Coolest Home Gadgets

Gadgets and technology for the home are fast becoming the number one way to show off to friends and family. Summer is the season to do this as the parties and get togethers are all the more regular. Here, we’ve found a selection of the coolest gadgets for your home to bring it up to the luxury standard of similar enviable homes on http://www.fortmyersrealestate.com .

Transparent televisions have been appearing at trade shows and on tech blogs for a few months now but some seem to have been produced for the mass market and are being praised by reviewers globally. Initially designed by Michael Friebe he is apparently in talks with Apple as they want the rights to produce something similar. The LCD screen allows this piece of previously ugly furniture to become invisible and contemporary as well as holding the possibility of a touch screen, interactive element, which will stand it miles above its competitors. Be the envy of your friends and get yourself one of these beauties. Another bonus about them is that they take a lot less cleaning from the little ones handprints as well as seeming less imposing on your living space.

All new trendy light switches that control the whole house are being introduced in some of the coolest houses in the world, but now its time for you to be part of this exclusive (and convenient) club. Not only can you control the lights on the all-new floor plan switches but the entertainment in those individual rooms too. When the children have gone to bed you can get downstairs before you turn their lights and TV off and will be able to see if they sneak it back on again. You can also create more atmospheres and use the switch for the perfect party atmosphere with different music styles playing in every room, just like your favourite club, brought to your own home.

The Sony Ellipse is another cool little snazzy gadget that runs on solar energy (and lives stuck on a window or patio door) and makes your home media systems work seamlessly. Created by two Chinese students this whiz of a device rarely runs out of battery, and is like a giant remote that can be linked to all media players (as well as the floor plan switches) throughout your home. With the idea of the ‘fully integrated home’ these devices are soon going to be the norm, so buy one fast, whilst they’re still a ‘must have’ gadget.

Finally, maybe not so unusual but definitely the most enviable is the home gym and spa. Why pay for a membership when you can have all you need installed in your own home. You don’t need a large space if you get a designer in to help you get best use of the space. After a long day at the office relax with an hour or so on the treadmill (whilst enjoying some television on catch up, or alternatively some dance tunes to keep you motivated) and then a sit in the Jacuzzi and sauna to make the days stresses disappear.

Cheap and Fun! 4 Family Activities You Can't Miss When Traveling to Florida This Spring Break

Cheap and Fun! 4 Family Activities You Can't Miss When Traveling to Florida This Spring Break

Florida is well-known for offering tourist attractions in nearly every genre. If you're headed down for your family Spring Break, here are some top activities you must see. With attractions scattered throughout the state, there's no excuse for missing out.

Making Memories at Iconic Theme Parks

Image by Sam Howzit
Around Spring Break, you can really make the most of your theme park tickets by planning your visit during one of the special events taking place during these months. The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival at Disney World and Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida overlap with Spring Break. Admission to these events is included with your ticket to the appropriate park. This even includes admission to the big name concerts at Mardi Gras.
The Flower and Garden Festival is ideal for smaller children who will thrill at the character-shaped topiaries and butterfly garden. Teens and older children will love catching beads from the parade and seeing the live concerts at Mardi Gras.

Splashing in the Sun at Florida Water Parks

Image by rickpilot_2000
Florida's warm weather makes it ideal for visiting water parks in early spring. Disney has two parks on property – Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. In keeping with the theme, Blizzard Beach's waters are a bit cooler so you may want to opt for Typhoon Lagoon if outdoor temperatures are still a bit cool.
Other water parks include:

• Adventure Island in Tampa
• Big Kahunas in East Destin
• Shipwreck Island in Panama City Beach
• Wet N Wild in Orlando
• Sunsplash Waterpark in Cape Coral
• Daytona Lagoon in Daytona Beach

Learning About Wildlife at Animal Attractions

Image by Bogeskov
Alligators are so plentiful in Florida that you may spot one whether you visit an animal park or not. For an up-close experience, try zip lining over alligators at the Alligator Farm Zoological Park in St Augustine or Gatorland in Orlando. Jungle Adventures Nature Park in Christmas, Florida focuses on native Florida wildlife, providing lots of opportunities to meet local critters up close.
If you're looking for a more traditional zoo, visit the Miami MetroZoo, Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Brevard Zoo, or Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park. If you're itching to get into the middle of it all, Lion Country Safari African Adventure offers drive-thru safaris, as does Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Watching Major League Baseball Spring Training

Image by theseanster93
2013 is the 125th anniversary of Major League Baseball Spring Training in Florida. Teams include:

• The Atlanta Braves in Lake Buena Vista
• The Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota
• The Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers
• The Detroit Tigers in Lakeland
• The Houston Astros in Kissimmee
• The Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter
• The New York Mets in Port St. Lucie
• The New York Yankees in Tampa
• The Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater
• The Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte
• The Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin
• The Washington Nationals in Viera

Grab New York Yankees Spring Training Tickets, or those of your favorite team, early on so you don't miss any of the exciting action.
Florida is a great family friendly Spring Break destination. With something for everyone, you're sure to find plenty of compromises that keep the family happy.

