it?

Like I said, it was none in my business, but I did feel compelled to look up the exact items that one of my friends was bragging about purchasing.  Within about 10 minutes, I was able to find the exact item, for about 2/3 of the price they had spent.  Oh well, I guess they get a good story to tell.  Me, I’d rather skip the story and have the money to spend on something else.

No comments »

Posted in Home Life, Shopping

Tags:

Just Deliver My Perfume Please

The time has come to start thinking about purchasing presents for the holidays.  It used to be that type of pride in being a very efficient Christmas shopper.  I would pick up my last and accomplish all of my purchasing in one trip to the local mall and any other specialty shops that I needed to hit.  In recent years I have started changing my routine that.  I have found the day it so much easier and faster to just show up on line.

But really convinced me was when I started looking for perfumes and cologne that I wanted to purchase for a friend’s birthday.  To be honest with you, I don’t even know the difference between the two and shopping for them is not a favorite activity of mine.  When I get near the counter where they sell perfumes, my sense of smell feels like it is being overwhelmed by the samples wafting through the air all around me.  Perfume and cologne samples are great in moderation, but when they are mixed an matched all around me, I just can’t take it for too long.  After driving all over creation, and paying more than I really wanted to, I looked online and found the exact same product being sold for $10.00 less than I had spent.  In addition to the savings in dollars spent, I realized that the online sites had a better selection than I had been seeing on my trip and that I had spent hours of my time driving around and using up gasoline.  Just the cost of the gasoline I had to put into my car probably would have covered the shipping cost to get the product I wanted delivered right to my door.  Now, before it ever go out to purchase anything, I always check online to see if I can be decent deal.  If I do find a good price, it is worth it to me to pay few dollars for shipping to save myself 2 hours driving the car.

Although I still enjoy going and soaking up the holiday atmosphere during shopping season, it is much more enjoyable for me if I am not actually looking to purchase anything.  I can walk about and listen to Christmas music without having to actually enter the fray inside of the stores where people are pushing and shoving as they hurry along.  For me, shopping online is becoming just another normal part of life.

No comments »

Posted in Home Life, Shopping

Tags:

At times I may provide links to products and services on other sites. If you follow those links and go on to make a purchase, I may receive a commission. This will not affect your purchase price at all. cheaphomelife.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com