Mercury is rising in thermometers across the country, and millions of Americans are already planning summer vacations, forecasting fun days by the pool and thinking of creative ways to keep cool.

We hope you got some great tips from our interview with Colleen Mullaney, contributor to The Huffington Post, iVillage and all-around mom with the most. For more of Colleen’s fabulous tips, keep reading!

 Host a cool pool party

Throwing a pool party is one of my favorite summer activities. It keeps everyone cool, and I love the décor, the food and beverage. There’s so much to keep in mind, though, so I like to keep a checklist handy for planning:

Think safety first

• Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen along with umbrellas, a canopy or an awning to help keep everyone cool and shaded.
• Before any pool party, make sure your pool is in tip-top shape. I like the Angry Egg™ Pool Treatment.  It’s so easy to use! It cleans and clears cloudy swimming pool water fast and can be used with all pool sanitation systems. For more information, visit www.angryegg.net.

• Also, get Silky Swim™ Goodbye DRY. I promise your guests will love you for it. It creates softer feeling water  and enhances the swimming experience by leaving hair tangle-free and your skin soft and itch-free during and after your swim. For more information, visit www.silkyswim.com.

Set everything up poolside, not inside

• Get a cart with wheels to house all of your  entertaining needs. It keeps everything right at your fingertips so there is no need to keep running inside. I fill mine with waters, sparkling lemonade and fruit juices for the kids. I toss them in a bucket filled with ice so everything is self-serve. For the adults, I always make a signature cocktail, which I put in a drink dispenser with plenty of ice.
• Outdoor storage chests are perfect for holding all your pool gear so you’ll be ready when your guests come for a dip. I like the resin or waterproof options since they’re protected from weather. Fill it with towels, toys, beach balls, rafts and goggles…something for everyone and every need.
• Put outdoor pillows on your chairs and lounges to add a bit of color and comfort to seating. You can find quality options at great prices online and at discount home stores. To create a perfect summer’s night glow, add lanterns and floating candles. You can also string holiday lights in a few trees surrounding the pool for a twilight twinkle!

Keep food simple

• I love to grill hotdogs and corn, marinated steaks and chicken. Create a toppings bar for the hotdogs and if you have time, prepare a few quick sides like coleslaw or couscous with fresh herbs. If you’re time strapped, just pick up some ready-made sides at your local market. Once you put them in pretty bowls, no one will ever know you didn’t make them yourself.

• I also love theme nights. Go Mexican with a taco bar and margaritas or host an outdoor movie night by the pool. Create a concession stand with trays of buttery popcorn and candy favorites. Whip up a mocktail for the kids and set up a kids-only self-serve table. Pick up some plastic cups with lids to make clean up a breeze. For adult movie goers, mix up a batch of Peach or Strawberry Daiquiris. Lay down blankets and assemble lawn chairs from low to high for perfect viewing. Don’t forget the bug spray!

 Incorporate other shortcuts

• Use smaller bags of chips, pretzels, nuts, and cheese crackers to keep them fresh.
• Always keep a supply of fun, summer-themed paper plates and napkins.
• Have a go-to summer dip with the ingredients on standby. After each gathering make a list of supplies needed and replenish as necessary.

Serve up cool treats all summer long

• Fruit kabobs are a big hit wherever I bring them. They’re colorful, refreshing and good for you. Use an array for fresh fruits and arrange them on skewers for a great to-go treat.
• Fun things up this Memorial Day and Fourth of July by getting active with your family outside and in the kitchen. JELL-O and Team Red, White and Blue have partnered for a new “Team Red, White and Blue” JIGGLERS mold kit. The JIGGLERS are fun and easy for the whole family to make, and can be found at a supermarket near you. The kit comes complete with a flag and star-themed mold and Berry Blue and Strawberry JELL-O gelatin. These tasty treats are perfect for a summertime barbecue  family picnic or pool party. If you don’t know,  Team Red, White & Blue is transforming the way America supports its veterans when they return from combat by connecting them through physical and social  activities, such as running camps and weekly workouts. For more great JELL-O recipes that will help fun up your summer, visit: www.jello.com.  
• Need more sweetness? Dip pretzel sticks into white or dark chocolate and roll them in sprinkles. Try red, white, and blue for the holidays and summer brights in-between.
• Everyone loves individual servings of food, and a favorite among my crowd is creamy yogurt pies. Mix your favorite brand of yogurt with Cool Whip and fill mini pie shells. Freeze for an extra-refreshing dessert.
• Popsicles are a treasured classic. I make mine with real fruit chunks mixed in fruit nectars and sparkling water. I’m loving the tropical flavors…mango, guava, pineapple and passion fruit mixed with bits of fruit. Delish! For the adults in the crowd, I mix in rum or tequila for a cocktail-pop.

