Ask any woman what essentials she always carries with her, and you’re likely to get a long and varied list: cellphone, keys, makeup, wallet; those are just the basics. But comedienne, talk show host and mother Joy Behar has recently added a new item to her list of “must-haves.” It’s a small silver-colored tote and key chain that’s slightly smaller than a lipstick, and its contents could one day help save her life.
Do-it-yourselfers range from experts to novices, ambitious renovators to weekend handypersons, but one thing they all share is the drive to find products and tools that can make their home improvement projects easy, successful and fast. Here are 10 innovative products for DIYers in 2011.
Taking care of your skin undoubtedly has its cosmetic benefits, but more significantly, it also plays a large role in overall health – particularly for seniors. Keeping aging skin healthy allows it to offer protection from environmental harms and infections as well as produce important vitamins.
Energy costs, burst pipes, ice dams, chimney fires, and power outages are all potential hazards during the winter months as a result of severe weather. It is important to minimize the inconvenience and damage that ensues.
It pays to have an optimistic attitude when you go to the airport. Everyone knows that the frustrations passengers face today are quite different than in the past, but some of discomforts have been around since air travel started. Whether you’re dealing with long security lines or uncomfortable seats, a little preparation and a positive attitude can make the skies a little bit friendlier.
In today’s challenging economy, homeowners are looking for a few extra bucks to help pay their monthly utility bills and other household expenses, but there’s no need to resort to searching for spare change in the sofa cushions. You can find plenty of extra cash throughout the house by making some simple and smart energy-efficient home improvements.
Major home renovations can be overwhelming, but there are a few fundamental repairs that can update your home’s appearance and increase its value. If you’re planning to sell your home in 2011, take advantage of the colder winter months to prepare your home for a spring sale by focusing on a few key projects.
Winter is the season for being cozy, while spending long days and nights inside the comfort of our tightly closed homes. It’s also an infamous time for feeling dry and under-the-weather. With people spending more time indoors, air circulation is compromised, and the level of contaminants increases. Fleeting freshness and moisture take a toll on our skin, throats, noses and overall health, and can be especially harmful to those suffering from allergies and asthma.
The patio season is winding down, but it doesn’t mean it’s time to neglect your outdoor space. While the season for outdoor decorating and hosting is about to take a break, you can do a number of things to make sure your deck or patio stays in good shape for next year. Winter also presents a great time to work on some projects that can make your outdoor space look even better once the warm weather comes back.
A lawn is an extension of our living space, a place where we can enjoy outdoor activities with family and friends. When pests invade our yards and threaten our comfort and safety, it’s important to take action to control insects and weeds by choosing and using lawn and garden products carefully.
A new home: It’s your chance to personalize your living space with details that suit your taste and personality. Or, so you think. Many builders only allow you to choose colors; and offer limited options beyond their builders’ grade materials. Or, if you’ve purchased a previously owned home, it too is most likely equipped with many basic options. Luckily, it’s easy to bust out of builder basics and add a few easy and inexpensive updates to make your cookie-cutter home stand out from the rest.
If you’re reaching for bottled water thinking it’s cleaner or healthier than tap water, think again. While bottled water labels depict clear streams and glaciers, the labels fail to provide basic information about the source and purification of the water inside.
If you’re a homeowner, you probably consider your home to be a long-term investment. But have you thought about future-proofing your house to maximize its value?
Starting any home project can be stressful, especially when undertaking those projects in the most-used rooms of the house, like the kitchen and bathroom. From overall room style to structural changes and fixtures, many pieces of the puzzle need to fit together to create the finished product.
One in two Americans is living with a chronic disease. Chronic diseases are persistent and recurring, and are typically either hereditary or the result of factors such as poor diet, obesity or lack of exercise. Having these five simple screenings can be a first step in determining whether or not you are at risk for a variety of treatable – and preventable – chronic diseases.
No matter where it is, no matter how it’s decorated, a home should always provide a sense of warmth and welcome for family and friends. Consider adding homey touches throughout your home to help everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. Fortunately, creating this inviting atmosphere can be as simple (and cost-effective) as introducing different colors, aromas and accents to spruce up your decor for the season.
Homeowners are accustomed to using salt to clear ice from sidewalks and driveways in the winter. But you might be surprised to learn that there are different types of salt, and that each type has different melting properties.
Most people think of massage therapy as a luxury to enjoy at resorts, on cruise ships or in day spas. But science is revealing that there’s a lot more to massage therapy than just a relaxing rubdown. Many members of the mainstream medical community are recommending massage therapy for its ability to help patients manage pain, relieve anxiety and improve overall health.
The kitchen is the heart of the home: a place to cook and share a meal, to entertain friends, gather as a family and even pay bills or do homework. Energizing your kitchen doesn’t take a major decor overhaul. Some strategically selected splashes of color in countertop appliances, cookware, dinnerware, candles, placemats and other linens can do the trick.
For many of us, the holidays are a mixture of fun and frantic shopping, joyful times and a hectic pace. Criminals, however, see the holiday season as full of opportunities – the perfect time to take advantage of seasonal chaos. Fortunately, by taking some simple precautions, you protect your home, purchases and identity from predators this holiday season.
The master bedroom has evolved into far more than a place where you hit the pillow and grab a few hours of sleep each night. Today, it’s almost a misnomer to call these modern, multi-functional rooms bedrooms. If you’re looking to renovate, expand or build a new master bedroom, think “master suite” instead. Don’t just create a cozy room meant for sleeping, because in recent years it really has turned into so much more.
If you think home maintenance means fixing something only when it’s broken, then you could be in for some costly surprises. Routine maintenance can help identify and address home-related issues early and prevent them from becoming bigger problems later.
For many folks, connecting with nature has calming and invigorating effects. However, cold and short days make getting outside a little more difficult. If you find yourself coming down with a case of cabin fever every winter, try bringing the outside in and decorating your home in a way that will make you feel more connected with the outdoors in the comfort of your own living room.
Can putting yourself first be considered an unselfish decision? When it comes to your health, the answer is yes. By putting your health first, you’re not only staying well for you, but also for your loved ones.
Are lower real estate values keeping you in your current home – even though you were hoping to upgrade? Or, maybe you can’t bear the thought of boxing up all your belongings to move? You’re not alone. More homeowners are staying in their current homes, but remodeling with the idea of improving their quality of life and adding more “live-in value,” according to recent research from Consumer Reports.
Tucking your garden in for the winter doesn’t have to put an end to enjoying the beauty of your landscape. Freshen up this holiday season with touches of nature to enhance your home and spirit.
A fresh cycle starts fresh every year on Jan. 1. We promise ourselves we’ll start eating better, work out, save more money, or otherwise improve upon the way we live our lives. However, statistics show that by mid-January, most people don’t follow through on their resolutions and give up. This happens so often but it’s not always easy to understand why.
With colder temperatures looming, now is the time to check your home for deteriorating mortar joints and loose mortar – and make any minor repairs before they turn into major headaches.
Transforming a room from floor-to-ceiling isn’t as hard as it may sound, even if you’re DIY-challenged. The job can be simple if you start from the ground and work your way up with these easy do-it-yourself tasks.
Fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread pain and tenderness, decreased physical function, and other symptoms, affects between two and four percent of the U.S. population or up to 12 million Americans, mostly women. Many women wait until they can no longer tolerate their symptoms before seeking help.
