Home Improvement Suggestions with Minted

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I was compensated for this post.

I have been working at home for more than 10 years and I have also been looking after my kids at the same time. So in other words, I spend most of my time at home. When I do have idle moments sitting on my computer chair and just resting my mind, I would look at one of my house walls and say, “This wall is boring. I think I would need a nice picture hanging there so I could look at something relaxing where I could drift in my thoughts.” Haha! Well, I think that’s too much, but I did think like that sometimes

Art Print

So finally, I made it my unconscious goal of looking for some nice pictures or posters or even wall stickers that could look great on my white wall and bring it "back to life". I hesitated looking at paintings because paintings are more expensive. So I started looking in Minted.com and I found some very nice and simple art prints. They’re not just art prints, but they were made by certified talented artists so I have to say they know what they’re doing. Here’s an example of an art print that I really liked:

Seaside Wall Art Prints by Alexandra Nazari

A nice fine art picture of the coast is really a beautiful sight for sore eyes especially when you're already stressed at work or feeling fatigued. It's a nice picture to drift your thoughts into. You also have the freedom to choose the type of frame you want for the picture that would suit the color of your wall or your room. Spring-inspired art or seasonal-inspired art is also available at Minted.com website. 

Lamp Shade

According to Wikipedia, a lampshade is a fixture that covers the lightbulb on a lamp to diffuse the light it emits. A lamp shade also serves to "shade" human eyes from the direct glare of the light bulbs used to illuminate the lamp, which also serves a very important role on setting the room's mood; it can be relaxing or playful or fun depending on their color. 

Since I have children and I want to set our living room with a fun, family-oriented atmosphere, I want my lampshades to have fun colors that the kids would find playful. Here's an example of a "fun" lampshade I found at Minted: 

Patchwork Watercolor Drum Lampshade by Erin Niehenke 

I really like the pastel colors of this lampshade because it brings out nice and playful colors into the room. It suits well on rooms with white or beige walls, and I also think the kids will like it. 

Table Linens

I've always been a fan of table linens. My mom always used them to decorate the tables especially during the holidays. Even without an occasion, having table linens to "beautify" a table is always a good idea. The challenge is what color or design you would choose to compliment the table. 

Minted's unique designs, sourced from their global community of independent artists, are now available as table runners, placemats and napkins. All of their table linen products are made from luxurious, natural-fiber textiles and are custom made for you in the United States. Please note that all fabric is printed to order and color variations may occur between different orders.

I personally love blue because it's one of my favorite colors, and I'm glad I found the shade of blue that I really like for my table from Minted. Here's a picture of it: 

Watercolor Ombre Table Runner

That's all for now about home improvement. I hope you liked my suggestions and gave you some insights on how to improve your own home. If you have more suggestions, questions, or any other comments, please feel free to write them down below on the comments section. 

Real Beauty Offers Beautiful Crowning Glory Items

This post is sponsored by Real beauty official store

A woman’s hair is her crowning glory because it is one of the best assets a woman can have. So having beautiful and healthy hair is a must. I remember back in our elementary days, we had our Good Grooming subject and the hair is one of the most important things we need to maintain clean and nice because it is indeed our crowning glory especially for women. Having shiny and healthy hair is a good asset for anyone.

Unfortunately, due to hormones, aging, or other reasons, some people cannot achieve long healthy hair. Not to mention, parties or events such as reunions, office parties, or even school parties happen in spontaneously and sometimes you just have to get that perfect look to win clients or simply to look beautiful to win the crowd.

No need to fret because Real Beauty knows what you need. Real Beauty offers wigs that uses real human hair to enhance your crowning glory. In Real Beauty, you get to see lots of wigs to choose from such as Brazilian hair, hair bundles with closure, to curly hair,  you can definitely find the one that suits your color and style. You can also specify the length of the hair you want. 

This post is sponsored by Real beauty official store

What You Need To Know About Strollers

Image Credit: Pixabay

A stroller is an essential baby gear usually needed right from the time a child is born until s/he can walk a distance on his or her own. It can be hard having to pick a stroller from the numerous brands that are in the market. The double jogging strollerwith snack tray might be just what you want.

