The most recent addition to the Epcot schedule of annual Festivals is the Festival of the Arts. This is a fun filled and unique exploration of art in its many forms and it’s a wonderful time to visit the park, because the weather is cooler and there are not quite as many crowds. Like the other festivals Epcot is famous for holding, Festival of the Arts has scattered mobile kitchens arranged all over, with special seasonal dishes, craft beers, and more. The dishes themselves celebrate art and in some cases imitate art and use styles of art as inspiration for plating
Festival of the Arts Event at Epcot, Walt Disney World
Epcot® International Festival of the Arts ~ Photo Credit: Lyne Proulx
1. Artful Dishes at Festival of the Arts
At the Epcot Festival of the Arts, you can get a variety of tasty dishes artfully prepared. Some of them are very bold statements, such as the deconstructed Ruben which is very instagramable. You can also get frosted churros that look like paint covers brushes. You can even get a Pop Art Tart, which looks like a painted canvas on an easel. Everything is art themed, so even if the dish doesn’t call out a reference to painting or some other form of art, the plating is so carefully done as to make the plate a canvas and the food as visually pleasing as it is to the taste. Even craft beers are artsier with brews like #rainbowsherbertglitterdreamale. Yes, it actually contains glitter.
My daughter, husband and myself in front of the Spaceship Earth at Epcot.
2. Interactive Festival of the Arts Exhibits
There is a lot to do at the Epcot Festival of the Arts besides eat great tasting and beautiful food! Exhibits around the park showcase various forms of art from living sculptures to Disney on Broadway songs performed live in the American Gardens Theatre. Photo locations are set up to place you inside famous paintings, and there are many workshops to attend as well. One fun way to make your mark at the festival is to join in on the paint by number Mural! If you are more ambitious, try ink floating, or designing a shirt.
3. Art Booths
In addition to the entertainment and the food, Festival of the Arts provides something extra… ART! Artists’ booths are set up in different areas of the park to sell their unique take on Disney characters, attractions, movies, and more. You can take in so many different styles and visions of Disney and buy a piece for yourself. You can buy art in other locations at Disney World, but here you may have a unique opportunity to see many kinds of Disney art and meet with the artists.
Artist at work during the 2nd annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World ~ Photo credit: Disney
What is your favourite part about the Epcot International Festival of the Arts?
Comment below!
Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World
My kids love to think of themselves as builders. They love to assemble amazing items out of building bricks and objects from around our home. STEM is a part of a lot of the toys my kids own. HEXBUG wants children to explore and enjoy the world of STEM through play with their robotic toys. Our family was asked if we would like to assemble some fun with some of their STEM-based toys. We were excited to take on this playful challenge!
Even though my three kids are as different as anyone can possibly imagine, one of the things they all enjoy doing is playing with robots. They love being able to control them. If more than two of them are present, they want to put them up against each other to do battle. This is why I know my kids would be excited by the HEXBUG BattleBots Arena Pro set. This set is for players ages 8+.
Players are able to customize two Build Your Own BattleBots with different weapons and battle armour. Once the fold-out board arena is assembled, players are able to use the remote control and the mallets on each side to bash and crash each other until one is the winner.
Once my eldest helped my younger two children put this set together, my little ones could not wait to do battle! The remote controls took a bit of practice to figure out. They mastered these deceives within a few minutes and got straight to the Battle Arena to fight. They loved seeing technology at work in their hands.
My littles loved being able to smash and slam their BattleBots into each other. Spinning their bots in endless circles is their move to perform. They would do this during battle and as a synchronised duo. They could play with this set, meeting head-to-head, for a day of tech fun.
VEX Robotics Gatling Rapid Fire Gun Review
When our children get bored, we encourage them to be creative. They end up creating buildings and robots that are fun to play with. The VEX Robotics Gatling Rapid Fire Gun allows STEM to come to live for kids by putting together this toy. This toy is for users ages 14+.
This gun has a motorized barrel and over 275 pieces that is great for eager builders to create. Once fully assembled, it can fire eight rubber-tipped darts at your targets up to six meters away.
After the last piece was put into place for this toy, my littles could not wait to try it out! Being the biggest kid, I tested it out first. I’m glad I did. The trigger is REALLY sensitive. Just a light tough will send a few darts flying. When My kids got behind the trigger, they had a ball shooting this gun. They flew from our living room to the other end of our dining room in seconds. They love playing with it.
VEX Off-Road Truck Review
Since we had loads of fun battling it out in our HEXBUG Battle Bots arena, we could not wait to try out the VEX Off-Road Truck. This toy is for users ages 8+.
The VEX Pilot App on the iOS or Android platforms stirs the VEX Off-Road Truck. Drivers are able to take on various kinds of terrain with its durable wheels and suspension system. Once your truck is built, you are ready to go.
Out of all of the sets, the VEX Off-Road Truck, I felt, gave users the best understanding of STEM. We could the working parts of a car and how they are assembled. Our favourites part to build had to be axel and the shocks. Creating these objects out of small parts was so empowering. Though it took a long time to put this car together, the knowledge we learned from it made up for it.
We encountered a few issues when it was time to pair it to our smartphones. After downloading the VEX Robotics App, we were rejected from pairing it on our Android devices. We were finally able to get moving using an iOS phone. Our truck truck was to move backward and forward, but not to turn the wheel. We are not sure if it was due to the cogs within the axel or if it is a glitch between the truck and the app, but we were not able to really see what this buggy can do.
Learning though assembling STEM fun
Overall, we really enjoyed learning while assembling STEM fun with toys from HEXBUG. My kids got to do battle and received a crash course in STEM with the HEXBUG BattleBots Arena Pro. We had a lot of mechanical fun when building and playing with the VEX Robotics Gatling Rapid Fire Gun. Building a car from the ground up geared us up for fun with the VEX Off-Road Truck. Getting a toy is fun, but we loved being able to learn how it works from assembling it, piece by piece! Toys from HEXBUG were perfect for allowing us to do this in a fun way.
Assembling STEM Fun for Kids with HEXBUG
Are you wondering what other fun toys HEXBUG has for kids to enjoy? We checked out their website, and we connected with the on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube channels to learn more!
Disclaimer: I received products from HEXBUG in order to write this review. The views I shared are my own.
In Ottawa, and throughout eastern Ontario, winter is a seriously frigid season – with snowstorms, freezing rain, and often blizzard conditions. This isn’t a good time to be losing your indoor heat because of poor insulation or air leakage. You will find below 5 Tips To Keep Your Home Cozy This Winter!
The point is, when your home is energy efficient, you won’t lose valuable heat and your heating bill won’t be outrageous. With good advice from a local home energy professional, you can actually reduce your seasonal utility bills throughout winter.
Tips to Keep Your Home Cozy
1. Make sure you’re not losing heat through your attic and roof
When you lose indoor heat through the attic and roof, you’ll probably encounter “ice damming” around the edges of the roofline. These ice dams and icicles are a sure sign that your insulation is under-performing or that parts of the building envelope are suffering from air leakage.
Ice dams occur because warm indoor air creates a freezing/melting dynamic with the outdoor snow and ice. The solution here is straightforward – effective air sealing, high quality insulation, and an appropriate ventilation system that addresses the needs of the attic/roof cavity.
2. You can upgrade your windows from single-pane to double
If your windows are old, they are probably single-pane with low thermal resistance. As a result, they allow interior heat to escape, and in some cases they allow cold air to intrude. Today’s new window systems are specially designed to be energy efficient, with high thermal performance.
True, upgrading your windows to double-pane has an upfront cost investment. But the upgrade will save money in the long run – with improved energy efficiency your double-paned windows could reduce energy usage by 25%. That means having significant savings during the winter.
3. Your heating system (and AC) should be running efficiently
When a heating system is inefficient, it’s underperforming, overworked, and therefore consuming higher-than-normal energy. Proper regular maintenance is essential for peak performance, and replacing furnace filters is critical. Seasonally, an HVAC contractor should provide maintenance.
Conventionally, it’s best to inspect and fine-tune your heating system before the winter starts. It should be working efficiently at the very least, and problems should be addressed and remedied. Worst case (particularly with a professional recommendation) a new unit may be the answer.
4. Preventing heat from leaking through doors and windows
Proper window and door maintenance is an easy and simple way to prevent heat from escaping in the winter. Comprehensive caulking and weather-stripping will very effectively seal air leaks around your doors and windows. The key is using quality materials for long-term performance.
Doors and windows should be regularly checked and maintained to ensure efficient air sealing. For many homeowners, this could be a DIY project, again using quality products. However for the ultimate results (summer and winter) professional weatherproofing might be the best answer.
5. Upgrading insulation in the attic, basement, exterior walls
At some point, your home insulation may require upgrading and/or retrofitting. Yes – a DIY option could save you money in the short term, but for long-term benefits, its best to go with a professional. The point is, upgrading insulation is more than just topping up existing materials.
With insulation retrofits, a professional contractor will create a complete “system”, addressing air movement, moisture control, and proper ventilation. This is done with high quality products that effectively air seal the installation area and ensure peak performance for the installed insulation.
When it comes to keeping your home cozy, do it right the first time
Clearly, this guide is meant to be a starting point – with great ideas for winter home comfort. For someone who is handy, much can be achieved with a good set of tools and quality products from the local home centre. But it’s critical to do the work right. Anything short will create problems.
5 Tips to Keep Your Home Cozy This Winter
With a professional home energy contractor, you’re on the receiving end of both experience and expertise. Good contractors do it right the first time, without taking unnecessary shortcuts and by always addressing the “big picture”. Professionals will also provide you with 100% satisfaction.