Keep kids cool

Got water?

• My kids love this game. Create two teams and line them up next to each other. Then fill two buckets with water about 10 yards out, and place two empty buckets next to the kids. Give the starting kid a sponge and say go! Fill the empty buckets using the sponges with water from the full buckets. The relay that fills the empty bucket first wins! It’s a fun game that keeps everyone cool.
• No waterslide? No problem! Use a vinyl shower curtain or liner. All you have to do is lay it flat on ground, run a hose down the side of the curtain, and slide!

Got crafts?

• Keep a stash of craft materials on hand for hot afternoons when kids are stuck inside. My kids love to glue shells they’ve collected over the summer to wooden frames and boxes as special keepsakes.
• You can also find lots of fun crafts materials inexpensively at your local Dollar Store.  Stock up on finger paint, glitter, crayons, sidewalk chalk and you won’t break the bank.

Got treasure?

Have a treasure hunt in your backyard or nearby park or beach. You don’t have to plan anything extensive. Here are some simple steps:

Make a list of items kids have to collect.
Fill a “treasure chest” (I’ve used an old box) with goodies from your local party store.
Dig a hole.
Make a map.
Watch the fun happen!

It’s hard work staying cool, but if you’re creative and organized, the living is easy. Relax and enjoy the season. It goes by fast!

For more information on what Jenn discussed, keep reading. And for more on Jenn, check her out here:

And here:

Are We a Pet-Obsessed World?

In a word…YES!

Did you hear about the Italian cat left more than 13 million dollars in a will? What about elaborate day spas charging hundreds of dollars a night for pet pampering or owners buying diamond pet collars and necklaces? Some owners are even planning “Bark” Mitzvahs for their dogs. You can’t make this up! Today’s dogs and cats not only have their own wardrobes and chef-prepared meals, but they also have their own YouTube pages, Facebook pages and blogs, making them online celebrities. Have you heard of Boo, Miskha the talking Husky or Henri Le Chat Noir? 

Of course, this is the tip of the iceberg. You certainly don’t have to commission a professional portrait or throw your furry friend a birthday party to show your pet how much you love them.

Simple Steps for Keeping Your Pets Happy and Healthy

It doesn’t take much to keep your pet happy and healthy. Besides giving them lots of love (of course!), all you need to do is feed them nutritious food, give them plenty of opportunities to exercise and take them to the veterinarian for annual check-ups.

When looking for a healthy food option, check out Hill’s Ideal Balance natural pet food. It was created by a team of pet nutritionists and provides 100% balanced nutrition, guaranteed or your money back. For more information, visit www.HillsIdealBalance.com.

Regular exercise is also necessary to keep your pet (and you!) in top mental and physical shape. And although downward-facing dog is becoming quite literal in some yoga circles, all your pet needs is a simple walk around the block, a game of fetch or a trip to the neighborhood dog park.   

 Treat release toys are another fun, easy way to keep your pet entertained. These toys are great when you want to eat dinner or read a book in peace. You can also put your pet’s dry food in the toy and feed them their meal that way. It helps slow down a fast eater and can become part of a pet weight loss program.

