It is officially here…Valentine’s Day week. In terms of planning, getting gifts, and getting ready for Valentine’s Day, this is the week. Valentine’s Day is this Thursday, are you prepared?

If you’re going out to dinner, have you made a reservation? If you’re staying in and cooking, have you finalized your menu? Whatever it is that you are planning to do for Valentine’s Day, it is crunch time, so be prepared. Make a list, and get it all together, so you are not the one in the store with all of the other people who put it off until the very last minute.

Which reminds me–do not forget to get your loved one something special to let them know you were thinking of them. Some couples do not exchange gifts, but for those that do, I have a few great gift ideas.

If your special someone is a morning coffee-drinker, a personalized photo travel mug is definitely an item that will be useful, and the thought is behind the picture you chose. Another idea is a picture frame. A well-planned and thought out picture frame can be an amazing gift to receive. You can find a personalized couples picture frame and make it custom to you and your relationship.

Gifts do not always have to be extremely expensive or big in size to have some sort of sentimental value. Valentine’s Day is about sharing love, so with a little thought and preparation you can make the day great for the both of you!

Having a well-decorated bathroom, is about more than just impresses your houseguests. When you create a serene environment in your bathroom, you are fostering a sense of calm and well-being that you will carry with you throughout your day.

Imagine waking up in the morning and getting ready for work. What is the first thing you do? For many of us it is going into the bathroom to get showered and get ready for work. Visualize how you would feel walking into a dirty bathroom that hasn’t been cleaned in weeks. Picture blank white walls and old dirty towels.

Doesn’t sound very welcoming, does it? It certainly doesn’t sound like a nice way to start your day.

Now imagine waking up and walking into a pristine, clean bathroom. You have fresh towels hanging up and your shower is sparkling clean. Not only that, when you hop out of the shower and dry off you see pictures of your smiling family hanging on the wall. There is a potted plant by the window and a few lovely trinkets on a shelf.

Isn’t that the way you want to wake up in the morning? No one wants to get ready in a dirty old bathroom with bare walls and no sense of interior design. It may sound silly but decorating your bathroom can make all of your days even better. Here are a few excellent suggestions for home décor ideas to display in the bathroom.

White Flicker Candle Set of Two

There is nothing that makes you feel like you are coming home quite like seeing a candle burning in the window. A primal feeling arises when you see that someone is tending the fire for you and waiting for you to come home.

But in the modern world we also have to worry about fire hazards. With the White Flicker Candle Set of Two you can have the best of both worlds, without having to worry about ever plugging anything in! No wax or flames equals no worries about a fire hazard.

The White Flicker Candle Set of Two has a realistic flickering glow of a candle. The LED light source powers on at dusk, and automatically shuts off at dawn. The light on this candle never needs to be replaced, and lasts up to 20 days on three AA batteries (not included).

Triangle Metal Wall Tiles

Looking for an affordable way to revamp your old apartment? Renters often have to settle for dirty old walls when they move into a new place. Sure, most landlords will let you repaint on your own dime, but any serious remodeling will be a hard sell.

Whether you rent or own your home, these triangle metal wall tiles will make an excellent and affordable weekend project. They also won’t break the bank if you just want to do a little minor remodeling in your apartment.

These wall tiles are self-stick and will not ever stain or crack. They are perfect for not just the bathroom but the kitchen as well! You can select the square tiles to cover the most surface area, while the triangle tiles will fill in all of the edges. All you have to do is cut them to fit into the space with scissors. You don’t need any grout. Just wipe down the area with a soapy cloth.

A set of 24 square tiles will cover three square feet of wall space. The half-sized triangle tiles will naturally cover one and a half feet squared. You can select your tiling in black, white, copper, or brushed aluminum.

Lace Shelf Edging

To really spruce up your bathroom, you are definitely going to want to have some shelves. Shelves are essential for much more than storing your spare towels and essential toiletries. They are also nice to hold photographs, souvenirs, candles, and all sorts of things that make your bathroom a more hospitable environment.

But you can also take your bathroom décor to the next level by decorating the very shelves themselves!

This lace shelf edging is another amazingly inexpensive way to make your bathroom feel extra fancy. The fine and fancy floral lace has adhesive strips on the back that make it a breeze to just stick right on to the edge of your shelf. You don’t ever have to iron it or do any maintenance at all. You can even use it to make the rims of potted plants feel a little finer! These vinyl lace strips are two inches wide and over eight feet long!

Don’t ruin your day by starting it off by getting ready in a filthy bathroom. Treat yourself with these fantastic home décor ideas to display in the bathroom.

When we moved into our new apartment I made a rule that we would eat dinner together every night at the kitchen table. We were not going to eat in front of the television, and not talk to each other while spending the whole evening on the couch. I also have fear of my custom made coffee table getting ruined from spills. I made this rule because I do not remember the last time we used the kitchen table for more than a coat rack and a place to put bags.

I had every intention of following through with the rule, but I allowed a “cheat” day once a week, usually Thursday or Friday. Before I knew it, I was exhausted after work and nothing sounded better than sitting on the couch and eating dinner there. I do not consider this a “fail.” This rule was obviously meant to be broken. I needed to come up with a way to still eat on the couch though and not ruin my coffee table.

