Contributed post.
Winter can be harsh on us due to the biting cold and the often icy conditions that we have to navigate, not to mention all of the bugs being spread around, but did you know this particular season can also be quite harsh on your home too?
If that’s news to you, don’t worry because there are tons of practical things you can do to stop the winter season from harming your home, as you will see below. 1. Don’t Let the Snow Pile Up If you live in a place where it snows in winter, then one of the most important things you are going to want to do is to ensure that you do not let those drifts of snow pile up on your property. Doing so can not only block you in and make it dangerous for you to get on and off your property, but the moisture from the snow can leech into your foundations, and that could cause cracks, dampness and other disasters too. Luckily, all you need is an electric snow shovel cordless device, and you can get out there and shovel that snow quickly and effectively, to clear your driveway and ensure that no snow-related disasters befall your home. 2. Guard Your Pipes Like They’re Gold Frozen pipes aren’t just inconvenient; they’re basically ticking time bombs for your home. When water freezes and expands, pipes burst, and suddenly you’re hosting a very unwelcome indoor pool party. Wrap your pipes in insulation, especially those in unheated areas like basements, garages, or crawl spaces. If insulation feels too DIY for you, at least keep the thermostat steady and let faucets drip during extreme cold. Sure, it sounds wasteful, but it’s cheaper than fixing Niagara Falls in your kitchen. 3. Show Your Gutters Some Love Gutters: they’re the unsung heroes of your home, but winter can turn them into icy death traps. Clogged gutters lead to ice dams, which sound cool but are really just frozen headaches waiting to happen. Clean them out before the snow hits. And if you’re feeling fancy, install gutter guards or heating cables to keep the ice away. Your gutters will thank you, and so will your roof, which would rather not collapse under a mini-glacier. 4. Seal the Deal on Drafts If your windows and doors are leaking cold air like gossip at an office holiday party, it’s time to grab some weatherstripping and a caulking gun. Drafts are sneaky energy thieves that send your heating bill sky-high while you freeze under three blankets. Seal them up, and consider heavy curtains for extra insulation. Bonus: they also make your house look cozy and hide whatever mess you’ve shoved in the corners. 5. Protect Your Roof from Winter’s Wrath Snow is heavy—like “gym bros won’t even lift it” heavy. If too much piles up on your roof, you could be looking at leaks, cracks, or even a full-on collapse. Invest in a roof rake (yes, that’s a thing) and keep it clear. While you’re at it, check for loose shingles and fix them up before they become water’s new best friend. A little effort now saves you from having to explain why your bedroom suddenly has a skylight. 6. Stock Up on Winter Essentials (Because Nobody Wants to Be the Unprepared Neighbor) Blizzards happen, and when they do, you don’t want to be the person Googling “DIY snow removal hacks” while your neighbors zip around with their fancy cordless snow shovels. Keep a stash of essentials: salt or ice melt for slippery surfaces, a decent snowblower or shovel, and flashlights for when the power inevitably goes out. Pro tip: make sure you’ve got batteries too—shaking a flashlight and hoping for miracles isn’t a great strategy. 7. Don’t Forget Your Furnace—It’s the MVP of Winter Your furnace works harder in winter than you do on leg day, so give it the TLC it deserves. Replace the filter (seriously, when was the last time you did that?), and schedule a professional tune-up before the cold hits full force. If you’re relying on an ancient heating system, consider upgrading to something more energy-efficient. It’ll save you money in the long run, and your house will feel warm enough to make you forget that it’s Antarctica outside. 8. Keep Your Trees in Check Overhanging branches + heavy snow = disaster waiting to happen. Trim back any branches that could break under the weight of snow and ice, especially those hanging over your roof, car, or favorite garden gnome. Because let’s be honest—nothing ruins your day faster than coming outside to find your car playing peek-a-boo under a giant branch. 9. Test Your Detectors (Because Winter Loves Drama) Winter is prime time for house fires and carbon monoxide issues. Why? Because we’re all cranking up the heat, lighting candles, and maybe forgetting that space heaters and blankets aren’t besties. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors now—don’t wait until you’re roasting marshmallows over a living room fire that wasn’t supposed to happen. 10. Embrace Smart Home Tech (Because Gadgets Make Everything Better) Why fight the cold when you can outsmart it? Invest in smart thermostats, Wi-Fi-connected space heaters, or even motion-sensing lights for those icy driveways. Not only will you feel like you’re living in the future, but these little upgrades also make winter less of a hassle. Who doesn’t want to turn up the heat from bed without leaving their blanket cocoon? Bonus Tip: Treat Yourself (Because You Deserve It) Winter can be rough, so why not make it a little more enjoyable? Invest in cozy throws, warm slippers, and a mug that holds enough coffee to keep you awake through the next snowstorm. And if you’ve already got that cordless electric snow shovel, congrats—you’re basically the king/queen of winter prep. Winter doesn’t have to be the enemy of your home if you plan appropriately have the right tools to help you through and you stay vigilant when the weather starts to turn cooler and the seasons start to change. Have a wonderful winter!