High-quality food and regular activity are critical, but routine vet visits are a must for helping identify and treat potential health problems early on. To support your pets health, many veterinarians are recommending a line of affordable, vet grade pet care options from VetIQ.  VetIQ offers everything from pet prescription medications and over-the-counter flea and tick preventives called VetGuard Plus to health and wellness supplements like Minties Dental Treats. They’re made in the U.S. and are very accessible, as you can buy them at traditional retailers nationwide such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kroger and Rite Aid.

SOME PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER:

VetGuard Plus for Dogs (SRP: $24.99 for 4 month supply) Vet grade, triple-action formula that kills fleas and ticks, prevents eggs and larvae from becoming adults and  repels new pests. VetGuard Plus is available for small, medium, large and extra-large dogs. VetGuard for cats is also available.

Minties (SRP: $6.88 for 6oz bag) Available exclusively at Sam’s Cub and Walmart) Supports total oral health with a triple-action formula that helps clean teeth, freshen breath and control plaque and tartar. Available for tiny, small, medium and large dogs.  Also available in trial and larger 12oz and 27oz packages. www.MintiesBones.com

Other offerings from VetIQ include great-tasting Hip & Joint Chews to provide total joint health to support your dog and increase mobility, flexibility and ease joint discomfort, bite-sized, multivitamin and mineral Vitamin Chews that promote your dog’s overall health and vitality, and many other health and wellness supplements.

For more information on the VetIQ line of products, visit www.VetIQ.com. 

Easy Solutions for Keeping Pet Owners Happy

We’ve got tons of products designed to help pets lead happy lives, but what about keeping owners happy? After all, your furry friend’s wagging tail may elicit utter joy, but that happiness can disappear quickly when you spot an accident on the floor. It’s all about keeping the right products on hand for a quick clean-up. 

You can permanently eliminate pet stains and odors with the 2-in-1 power of Pruven™ Oxy Powered Stain & Odor Remover with Scotchgard™ Protector.

The Oxy power helps break down the mess, leaving carpets clean, while the Scotchgard™ protection from 3M helps prevent future soiling so stains won’t re-appear. Pick it up at Wal-Mart. http://www.pruvenpet.com/

Spring and summertime bring pool time along with trips to the beach and lake, so keep a stock of super-absorbent microfiber towels on hand. They’re great for getting your pet dry in no time.

Warm weather means pets spend a lot more time outdoors. They can also get loose more easily, so take advantage of new technology on the market. Today’s pet identification tags have scannable QR codes; some contain 1-800 #’s, both of which will lead the person who finds your pet directly to you. Pet owners can update information via a central database anytime and include vet info and emergency contact numbers. These options are much better than tags with a faded phone number or possibly even a number that has been disconnected. There are even GPS tracking systems that enable you to go online or on your smart phone at any time to follow your pet.

Other Pet Trends

• The all-natural and earth-friendly market continues to grow every year. Just look in any pet store, and selections are getting larger. It’s easier than ever to find eco-friendly toys and collars, including bamboo and hemp collars, toys made out of recycled bottles and tires.

• Pet travel is on the rise with more than 80 percent of pets traveling with their owners. There are more dog travel bowls on the market as well as functional leashes for hiking and walking multiple dogs. There’s also a larger variety of leash lengths. Even car companies are catering to pet owners by making their vehicles more pet friendly. Easy- to-clean, sturdy material and larger cargo space are a couple of examples.

• Daycare is booming.  Even people who work from home or aren’t traveling send their dogs to doggie daycare a few times a week. They realize that socialization is important and, like human kids, the more exercise and mental stimulation they get, the better.  

Look to the unexpected…

Clean gutters with a spaghetti spoon – Cleaning out your gutters is one of the worst household jobs, but trapped water can cause major damage to your roof and walls. Make it easier with a large slotted spaghetti spoon to scoop out the mess.  The slots will let water escape, making cleanup easier, it works amazingly well!

Use a leaf blower to get rid of dryer lint – Each year there are thousands of house fires caused by people not cleaning their dryer vents. And it’s easy to do. Especially when you hook up your electric leaf blower to your dryer hose.  Just pull your dryer out from the wall, insert the blower end of your leaf blower into the flexible dryer hose and hit the on button.  The force of air will blow out all that stuck lint.  Not only does this tip work well, but it’s actually kind of fun!