Traditionally, Valentine’s Day has been a holiday for celebrating romantic love between sweethearts. Today, more and more people are choosing family celebrations to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This is especially popular for people who are single, or for couples who wish to include their children in the festivities.
Hallmark Ceramic Heart Treat Dish
How To Celebrate Valentine’s Day As A Family
There are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day that can include the entire family!
Family date
Many couples set aside Valentine’s evening for a date night, leaving children with sitters or grandparents. Instead, the day can be used for a family date. Choose a destination that is agreeable to everyone. Include as many family members as would like to go. Places such as museums, aquariums, and theatres can be enjoyed even if the weather is cold.
Afterwards, a family dinner or lunch can be enjoyed in a leisurely fashion. Over the meal, all the adults can tell stories about falling in love with their partners, or stories about their first loves. If a family date day is scheduled early enough, it still leaves enough time for couples to enjoy a romantic dinner later in the evening.
Love messages
Part of the joy of Valentine’s Day is choosing the right card for every special person. Hallmark Canada offers assorted Valentine’s Day Kids, Signature and Paper Wonder cards! They are certain to brighten someone’s day! The Hallmark Canada Paper Wonder cards can be found in Hallmark stores, but they are now also available at Walmart stores across Canada. Hallmark cards have been made available for over 100 years! They first offered Valentine’s Day cards in 1913 and began producing them in 1916.
Did you know that Approximately 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged industry-wide (not including packaged kids’ valentines for classroom exchanges), making Valentine’s Day the second-largest holiday for giving greetings cards!
Candy buffet
Today’s families are constantly on the go. Therefore, spending a day at home with just family may be more enjoyable. Decorate the living area with hearts, balloons, flowers and other Valentine’s Day decor. Set up a table with sweet treats and snacks in a Hallmark Ceramic Heart Treat Dish with a Valentine’s theme.
Hallmark Date Night In Cookbook.
Throughout the day, everyone can treat themselves to candy and cupcakes. You can also make your own Salted Peanut Toffee Popcorn found in the Hallmark Date Night In cookbook. This can be made even more fun if messages are written out ahead of time and hidden in or under the desserts. A mix of love songs (both romantic and upbeat) can be played in the background while family members play games or talk.
Hallmark Canada the Story of Us Card Keeper
Family movie marathon
Another fun “at-home” way to celebrate Valentine’s is by watching, renting, or buying a selection of romantic films. Choose films that are appropriate for all members of the family. Even younger children will enjoy watching Disney movies with a romantic theme. Hallmark Channel also offers a variety of Valentine’s Day movies with more mature themes that can be saved for after younger children are in bed. The Story of Us Card Keeper will be showcased in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, The Story of Us, that can be viewed on the W Network! Check your local listings!
Valentine’s Day Hallmark Stuffed Plush Animals and Mickey and Minnie Mouse itty bitty’s
Valentine surprises
Sometimes the holiday falls on a work or school day. This doesn’t have to limit the fun. Surprises, such as a balloons, boxes of candy or stuffed animals including Hallmark Canada Pet Husky Techno Plush Dog that moves its head, barks, yips, pants, howls and moves around to fun music, the adorable Pink Snoopy Stuffed Animal, the so-soft Caticorn Stuffed Plush, and the itty bittys Valentine Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse ; can be left where children can find them first thing in the morning.
For older children or teens, a piece of jewelry or a gift card would make a nice surprise. For the adults, make heart-shaped pancakes with homemade strawberry liqueur syrup for breakfast and include a Valentine’s Day card.
Hallmark Paper Wonder Cards
Valentine party
A Valentine Day party for kids can be a great way to share the day with extended family. The event should be planned a few days in advance. Send homemade or store brought invitations to nearby relatives. The party can be sophisticated or as simple as desired, with decorations, snacks, treats,hot cocoa, desserts, and balloons. The atmosphere should be kept light and enjoyable for all.
For families with grown children, a Valentine’s tea party might make a better party theme. Rather than balloons and Cupids, heart-shaped pastries and tea can be the main attraction. Adults might enjoy Valentine’s Day place cards, soft music, and card games. Tarot, and other forms of love divination can be part of the events.
There are many way to organize family celebrations for Valentine’s Day! How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day with your family?
This post is sponsored by Hallmark Canada. Opinions are my own.
The family is the first social unit of any person. These are the very first people who he/she shall come into contact with. In most cases, they are the backbone of your emotional and mental state of mind. Your family will always be there with you no matter what, through thick and thin, through good and bad, and even through happy and sad, they will always stick by you.
“Other things may change us but we start and end with the family.”
-Anthony Brandt
A house may be built of bricks and mortar, but a real home is built by the people who live in it. A home is made with the foundation of emotions and feelings more than anything else.
Family Oil portrait
Why you should get a family portrait painting done?
A family portrait can be a great way to recreate and cherish some golden moments and memories that you all have spent together. Turn photo to painting and immortalize those precious times spent in each other’s presence on to a canvas. A custom size family portrait painting is a good way to add a touch of aesthetic beauty to your house. It can be the perfect showpiece as the guest and colleagues that enter your house will remain awestruck by its visual appeal.
Your house will thus become a bold fashion statement and the heart of every conversation at any party. You can show everybody who enters your home some of the best moments that you have shared with your family. Everybody else may leave, but a true family will always be there to support you no matter what. It is a great gift and will be loved by every member of the family as it will be a constant reminder of the love and bond that all of you share.
Family with Kids portrait
Art, especially visual arts like videos and paintings, are a great way to describe and portray various complex emotions which may be difficult to put into words. Thus, a portrait painting is a great way to showcase those emotions of empathy and love that you have towards your family. Make them go down the memory lane of some golden moments that have passed by.
Let it be etched in their hearts forever in the form of a beautiful oil portrait painting. Since the painting is handmade and personalized it has more of a connection with your family members. It can be the perfect memoir of those joyous occasions in life that you wish would never end.
Family with dogs portrait
What it really means to be family?
Very few people in the world can provide a love that is as chaste and pure as that of a family. Your family does not owe you anything, yet they would fight against the entire world just to be on your side. Therefore, it is only befitting that you get the special people in your life something really special.
Man holding a guitare portrait
You may trot and trot the globe around, travel to a million different places, yet there will never be a place as warm and loving as your home sweet home and family is what puts the sweet in this home.
No matter how big, how famous or how busy you become, family is always the first priority. Remind them about this fact and let them know how much you cherish their presence and love for you.
Family Portraits to rejuvenate the Bland Walls
Money and fame may come and go, but family will always be the most priceless thing that anyone could ever posses. You simply cannot put a price tag to something so valuable and affectionate.
Italian recipes are made all over the world on a daily basis. With variations in the millions, there is almost no wrong way to make Italian inspired recipes you will love.
Spaghetti is my son’s favourite thing “in the whole world” so of course if he were to make dinner, we would have it every night. He loves to cook though, and he takes great pride in making dinner for our family. Do you have inspiring mini chefs at home? What are their favourite things to cook?
Italian dishes
From spaghetti to lasagna, bread, and desserts there is something for everyone that is Italian inspired. You almost can not enjoy a great Italian recipe with out a good breadstick.
We took to the world-wide web to compile what we believe is the top 10 Italian Inspired Recipes, You’ll Love. Did you know there was such a thing as Italian Cheesecake? I sure didn’t but it looks amazing and I plan to make it soon! Also, who would have thought to use a slow cooker for ITALIAN recipes? Not me that for sure. I guess I assumed slow cookers were mainly for stews and soups.
We would love for you to give these a try and report back to tell us how they went over with your family!
Pasta dishes are typically easy to throw together, which makes them the perfect choice for dinner after a hectic day. This recipe for Chicken Alfredo Bacon Penne Pasta is no exception. Chances are you already have all of the necessary ingredients to make it. It’s actually National Fettuccine Alfredo Day today on February 7th, so this is my modified version of it with penne.
Creative Pasta Recipe
This is one of those pasta recipes where you can get creative, if you feel like it. There are lots of possibilities, depending on your tastes. For example, if you love bacon add more than five strips. If you’re not that fond of frozen peas, why not substitute frozen broccoli instead?
Pasta Varieties
Let’s talk about pasta for a minute. Your favourite grocery store probably carries more than a few varieties. So, switch out the penne for something else, to jazz things up a bit. My only suggestion is to stick with a hollow noodle so that the Alfredo sauce will seep into the inside of each one.
Chicken Alfredo Bacon Penne Pasta in a white bowl.
Jarred Or Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Of course, jarred sauce is totally acceptable for this dish. However, you might be surprised how easy it is to make homemade Alfredo sauce. It only takes a few basic ingredients and just a few minutes to prepare. I can almost guarantee you’ll like it better than any commercially available brand you’ve tried.
Prepare the Casserole and Bake It
If you run across a great deal on chicken breasts, why not purchase in bulk to save money? You can then bake them, shred them and freeze to use in a variety of ways… including this recipe.
You may want to prepare this as directed and then bake it. Why take the extra time? Baked casseroles just seem “more comforting” for some reason, don’t you think? Plus, you can always add extra cheese on top, a few minutes before taking it out of the oven. You end up with a nice layer of gooey, somewhat crispy cheese. What could be better than that?
Chicken Alfredo Bacon Penne Pasta in a white bowl.