Stroller Types

●       Standard strollers

This type of stroller comes with a comfortable padded seat which can adjust into different positions. Most of the strollers have sunshades and storage spaces below the seat. While some allow the baby to face forward, others permit the child to look back at their parents.

●       Car-seat stroller

This stroller comes in handy if you need to take a sleeping baby out of the back seat as its frames are lightweight metal frames aimed to carry certain types of infant car seats. These structures are easy to fold up and throw in the trunk of your car and don't take up much space. Your baby won’t be able to use it anymore once s/he outgrows the infant car seat.

●       Jogging strollers

These stroller types come with three bicycle wheels on a lightweight frame which makes the ride smooth for both pusher and passenger. Some jogging strollers carry more than one child, either side-by-side or one-behind-the-other.

●       Travel systems

Travel systems are standard or jogging strollers that can also carry an infant car seat. These types are bigger, weightier, and more expensive than a stroller frame, but you can use them even after your baby has outgrown his or her infant car seat.

●       Lightweight strollers

These generic strollers may not have much padding and sometimes aren't very adjustable, but they are usually less expensive than models with more features. They’re better for toddlers and older children and can be used as backup strollers or for traveling.

●       Double and triple strollers

These strollers allow parents to push two (or more) children at once. In bicycle models, one child sits behind the other – an arrangement that can be useful for a baby and an older sibling.

Tips Before You Buy a Stroller

●       One of the ways you can save money on a full-size stroller is by getting a travel system: a car seat and stroller sold together, usually sold at a reduced price.

●       Learn all about strollers, their features, and costs. Sometimes, a lower price usually means a plastic frame and wheels while high prices mean wheels that absorb shock, so the baby doesn’t get disturbed during a ride.

●       You should test the product before you purchase it. If you are in a store, take it for a spin so you can get a feel of features like the brake, handlebar, the height, and the stride.

●       Consider buying a stroller that has fabric which is washable as your child might mess it up on some days.

Ensure that the stroller has an adjustable seat which is easy to use. This option makes it better for your child to nap peacefully.

4 Ways To Remove Fleas From Your Pets

We all love pets, and we all hate fleas. And sometimes we laugh at how the two most loved and hated things can coexist. You just can’t have one without the other. But recent advancements in science have affected home remedies as well. People have started to realize that there are better and cleverer ways to get rid of common household pests.

So we set out to find the 4 best and most efficient ways to rid your house and pets of fleas. Take a look for yourself!

1.    Clean Pet:

One of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to prevent and cure fleas is to clean your pet. Common household pets, especially those with cozy soft fur coats, are more likely to harbor fleas. Be sure to give your pet a bath every three days, or as advised by a professional vet. Remember to groom with a soft comb, as this usually wicks away any existing fleas. Keep an eye on your animal, and don’t let it touch any other pets which are suspected to be infected.

For prevention, use store-bought medication and sprays to inhibit the growth and breeding of these pests. But most importantly, remember to love your pets the way they are!

2.    Clean House:

You might like to blame the flea infestation on your dog, but sometimes the fleas come from your house. Even if the source is the animal, the fleas can reach all over the place.

Remember to vacuum every day or so, under the carpet, the rug, even the welcome mat. The sofas should be regularly dusted and cleaned. Some fleas can even nest inside the mattress. If the infestation is too severe, discard the item and remember to wrap it in a plastic bag with a label that can warn others.

3.    Flea Bomb:

Flea bombs are the next best thing to removing flea infestations. These are usually canisters of chemical propellants that immediately kill any and all types of fleas. One flea bomb per room is sufficient.

Firstly, make sure that the entire house is evacuated. Remove all pets from the house, including the fish tank (cover it if you cant remove it). Next cover all your valuables, appliances, and electronics, remove all food items and crockery from the house, and turn on the flea bomb!

The easiest way to find the best flea bomb is to look at flea bomb reviews. These will give an insight into the effectiveness of the product.

4.    Plant Some Plants:

Certain plants are known to repel multiple insects, including fleas. Try planting lavender, thyme, neem, sage, cloves, eucalyptus, and perhaps even some garlic. Not only will these give your yard a great look, but they will keep the fleas out for good. Remember to research on them to get familiar with their requirements and necessities.

Conclusion:

Fleas are a menace, but where would this ecosystem be without them? All 4 methods are important in getting rid of fleas, but we personally love the flea bomb. It does half the job for you!