But don’t discount the tried and true

Connect with Nearby Experts

Here’s an easy tip: Don’t do everything yourself! Download the free YP Local Search and Gas Prices App for an easy way to connect with people who’ll make your spring home projects a reality. Whether you’re looking for a plumber, a roofer or even someone to build you a garden, you can find a business nearby and get going. The app is easy to use and is accessible on all mobile devices.

 For more on the YP app, visit www.ypmobile.com

Keep WD-40 in the kitchen – WD-40 is an amazing product, and it’s useful for cleaning. It works great for cleaning stainless steel and removing your child’s fingerprints. It also cleans scuff marks off linoleum floors.

And last but not least, don’t forget to dust!

 Bring in the professionals to help remove allergens – Along with spring and summer come sneezing and itchy eyes for those of us who  suffer from allergies. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans who suffer from allergies or asthma, and a recent study from Airmid Healthgroup found Stanley Steemer’s proprietary deep cleaning process to be effective in removing up to 97 percent of surface allergens in the home. It also removes 67 percent of airborne cat allergens.

For more information, visit www.stanleysteemer.com

Use old socks for cleaning tasks – Never throw away old socks, because they’re great for dusting and washing surfaces. To make things even more efficient, you can put a wet, soapy sock on your left hand and a clean dry one on your right. It’s a quick way to wash and dry!

Re-purpose pantyhose – Like old socks, don’t throw away your old pantyhose. The waistband is perfect for securing trash liners to the can so they don’t fall down. You can also use them to hold ice packs against your face, for example, when you have wisdom teeth removed.

Dust while drying you hair – There are certain places in your house that are just hard to dust like nooks and crannies and artificial flowers. Your hair dryer on the cool air setting will make clean up easy. 

Can you believe it?  Spring travel season is here! It’s certainly a welcome event, but with tales of airline mergers, rising gas prices and vacation nightmares dominating the headlines, it leaves many of us to wonder “Is it worth the headache?”

If you saw our recent interview with travel expert Kendra Thornton, you’ll know the answer is a resounding “YES!”

Read below for Kendra’s insider travel scoop.

Travel Woes Are in the News. But Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

Although recent news of cruise disasters may have some potential travelers worried, there’s no need to fret. Most vacationers never experience these issues and go on to have fun and relaxing experiences.  In fact, cruise bookings have increased and many cruise lines are offering discounts to entice more customers to take advantage.

Another issue in the news is airline mergers., While the effects of mergers may be hard to predict, some experts are expecting busier airport hubs, more disgruntled airline employees and higher ticket fares. On the positive side, flight availability will expand, and frequent fliers will have more opportunity to rack up those miles. 

Gas prices also continue to be a travel agitator. So if you’re planning to hit the road this spring, check out the latest mobile apps designed to lead you to the closest and most discounted gas stations in your path. Unfortunately, the rise in gas prices is forecasted to get worse before it gets better.

If these calamities have you worried about an upcoming vacation and you’re planning to spend over $1,000 on your trip, you may want to consider investing in travel insurance.  Most policies will cover you if a sudden illness prevents you from making your vacation, if you are injured while on vacation, your luggage or cash is lost and, in some cases, if there is severe weather that causes your trip to be cancelled.  Lots of companies offer travel insurance, so search thoroughly and compare offerings to make sure you choose the best policy for you.

Check Out the Newest Travel Trends

Each travel season brings new trends and destinations, and this year, all eyes are on renting villas and homes. This trend is especially popular with families who can save money by making meals instead of eating out at expensive restaurants.

Speaking of food…All it takes is watching a few minutes of the Food Network or Travel Channel to know food is one of the biggest motivators for today’s traveler Some vacationers have even gone as far as planning a “culinary experience”vacation,  which  involves visiting a specific region or city just for the food. You may visit Charleston for some refined southern cooking, Texas for down-home barbeque or the West Coast for a taste of California cuisine.   

