In this article we will take a look at options available for bathroom sinks. That said, the types of bathroom sinks available are virtually limitless and I will cover some options in upcoming posts.

The first step in choosing a new bathroom sink is to decide on the style of sink that you need.  For example, would you like to have a traditional bathroom sink or one that is decorative?  Is a standalone bathroom sink one to your liking or would an under-the-counter sink or a wall-mounted one more to your liking? Bottom-line is to first decide which one will fit your bathroom décor before you decide to go shopping.

In addition to choosing a design that suits your décor and style you need to consider if the sink can be properly installed in your bathroom without too much fuss and extra costs.  Some things you need to consider include strength of your walls for wall mounted sinks, size of the sink for the available space, room available in the bathroom etc.
When you have narrowed your options you can begin shopping around to find models at the best prices. In addition to local retailers you can also locate great deals online and many online merchants offer free shipping while some local retailers may help with installation for a small extra fee. If you find a good deal online but need to get a visual of the sink before purchasing you can maybe locate it at a local outlet.

Keep in mind that you most likely will need to also order fixtures to go along with your new sink. If this applies to you then it may be a good idea to get them all in one place.

Once you have found and purchased the bathroom sink of your dreams, the next phase of your remodeling can begin. That phase is having your newly purchased sink installed in your bathroom and finally you will have the facelift that you have been longing for.

Please note that this is an attachment, double walled bowl and plastic paddle for use with your KitchenAid Stand mixer. This makes it not only affordable but a space saving and handy way to enjoy tasty ice cream and sorbets made at home.

There is little that I can say against this ice-cream maker so in this post I will outline all the good benefits and give you a few tips to get the best consistency in your ice cream.

• You can easily make wonderful tasting ice-cream, sorbets and gelatos  in 30 minutes of less.
• The consistency is great plus you will never want to eat store bought ice again.

Some tips to get the best out of your Ice Cream Maker.

• Use recipes other than the included recipes. I use the Ben and Jerry’s recipes or some great options on the Food Network website.
• Invest in a sturdy spatula for scooping out and a flexible bowl for pouring the chilled ice cream mixture into the freezer bowl. You really need some sort of spout for getting the mixture in the freezer bowl once assembled hence the need for a flexible bowl or a bowl with a spout.
• The freezer bowl must be well chilled for best results. I place it in the freezer for at least 24-48 hours before use. Do not bother with the 18 hours suggested in the manual.
• Ensure that the ice cream mix is also well chilled.
• Smaller batches freeze faster.
• For a harder consistency freeze the ice cream after it has set.
• Once you get started work quickly so that everything stays nice and cold.

Get the KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment for less on Amazon.

See larger image KitchenAid KICA0WH Ice Cream Maker Attachment (Kitchen) List Price: Price Not Listed New From: Check Amazon For Pricing In Stock

See larger image Toro 51599 Ultra 12 amp Variable-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum with Metal Impeller (Lawn & Patio) List Price: $89.99 USD New From: $69.95 In Stock Used from: $55.95 In Stock

Today my post will take a bit of a different turn. I will review the Toro Electric Blower/Vacuum based on the intensive research that I have done all morning before placing my order 10 minutes ago for one of these blowers. We, correction, my husband needs to replace his old B&D model and we decided that today is the day to place that order.

We knew right off that we did not want a smelly gas model this time around so that narrowed things down quite a bit for us. In fact, to be honest we began our search with only this model in mind since our neighbor has a model that he is always raving about and generously gave us a test run. Thanks Bill!

So let me cut to the chase, the Toro Electric Blower Vacuum is great if you:

• Want a blower with more than average power.
• If you want variable speed setting.
• Want a blower that is lightweight but durable.
• Want a blower that is not too noisy.
• Want to get away from the stench of using a gas machine.

No so great if you want:

• A zipper bag on the bottom. The zipper on this one is on the side and according to reviews it makes it a tad more difficult to dispose of debris.
• Purchase it to use primarily as a vacuum.

Here are some helpful reviews I found:

Did I mention that it has a metal impeller? LOL, I hear the rocks dinging and chinking but I don’t worry. Oak leaves are pretty stout and this thing sucks them up with ease, even wet. The bag fills rather quickly so be prepared to dump alot. When sucking leaves the cord attaches towards the front of the unit, awkward but nothing to complain about. Of course the trick is to rack all your leaves into medium size piles then start suckin’ R. Johnson.