Why You Need Computer Karaoke Software

Music is a very important aspect of life just like eating and sleeping. Without music in our lives, the world would be such a boring place to live in, and that is why for the music lovers, there is the karaoke software. Singing is one of those activities that are said to help revitalize the soul and mind and what better way to sing along to some of your favorite songs than with the help of computer karaoke software? Karaoke software for PC will help make your singing more fun and exciting.

The software will help you project your voice

You may not be an award-winning music artist but that doesn’t mean that people cannot listen to your voice. With good computer karaoke software, you can sing along to some of the greatest hits in history and wow your friends or family at your carnivals or parties. It does not matter whether your voice sounds like that of a frog in the water, karaoke software designed for PCs will help polish your voice to sound like that of a superstar. You can never go wrong when using strongly recommended karaoke software. A good one will help take your singing to a whole new level. What’s more when you can sing your heart out and wow your audience without using all of the sophisticated gadgets that an established band requires? Computer Karaoke helps you achieve so much in singing that you can without one!

So where can you get a good computer karaoke software?

There are several online computer karaoke software available on the internet and just a simple site will bring you a dozen of them ready for download. There are many that are available for free download while there are those that are offered with a premium subscription. Still, there are those that come with available songs that you can choose to sing along to. It all depends on the type of karaoke software that you will choose to download and install on your computer. The best part of using downloadable karaoke software for PCs is that when you don’t need it anymore on your device, you can always uninstall and search the internet for a new one that comes with more exciting features that you wish to have. Karaoke software is your best companion when you need to sing your best song!

How to use karaoke software

Once you have got the karaoke software installed on your PC you can then proceed and try singing along to any song of your choice. Your karaoke software will show you a list of songs stored in your device’s memory so that you can just choose one that you wish to sing along to. Once you have the track ready, you can then start to sing along and get to relieve that stress bogging you down. A good karaoke for your PC can really help you do many things that you can’t do without one. 

Beauty and Wellness Shopping at Beauty MNL

I got really excited when I was given the opportunity to shop at Beauty MNL. I saw my older sisters buy from their online shop and I had the initial impression their items were expensive because my sisters would never buy cheap products. Their sensitive skin would often require treatment from expensive products. But upon browsing through their website, I saw plenty of reasonably priced makeups, hair care, skin care, and other wellness products suited for all ages.

Since I am a mom, I tried to balance my shopping cart with beauty products and home essentials. Yes, home essentials are available in Beauty MNL! So without further ado, here is a picture of the items I bought that's worth P1,000:

Better Goods Hand and Body Soap by Bench (P129)

I love the rosy scent of this soap. We currently use this as a hand soap because of its convenient container and it doesn't dry my skin and also my kids' skin. It's a great soap for the whole family. I also used it as a body wash and I liked it, too. I did not experience any irritation or itchiness. However, its rosy scent is quite mild and it won't last on your skin for more than an hour. Still, we love this. 

Crystal Deodorant (45g) by PILI (P190)

Since I don't do strenuous activities that much and I work from home, I thought using a crystal deodorant would be best suited for me. The crystal deo is also locally known as "tawas." I have to say my eyebrows raised when I saw its price because it has the same price as the leading deodorant brands. But once I tried it, it actually performs better than my usual deodorant. No body odor whatsoever! Even if I sweat, my underarms are still unscented. I definitely recommend this product. 

Lip and Cheek Stain Alive! (Cherry Pink shade) by Skin Genie P80) 

This is an unfiltered picture of me using the Lip And Cheek Stain Alive!
 I like the reddish/pinkish lips it gave me. 

I was actually looking for a lipstick I could use every day and I ended up buying a lip tint instead. And I am definitely glad I did buy this. What persuaded me to buy this is it has lots of positive reviews from its buyers so I decided to try it as well. The tint is actually like the lip stain that you get after drinking strawberry Kool-Aid or after eating cherry candy. I like its bright red color and it's what I use whenever I go out to fetch my kids from school or when I do errands. I just make sure to moisturize my lips before using it for better results. 