But while some are heading out to destinations far and wide, many are staying close to home. One reason is, of course, cost. You’re driving instead of flying, and  and if you’re taking a day trip or weekend getaway, you don’t have to worry about hotel costs piling up.   

One of the most popular drive markets for Southeast and East Coast travelers is Florida. And right now, the biggest hot spots are St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches in Northeast Florida.

Here, visitors can experience unobstructed beaches that haven’t been changed much since the 1500’s, the nation’s oldest Port & Lighthouse and Ponte Vedra, home of the World Golf Hall of Fame and some of the finest courses on the planet. Don’t forget the host of spas and luxury resorts. All this historic charm, and you don’t even need a passport!

Now, you can enter a contest to win a free vacation in St. Augustine including ocean front lodging, VIP access to area attractions, and more by going to Facebook.com slash Official St Augustine. Contest ends April 2^nd!”

For more information visit, www.floridashistoriccoast.com.

We hope you enjoyed watching tech expert Mario Armstrong, and his behind the scenes peek of CES 2013. This year the 2013 International CES® will feature a record amount of exhibit space, with the show floor totaling more than 1.87 million net square feet. The previous record was 1.862 million net square feet at the 2012 CES. Owned and produced by CEA, the 2013 CES, the world’s largest innovation event, is scheduled Tuesday, January 8-Friday, January 11, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2013 CES will feature 3,000 exhibitors spanning the largest show floor in the event’s 45-year history. 

Some 20,000 new products will launch at the 2013 CES with major product trends including cloud-based services, gesture and sensing technologies, connected vehicles, the latest smartphone and tablet innovations and Ultra HDTV. The 2013 CES conference program will feature 300 robust sessions and 800 speakers. Additionally, the Entertainment Matters program, sponsored by Variety, is back for its third year with exhibits, conference programs and special events for professionals in the entertainment community and will feature actress Felicia Day as the program’s ambassador.

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is where the biggest names in technology gather every year to showcase the hottest, most innovative tech products of the year.  Here is a sample of some of the coolest products seen on the floor at CES this year.

Samsung’s F8000 Smart LED TV

This gorgeous F8000 Smart LED TV offers the best in 2D and 3D picture quality, for true-to-life picture and amazing colors that leap off the screen. Samsung’s new recommendation technology offers custom content recommendations based on viewing habits – making it easier than ever before for consumers to find the content they want to watch. A redesigned interface offers easy access to a world of content by combining cable, video on demand content and tons of apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO GO and Pandora. You can even search content within Netflix, Blockbuster, Vudu, Hulu and personal files at the same time.

The set understands full sentences, gesture and face recognition for better control than ever before. Ask it to find you the football game and it’ll tell you who’s playing in seconds. It can be upgraded next year so you will never have an obsolete TV in your living room months after you buy it . Consumers can expect this set to hit the market in the first half of 2013.

For more information, visit www.samsung.com.

The Lenovo Horizon Table PC

Here’s an exciting new product from Lenovo, the world’s #1 PC maker. It’s called Horizon, and it’s a totally new product category sure to change the way people use computers, for the better. Horizon is the world’s first 27-inch Table PC for the home – you can lay it completely flat, gather your family and friends around its gigantic 27-inch touch screen, and play all kinds of games. You can even convert it into an all-in-one desktop with Windows 8!

Horizon’s immersive computing experience will bring families together like never before.  You can play thousands of games like Raiding Company and educational apps from top game makers.  Plus, it comes with some very cool accessories – a joystick, e-dice and a striker – to use right on the glass touch screen. The Horizon delivers all the features of a tablet, desktop and gaming portal, all in one device.

For more information visit www.lenovo.com.

More on CES and CEA

With more than four decades of success, the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) reaches across global markets, connects the industry and enables CE innovations to grow and thrive.