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Disclaimer: this post was sponsored by Salloot, with technical info provided by them, but all opinions are my own. I earn commission from qualified purchases after clicking Amazon + Share A Sale affiliate links below.
The latest and greatest in hair removal, if you haven't heard, is IPL, or intense pulsed light. It used to be that you had to spend thousands of dollars to get IPL permanent hair removal done professionally (with a course of painful in-salon treatment being spread out over a period of months), and the more traditional alternatives of shaving and waxing are too painful and time-consuming, but now there are many at home IPL hair removal devices on the market that are affordable and more or less pain free (yay technology)! 
There are so many on the market, in fact, it can be really hard to figure out which one is the best for you... Personally, I've been sent 4 IPL devices over the past year to try out from 3 different brands, and while they are all good, I'm hear to tell you all about my favorite one, what I'm calling the 2024 best IPL at home hair removal device: the Salloot Trinity iGlow 10. Watch my FULL demo + review below and read on for all the details, with links to shop and my $150 discount code!)
Whether IPL simply slows down hair regrowth or permanently destroys the hair follicles (resulting in permanent hair removal) will depend on a few factors that include power of the device, user operation error, hormones, and skin and hair color. After testing out 4 different devices, I honestly love the Salloot Trinity iGlow 10 and think it's really the best option, for many reasons, so let's get into the details:
Smart/AI-Guided Smart App:
To help prevent user operation error, the iGlow 10 has various pre-set modes, allowing you to quickly select the targeted zone, either on the device itself or their free CTONE AI smart App, automatically choosing the best power level for that area (for example, using less power for the more sensitive areas). Or, if you want more control, you can customize your settings and use the power of your choosing. 
They also send treatment reminders, since it's essential you treat the hair on a set schedule. What's this schedule look like?
By keeping to this schedule, they say you should notice 93% hair reduction within 4 weeks. So, looking long term, you may still need to be shaving and using the IPL once every 2 weeks in the long run, but you should notice less and less hair return each time, possibly getting finer, and potentially no hair eventually! Again, individual results may vary... 
Comfort:
With 12cm² Sapphire Ice-Cooling Technology, the iGlow 10 features the world's largest sapphire ice-cooling window. What's this mean? It's better able to keep your skin cool and comfortable against those powerful light flashes, and the Triple-Pulse IPL Tech, which otherwise could get hot and potentially cause burns or skin irritation. As an iGlow 10 user, I can attest to this window being ICE cold, so much so that it actually gets condensation, it's incredible!! As long as you've shaved the hair before the treatment, and use an appropriate power level, you will experience ZERO pain (or at least that's my personal experience). 
The shape of the iGlow 10 also adds to the comfort and ease of use, featuring a 30 degree angle that makes it ergonomic and easy to reach ALL the areas of your body, including the bikini area and under arms. It also has triggers on both the left and right side, as well as auto-glide option, so no matter how you hold it, it's comfortable and easy to use.
Efficiency:
Salloot Trinity iGlow 10 has a maximum power output of up to 25J energy and offers triple pulse IPL tech, with a maximum speed of 200 pulses per minute. This is significantly stronger and quicker than most IPL on the market, meaning treatments take less time and should be more effective - ultimately providing a faster result within 2 weeks, and eliminates the most stubborn hair. But don't worry about all that power, remember it features 4x ice cooling technology! 