Home Improvement: Easy Ways To Change The Kitchen

Home Improvement: Easy Ways To Change The Kitchen

Remodelling a kitchen has to be one of the most expensive tasks to do around the house - but does it really have to be? It depends on how one looks at it - there is one paradigm where one might want to change everything with the help of a designer and not even bother looking at the bill. And there is the other option of the do-it-yourself project that might be a little bit more stressful but certainly cheaper and more rewarding.

The rule is - a kitchen doesn't need to cost an arm and a leg to look simply amazing. For example - instead of changing the cabinets, one might want to repaint and reshape them. Doing simple structural changes might simply make the difference. Now, let's discuss some of the changes that will bring a kitchen in a whole different era.

1.) Paint It Black (or not!)

Moving away from the Rolling Stones' song, repainting a kitchen is certainly one of the cheapest way to change how an interior looks. Not to mention the fact that often enough one would only need a gallon or two of paint to make this particular shift. There are two main directions - either consider neutral colors and adding a dash of personality using all sorts of accessories or going all berserk with the colors but keeping low on other accessories.

2.) Go For The Cabinets

Changing kitchen cabinets by yourself might be a lovely budget cut in terms of home improvement and redesigning. Not to mention the fact that there is more than one way to handle this task. First, one can focus on the look - this usually works if the cabinets are already in good shape and only need a good paint job. A second option would be stripping and sanding - but note that this should be done with care. After all, there's no going back after all that damage. Another way would be considering the open look - take those doors down and open everything up.

3.) Lighting Systems

Now this is a job most leave to professionals, but it's not a must. One can research all sorts of lighting solutions like Kobi Electric and opt for that clean and soft light that will give any kitchen a whole different outlook. The only thing one needs to keep in mind is that lighting systems should be upgraded with the help of a certified electrician - but that doesn't mean it will be more expensive than the entire kitchen. Do the research on your own, buy them and let the guy install them, that's all.

Save1 Save Money. Save Lives!

Since I have a 19 month old son, shopping in actual stores is a thing of the past.  I do all my "fun shopping" mainly online now to avoid any temper tantrums my son may have because he is bored.  My friend Angel referred me over to a website called Save1.  

On Save1 they offer thousands of coupon codes to use on different websites.

One of my favorite places to shop, is Ulta.

I definitely cannot bring my son there unless I want him to take every single nail polish off the rack!

Save1 offers an awesome online coupon code for Ulta. 

The best part of all is whenever you use a coupon on Save1.com they actually provide a meal to a child in need.

Best of all it is all completely free.  There is no cost to use the website!!!   You save money, and a child gets a free meal how amazing is that!!

From now on I am definitely going to use Save1 for all my online purchases!

*I was compensated for this sponsored post, all opinions expressed are my own.  

Moving is easy with Alamo Car Rental!

Making Your Move Easier

Moving is stressful no matter how much work you put into making it go smoothly. This is true whether you are moving just a few blocks away or whole states away from where you are currently living. Here are some things that you can do to make your move to a new state easier on you and your entire family:

Scoping It Out Ahead of Time

If you can afford it, plan to take a family trip to where you will be living before you move there. You can use the time to set up housing and explore the area. This way your kids will know where it is that they will be going so they won’t feel like they are being flung out into the unknown. If you cannot afford to take the entire family, go yourself and take lots of photos and videos.

Spend some time online with your kids showing them information about their new home. You can use Google Maps to zoom in and “take a walk” around the new neighborhood. You can explore the new school’s website and look at pictures of the teachers your kids will have and of the kids with whom they will be going to class. You can check out youth activities and the local community center. The more information you give them, the safer they will feel about the move.

Your Cars

Are you worried about how well your cars will hold up for the trip from where you live now to where you will be living in the future? There are a couple of options available to you.

1. You can have your cars shipped along with your moving cartons.

2. You can sell your cars now and use the money to purchase newer cars when you get to your new home.

Whichever route you choose, you will still need to find a way to get from where you live now to where you will be living in the future. Some people have friends or family members who will drive them. Others go the (often easier) route of renting a car.

Pro Tip: If you do decide to rent a car, shop around for the best deals and perks. It’s definitely in your best interest to choose a national chain, like Alamo Car Rental, because it will be cheaper for you to rent the car in your home state and return it in your new state (smaller or independent chains might not even have this option).