The International CES is owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $195 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $190 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org and www.Innovation-Movement.com

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It seems like everyone is talking about New Year’s resolutions. Some people call them resolutions while others call them “goals” for the New Year. Whatever the case may be, don’t wait one more day…set your goals now!

“Road Sign To New Year” by FrameAngel courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Start From the Inside Out

It’s one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. After a season of way too many cookies, candies and holiday parties, it’s only natural that a vow to lose weight and get fit would follow. Yes—that is a great resolution, but how about considering other options to stay healthy. For example, consider other things that you can improve that aren’t typical, like the health of your eyes and vision for instance.

The majority of people only think about UV protection during summer months, but UV light is a threat to our skin and our eyes year round—over 40 percent of UV exposure occurs when we’re not even in full sunlight.

New Crizal No-Glare lenses provide the most complete daily UV protection when paired with a high-quality lens material. Crizal No-Glare lenses can also provide the clearest vision possible by minimizing reflections and glare, and protecting from annoying scratches and smudges.

For even more details, visit www.ESPF.com or ask your eyecare professional for more information on Crizal No-Glare lenses.

Staying hydrated is an important part of a healthy, active lifestyle. DASANI DROPS is a concentrated flavor enhancer that lets you customize your water with as much – or as little – delicious flavor and sweetness as you like. The four flavors – Strawberry Kiwi, Pink Lemonade, Pineapple Coconut and Mixed Berry – are the perfect complement to the pure, crisp taste of DASANI water. 

These delicious flavors can make your resolution to be better hydrated more fun and appealing…and without adding any calories!

For more information, visit www.dasani.com.

Make this New Year your best year ever with the right resolutions and a strong plan to stick to your goals! Here are some ideas you can try for you 2013:

• Become more self-confident
• Become more cost-conscious
• Give up smoking, drinking and other such habits
• Get a superior Job
• Improving your eating habits
• Get an enhanced education
• Get out of debt
• Save money
• Get fit
• Get a better credit score
• Decrease anxiety
• Take a trip
• Be more independent
• Learn something new
• Volunteer to help out others
• Be Less Grumpy

The list of resolutions in New Year certainly not ends here.  Come up with your own and make it work!

These are the perfect save if you’re looking for inexpensive options that anyone would like.

Video Magnet Memo. Records video messages for anyone in the house and stick it on the fridge. Looks like a talking bubble. http://www.nativeunion.com/us/collection/play.html

Techie Earmuffs. Our favorite for the ladies are Ugg or American Eagle Outfitters headphone/earmuff combo headphones. They have a built in cord that plugs into your music player of choice.  Another option, especially if you already splurged on the popular Beats headphones last season is to give EarMuffies, which are earmuffs made to fit around your existing headphones, so you can listen to music and keep warm. http://www.earmuffies.com/

Colorful Fondue Sets.  We love gifts that involve being able to do something with those around you. The fondue trend is so popular because it is fun and easy, especially for an impromptu holiday get together. Under $20 http://www.mastrad.us/art.php?fam=patis&cat=fonch&id=1313

Areaware iPhone Alarm Clock dock turns your iPhone into a chic, minimalist piece of decor that also conveniently wakes you up in the morning. Will look great in any home. http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/iphone-alarm-dock y-bear-1

Giant Treats.  The Crispery’s huge chocolate covered Rice Krispy Treats, enormous marshmallows or a giant gummy bear. http://www.thecrispery.com/  http://www.thegiftinsider.com/gggiant-marshmallow-1 http://www.thegiftinsider.com/giant-gumm

Everyday items with a little faire.  We love Kate Spade’s $20 mugs that each have a different “say the word” expression, like “Live Colorfully,” “Paint the town red,” “Seize the Day” http://www.thegiftinsider.com/kate-spade-mugs

High-low designer collaborations.  eBay’s Holiday Collective features limited edition collaborations with designers like Jonathan Adler, we love the affordable collection for the home.  Another innovative collaboration this season is The Target and Neiman Marcus partnership, they have partnered with a range of designers to make little luxuries like a Tory Burch lunch box affordable to the masses. http://www.stylebistro.com/Every+Item+From+the+2012+Neiman+Marcus+CFDA+Target+Collab/articles/W-U6uqldGaa/Tory+Burch+Lunch+Box

If you receive or are giving a cell phone this holiday, don’t forget about cell phone insurance. With more than 80 million phones lost, stolen or damaged each year, don’t forget the “must have” protection for that cell phone gift: insurance. If purchasing or receiving a cell phone this holiday season, Asurion notes that you typically only have 30 days after phone activation to insure your device and to not think twice about it. Without cell phone insurance, replacing a brand new smartphone can be upwards of $600! 