Chicken Alfredo Bacon Penne Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
1 box of penne pasta
1 Jar of Alfredo sauce
2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 bag of frozen green peas
5 bacon strips
Equipment Needed
1 large pot
1 small pot
1 skillet
1 large bowl
How To Make the Chicken Alfredo Bacon Penne Pasta
In a large pot boil water. Once water is boiling add in the pasta. While the pasta is cooking, in the small pot, add a little bit of water and add the peas. Cook the chicken in the skillet to your liking and set aside. Add 5 bacon pieces to the same skillet and cook to your liking.
Once pasta is cooked, drain and set into the large bowl. Drain the peas and pour into the bowl with the noodles.
Shred your chicken in a food processor or by cutting in small pieces and put into the bowl with the noodles. Chop up the bacon and put bacon into the same bowl.
Add Alfredo sauce and toss until sauce is well incorporated into the pasta. Cook for a few minutes to heat up the pasta meal.
Serve chicken Alfredo bacon penne pasta and enjoy!
Chicken Alfredo Bacon Penne Pasta in a white bowl.
Easy pasta recipes for dinner
For more easy pasta recipes to serve for dinner, you can make:
I hope you enjoyed the Chicken Alfredo Bacon Penne Pasta! If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.
Chicken Alfredo Bacon Penne Pasta
Lyne Proulx
Pasta dishes are typically easy to throw together and are an easy dinner to make. This recipe for Chicken Alfredo Bacon Penne is no exception!
Ooh, if you’re a true romantic and want to really have an absolutely memorable Valentines’ Day for that special someone in your life, then the following list of 10 ideas for a romantic Valentine’s Day for her should help you get in the right direction!
10 Romantic Ideas on Valentines Day
1. Surprise Her
Start off by a wishing her off for a great day in person or with a surprise phone call. Give her a small, yet filling, breakfast or invite her to a restaurant. A danish or fruit, and coffee, tea or orange juice would be great.
2. Flowers
Regardless of where your honey is during the day, send her flowers. It doesn’t have to be a $100 bouquet, just something that lets her know your thinking about her during your day. Besides, all women love to get flowers at work and share the moment in front of their other lady friends!
3. Dinner
Make sure you have a dinner plan and make a reservation as most restaurants get filled up fast! Going to that one restaurant she has been raving about would be a nice touch. When you pick her up, part of the romance is to remember your manners and be a gentleman. Compliment her on her outfit, hair, and shoes. Hold her coat for her, as this will make her feel more feminine. Open all doors for her and lift her chair. All of this will definitely help in the creating a great mood for love and more.
4. Rose Petals on a Path
If you have the chance to put rose petals on a path way you have created leading to a special area, it will help commemorate each other’s company.
5. Ambiance
Scented candles and low lights are always a nice touch.
10 Ideas for a Romantic Valentines Day for Her
6. Gift
If you plan to give a Valentine’s Day gift, make it a game or hunt to obtain the prize. This will add fun and laughter to the evening.
7. Home Meal
Should you opt to cook dinner at your home, it will give you even more time to prepare and decorate this special evening. This in itself may be a surprise as well as changing the cooking roles for this evening if she is the cook of the house.
8. Romantic Moment
To have a frisky romantic Valentine’s Day moment, one could set up the bathroom for the end of the evening. Use lots of candles to create just enough light. Add some soft music and maybe even a few rose petals floating in the water.
9. Romance
Married and given the opportunity, you can go as far as to set the bedroom scene with fragrant smells and more candles to light the way. Maybe a new piece of lingerie laid out on a carefully made bed and paying close attention to the romantic details.
10. Hot Long Kiss
Most importantly, at the end of the evening, you must remember to remind your true love, why she means so much to you, not just this day, but everyday. Ending with a smoldering hot long kiss will make a truly long-lasting impression.
One of these ideas for a romantic Valentines Day will certainly please her! It is extremely important to mention that the romance does NOT have to wait until the evening. Instead, start romancing your lady first thing in the morning, to set the mood for you and her all day long!
If you just purchased one of the houses for sale in Ottawa or in any other city, and want to make the kids excited about living there, you might want to consider one of these fun additions to your home the kids will love.
Fun Additions to Your Home the Kids Will Love
Enclosed Porch Playroom
You can enclose a porch fairly easily and inexpensively for a playroom that offers shelter from the elements, shade to stay cool in summer’s heat and a bug-free environment. It provides additional space, becoming a new room that children are sure to love playing in. There are lots of options, including DIY porch enclosure kits, screen porch awnings that are semi-permanent, so you’ll have the flexibility to use it during warmer times of the year or just when you need it. Afterward, just feel it with some of their favourite play items.
A Theater Room
Girl looking at a lamp.
If you have a basement, you can transform it into your own home theatre, or perhaps use a spare room, provided it’s large enough that viewers will be able to maintain a proper distance from the screen. You’ll want to be able to control lighting and cast a large enough picture too. Limiting ambient light, including natural outdoor light or light from other rooms is a must as it will make viewing difficult. Try to choose a space that already has little light, like a basement, or at least add light-blocking shades or curtains.
Think about noise too – if you can easily hear the dishwasher running or traffic outside, for example, it can ruin the audio experience. If the room has windows, you can hang thicker curtains that will absorb sound and block light. Comfortable, tiered seating is necessary of course, and if you want a classic movie theatre room, sconce lights, a popcorn maker and red velvet walls are ideal.
For the ultimate room, you may want to hire a professional, which according to Audio Advice, can range anywhere from $500 to $3,000, but it’s likely to be money well-spent to know you’re getting the right equipment and layout.
What kid wouldn’t love having their own movie theater at home?
Game room.
A Game Room
A game room can include just about any kind of game you want it to. Perhaps a table and chairs for playing board games, or even full-size working arcade games if the room is large enough. You can dedicate a portion of the room for physical activity games like hop-scotch or foursquare too. Transform one of the walls into a writable surface by using whiteboard or chalkboard paint which applies easily to any smooth surface. You can use it for drawings, messages, or to keep score. Virtual reality gaming is one of the most exciting trends in gaming today, and VR consoles are becoming increasingly affordable. As these immersive experiences can be disrupted when the player runs into a wall or the couch, it’s best to have a dedicated open space, or be sure that it’s easy to move furniture around.
Fun Additions to Your Home the Kids Will Love
Other additions to make a game room even more enticing include a bar for on-demand beverages like root beer for the kids, and perhaps beer for the adults. Soft throw rugs and fabrics can make it an especially cozy laid back space for fun.
When it comes to installing bedroom light fixtures, the sheer number of elaborate and magnificent designs may overwhelm you. This means that you will be spoil for choice when choosing. Lights come in pretty handy, especially when you want to set a special mood in the bedroom. Let’s be honest; you wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of setting a romantic atmosphere with glaring, dull, and unexciting lights now, would you?
Bedroom decor with hanging light fixtures
Handy Tips when Choosing Exceptional Bedroom Light Fixtures
In the past, installation of ordinary and uninspiring light systems in bedrooms was the order of the day. But today, superb and mind-blowing bedroom light fixtures are all the rage, and every house owner wouldn’t be caught dead without glorious and breathtaking bedroom lights. The kind of lighting installed in your bedroom will pretty much determine what type of experience you’ll have. Let’s cut to the chase and outline a few tips to follow when choosing.
Never Ignore Convenience
Imagine walking all the way to the light switch, switching it off, and then walking all the way to the bed? And to add insult to injury, in pitch darkness. Rings a bell. Yes, and it can be pretty inconvenient, not to mention archaic. The bedroom should be a haven of peace and relaxation. This is why light switches should be installed within easy reach of the beds. But if you don’t want many switches by your bedside, all is not lost. You can go a notch higher and have infrared remote controlled devices for turning the lights on and off.
Layering Various Types of Lights is a Game-changer
When you want a breath of fresh air in the installation of unique and thrilling bedroom light fixtures, layering different types of lights would be an exceptional idea. In as far as there is the centrally located general light fixture, you need to go the extra mile and make use of accent lights. Accent lights will add a dash of sophistication to your bedroom by highlighting specific areas such as artwork or wall accessories. Incorporating a wide repertoire of lights each with its own use will be a godsend, not to mention highly convenient. If you love reading in the bedroom, such lights will be a dream come true, in addition to the application of makeup and dressing.
Bedroom decor with light fixtures.
Let the Stylish Light Fixtures Complement the Existing Bedroom Decor
Speaking of bedroom light fixtures, what you have in your bedroom will be a clear indication if you have a highly developed sense of style or not. If you’re used to the finer things in life and you love making a loud fashion statement, what better way than installing lighting fixtures that are to-die-for in your bedroom? In a nutshell, there are many styles of light fixtures, but the trick is to ensure that they complement your existing bedroom decor and style. And, to be on the safe side, be sure that you have the style and decor of your bedroom in mind when choosing the light fixtures.
Age is not Just a Number
One critical issue that is ignored when choosing bedroom light fixtures is the age of the person using the bedroom. Also, the lifestyle and the personality of the person using the bedroom should be considered. It is common knowledge that the type of lighting installed in an adult’s room is not suitable in a child’s or elderly person’s bedroom. Some kids are afraid of the dark, so some soft night lights would be a great idea. Elderly folk might need brighter lights due to decreased retinal luminance and opaque corneas. It would be a bad idea to avoid expensive and brittle lampshades in the children bedroom because of playtime.
Handy Tips when Choosing Exceptional Bedroom Light Fixtures
Conclusion
After all, has been said and done, always follow your instincts when choosing bedroom light fixtures. What works for you might not be another person’s choice. Always ensure that you go the whole nine yards in the quest for comfort, convenience, and style in bedroom lighting. Leave no stone unturned when lighting the bedroom because after all, it is the primary haven for sleep. rest, comfort and romance.