My perfect solution: invest in Two Wood Grain Table Mates. These Wood Grain Tables Mates were a great addition to my apartment. I can clean them off if something should spill, and also use them as a mini desk to do work on my laptop while sitting on the couch. And when the night is over I can easily put the Wood Grain Table Mate away because it is lightweight and foldable.

Do you eat at the kitchen table, or in the living room in front of the television?

Getting started with February means just one thing: Valentine’s Day! There are hearts everywhere, everything is decorated in pink, white, and red, and everyone is already discussing what they plan to do with their friends or significant others for the special day. If you plan to go out, hopefully you have already made your dinner reservations. And most importantly, I hope you haven’t forgotten about a gift for that special someone.

No matter what your plans are for Valentine’s Day, everyone likes to receive a surprise gift on the day as well. Some people really like to go all out and treat Valentine’s Day, yet others keep it simple. There are so many great gifts you can find so you should have no problem figuring something out. For those of you who really want to give your significant other something special, but are having trouble deciding what to get, check out Taylor Gifts’ Valentine’s Day Gift Finder for some great gifts ideas. There are tons of gift options to choose from, including personalized gifts.

For those out there without significant others, have a wine and cheese night with the girls, or head out with the guys. And for those of you out there worried about making Valentine’s Day perfect for your loved one, just remember as long as you put some thought into it, you will have an amazing Valentine’s Day no matter what. This day meant for spending time with people you love, so do that.

I have recently been cooking and baking more than I had in the past as I find myself preparing and cooking dinner at least five nights a week, sometimes six. I am here today to talk to you about the kitchen tool that has helped me through all of these recipes each week…the digital thermometer.

I know what you might be thinking, “Why does she need a digital thermometer to cook and bake if she follows the recipe provided?” Let me explain. First and foremost, there is absolutely no way I can determine the temperature inside my food if I do not use a digital thermometer. The burger may look well done on the outside, but without cutting into the burger, how do you know what the inner temperature is, and how can I be sure it is cooked through all the way? That is why I have my digital thermometer which tells me the temperature of the burger inside to help me decide if it is done or not.

How does it help with my baking? Easy! I know what the temperature the inside of the bread needs to be in order for it to be done, so iInstead of relying 100% on the recipe, I use the time suggested as a guideline, then use the digital thermometer to tell me whether or not it is ready to come out of the oven.

I know this may sound strange to some people, and I hope that no one has had as many fails in the kitchen as I have had, but I will say that having the digital thermometer as a tool in my kitchen has helped me better prepare my meals without undercooking or overcooking almost every time.

Can you believe how fast this month has just flown by? It feels like yesterday we were just talking about the holidays our New Year’s resolutions. Speaking of resolutions, how are you all doing with yours? Well for those of you who have chosen healthy living as your resolution or are simply on the market for a new product to test out in the kitchen, this post is for you.

The item that I want to talk to you about today is called the Perfect Fries Cutter. If you are like me and like to make homemade fries, the new Perfect Fries cutter makes it easy for you, as the cutter cuts the potatoes
into the perfect size and shape “fries” in just one step. You may be thinking, “How does this help those of us who want to stick to a healthy living lifestyle?” First, instead of going to a fast food joint to buy fries which are deep fried, smothered in oil, fat, and salt, you can bake the fries you cut with the Perfect Fries cutter which is a healthier alternative. In addition, the Perfect Fries cutter is ideal for cutting vegetables into smooth, long pieces to eat and pack away into your lunch.

Before you think about baking homemade French fries, I definitely suggest the Perfect Fries as your next kitchen gadget purchase. Prefect Fries will allow for easier food prep, which in return will allow cooking to feel less like a chore!

Redecorating your home can be either a dream or a nightmare. On the positive side, it can be remarkable how a few small changes around your home can make it feel more comfortable, cozy, and relaxing. Something as simple as hanging up a different colored pair of curtains to match the season of the year will do wonders for livening up rooms all over your house.

Buying new furniture is a more expensive, but also more dramatic way of changing the way a room looks and feels. A room could feel earthy and antiqued with a vintage sofa in there, and then a week later suddenly feel completely airy and modern when you bring in that new black leather couch.

How you decorate and furnish your home depends entirely on the type of environment you want to live in. Some things brighten up a room while others soften and darken it. Take a minute to realize what it will take to make your living quarters into the type of space you want to spend your time in.

The Best Way to Liven Up a Room

If you really want to bring warmth and love into your home, the best way to do it doesn’t have anything to do with buying a new couch or chair. The best way to have a warm and cozy living environment is by bringing a furry friend into your life.

When you adopt a dog or a cat from your local animal shelter you are giving a loving and warm creature a new lease on life. There is nothing quite like the gratitude and warmth that a rescued shelter animal will show to you in their new life.

Still, having a pet is an unbelievable amount of work for the owner. They require more than anything time, love, and attention. If you are going to be out of the house for long hours during the day, for example, you need to at least get a dogwalker to come and take your dog out for a few hours.