For more information, visit www.asurion.com.

Also something to take note of this holiday season are wireless companies that offer exclusive features.  For example, Cricket Wireless’Muve Music gives users access to unlimited music downloads with a monthly no contract wireless plan. With millions of songs at their fingertips, on the new HTC One V among other Android phones, customers never pay per song and since Muve Music is a download first service, all your favorite music is available without annoying buffering and skipping related to the network connection. It makes a great gift for anybody on your shopping list.

For more information, visit www.cricketwireless.com.

The Gift that Never Goes out of Style – Money

Speaking of technology, use it to your advantage this holiday season. Maybe you need to quickly and securely send last-minute cash gifts, or pay your portion of a group gift. Gifters can use the Popmoney service online or via a mobile device to send and receive money quickly and securely using their existing bank account.  All you need is the recipient’s email address or mobile phone number to send money, so it’s a great solution for last-minute gifts or money exchanges between friends or family.

For more information, visit www.popmoney.com.

Something Fun for the Kids- Tennis Sized Right For Age and Ability

Looking to give the kids in your life gifts beyond toys and video games this holiday season? Give the gift of tennis! With lower bouncing balls, lighter racquets and smaller court kids have fun right from the start. Click here to learn more about youth tennis equipment, play opportunities and junior memberships. Tennis is a great gift to give children this holiday season. Tennis can be played almost anywhere, the playground, a sidewalk or driveway. To get more kids involved in the game, The United States Tennis Association, is now offering free memberships to kids ages ten and younger. 

You might have seen our interview with Amy and wondered where we were.  It was the fabulous Cheeky Peach Boutique in Athens, Georgia, owned by our fabulous friend Katie Jacobs.  Check it out here.

www.cheekypeachathens.com

Be On Trend

Lovely in sheer lace: As always, the stars are ahead of the game. While sparkle and sequins are holiday style staples, we’re seeing lots of sheer lace details this year. Taylor Swift, Angelina Jolie and Twilight star Ashley Green are showing a little skin without being overly risqué in dresses and tops with sheer lace sleeves and necklines.

Complementary holiday colors: Wear festive colors like green, red and gold, but make sure they look good on you, too. For example, red is a great holiday color, and it looks great on a lot of people, but if you feel like burgundy or a deep wine complements your complexion more than a bright orangey-red, go with the more mellow hues. If you feel good, you will look good and that means highlighting your best assets.

Don’t just deck your halls and houses – deck yourselves out with statement accessories: There will be a lot of running around from the office space to the party place, so instead of changing your entire outfit, think about adding a more festive shade of lipstick, switching out your oversized work bag for a shimmery clutch, throwing off your blazer and slipping on a bold bib necklace. These are quick, convenient ways to get ready for a party in a pinch.

Avoid Clogged Drains

The Holidays are all about family and friends, which means frequent visitors, more cooking and even more cleaning! While clogged drains may not be top of mind they usually always occur at the most inconvenient times – after you dump those leftover pieces in the kitchen drain or following an increase in bathroom sink activity. In order to prevent and solve the embarrassment of a clogged drain, keep Liquid-Plumr Double Impact Snake + Gel System handy. It puts the power of a professional plumber in your hands and is a great Do-It-Yourself way to knock out those tough clogs and save money. It removes hair, grease and soap scum from bathroom and kitchen drains (not in the disposal). The snake reaches deep into the drains to remove stubborn clogs and the gel flushes away residual gunk. Don’t forget to be prepared when the entire family is coming over!  