When you think of Valentine’s Day, you may think of boxed chocolates or candy hearts with little messages on them. If you have kids though, there are so many fun things you can make for them. Heart-shaped pancakes or Rice Krispies pops, cupcakes with heart-shaped sprinkles, and heart-shaped cookies. There are so many little treats. What you may not have thought of was a delicious Cupid Hot Chocolate for Valentine’s Day!
The colder months of the year are definitely known for their yummy hot drinks. Chances are you serve your kids many cups of hot cocoa to help them beat the cold temperatures after playing out in the snow. While those little packets may be a huge hit in your house, homemade cocoa can’t be beat. But, if you want something truly unique for Valentine’s Day, your family is going to flip for this Cupid Hot Chocolate recipe.
Strawberry Hot Chocolate with mini marshmallows.
White chocolate and strawberry flavour hot chocolate
This recipe is something completely unexpected. Instead of the traditional milk chocolate flavour, this Cupid Hot Cocoa recipe has white chocolate. That’s not all though. It also has the unexpected flavour of strawberry. Your kids will absolutely flip for this strawberry flavoured hot chocolate.
Made with milk, heavy cream, white chocolate, and strawberry syrup, this is a flavour combination your kids will absolutely love. Of course, you can add red food colouring to get the exact pink colour you want. And, topping with marshmallows is always a good idea. If your kids don’t care for marshmallows, you could also do whipped cream and heart-shaped sprinkles.
Start making this treat in early February. It’s one that your kids will be asking for over and over again. This is perfect for a Saturday afternoon treat after the kids come in from playing in the snow. If you’re having some people over, double the recipe and prepare in a slow cooker. Once the chocolate is melted, switch to the warm setting. People can enjoy it all day long.
7 VALENTINE’S DAY RECIPE IDEAS
If you are looking for more Valentine’s Day recipe ideas, you might like these:
Combine all of the ingredients into a large pot and heat on medium-low until chocolate is melted and ingredients are combined.
Serve immediately with marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, etc.
Serves 4 hot chocolate cups!
Enjoy!
I hope you enjoyed the Cupid Hot Cocoa Recipe! If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.
Cupid Hot Cocoa Recipe
Cupid Hot Cocoa Recipe
Lyne Proulx
If you want something truly unique for Valentine’s Day, your family is going to flip for this Cupid Hot Chocolate recipe.
Not only are glass stovetops incredibly effective at cooking food, they also offer a sleek and modern design. Despite the plethora of other benefits they offer, cleaning them can be tricky because of their material. Luckily, this cleaning and care guide will help you maintain your glass stovetop so that it functions like new every time.
Kitchen cabinets and appliances
Step 1: Knowing How to Care for a Stovetop
Before we jump head-first into the cleaning process of these stovetops, it is important to go over the basics. The first rule to remember is that you should only begin the cleaning when the stovetop is completely cool. Don’t be tempted to start immediately after cooking just because the mess is fresh. It’s a safety issue, so be patient to avoid any potential accidents.
The second thing you should keep in mind when cleaning these stovetops is that they are made of glass. It is a strong and resilient glass, but you should still be wary of scratches and dents. Use soft materials as often as you can.
Finally, always begin with the simplest tasks. If there is a large mess to clean up, start by wiping down major spills and cleaning off debris. After doing so you will have a better idea of the next steps to take.
Step 2: Materials You’ll Need
If you have a glass stovetop in your kitchen, there are a few key items you should have in your arsenal for when it comes time to clean. While it’s always a good idea to have some specially-made store-bought cleaners, you’ll find the following items useful as well:
A spray bottle
Baking soda
Dawn dish soap
White vinegar
A kitchen towel (big enough to cover the stove top- you might need 2)
A bristled scrub brush
2 microfibre cloths
Rubber gloves
Baking soda in a glass bowl.
Step 3: Vinegar and Baking Soda
For general cleaning vinegar and baking soda is incredibly effective.
Vinegar is a natural antibacterial agent which kills germs. Using it in combination with baking soda causes a (safe) chemical reaction, which lifts tough substances like oil and grease. These mixtures offer natural alternatives to the harsh chemicals found in many oven cleaners, and will solve most of your stovetop cleaning needs. With this method, you can save the specially made cleaners for the toughest cleaning.
Here’s what to do next:
Simply wipe down the surface before liberally spraying it with white vinegar.
Next, you should sprinkle on an even coat of baking soda to mix with the vinegar.
Put a few drops of Dawn dish soap into your sink or a bucket, and fill it with hot water.
Place your towel into the soapy water, then wring it out lightly so that it’s wet, but not dripping.
Spread the wet towel over the stovetop, covering the baking soda and vinegar.
Let this sit for 15 minutes.
After, if your stove top was really dirty, you might want to use a bristled scrub brush to help loosen any stains or grime.
Next, use the cloth to wipe up the mixture. It might be a good idea to wear rubber gloves to do this.
When all the powder is gone, spray the surface one more time with vinegar and buff it with a new cloth.
Voila! You should have a clean glass stovetop which shines like it’s new.
Step 4
You may find yourself in a predicament with tough stains on your glass stovetop that don’t want to come out. In that case, it might be time to reach for the store–bought cleaner. These tend to be thick, milky liquids, so you only need to use a small amount. Here’s how to use it:
Add a few drops on the stovetop. Then, use a sponge to spread a thin layer evenly across the surface.
Let it sit for a few minutes until it changes to a dry consistency.
Then take a dry, clean sponge or cloth to scrub the cleaner into the surface.
Focus on areas that with the toughest stains first.
Once the surface is clean, it’s time to wipe the cleaner off entirely and then wipe the surface once more with another clean cloth.
The surface should feel smooth to the touch.
If this doesn’t work and there’s still a tough stain, begin the process again but only on the one spot. Don’t let the cleaner dry and work with the scrub brush. You might have to do this a couple of times, but don’t get discouraged because it will work!
How to Clean Glass Stovetops
Conclusion
Try out these tips next time you clean your glass stovetop, or just remember them if you find yourself tempted to get one next time you’re wandering through appliance stores in Ottawa. Don’t let the glass intimidate you – cleaning a glass stovetop doesn’t have to be complicated. We hope this article serves as a guide on how to clean your oven properly.
Tips on Getting Your Child Ready For the EQAO Test
If you’re a parent with a child enrolled in the Ontario public school system, you may already be familiar with EQAO testing. If you aren’t, the EQAO, also known as the Education Quality and Accountability Office, is the body responsible for administering educational assessments. These assessments look at the core tenets of learning: reading, writing, and mathematical skills.
These assessments are performed regularly throughout a student’s middle and high school years, and as a parent, you may already be worried about a student’s readiness for a standardized testing. How can you enable your kids to not only be better test takers, but also be able to retain and understand the content they are being tested on?
Boy reading a book
Don’t fret. Here are some tips you can do as a parent to support your child in preparation of the EQAO.
Take the time to read together
Shakespeare — or even a trendy young adult book snuck on your child’s reading list — can be intimidating. Mostly because your child will have to recall their understanding later for most tests. The simplest way to assist with this is to read with your children and have discussions about what the two of you read. Build this activity into your weekly routine by starting a “book club” at home, where you read the same book they’re reading in class.
This way, in the car ride, the breakfast table, or at dinner, you can talk about how they feel about certain elements of the story. Or, have them explain how they came to their conclusions. This ability to think critically about what they read and describe certain aspects of the prose will serve them well when it comes time to answer questions on their EQAO assessment.
Stay proactive on homework assignments
The last thing you want your child to do is view homework as a daily chore. Enthusiasm towards the importance of completing homework assignments can diminish if placed on the backburner or pushed aside.
As a parent, you’ll want to take at least 30 minutes every day to go over your child’s homework and ask them if they had trouble understanding any concepts or module taught in class. While attentiveness to homework can be hard, seeing these early grades can provide insight into where a child needs assistance, so when a semester test comes along — or the EQAO — your child can be ready with the concepts, theories and understanding to ace the exam. If — like many busy parents — you need a little help, considering getting help from education professionals; perhaps even looking to tutoring services to help.
Learning and schooling spelled on a blackboard.
Think diet, sleep, or exercise as aids to brain function
Make no mistake, this is true whether you’re helping prep your child for EQAO assessments or not. Proven time and again, eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly reflects academic outcomes for the better. While homework assignments, test questions and class is important, make time chat with your child about their day and their stress levels.
Some teenagers might be a little mum on the subject of how they’re feeling or how they’re sleeping and eating, but an effort to try to find out more is key. Collaborate with your child to come up with a well-thought-out schedule that balances academic review with activities that will help their minds and bodies thrive.
Tips on Getting Your Child Ready For the EQAO Test
EQAO tests can be a stressful time for any family because every parent wants their child to do well on the test; as well as excel at all at aspects of academia. Being a kid or young teen can be stressful, so it isn’t unreasonable that they may need a helping hand to do their very best on the EQAO assessments. Fortunately, there are no shortages of resources to help you guide your child to perform at the best of their ability.
The New Year means a fresh start for a lot of us. And a fresh start could also mean you are ready to make significant changes to your wardrobe as well. Clothes allow us to feel more confident and powerful to conquer anything that the world would throw at us. So if you’re planning to become a better and bolder you, don’t get left out with the latest fashion trends of this year. Here are some of them!