Sorting Your Stuff

It’s tempting to pack up everything you own when you have to move to another state. Fight this temptation! Instead, the better course of action is to get rid of as much as you can. Keep the things that have deep sentimental value and things that you know you’ll need (dishes, cookware, bedding).

It’s difficult to take this sort of harshness to your packing, but it’s necessary. You’ll save space in your moving truck. You’ll save time with the actual packing and unpacking processes. If you sell the things you’re not taking via a yard sale or online you can even make quite a bit of extra money that you can use to finance the move.

Pro Tip: Err on the safe side with your kids here. When it comes to your kids’ belongings it’s okay to only make them get rid of things that are beyond repair. Allowing them to keep their toys, books and games will help them feel safer and will put them at ease in their new home when you get there.

There are so many things that you can do to help smooth out the moving process for you and your kids. These are just a few of them. When in doubt, talk to your family—what do they need to make things easier? How many of those things are you able to accommodate?

Family Game Night: Reinvented!

When it comes to family game night, you usually need to include a variety of games to keep everyone happy. While each person in your family will probably have their own favorite game, the key to a successful run of family game nights in the long term is to switch things up from week to week.

Thankfully, this is easy to do with today's plethora of game choices. Board games have come a long way since the days of Monopoly and Sorry, and now include far more strategy that help to teach better critical thinking skills than the old "throw dice and move pieces clockwise in a circle" style of games that dominated in the past.

The first thing you'll need is your standard go-to game that the entire family can come to again and again when no one wants to try anything new. That's where Dominion truly shines. Dominion is a card-based game that has an age-appropriate theme for the whole family that nevertheless also makes older players happy by letting you put as much thinking into your strategy as you want. It never plays the same way twice, so it's great as a game to come back to repeatedly if you don't feel like trying something new one week. Try serving themed snacks to make it even more fun, like nuts and berries.

 Families with younger children will also need a game that will excite and enchant them every time it comes to the table. Tales of the Arabian Nights is just such a game, with storytelling and a choose your own adventure style feel. This is the kind of game that kids can never get enough of. Serve with hummus or stuffed mushrooms for an Arabian feel.

 If you have a large family, then also add Cosmic Encounter to the mix. This game of space politics plays beautifully for seven players, and is definitely one of the best large group games of all time, though younger children will definitely have a tougher time with grasping which strategies will work best. For a snack, cut up cheese slices shaped like stars served alongside round crackers to represent the space theme with planets and stars. Cupcakes with star sprinkles also work well here.

Finally, if you're just looking to have a lot of fun, then you really need to bring Sentinels of the Multiverse to the table. While most superhero games are just regular games with a superhero theme tacked on, Sentinels of the Multiverse really makes each player feel like they're playing a superhero battling an evil supervillain. Serve alongside superhero themed snacks, like cookies in the shape of Tachyon's lightning bolts and ice cream representing Absolute Zero's frozen condition.

Regardless of which games you choose, the main point is to keep changing things up so that no one gets bored. Keep a lookout for new games & puzzles on Pricegrabber.com to add to your collection and you'll be sure to always keep a smile on everyone's face.

Harajuku Hugs Panda by Build-A-Bear

Valentine's Day is coming up, and the perfect gift for your loved one would have to be the new Harajuku Hugs Panda  by Build-A-Bear.  I was given the chance to review Harajuku Hugs Panda as part of a product review.  The first thing I noticed about her as I took her out of the box, were her adorable panda heart shaped eyes.  

She has the kind of eyes that say please hug me, then dress me up in some adorable outfits!

Harajuku Hugs Panda made her debut in Build-A-Bear stores on January 18, 2013.  

The Harajuku fashion line by Gwen Stefani has jumped over to Build-A-Bear, so now our stuffed friends can be dressed up like a Japanese Fashionista. She can be made for $20, and her clothing and accessories range from $2.50 to $13.50.  One of my favorite accessories would have to be the 5 inch G doll.

I am totally in love with her, and now I have a girl of my own to dress up!  My one year old son was having fun taking her little heels off, and trying to put them back on.

I really hope Gwen Stefani designs some boy clothing for the stuffed animals as well!  Also it would be really cute if she made matching outfits that our kids could wear along with their favorite Build-A-Bear!

Build-A-Bear would love for one of my readers to win a $25 Bear Buck$ Gift Card to be able to experience the fun of making their own furry friend!  Contest is from 01/21/2013 AM to 01/28/2013 AM.  Prize will be sent by Build-A-Bear.  Please enter via Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**I sent Harajuku Hugs Panda for free as part of a product review.  I was not compensated for a positive review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.  MommaSess is not responsible for shipment of prize.