For more information, visit www.liquidplumr.com.

 Plan for stain removal

Whether it’s turkey grease, pumpkin pie or the dreaded red wine stain, it’s always good to have simple solutions like Clorox in your corner.

This year, you can even call in an expert by submitting a question to their Dr. Laundry blog on Clorox.com or by downloading the My Stain app. Better yet…While you’re getting real-time advice and solutions, you can share your messy holiday moments on Bleachitaway.com for a chance to win $15,000! 

For more information on stains, how to solve them and the contest, visit www.bleachitaway.com.

Start With a Clean Slate

Before company arrives, make sure your home is presentable, do a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. This is also a great time to plan a pre-holiday ‘clean-up’ before family
and friends step foot in your home to eat, drink and be merry. As the nation’s largest 

carpet cleaning company, with more than 60 years as the dirt authority, Stanley Steemer can help by providing a deeper clean that covers your home interior, top to bottom, from upholstery to hardwood and tile. And if you’re looking for the perfect gift for a friend or family member after a post-holiday clean up, check out a Stanley Steemer gift certificate.

When it comes to electronics, “don’t forget the batteries” has turned into “don’t forget the insurance!”

No shock here…electronics are as big as ever. Just when you thought electronic devices couldn’t get any thinner or lighter, there’s a skinnier, lighter TV, e-reader, or smart phone to fit almost any budget. Just be sure to do your homework to find the best value. The internet is filled with websites like cnet.com that can give you reviews or pricegrabber.com that comparison shops. But here’s one thing you may not have thought about: Insurance.

Consumers investing in expensive gadgets should be cautious because these pricey items are top targets for criminals. Electronics were the single most stolen property type, surpassing even hard currency, according to the New York City Police Department. Insurance providers like Protect Your Bubble.com offer comprehensive coverage on smart phones and tablets. Coverage includes loss, theft, accidents, damage, and credit monitoring, and it provides replacement devices in 24 hours. So if you’re buying a gadget for a friend or loved one, tack this policy onto the gift as a bonus.

For more information, visit www.protectyourbubble.com.

Go for the unexpected

Gifts for the whole family are always appreciated, especially when they’re something unexpected, sweet and bring out the kid in everyone. For example, who doesn’t love Jelly Belly jelly beans? The candy maker has a new dispenser out this year, and with more than 100 flavors to choose from, this gadget can keep a crowd entertained for hours. It holds about two pounds of beans, and you just push the crank to watch the beans come down the chute. No batteries are needed!

In addition to their new dispenser, Jelly Belly also has board games like Uno and Apples to Apples with jelly beans as part of the play. Don’t forget stocking stuffers, too. There’s something for everyone to discover.

For more information, visit www.jellybelly.com.

For another unexpected gift, check out the new trend of retro or nostalgic gadget accessories like the latest retro handsets that plug right into your cell phone, and rotary style phones with push buttons. If you know a coffee fan, check out Starbucks’ new Visimo coffee maker or just pick up a gift card. Monogrammed items in bright colors or bold patterns are also popular, and a tote bag, mouse pad or wallet could be the perfect personalized present for that special someone on your list.

When in doubt, DIY

With the rising popularity of knitting, baking, painting and sites like etsy.com, homemade gifts have become increasingly popular. Taking time to put together a gift of your own adds sentimental value for the recipient, and you can take originality to a whole other level!

Many bloggers suggest easy DIY gifts like key chains, jewelry and hand painted signs as holiday gifts. Pinterest has also become a go-to source for easy DIY recipe jars, holiday cookie boxes and other fun gifts that you can make on your own.

Should you tip or give a gift?

If you’re friendly with your hairstylist, landscaper or mailman, you may sometimes wonder if you should give them a gift or a larger tip. The truth is there is no wrong answer. Hairstylists may enjoy an additional holiday tip, your mailman may love a nice pair of warm text-friendly gloves. Either way, they will be happy you thought of them during the holiday season.