Clothes on hangers at a store.
The Latest Fashion Styles
Sequined Jumpsuits
Jumpsuits are versatile fashion pieces. You can wear them in fancy parties or for casual family dinners. But the game just got to a whole new level with sequined jumpsuits. This outfit would be a must have for those who want to have a fierce and cute outfit without wearing a cocktail dress. People living in cold countries would like this style. From colourful sequins to monochrome pieces, it’s amazing how clothing pieces like this can instantly make you the center of attraction in every party. Jumpsuits not just make for great fashion styles but also make people fall in love with the amazing work on them. That is why so many people are not just interested in buying and wearing jumpsuits but also knowing the factory scene where garments are manufactured.If you’re wondering how clothes are made, you can get a glimpse of the whole process here.
Silk and Satin Materials For Your Tops
It’s all about showing off your inner sparkle this year. Aside from sequins, silk and satin tops are also going to be trendy. We can easily see why people are making this style popular again. These fabrics are soft and gentle, plus, they look luxurious. The most common tops that are made of such materials are camisoles. They’re nice to wear during warm weathers or, you can wear a blazer over them to pump up your style. These two materials can make your simple ensemble look a little more glamorous.
Woman wearing a pair of jean shorts
Looseshorts
Shorts are comfortable especially when you are not in the mood for those tight skinny jeans. So if you also hate wearing jeans during hot seasons, you can get those boyish loose shorts. They are simple and gives you a clean look. You don’t have to wear super short shorts to look sexy. When you get yourself some loose shorts, try pairing them with your favourite platform standards, and you’ll instantly look chic without showing too much skin!
Tie-dye
If you want to show off your fun personality, you can do it by wearing tie-dye clothes this year. This style was a hit in the ’60s but its come back is definitely going to make your 2019 more colourful. From maxi dresses to 2-piece ensembles, no matter what style you wear, a tie-dye would surely turn heads. It’s the perfect summer trend for this year.
Black flats.
Flats
High heels are sexy, but they are not as comfortable as flats. This year, you’ll be able to see a large variety of flat shoes-from furry ones to strappy flat sandals. These amazing flats would make every girl excited. They would go well with your dresses, shorts, and even your retro vibe slacks.
Puffed Shoulders
Nothing screams classy and feminine louder than puffed shoulders. This old look is also making a come back this year along with square necklines. Showing off your collarbone is another kind of sexy that won’t make you look like you’re trying hard too much. Puffy shouldered dresses are great for those sunny days when you’re feeling great and a little flirty.
How To Pick The Style that Fits You
Now that you know some of the best trends of 2019, the next step is figuring out how you can change your wardrobe. It’s definitely going to give you a makeover; however, this won’t happen magically. You have to know how to pick your style first. Brainstorm which clothes would fit your personality. Here are some simple steps that you can follow.
Step 1: Look for your influencer
Celebrities are always clothed in stylish pieces. Which is why looking for people who can be your style icons is one of the first things that you should do before you go shopping and hoarding clothes in the department store. You don’t have to choose only one style icon. That could be near to impossible since every person is unique. The best thing to do is to find 2 or more style icons and figure out which of their styles would suit you. It’s all about finding the perfect combination and balance of everything. And remember, you don’t have to buy the exact items that they wear! Just look up to them as your style inspirations, and you’re going to be on the right track.
The Latest Fashion Styles
Step 2: Know the right labels.
It’s important to know the name of your style. This way, you’ll know which clothes or pieces are the right ones. For example, you’ve decided to have a vintage style this year, knowing this, whenever you shop, you’ll constantly be looking for vintage clothes instead of flashy and modern ones. On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with mixing up your wardrobe.
Step 3: Take Pictures!
So you’re feeling happy with your outfit, it’s the perfect time to get your camera out and capture your pictures. Taking pictures would help you remember the clothes that make you feel good and beautiful. Plus, you’ll have a nice picture to post on your social media profile later!
Step 4: Know your strengths.
Each of us has different strengths. Some people are great with picking out shoes or dresses and there are some who are great with accessorizing. If people compliment you about and certain fashion skills, embrace it and use it to your advantage.
Fashion is all about owning your style and being confident and comfortable with the clothes that you wear. This year, there are a lot of fashion trends to explore. Some are new, and some are styles that we have already seen in the past. But whichever they are, don’t forget that it’s more important to please yourself above others. Don’t wear clothes just because you want to be wearing the latest fashion trends. Instead, wear them because you are feeling stronger and braver when you do.
If you want something cute to make your kids this Valentine’s Day, these Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Pops are a real winner. Not only are they easy to make, but they’re fun to make. Your kids will have fun dipping the pops into melted white chocolate and sprinkles.
Rice Krispie Pops
Who doesn’t love Rice Krispie treats? The recipe is a classic that families have been making for decades. The simple combination of Rice Krispie cereal, marshmallows, and butter is so good. It’s also so easy to make. It’s something you can whip together on short notice. You can also jazz up this Rice Krispie Pops recipe for Valentine’s Day!
Cute Valentine’s Day Treats
These Rice Krispie Pops would also be great treats to make for bake sales or a kids’ Valentine’s Day party. You could wrap in sucker bags and then tie with a pretty ribbon. If you’re doing Galentine’s Day, make these along with a few other treats and place them in gift baskets to give to your friends. It’s something inexpensive to do that will bring a smile to their faces.
Rice Krispie Pops
Tips For Making the Rice Krispie Pops
Another great tip is to use coloured Rice Krispie cereal when making these. You can now find a strawberry flavour that would make this Rice Krispie Pops recipe even cuter. You could also use the chocolate flavour, if your kids really like chocolate.
Rice Krispie Pops
If you want to get even more creative, consider cutting these into heart shapes using a cookie cutter. Insert the stick at the bottom of the hearts and then dip in chocolate. You can make these as big or small as you like.
There are so many ways to make Valentine’s Day special. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Spending time in the kitchen with your kids will create memories that last a lifetime.
Valentine’s Day Snack Recipes
If you are looking for more Valentine’s Day snack recipes, you might like these:
3. Add marshmallows and stir frequently until melted.
4. Remove from heat and mix in Rice Krispie cereal.
5. Pour cereal mix into 9 x 13 pan.
6. Using a piece of parchment paper over the top, push mixture into the pan.
7. Refrigerate the pan for about an hour.
8. Cut Rice Krispie bars into small 1 inch squares.
10. Add a lollipop stick to each.
11. Melt chocolate on 30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring well in between.
12. Dip Rice Krispie pops into the melted chocolate, add sprinkles, and place onto parchment paper.
13. Place the pops in the refrigerator for about an hour to set.
I hope you enjoyed the Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Pops! If you make it, make sure to share with us on Facebook or Twitter! Also, check out all of our other Recipes.
Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Pops Recipe
Lyne Proulx
If you want something cute to make your kids this Valentine’s Day, these Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Pops are a real winner.
Valentine’s Day is a marked, socially acceptable celebration of the mating rituals of the human species. Have you ever wondered what type of Valentine are you? This year, Valentine’s Day got my thinking about this? You can almost categorize personality types by feelings and attitudes toward Valentine’s Day.
People, unlike animals, are generally, and at least superficially, subtle in regard to their pro-creative urges. We use words and kind gestures as opposed to odd-sounding, pathetic calls for attention and the satisfaction of our deep-seated urges. Like it or not, Valentine’s Day is here to stay.
How Meaningful is Valentine’s Day?
In general, I go for deep, meaningful conversations and words of affirmation to “get my strokes”. If I only got that on Valentine’s Day from someone who wanted to have a lasting relationship with me, I would be hard pressed to stay engaged in terms of affection.
If I were a person who needed gifts to keep my love alive, one day a year would not cut it either. What if it was a simple favour that the appetites of my desire and that was displayed only on a prescribed occasion? I would begin to suspect that the action was more hormone based than heartfelt.
And if I were deeply moved by having someone want to spend a great deal of time with me, one day is only one day, no matter how long it lasts. Valentine’s Day, to me, is not as important as the culmination of the rest of the days of the year.
How I Spend My Valentine
However, Valentine’s Day is here to stay, and I am in for a bit of excitement and emotional nurturing on other people’s terms. I love going out to eat. When I go out to eat with someone, we usually have conversation and there is often mutual regard shown for the people around the table. Why should I miss out on this on one day of the year just because it was someone else’s idea? I don’t mind doing things that are someone else’s idea. I am a co-operative sort. Take me out to eat or lose me forever!
Do not make it look like it is an obligation, however. Obligation takes all of the romance out of a gesture. Valentine’s Day is a party, Sweetheart! You can’t just ignore the invitation! It was your parent’s idea to give you a birthday. Are you going to pass on the present, cake and ice cream? I don’t think so.
What Type Of Valentine Are You
You know, if you ever watched the Nature Channel, you would notice that mating rituals are part of the fun. Valentine’s Day…be there or be square! What do you have to lose?
As Valentine’s Day approaches, it is interesting to people watch, observing the various reactions and intentions in regard to this special love day.
Here are some different types of Valentines! Which one are you?
Just another love day
These valentines are individuals who love everyone and have strong feelings about behaviour being motivated by love all the time, not just on Valentine’s Day. They might even use the opportunity to preach their philosophy of not reserving loving feelings for one exclusively dedicated holiday. You are apt to receive a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers accompanied by a verbal disclaimer from these love bugs.
For lovers only
These people feel that Valentine’s Day is for lovers to acknowledge one another in a special way. If they are unattached, or currently not in a relationship, they will feel gloomy and deprived about not being someone’s special valentine.