I have used this model for over 3 years with wet and dry leaves and large, rough gravel/rocks. I can’t imagine any lesser machine tolerating the abuse I have given this one. Like the proverbial Timex – it just keeps ticking. I hear those stones as they travel through the impeller and just cringe – but no damage. T. Hale

Ladies, just an opinion from another. I bought this the other day and the blower is great. It is balanced and easy to handle. The cord is not a major problem, we’ve dealt with cords all our life.  E. McLeLand

I have had a number of vac blowers to care for our yard needs. The Toro is the best tool yet. More than adequate power for both blowing and vaccuming. The only cons I can pass on is that I wish they had some arrangement to secure the power cord from unplugging. I wrapped a half nelson with the power cord and got along with that. The other feature causing problems was the extremely tight fit of the vacuum attachments to the motor. Once it’s on it’s extremely difficult to remove to dump the bag. This may improve with use however. All in all it’s a good machine but not easily usable for women’s use. I would value it at 4 stars and would buy another if necessary. Ron of Annapolis

Read more reviews of the Toro Electric Blower on Amazon

See larger image My Pillow Pets Buzzy Bumble Bee 18" (Toy) List Price: $24.99 USD New From: $12.00 In Stock

In my last couple posts I focused on the kids with the Jessie Halloween Costume and Woody Halloween Costume posts. Today I will continue my focus on kids, discussing My Pillow Pets.My son was first introduced to My Pillow Pets Panda at a friend’s home. They both fought over it the entire time he was there and when the time came to leave he insisted on walking away with his friend’s toy/pillow. Of course he did not get his way.

Shortly after this episode I decided to purchase a couple for him. Although as a baby he has had a lot of soft, cuddly toys he was never drawn to them and so I gave them away to avoid the clutter. I figured that if the My Pillow Pets were a one day wonder for him I can use them as adornment for his bed. Very expensive adornment at that!

The arrival of My Pillow Pets Panda and Buzzy Bumble Bee was a momentous day at our home. My four year old son squealed in delight and promptly dragged his two pillows into his playroom and for that matter everywhere he went.

Buzzy Bumble Bee

Just to give you a brief description, these pillow pets are indeed adorable even more so than all the pictures you will see of them, they are quite large and extremely soft. Its no wonder kids loves them.

Here is what I wish I knew before I purchased though.

• It took almost two weeks to get the order. Even though it said 5 in stock on Amazon apparently when  I placed my order there was actually no stock so I had to wait for restock. These pets are popular so stock availability is limited.
• My son likes sleeping on his pillow pet which is not really ideal as soft as they are. The extra soft furriness  can cause a lot of sweating in very hot climates. I have to remember to go to my son’s room and replace the pillow after he has fallen asleep.
• If your pillow pets get dirty you have to place them in a white pillow case, tie off the ends and wash in the machine, then air dry. Cleaning requires this bit of extra effort so be warned.
• Please be forewarned that there are fakes available, the quality is not as good as the real deal.

Other than those my son is quite happy with the pets and five months later he is still very attached to his pets. In an effort to reduce washing I do not let him take the pets outside although I have allowed them in the car.

Get My Pillow Pets with free shipping on Amazon.

Fifteen years after the first Toy Story feature film launched in 1995 the beloved Woody, Buzz and Jessie still capture the hearts of children across the world. Millions have been sold in Toy Story merchandise with Halloween costumes claiming a huge share.

The typical Woody Costume consists of a jumpsuit and a waistcoat with intricate details. The belt with screen print, boot spats with spurs, bandanna, the sheriff star and the cowboy hat  all serve to round off the costume.

Woody costumes are available from toddlers to adults and ships free with Super Saving from Amazon.

Get Woody Costumes On Amazon.

Woody Costume Toddlers

Woody Halloween Costumes for the older ones…..

Woody Costumes Boys

Change out the hat and add some pizazz.

Woody Hat

Get them all on Amazon.

Now parents, if your little girl has an inclination to get all dolled up as Jessie this Halloween finding the trappings to do it yourself will definitely be easy once you track down the signature red hat and some cowgirl boots. Locating a cowgirl shirt is also easy enough also. The most difficult aspect of this costume is constructing the chaps with the signature cow pattern which any resourceful mom can locate the material for at any fabric shop. With a little detail your do it yourself costume will rival the best of them.

For those of you who prefer not to do it yourself, fortunately you can find all the duds to adorn your princess from head to toe at various retailers. You better get them early though because I expect that Toy Story 3 costumes will be hot this year and stock may deplete quickly.

Get them all on Amazon

Here are some great picks from Amazon where you get the best prices and free shipping. The costumes themselves are jumpsuits with the attached chaps and a rubber hat. To really make the outfit pop you can change out the hat for the hat from Elope, get the red cowgirl boots and don’t forget to attached the ribbon in her hair.

Jessie Costume Toddlers

You can get costumes to fit the little ones.