The other big part of being a dog owner, as well as a happy and healthy person, is being able to keep cleaning up after them. There is something to be said for a cozy and “lived-in” feeling house, but you also don’t want pet hair all over your furniture all of the time.

Sure, you might say you’re going to keep your golden retriever out of your study so he doesn’t lay down on your brand new love seat, but you can’t always guarantee you won’t want him in there one night while you read. And that is where pet furniture covers can help to keep your home clean.

Pet furniture covers are remarkable tools for keeping your furniture clean of pet hair without having to keep shooing your pet off the couch. Here are two great versions of pet covers that will make sure your furniture is pet hair free.

Quilted Suede Pet Covers

If you are looking for suede pet covers, then you will find that many come in a variety of different styles and sizes. You can find pet covers made out of fine quilted suede that will look amazing on all of the furniture in your rec room or your living room. That way you can pick out a universal style and color of pet cover to match your love seat, your chair, and your sofa.

Most suede pet covers are made from a single sheet of fabric. This is done for a very specific reason. For starters, we all know that our pets like to take a few laps around the area before they sit down. You’ve probably seen your own pet do it on your sofa or favorite chair. But when you put down a pet cover that is made of suede, that will move around far less than other versions that can bunch up.

Linen Pet Covers

While a suede pet cover is perfectly appropriate for a darker room like a study or a living room, you might consider something a little bit sunnier for other areas of your home. You can still find linen pet covers for your love seat, sofa, and chairs. They just come in a lighter and sunnier shade and feel.

One of the nicest things about either suede or linen pet covers is that you can clean them with ease. The first thing you need to do is a cursory cleanse of that pet cover with your home vacuum cleaner. After you have gotten rid of the loose pet hair, all you need to do is throw it in the washing machine for a fresh new clean.

Just because you want to have a loving pet in your life doesn’t mean you have to keep them off the furniture. With pet furniture covers you can keep you and your pet happy without ruining your furniture.

Let me just be blunt here for a moment. I hate the cold weather. Being cold is uncomfortable and not fun. Once it starts to get cold, I break out my winter gear box full of hats, gloves, mittens, earmuffs, and scarves. I do whatever it takes to keep myself warm in the freezing cold weather.

With this being said, I had worn some gloves earlier this winter, but as of yesterday I was in full winter gear mode since the high temperature was 26 degrees with a wind chill of 10…yes…10. Its days like yesterday and today that make me re-evaluate the winter gear I have and make me wonder if I should stock up on better quality items. It these days that make me want more than ever the Alpine “Anti-Freeze” Gloves. These gloves are made for temperatures below the 26 degrees I experienced yesterday, which is just what I need.

If you have the appropriate winter gear, being outside in the winter may not be as terrible as I personally make it out to be. However, I do not think it is the worst idea in the world to also have a pair of Microwave Slippers in the bottom drawer of your desk for when you get into the office after being in the freezing cold to get there…and maybe a second pair of the Microwave Slippers at home to cozy up after a long day at work.

How do you handle the very low temperatures that come in the winter? What kind of winter gear do you own to keep you warm when it’s cold outside?

As I write this post there is currently a rumor pending that snow is coming our way. I love snow rumors and everything that comes of them. I love going to sleep at night thinking, “It is just a rumor, there will not be any snow,” and then you wake up the next morning your neighborhood is a winter wonderland.

I am always under the assumption that it is not going to snow so I do not get my own hopes up. However, I am always prepared just in case. This of course, mostly has to do with my car. My fear is being out and driving in the snow. I do not have a big car that easily plows through the snow, and that will definitely be more of a requirement when I buy my next car. So, with that being said, I always keep my Roadside Emergency Kit in the trunk of my car. I never take it out of my trunk; it lives there until I hear it might snow while I am driving, and I move the Roadside Emergency Kit from the trunk to the backseat of my car. It makes me feel better and safer, especially when I might be driving or travelling alone.

So the moral of this story today is although snow rumors are fun and they definitely bring out the child in people; make sure you are safe and keep your Roadside Emergency Kit with you if you plan to be driving during the potential snow storm.

This past weekend I had the same problem I find myself having fairly regularly. I am not generally a forgetful person, but I am the queen of misplacing my keys. I know I am definitely not the only person who seems to have this problem, and I know this mostly because there are so many products out there to help us find our keys when we cannot find them.

We have all seen those items they sell where you attach a beeper to your keys and you hold onto the other one to use as a key finder, which helps you to find your misplaced keys with a beeping noise. To make a long story short, what do you do if you also cannot find the key finder beeper?

I have recently come across a new item that I recommend called the 2 Piece Find It Key Finder System. Now, I know what you are thinking, “You just said you can never find the second piece!” This is true. Except the second piece (the “finder” piece) in the 2 Piece Finder It Key Finder System is a credit card thin, touch button transmitter that tucks into a wallet or purse. This way, you will likely always keep the transmitter in your wallet, which hopefully will not be lost nearly as often as your keys.

I know how difficult it can be to need to get out the door in a hurry because you are already late, and to make everything worse, your keys are missing. Where is your go to place to find your keys? What do you do to help keep them in the same place so you do not habitually lose them?