Spread the cheer
Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion for these social beings, who love to make others happy, and will use any excuse to give gifts and celebrate. These are the individuals who deck themselves out in red and white and throw lavish valentine parties, inviting everyone they know and love.
The Valentine Grinch
Some people reject the idea of Valentine’s day. They perceive the occasion as an opportunity for commercial vendors to cash in on the emotions of the less wise. These scrooge-like personalities will refuse to participate in lining the pockets of corporate America by purchasing chocolates or flowers. They attach a political agenda to the day.
Congenial Valentines
The majority of people fall into this category. They enjoy the day and take advantage of the opportunity to express their deep feelings of affection and appreciation to their loved ones. Their children will wake up to gifts and candy, their spouses will be lavished with attention and presents, they will spread their valentine greetings to all they encounter.
These congenial valentines actually embrace the commercial aspects of the occasion, spending for special gifts, foods, desserts, flowers, candy, dinners out and whatever else they envision as appropriate methods of expressing love.
Figuring out what type of valentine you are, is not as important as determining what type of valentine category your significant others fall into, since Valentine’s Day is all about about making others happy.
Planning a trip to Disney World can be a bit overwhelming with all the accommodations and ticket choices before you arrive and then all the Park choices and ride options once you get there. These tips will guide you through the different choices available for planning a Disney World vacation and then have more time to enjoy your Disney trip while there.
A Disney vacation can be fun for everyone! It isn’t just a place for parents to take kids. Adults, singles, grandparents and more can enjoy Disney! The first place to start when planning a Disney vacation is to research.
How to plan the perfect Disney trip
A Disney vacation can be fun for everyone! It isn’t just a place for parents to take kids. Adults, singles, grandparents and more can enjoy Disney! The first place to start when planning a Disney vacation is to research.
There’s so much to see and do so it’s important to read up on the Disney parks and make a flexible plan of where you want to go and what you want to see. First order the Disney planning DVD and the free maps that are available on the Disney web site. Then go to the library and find the Unofficial Guide to Disney. There are also a lot of other books on Disney that will make a great reference for your planning. Finding an online guide to planning a Disney world vacation is very helpful, especially if this is your first trip to Disney.
There are many sites that can help you with your planning (DisBoards, Allears, etc.). These boards are filled with people who live, eat and breath Disney and who have traveled to the parks many times. Why not dip into their vast knowledge and learn from the “experts”? You can post a question on most of these boards and have many answers within 20 minutes. Also, a lot of time there are codes and saving plans listed on the sites. There are great tips on how to save money on your trip.
You should also find out information about your hotel and other activities for family fun (miniature golf courses, water parks, Disney Springs, and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, among others) at the Walt Disney World website.
SHARE YOUR FINDINGS WITH YOUR FAMILY
After you have researched and read the web, take the information to your travel partners and/or kids. Let them see all the options (on-site resorts vs. off site hotels; Disney dining plan vs. taking snacks to parks; etc…) Get the consencus of what everyone want out of their Disney Vacation.
Then take what everyone wants and the information you have gathered from the web, Disney and your library books and let an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, like OMC Blogger, Jeremie from Pure Magic Vacations help you plan your magical trip! They are free and can really help walk you through your Disney vacation.
Disney world vacation packing list
Now that you have booked your room, tickets and everything, it is time to start thinking about what you need to take. Go back to the web sites you researched on and find the packing lists that people have compiled. They are a great way to start thinking about what to pack and will help you not forget anything.
Collect everything you need for your trip over the months and throw in a suitcase or box designated for vacation items. This will help when it is finally time to pack. Everything will be in the same place and you won’t forget anything.
Get The Kids Involved In Planning The Disney Trip
A fun way to get kids involved in the Disney planning is to make a paper chain (one link for everyday) and on each link write some fun facts about Disney or something to do for the trip (i.e. pick up sun screen). Each day they take a link off and either get a fun fact or an activity to do (i.e. go to store with Mom to get sun screen). This will help buid the anticipation for the trip.
Tips for Planning a Disney World Vacation
The best way to plan a Walt Disney World vacation, is to have fun in the planning too! These tips will come in handy!
1. Disney World Accommodations
When visiting Disney World, you have the choice of either staying on-site or in a nearby location.
The Disney on-site resorts are normally more expensive, but they have taken extra efforts to help extend the whole Disney experience through decor. Their best amenities is that all Disney hotel guest are eligible for an hour early (or up to 2 hours late) admission at one of the theme parks daily.
There are literally hundreds of off-site hotels in the Disney World area, with many serviced by the airport shuttle and offer free service to Parks.
2. Disney Tickets
Children ages 3-9 qualify for a child ticket while everyone aged 10 and up must buy an adult ticket. There are two main ticket choices to choose from which range from one day to a season pass. You can purchase tickets for one park or all four and can add on a water park option as well.
The Magic Your Way Base Ticket allows entrance into one theme park per day while the Park Hopper Option allows each ticket holder the ability to go from Theme Park to Theme Park on the same day.
3. Inside Disney World
On your way into the parks, all of your bags will need to be checked before you head to the entrance lanes and WAIT in line.
Once inside, the first thing you need to do is get a guide map and a times guide for the day. These are available right past the entrance, at Guest Relations and in most of the shops. This will tell you the parade, fireworks and character-greeting schedule to help you organize your day. Each park also has stroller rentals and bathrooms with baby care centres.
Use your guide map to see where your favourite Disney rides are located. You can either join the crowds and run there or, hop on the Disney train at the main street station and ride there. You can also print our Disney Park Planner Printables that will allow you to enjoy the park and plan out the perfect Disney Vacation!
4. Disney World Rides
Your children’s ages will heavily influence which parks you’ll spend more time in. Their ages will also influence what you do in each park. If you’re in the Magic Kingdom with toddlers, rides like “it’s a small world” and Dumbo the Flying Elephant will take top priority while with older children you should start with rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain. If you’re traveling with children in two different age groups, it might be easier to separate to ensure each child gets to see whatever rides they wish.
The popular rides at Disney World can have unbearable lines but you can cut that time down with timing. For short lines, hit the most popular rides early in the morning, during dinnertime, right before closing and during the parades.
The other way to spend less time in line is to purchase the Disney Genie+ service. In addition to getting all of the great features that come with the complimentary Disney Genie service, the Disney Genie+ service will offer even more convenience and flexibility, for $15 plus tax (USD) per ticket per day.
Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrances
As per the Disney World website “This new service, offered at more than 40 attractions and experiences throughout Walt Disney World theme parks, lets you select the next available arrival window for Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane experiences! You may make one selection at a time, starting at 7:00 AM on the day of your visit (experiences are subject to limited availability). If your theme park ticket includes the Park Hopper option, you can select Lightning Lane arrival windows across multiple theme parks.”
6. PREPARE FOR LINES
Lines in Disney World are usually unavoidable, especially in the summer season. With young children waiting in these lines can seem longer. You should take note of which rides are included in the Genie+ service. If you’re a Disney resort guest, you should also take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours, where a particular park will either open earlier, or stay open later in the evening for Disney guests and lines are greatly shortened with the reduced number of people in the parks.
Of course waiting in multiple lines is inevitable, and it is common to see children playing with small handheld video games or toys, playing a game with their parents or having a small, healthy snack, all of which can help the boredom. And remember once they’re on the ride, the waiting will have been worth it!
7. DISNEY RESTAURANTS RESERVATIONS
You’ll want to make reservations at any restaurant you want to have a meal in to ensure you’ll get a table with little waiting (reservations can be made 60 days in advance). When travelling with young children, you’ll want to pick restaurants with a fun theme, like the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (movies play as you have dinner in “parked cars”) or the Prime Time Cafe (where you eat in the kitchen of a kooky 50’s family). These restaurants are very kid-friendly and offer kids an exciting time! There are also many character dining experiences to choose from explore them all and pock one that best meets the needs of your family.
8. PREPARE FOR THE SUN OR THE RAIN AT DISNEY
Weather in Disney World can be unpredictable; the sun might be blazing one minute and the next you could find yourself in a rainstorm. When it is hot, there is almost no relief from the sun except for indoor rides (since most of the lines begin outside, the air conditioning begins once the line moves inside the building), stores and restaurants, so be prepared. If you go to the park in the day, when it is most hot, make sure you bring sun block (and reapply it as directed by the bottle), sunglasses and lots of water to keep all the members of your family from the ones in the stroller to the ones pushing the stroller hydrated! It is important to stay hydrated and take breaks in the air conditioned relief as needed.
Disney World also sees frequent rainfall. Don’t let this deter your time at the park since rain usually means only outdoor rides (like Splash Mountain or Test Track) have to close to accommodate the weather. Grab a poncho (either ones you buy yourself at a local drugstore, or ones you can buy at the park) and make your way to the rides that are still open often you’ll see shorter lines too! And chances are you’ll find a rainy day in the Disney park is just as fun, and produces just as many memories, as a sunny one!
9. TAKE YOUR TIME
Especially in summer, Disney can be very hot. It can also be very overwhelming. Long days at the parks can take its toll on the kids, and as a result, the parents. That’s why you should take your time and stick to your child’s home schedule, including naps and meals. Don’t be afraid to go back to your room and take a break, or even spend the afternoon at the hotel, until the sun goes down so the kids will be more comfortable. Either of these options will prevent the children from becoming overtired and cranky.