Blindspot Healing Stick by Skin Genie (P100) 

I was actually persuaded by the positive reviews of this product. This product is supposed to remedy dark spots on the body so I decided to buy one for my dark spot on my face (beside the mouth). The stick is quite convenient to use and the scent is not overpowering. It's my 5th day of using it, but still no improvement. I will still continue using it and continue my observation. 

Graph-Ink Liner by Careline (P170)

This waterproof eyeliner is pretty good for its price. You just have to let it dry for a few minutes after using. I use this when I go to the mall to add a little beauty to the eyes together with an eyeshadow. 

Chia Seeds (100g) by Manila Superfoods (P135)

I've been drinking aloe vera juice with added chia seeds for a  week and it has improved my bowel movement. Chia seeds are known for its fiber benefits so I made sure to order an item that is good for the digestion and good for my health. I'm just glad to know that Beauty MNL has chia seeds in stock. They're also perfect for smoothies.  

Odor Mate: Guava and Honey (200g) by Figs and Blossoms. 

This is one of the best products I have purchased from Beauty MNL. This deodorizing spray really did wonders to our room. It instantly gave our room a clean and fresh scent and the scent is not that strong. My family especially the kids loved the smell. My son who has allergic rhinitis didn't seem to react to the scent unlike in other room sprays. This is definitely a good find for me. 

That's all! That's a 1000 pesos (Php1,034 to be exact) worth of beauty and wellness products I bought from Beauty MNL and I got FREE shipping and a freebie, too. For the freebie, I got the Tomato Serum and an electronic raffle entry for a chance to win Vice Cosmetics. 

So would I shop in Beauty MNL again? Most definitely yes. Aside from the convenience of shopping online and the hassle-free delivery to my home, I also get freebies and discounts! It's definitely a shopping site for all who seek beauty and wellness. 

This post is sponsored but all opinions are mine and they're based on my personal experience with the products/site. 

Take Care of Your Malaysian Virgin Curly Hair

Malaysian virgin hair is one of the most popular choices for wigs, extensions and other hair pieces. This is because virgin hair bundles are soft, not treated with harsh chemicals or products, and can be used to create beautiful, luxurious looking wigs and other hair products. If you have a wig made from Malaysian virgin curly hair, you will want to make sure that it’s kept in excellent condition to ensure a longer life. The following are some essential things you need to know about how to take care of your Malaysian virgin hair.

Be prepared to prevent shedding

Virgin hair does not typically shed very much at all, but Malaysian virgin curly hair is prone to a “normal” amount of shedding when compared to non-virgin hair. To help prevent excess shedding, make sure you are following basic hair maintenance by only brushing it gently, never combing excessively, and never using too much heat or too many products on the hair whenever possible. You can’t stop shedding altogether, but you can prevent the worst of it.

Keep it moisturized

Virgin hair needs to be kept moisturized on a regular basis, especially when it has a curly texture; if you don’t moisturize your hair enough, it can become dried out, brittle, and shed. Curly virgin hair needs to be water-activated every day with a combination water/conditioner mixture; in addition to this daily upkeep, you should be using a moisturizing conditioner often. How often you use conditioner will depend on the condition and quality of the hair.

Use the right shampoo

If the hair is not naturally curly—that is, the curls were not natural to the hair donor—you will also need to use shampoo specifically designed for dry, damaged or chemically treated hair. This will help keep the hair healthier and prevent excessive shedding. If the hair is naturally curly, you do not need to use shampoo designed for damaged or treated hair, but you should still use a quality shampoo.

Never brush it when it’s dry

Normally, you would only brush hair when it's dry-but curly virgin hair vendors should only be brushed when it's wet. Brushing curly hair when it’s dry will cause breakage, frizziness, and shedding. When it comes to what to brush your hair with, you should ideally only brush it with a specialized wide toothed comb or a Denman brush. However, be careful not to comb your piece too much, as this can cause excessive shedding as well as frizziness. As a general rule of thumb, don’t comb your piece more than once or twice a day, and remember to be as gentle as possible to avoid damaging the hair.

Avoid using oil products

One of the biggest mistakes people make with curly hair is using oil-based products. You should never use products with mineral oils on your curly hair. The oils can ruin the curls and even cause shedding. Instead, look for products--moisturizer, conditioner, etc--that are water-based. This will help with moisturizing your hair and prevent shedding and damage.