Jessie For The Older Ones

Must have Disney Jessie boots….

You can also trade out the rubber hat that comes with the costume for these by Elope…

Signature Red Hat

Get them all on Amazon

See larger image Weber 3751001 Genesis E-320 Propane Gas Grill, Black (Lawn & Patio) List Price: $849.00 USD

There is nothing like cooking up a tasty grilled meal for family and friends especially when the weather outside calls for it.  For years my husband and I worked patiently with our sometimes reliable Kenmore model but finally we decided to invest in a good grill especially since we were entertaining more and more.

I will be honest here, my husband does ALL the grilling. Not some, ALL and he is very specific about what he needs in his grill. While that may so, I do all the research and “rubber stamp” all purchases.

I will first say that if you are at the stage where you are undecided about the model that you need to get, go to the local store to get a feel for the quality available so there will be no surprises if you decided to purchase online.This was how we decided to bite the bullet and shell out the extra money for the Weber Genesis E-320. The cheaper brands do not compare in workmanship and construction.

Without further delays here is my take (the good and the bad) on the Weber Genesis E 320 Gas Grill.

The Positives:

• Assembly was easy for us after the initial hiccups. It took about 2.5 hours following the guide included.
• Sturdy, impressive build. You will know immediately that you’ll get years out of this investment.
• Ignites and heats up in minutes. You can get to 500 degrees  in approx 10 minutes, no kidding.
• Good even cooking, no more burnt food.
• Your grill food will never taste as great as it does with this grill. It is amazing.
• It has a built in enclosed storage for all your tools.
• Clean up is a breeze with the removable drip pans that you can just toss out and replace.
• There is an additional burner on the left that you can use. This is the main difference between the Weber Genesis E 320 and the Weber Genesis E 310.

The Negatives:

For the first time it is difficult for me to find any flaws that I can really gripe about in a product but here goes.

• The instruction manual has room for improvement. Not the best.
• The knob placement takes getting used to. Its on the side rather than the front but its workable.
• You won’t need to purchase another grill in a few years which can be a bummer Just kidding.

Here are some tips for your grill.

• Be prepared for the weight. This grill is over 200 lbs. If you purchase through Amazon you will not only get it at the best price available but you will also have it delivered to your door with free shipping.
• If you make this investment you need to protect it. Do not go with the Weber covers the best I found so far is from Veranda.
• If you are still on the fence about this think about how much it will cost you to replace that “other” less expensive grill every 2 years. Don’t be a cheapo, this grill is worth every penny. This was a difficult purchase for us too. Its not easy to dish out $600 plus for a grill but it had to be done.

Go get the Weber Genesis E 320, you’ll never want to eat out again!

See larger image Eureka Enviro Hard-Surface Floor Steamer,313A (Kitchen) List Price: Price Not Listed New From: Check Amazon For Pricing In Stock Used from: $49.99 In Stock

Do you need a steamer that can meet the toughest of challenges? Then the Eureka Enviro Steamer is what you need. It gets a full five stars from me and I’ll tell you why.

The first floor of my home is mostly hardwood floors and since I clean often because of the presence of three dogs the Eureka Enviro Steamer gets no “real” challenge there but it does a great job and I am happy that I can have clean floors without the leftover smell of harsh chemicals.

When our church purchased a building for social activities we planned a day for cleaning. Since our budget had limits I suggested that we work with what we had available first before we called in professional cleaners. Well, I decided that we will put the Eureka Enviro Steamer to the test on the grimy tile floors. Just so you know, these floors looked like they had not been cleaned in months.

Guess what happened? This little tool that works wonders on my easy to clean floors rose to the challenge and cleaned what had to be the dirtiest floors that ever existed. When we did a once over, we barely detected any further dirt. No doubt, this steamer works.

Of course in my customary style I will outline the positives and negatives for you to decide if this is the steamer that you want to purchase.

The Positives:

• Easy setup, you won’t even need to refer to the manual for setup.
• Adjustable height.
• The pad stays well in place.
• Barely any streaking.
• It cleans without having to apply too much effort as it glides easily over the floors.
• Clean your floors without have to use chemicals.
• You can easily wash the pads but please do not place in dryer.
• Cleanup and storage is a breeze. It cools down quickly after use so that you can pour out any extra water and store.

The Negatives:

• The cord length is moderate but should be a bit longer. You may need to use an extension depending on the size of the area you are cleaning.
• With my first use I got a little extra water on the floors but after that all went well.
• If you are cleaning large areas you will need to refill the water a lot.
• It will not reach the grout.
• The head will not go in tight spaces because if its size.
• The replacement pads are expensive.

All in all the Eureka Enviro Steamer is a great investment and there are ways to work around the negatives.