Disney is large, and it is impossible to see everything, so taking a little time will not hinder you from seeing anything you want to see. Plus, with Disney’s bus transportation Monorail, or Skiliner, getting to and from your Disney hotel to the park is easy!
Planning a trip to Disney world is time consuming, but well worth the effort! Disney World has something for everyone: if you want it fast, slow, wet, dry, scary or bland they have a ride for you! Hoping these tips on how to plan a vacation to Disney world will help you to have a magical time on your Walt Disney World vacation. Hard to believe it all started with just one mouse named Mickey!
So you’re motivated to start with your workout routine. That’s great- you took the first step, but what next? A lot of people who start with a workout routine barely stick to it till the end, and there are several reasons why that could happen. To make sure that doesn’t happen to you, here’s a little help. Keep reading to discover 7 ways to actually stick to your workout.
7 Ways to Actually Stick to Your Workout
1. Get Some Competition
There’s no better way to stick to your workout than some healthy competition to keep you going on your workout routine. Having a buddy that has similar fitness goals as you do can really help, and it can not just keep you motivated, but also more likely to stick to your workout in the long run.
People working out together
2. Share your workout progress
It doesn’t matter if you have a hundred followers or thousands, sharing your workout progress on social media is another way to keep yourself accountable and ready to go with your routine. You may be surprised at how many other people you encourage along the way, and in general, it is a really effective way to actually stick to the plan.
3. Make a Video Diary
Making a video diary to record your progress everyday is also a good way to get yourself to stick to your workout routine. Record your achievements, and look back at older videos to see how far you have come and how much progress you have made- it will encourage you to put in even more effort.
4. Reward Yourself
Everyone loves rewards, and if you’ve managed to stick to your workout routine for a longer period of time than you had expected, don’t hesitate to reward yourself for it. It’ll help push you forward and will encourage you to keep going.
7 Ways to Actually Stick to Your Workout
5. Take Baby Steps
Keep record of your progress and appreciate the steps you take towards sticking to your workout routine- no matter how small it is. Prioritize and make sure your workout sessions play a key role in your day’s activities. Every small step that you take towards your workout goals counts and makes a huge difference.
6. Mix it Up
A good way to get you to be more motivated towards achieving your fitness goals is to mix things up and keep it interesting. After all, who can stick to the same old boring gym class everyday? Try to include a little swimming, hiking, brisk walking, yoga and other forms of exercise into your routine.
7. Buy Workout Clothes
Sometimes, a change of wardrobe can really work wonders and get you ready to workout with passion and energy. If your workout clothes make you feel crappy and just dull, go out and get some new ones. You may not want to spend a lot on gym shorts or tights and comfortable socks, but consider it an investment to keep you going on your fitness goals.
Workout apparel
Hoping these 7 ways will help you stick to your workout!
We all know that the Instant Pot can be a great tool for whipping up quick and easy meals. What you may not know is that it’s also great for making desserts. No longer do you have to spend over an hour creating a delicious dessert for the family. Thanks to the Instant Pot you can quickly make everything from cheesecake to yogurt in a matter of minutes. This is especially handy if you’re having unexpected company. Even on the shortest notice, you can prepare a dessert in almost the same amount of time as it takes to make a pot of coffee. You will find below 11 Super Easy Instant Pot Desserts for you to make!
You may think that desserts are only for the oven, but the Instant Pot will quickly change your mind. Not only can you quickly prepare desserts that used to take close to an hour to bake, but you can keep your house cool as well. This is such a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth in the summer without having to crank up the air conditioner.
11 Super Easy Instant Pot Desserts
The roundup below features a recipe for almost everyone. There are so many great desserts that can be made in the Instant Pot. The Instant Pot is especially great for any recipe that benefits from being kept moist. Cheesecake and bread pudding work especially well in the Instant Pot. You won’t have to worry about your cheesecake cracking when you use the Instant Pot.
If you don’t have a brand name Instant Pot, no worries. These recipes work in any electric pressure cooker. You can also make many of them in a stovetop pressure cooker, you just may have to adjust the recipes a little bit. Either way, pressure cooking can make your life much easier. No longer do you have to spend all day in the kitchen. In fact, you can put together an entire meal in less than an hour.
Once Christmas is over, Valentine’s Day is the next big gift-giving event and is one that everyone can get involved in – including young children. So, there is no time like the present to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day party for your kids.
Valentine’s Day cookies
How to Plan a Valentine’s Day Party for Kids
Many people think that Valentine’s Day is just for lovers, but this is not true as love can mean different things to different people. Where children are concerned, Valentine’s Day is something they learn about at an early age and is all about friendship and giving gifts to those around them, such as mother, father, siblings, and friends. A Valentine’s party is therefore a great way for them to celebrate the event. Here are some fun Valentine’s Day party ideas for families!
Plan your party well in advance
To ensure that your party goes to plan, make sure that you plan ahead. Buy a notebook and jot everything down that you would like to include in the party. Make lists for food, decorations, games and even music – don’t get caught out!
Make sure that your party is age-specific
Before planning any party, make sure that you consider the ages of the children very carefully, as you will need to think about the music, the games, the food, the drink, the length of the party, and the amount of supervision that will be required – a house full of five-year-olds, for example, could be pretty exhausting with limited adult supervision!
Does your child have a birthday on or around Valentine’s Day?
If your child has a birthday at this time, it could be the perfect time to incorporate it with Valentine’s Day. A Valentine’s birthday party would have all the excitement of any other party, and have a great theme to go with it. You could even consider making it fancy dress so that all your party guests can come along in any attire they wish, as long as it is linked to Valentine’s Day.
How to Plan a Valentine’s Day Party for Children
How much space will you need?
This is an important consideration, as the younger the children are the more space they will require to run around in. If you have limited space, you may have to consider a small party or a different location. Alternatively, if you live in an area where you can depend on the weather during the month of February, then you will always have the option of having your party outdoors.
Decide on a suitable day for the party
You don’t need to have your party on Valentine’s Day itself for it to be a great Valentine’s party. It may be that the 14th falls on a school day, so you may need to consider having the party on one of the nearest weekend days
Invitations
Don’t buy your Valentine’s Day invitations, use this essential part of your party planning as a way of keeping your child, and possibly siblings too, occupied by allowing them to use their creativity. Buy some card, red paper, small decorations, coloured letters, etc., or even find some useful items from around the house that could be used to make great Valentine’s invitations – remember that they don’t all need to be the same, and they will look even better if they are made by the child themselves. You may need to help young children a little, particularly with some supervision where things like scissors are concerned, and you may need to start them well in advance of the party to ensure that they are all finished in plenty of time! Don’t forget to include RSVPs to ensure that you know how many children are coming.
Red hearts hanging on a rope
Decorations
You will of course be able to purchase a variety of Valentine’s Day decorations, but, once again, if you have enough time, this could be another opening to enable your child/children to use some creativity – they could possibly even get their friends involved in this too. Whatever decorations you put up, remember to think about where you position them and what you attach them to if you are inviting young children – accidents can easily happen, and no one wants anything like that to spoil their party.
Heart shape cake with white icing.
Party food
Party food is an area where you, and even your children, can let your imaginations run wild. Heart-shaped sandwiches, jellies and cookies are a must, and don’t forget the large heart-shaped cake with candles. You can even make the conventional sausage roll into a heart shaped pastry filled with sausage meat, and cut pieces of cheese into hearts before adding grapes pineapple, etc. – the ideas are endless!
Drinks
You can have lots of fun with Valentine’s Day drinks too. Try adding natural red food colouring to lemonade, or add a little strawberry or raspberry jam, vanilla extract and a drop of red colouring to milk. A variety of red juices can also be mixed together to make fruit cocktails, such as cranberry, cherry, and red grape. Decorate your drinks too by dipping the rims in sherbet or pink sugar and popping in a heart-shaped piece of fruit on a stick – again, take care with sharp objects where very young children are concerned
Hearts cut up to make a craft
Games
Valentine’s Day game ideas are endless, so you will never be stuck for ideas. It is best to have more games planned than you think you will need, just in case one or two don’t last as long as you expect them to. It is also worth remembering that young children have a short attention span, so make sure that each game doesn’t last too long.
The games you choose will again depend on the age range of the children, but games like musical chairs set out in a heart shape, a heart-shaped pass the parcel game, and hide-and-seek where the children have to find all the heart-shaped gifts hidden around the room, house or garden, will always go down well with young children. You can also play a match-the-heart game where cardboard hearts are decorated and then cut in half. Each person then has to find the person with the heart that matches theirs. If you want a few quieter games to wind everyone down a bit, then you could play pin the arrow on the heart, instead of pinning the tail on the donkey. Colouring competitions to see who can produce the best heart, and who can find the most words on the valentine’s word search, can also be fun games to play.
Music
Plan your music beforehand. If you don’t want to compile a CD of suitable valentine’s songs, then you can always buy a CD, such as Valentine’s Day Songs for Kids, which includes songs like Be My Valentine, All My Love, Love Story, and Let Me Call You Sweetheart.
When it’s time to go home
Heart shape candy favours.
When the party comes to an end, don’t forget about those Valentine’s Day party favours. Little mesh bags can easily be made by cutting out squares of mesh material, filling them with heart-shaped chocolates, love heart sweets, or any other Valentine’s Day treats, and then tying them up with red or pink ribbons – the perfect end to the perfect party!
Studies have proven that if you eat home cooked meals 5 days in a week you can extend your life span by 10 years, what better way to embrace healthy and clean eating than meal planning.