Final Thoughts:
With its high-speed functionality, cooling comfort, and potentially permanent results, the Salloot Trinity Glow 10 proves itself as a leading choice in IPL hair removal. Say goodbye to razors and waxing appointments, and say hello to smooth, hair-free skin right from home. Follow @salloot_official on Instagram and @Sallootofficial on Facebook for tips, updates, and user reviews. For an at-home beauty routine that truly delivers, the Trinity Glow 10 stands out-this is one device you won't want to miss. Intrigued?? Yeah, I know you are!! Don't put off your hair removal another day, go ahead and invest in yourself!! SHOP HERE (commission earning Affiliate links):
 Contributed post. Can you even believe that we’ve nearly reached the end of 2024 already? It appears that Americans’ travel itinerary has been jam-packed this year. Planning to be constantly on the move, a majority embarked on a domestic vacation this year.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, travel numbers will only increase. Being the busiest holiday, it is expected that new travel records will be set this year. Suppose you cannot travel outside or even within the country’s borders, how about an exciting one-day road trip? It could be the much-needed stress relief your family needs in the second half of the year. With numerous places to visit, you should be prepping for your family day out already. Need some help in making this day a blast? Keep reading as this article will discuss useful tips on making the most of a family day out. Plan a Realistic Schedule Start by developing a schedule that will be relaxing, and not hectic. This is especially required if little children are involved. You want the trip to be overall fun, not drudgery by the end of the day. So, choose a focal spot and explore neighboring attractions as well. For instance - if you’re in London, you cannot miss the Tower Bridge and the British Museum. Suppose you drive your way through the former and explore the latter at leisure. As two major spots are covered, you may have time to spare for surrounding areas like the London Eye or the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Similarly, prepare an itinerary beforehand if you want to discover a busy city like New York or Chicago. At the same time, schedule for unplanned activities if you want to do something out of the blue. See what works best for your family and don’t forget to account for the travel time. After all, it’s a day out and you must get back home on time. In case you’ll be using public transport or renting a car, get to know the logistics beforehand. In other words, look at the train or bus timetables, pre-book parking, and more. A pro tip would include having tentative plans for lunch and snacks as well. You do not wish to end up in the middle of nowhere with a wild and hungry gang. Keep a Packing List Handy Packing without a list, particularly when children are in the picture, is a travel sacrilege. We know that a packing list for not even a whole 24-hour trip may sound a bit too extreme. However, it is best to be safe, with all essential items in hand, than sorry. Plus, the same list can be used for each family day out with some modifications based on the weather, schedule, etc. All you need to do is prepare the packing list on a digital platform like a spreadsheet or just the notes. Now, what would the packing list include? That would depend on the climate, where you’re traveling, and the ages of your children. Ideally, the beach day-out list must include sun hats, sun creams, extra layers of garments, additional footwear, and first-aid kits. You can also pack supplies like antibacterial hand gel and bandages. Carry Easy and Healthy Home-Cooked Meals We know that in the previous section, we briefly mentioned a rough plan for lunch and snacking. Let’s use a separate point to discuss the importance of carrying along wholesome home-cooked meals. These are healthier, overall cheaper, and much more convenient than eating out. You don’t have to prepare time-consuming elaborate recipes either. Easy recipes can even be prepared in the classic pressure cooker. Think about delicious recipes like Instant Pot cheesecakes, tasty dukkah, Mediterranean chicken orzo, fabulous fajitas, etc. Just ensure that you do not use hasty measures to further accelerate the cooking time. Food in this appliance gets cooked fast enough as it is. However, overfilling it with liquid or food contents increases the risk of an explosion. The trapped steam can lead to severe burn injuries or hot food may spill out. So, can a pressure cooker explode? Yes, there was a recent case where a woman suffered serious burns due to such an explosion. Her face swelled up and she sustained injuries on her neck, chest, and face. According to TorHoerman Law, many appliances are reported to have manufacturing defects causing malfunctioning and explosions. Just be careful, check the valves and seals, release pressure safely, and maintain your cooker properly. Then, prepare tasty healthy meals in the pressure cooker that will last you throughout your day out with family. Manage Expectations Every participant in a family day out will have certain expectations, especially the little ones. It’s unlikely that everyone would have plans for anything more than fun. For instance - children would be so excited that they would have never factored in frustrations like long queues and traffic congestion. This is why it is good to have a little chat with them before embarking on the trip. You must let every member know what to expect in terms of the tentative time of arrival, schedule, as well as specific details. An example would be letting the children know that they may encounter a long queue at certain spots. Matters may get more stressful than you had anticipated. When they do, it will help to refer back to this chat. This way, everyone will know what to expect and what is expected of them. Managing expectations in advance may not be a magical cure but is undoubtedly helpful, especially when kids are involved. As we draw to a close, we would simply like to reiterate the importance of planning out such trips with your family frequently. In the upcoming holiday, 80 million Americans have plans to travel between November 26th and December 2nd. Some will hit the roads, whilst others will take a cruise or board a flight. Are you also eager to go out? Such enthusiasm must be kept alive to enjoy respite from the drudgery of everyday life. Just follow some basic tips as discussed and your next family day out will be a roaring success. |
 
About ME:I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins plus 1), focusing on fun and honest product and travel reviews, saving moms time finding the best for their families! Find what you need in the menu bar or search section above! 
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