Here are two tips for the pads.

1. Machine wash and drying in the dryer will cause the pads to shrink a bit. I soak my pads in mild detergent for about an hour before hand washing and it turns out clean as can be.
2. If you do need to purchase replacements, instead of purchasing the expensive replacements for the Eureka Steamer you can use the pads for the Libman MicroFiber mop or experiment with other pads. The Libman works well for me.

If you’re just looking for something to look nice in your yard, you’ll
want a flower garden. These are usually filled with perennial flower. Perennial flowers are flowers which stay healthy year-round. They’re basically weeds because of their hardiness, only nice looking. Different areas and climates have different flowers which are considered perennials. If you do a quick internet search for your area, you can probably find alist of flowers that will bring your flower garden to life. These usually only require work in the planting stage – after that, the flower take care of themselves. The only downside to this is that you don’t have any product to show for it.

Another choice for your garden is to have a vegetable garden. These usually require a little more work and research than a flower garden, but can be much more rewarding. No matter what time of the year it is, you can usually find one vegetable that is still prospering. That way you can have your garden be giving you produce almost every day of the year! When starting a vegetable garden, you should build it with the thought in mind that you will be adding more types of veggies in later. This will help your expandability. Once all your current crops are out of season, you won’t be stuck with almost nowhere to put the new crops. A vegetable garden is ideal for someone who wants some produce, but doesn’t want to devote every waking hour to perfecting their garden (see below.)

One of the more difficult types of gardens to manage is a fruit garden. It’s definitely the most high-maintenance. When growing fruits, many more pests will be attracted due to the sweetness. You not only have to deal with having just the right dirt and fertilizer, you have to deal with choosing a pesticide that won’t kill whoever eats the fruits. Your fruit
garden will probably not produce year-round. The soil needs to be just right for the plants to grow, and putting in another crop during its off-season could be disastrous to its growth process. If you’re willing to put lots of work into maintaining a garden, then a fruit garden could be a good choice for you.

So now that I’ve outlined some of the main garden types that people choose, I hope you can make a good decision. Basically, the garden type comes down to what kind of product you want, and how much work you want to put into it. If you’re looking for no product with no work, go with a flower garden. If you want lots of delicious product, but you are willing to spend hours in your garden each day, then go for a fruit garden. Just make sure you don’t get into something you can’t handle!

See larger image Hoover Tempo Widepath Upright Vacuum, Bagged, U5140-900 (Kitchen) List Price: $99.99 USD New From: $72.00 In Stock Used from: $62.90 In Stock

With three  dogs and a rambunctious four year old  trekking through my beautifully carpeted upstairs it takes some work to clean up. I had been considering a Dyson because I knew my vacuum will be getting a lot of workout but eventually I settled with the Bestselling Hoover Tempo Widepath after doing a lot of research and reading the reviews. It appeared to be a great value for a minimal investment so I decided to give it a shot.

I will outline my findings for you but bare in mind that I am described by my husband as suffering from OCD . I clean consistently and demand a LOT from the products that I shell out money for. Also I return anything that I am less than satisfied with.

I use my Hoover Tempo Widepath every other day and here are my findings:

The Positives:

• First, it comes partly disassembled so be prepared to spend 10-15 minutes putting the vac together maybe less if you are handy with tools. All in all assembly was straightforward and easily completed with no hiccups.
• Included with the unit are two extension wands, a dusting brush, a tool to reach crevices and a furniture nozzle.
• The vacuum itself has five settings so you can use on high pile carpets straight down to hard wood floors.
• The suction power is above average. Remember those three dogs I told you about? They shed a lot of hair “in” my high pile carpet upstairs. This inexpensive vacuum gets them all out and surprising takes up a lot of dust and dirt too!
• True to its name it does indeed cover a wider surface and therefore improves efficiency.
• Although I purchased this with the intention to use on my carpets I frequently use on the hardwood floors and on the staircase. Don’t use on the hardwood floors if you have a lot of large debris lying around though.

The Negatives:

• If you need a vacuum with all the fancy features of the newer model vacs then this is not the vacuum for you.
• The Hoover Tempo Widepath is a tad noisy when compared to other models but this was not a problem for me.
• You need to be prepared to change bags often if you vacuum as much as I do.
• The hose and cord is a little too short for my liking but I am able to work around that.

All in all, I found the Hoover Tempo Widepath to be a worthwhile investment and if I had to choose again this would still be my vacuum of choice.

At the time of writing the Hoover Tempo Widepath is at #4 on the Amazon Bestsellers list in Home & Garden so hundreds of customers cannot be wrong.

Read more customer reviews for Hoover Tempo Widepath.