There are definitely days when it’s difficult to cook, we all have our lazy days and that’s totally okay but when this happens often it becomes a cause of concern, which is why I have written this article to educate you on meal planning and ways it can make healthy or clean eating easier for you.
Food in white plates or bowls.
Meal planning is the preparation and planning of meals before hand, it not only saves you time it also goes a long way to save you money and the stress that goes into cooking daily, with meal planning you can plan your diet ahead of the week, you can choose to meal plan once a week or twice a week.
Meal planning does not mean cooking everyday or getting stuck at eating same meals every day, a proper meal plan must be healthy, sufficient, nutritious and has to contain varieties of foods that we can get our nutrients from, the first three steps to take when starting out to meal plan for the first time are listed below.
CHOOSE YOUR MEALS
Figure out what your meals would look like, for healthy eating it should contain lots of Vegetables, fruits, fish, and less carbohydrate.
Picking out your diet can be a bit tricky so try to settle down and visit your favorite recipe blog or Pinterest profiles to help you decide what to include and exclude from your meal plan, it is also advisable to work with the foods in season and plan your meals around them as this will help reduce a lot cost so feel free to visit the farmers market if you have one nearby.
A variety of vegetables.
PLAN YOUR MEALS
After you have your meals picked out the next thing to do is to plan, if you are new to this consider using a meal planning template or a list to write down all the things you know you can make with what you have available, a dated and flexible meal plan is highly recommended as this will help you keep looking back at the past month and be able to plan a new month from the meals you liked in the past month.
You don’t have to do it all at once, sometimes I plan my meals weekly and it works well for me, if you are using a template that has been dated for 30 days that’s perfect too.
PREPARE YOUR MEALS
Meal preparation is time consuming so I highly recommend prepping your meals during the weekend, make a batch weekly for all your needs or twice monthly in larger quantities if you have a means of storage, bulk cooking is highly important this way you can prepare ingredients like tomatoes in bulk and store them for when it’s not in season, try freezer meals, crock pot meals and pressure cooker meals.
How to Eat Healthy with Meal Planning
Healthy eating is about finding balance with works for you and what doesn’t and meal planning helps you do that more consistently, I hope you find this really helpful in starting your journey with meal planning.
These 29 easy and delicious healthy smoothies are great meal replacements for adults, especially if you add supplements, and they are a great snack for everyone in the family.
Are you the type that doesn’t really like to have breakfast? Or maybe you’re the type that isn’t too fond of fruits and vegetables or have a child that’s a picky eater. Smoothies are the perfect option. While you can buy a number of pre-made smoothies, the healthiest smoothies are made fresh. When you make your smoothies fresh, you’re able to retain more of the nutrients.
Speaking of nutrients, you’ll get so many vitamins and minerals from smoothies. You can get a few servings of fruits and vegetables in a single smoothie. If you want to start eating healthier, but never have the time to cook healthy meals, make smoothies. It literally takes just a couple minutes to blend up a smoothie. You can even take them on the go. Another great benefit is that you can make smoothies in a variety of flavours.
How to sneak vegetables into your child’s diet
Smoothies are an awesome way to sneak more vegetables into your kids diets, and they are so much healthier than grabbing a bag of chips or cookies when you get hungry in the middle of the day. When I find a great sale on fresh fruits and veggies, I always make sure to prep a few smoothies in advance. Then I label them, and stick them in the freezer, so whenever my family wants a healthy drink, they can just blend it and enjoy.
These smoothies are quick and easy to make, taste amazing, and are so healthy. If you want to start eating healthier or giving your kids better snack options, smoothies are a great option. Your kids won’t even know that they’re drinking vegetables. Smoothies are a great way to hide those foods that your kids need in their diet but aren’t excited to eat.
Healthy smoothies in the morning
The roundup below features healthy smoothie recipes for breakfast for you to choose from. Delicious healthy smoothies are the perfect option for breakfast on super busy mornings and they make for an awesome snack in the afternoon. They are a nutrient and vitamin packed addition to any day! Start your morning with a healthy green smoothie, enjoy a berry smoothie at lunch, or have a chocolate smoothie for a snack. There’s a smoothie for almost every palate.
29 Delicious Healthy Smoothies
From a Peppermint Cacao Smoothie that is ideal for anytime you need a dose of refreshment and chocolate, to a Strawberry Banana Oatmeal smoothie that makes a great start to the day that fills you up until lunch. This smoothie list has something for everyone on it. I am crazy about the peaches and vanilla cream recipe. It tastes like a delicious dream! No matter what flavours you crave, chances are you will find a few healthy smoothie recipes to add to your must make list.
I am always looking for delicious ways to start my day in a fuss free way. You might also want to check out this Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie and Healthy Island Smoothie recipes. They are perfect at any time of the year.
What’s your favourite healthy smoothie? Are you a berry smoothie fan or do you like green smoothies? Do you add supplements to make your smoothies healthier or give yourself a nutritional boost? Share your favourite tips below.
This New Year, I promise to make New Year Resolutions such as pray often, exercise regularly, wear make-up, have a sophisticated hairstyle, wear red lipstick, eat a hearty breakfast, get another sexy little black dress, take the stairs to the 2nd floor, crave for sweets less, meet more people, reward myself more, stress myself less, have my nails done regularly, hike up a mountain, take a new sport, enrol in fitness classes, and live life fully.
Like spring cleaning, I am a big fan of resolutions. I like them so much that I make them not just at the start of a new year, but almost at the start of every month. Why not, resolutions serves me well, making me feel brand new.
Books, lamp and a clock on a wooden desk.
Every resolution I make requires strength of spirit and willpower. When I manage to walk away from a tempting bag of potato chips or an adorable handbag, I know it is a hi-five to my bank of resolve. Wow, you are good! is my usual compliment to myself.
I have two other strategies that help me stick to my resolutions. One is to record my scores on a calendar. I also find it useful to be gentle and kind to myself for failures. I do not beat myself up or call it quits. For all of you, if you have not yet pinned down your resolutions for New Year, here is a good question to ask yourself: What do you want to achieve?
Making a good New Year Resolution is making a plan. Otherwise, it is mere dreaming. Here are six ways to make New Year’s Resolutions for busy moms happen.
* Write down your plan. It is your guide to action.
* Talk about it. If it is about business, make it clear with your people that such is what you want to achieve.
* Keep it simple. The more complex a plan is, the harder it is to achieve.
* Make it a team effort. The people that you choose to help you accomplish your Resolution are important because they will either hold you back or push you forward. That is especially true for family.
* Stay motivated. Self-motivation is very important. Even if challenges come your way, you can easily address them knowing you have a goal in mind.
* Do what you enjoy. To do what you enjoy is the pinnacle of motivation.
Busy Mom New Year Resolutions
Whatever resolutions you make, do not make them a punishment. If you want to get into better shape but hate the gym, consider outdoor training. If you want to cut down on wasteful spending, think of an activity you enjoy that can replace shopping.
Remember, it is New Year, a time to celebrate… new dreams… new hopes, not a time to feel deprived. While the New Year is a prime time for making resolutions, know that every day is just as good a time. Every day is a new beginning.
Purchasing furniture, like mattress buying, is a long-term investment. Therefore, caution must be exercised. You should know the following about furniture stores.
Black leather sofa and love seat.
1. You Can Negotiate the Price
The sticker price isn’t the final price, and that’s why you should always negotiate for a better deal. However, that doesn’t come easy and we’ll explain in detail in the ‘They Only Get Paid When You Purchase’ section. There are people who will walk into a furniture store only to come out after some 3, close to 4 hours later. The reason? They believe that they can get a better deal on the furniture they want. And although they eventually do, it takes a lot of discussing and lots of time lost, but it’s worth it.
Why do they spend so much time searching for a better deal?
Well, furniture stores will mark up their prices by 80% or even more in some cases. Their goal is to maximize profits. Therefore, even when stores go on a sale, they are still making lots of profits. Even when the prices are discounted, know that you can still get a better deal!
2. They Only Get Paid When You Purchase
There was a time a lot of us dreaded going mattress shopping; the hustle and bustle involved was simply exhausting and quite some torture. Many mattress companies have gone online transforming the industry for the better. There has also been a tremendous improvement in bed quality and prices. They offer lots of coupons to consumers. Today, although most furniture stores have gone online, lots of people will prefer to go to stores as they are delicate pieces.
You’ll notice that the sales agents are quite pushy in furniture stores, reason being most of them work on commission and only get paid when consumers pay. The commission they get strongly depends on how much they sell, making it difficult for them to agree to discounted prices.
3. Look Out For Warranties
Although stores will check pieces for damages, some will go unnoticed. That’s why warranties are essential. Gone are the days when customers would be stuck with ineffective products, or would be shown the buyers beware warning. Today, customers are protected from damaged goods. That’s why we have warranties. A good warranty will run for a year, a better one for at least 5 years but the best last for a lifetime. Good furniture stores will have a warranty because they believe in the quality of their products.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Furniture Stores
4. There’s Significant Quality Disparity
Before purchasing any furniture, get familiar with the quality. Furniture is not created equal, therefore, some will be more durable than others. Get long-lasting furniture with good finish. Look for stability, which implies no wobbling and excellent seam finish.
5. Buying on their Financial Plan Can Damage Your Credit Score
Mattress companies and furniture stores have adopted a new trend, giving consumers a chance to purchase on credit. This, however, isn’t without its shortcomings. You miss a payment and the interest spikes, making it possible for some to keep up. It negatively affects your credit score.
With the above in mind, next time you go furniture shopping, you’ll be wiser with your choices — all the best.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
