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Maximizing Marketplace Savings with Groupon and eBay

2017/04 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

The last time I worked with Groupon, I was at the end of our cloth diaper days, but still thinking with cloth savings in mind. I like to get crafty and creative in my savings (without feeling like I’m skimping), so I shared how people could pair Groupon deals with unexpected cloth diaper retailers, to generate cost savings beyond going reusable with diapering. When Groupon reached out to me recently, I decided to go way back in my consumer history.

I’ve been using Groupon for over 10 years, and I was a much more frequent user when I lived in Baltimore (and had no children). In my pre-child days, I used Groupon to take a chance on new restaurants, try a new spa, or take advantage of wine tastings and beer flights. While I still use Groupon for an occasional restaurant, spa or salon outing, Groupon Coupons are more tailored to my everyday online shopping needs (almost all of my shopping is done online these days).

While I was astounded when I calculated how long I’ve been using Groupon, I’m even more surprised to see how long I’ve been using eBay. I was an early user, grabbing deals and steals before shipping became expensive, and have been a member of eBay since…2001! In those sixteen years, I’ve done a lot of buying and selling, as my 100% rating with 314 feedback comments attest.

eBay helped me make extra money, while unloading unused items stored in boxes in dark closets — keeping me afloat during a period of unemployment after graduating with my undergraduate degree. eBay saw me through graduate school, where I purchased my texts, in addition to every Hemingway book to be found (I had this crazy notion of becoming a Hemingway scholar). When I was single and decorating my first home, I found fun knick-knacks and collectibles to add some personality and style to my digs. I’ve purchased shoes (I wear a hard-to-find-size), sold items to raise money for my wedding, purchased items from France for my husband, and even went across an ocean to find a replacement stuffed animal for my son. And because my household combined with my husband’s, I can add a pair of Robert Downey Jr.’s shoes, and a bronze mold of Robin Williams face, to the list of unusual items that we’ve found on the global marketplace known as eBay. (Don’t drink and eBay, my friends. Just don’t.)

So, while I’ve known about Groupon and eBay for ages, I had no idea that they could compliment each other so well. Yes, my friends, Groupon offers coupons for eBay. From 20% off, to $10 off, free shipping and valet listing, there is definitely something for everyone. I’ve always been amazed by the deals and steals I find on eBay, and the fact that I can use Groupon Coupons to increase those savings? Unbelievable.

The next time you find yourself about the click the Buy It Now or Place Bid button, remember to check Groupon’s eBay coupons before checking out!

* This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Groupon; all opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

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Creative Uses for WaterWipes & Walgreens Giveaway!

2016/09 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

This post is sponsored by WaterWipes as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central; all opinions expressed are my own.

I’m no newbie when it comes to baby wipes, or WaterWipes for that matter, having familiarized myself with them long before the thought of children ever entered my mind. In my early twenties, single and without children, baby wipes were a staple of mine, but not in the way you might be thinking. You see, I was an avid camper and hiker, and I loved tossing my tent into my trunk and taking off for the weekend. In fact, one of the things I loved most about living in Florida was the fact that I could comfortably camp year-round. If you’re the hiking and/or camping sort, and baby wipes aren’t in your arsenal, then you’re sorely missing out!

water-wipes-final

 

 

I remember camping in Rainbow River in Florida (where the manatees spend a great deal of their time). It was June, so the heat was intense, as were the bugs. The canoeing, however, was wonderful, with the crystal clear brackish water. Baby wipes were a godsend, allowing me to freshen-up and feel refreshed with just a swipe of the cloth.

I’ve been busy decorating our new home, and found an inexpensive corner table on Craigslist that would be perfect for our master bathroom. I knew I was going to be painting the table, so I needed to sand the table to prime the wood for painting. After sanding, it’s important to make sure that all of the dust is removed so that the paint has a secure and porous area to cover (this will avoid chipping, peeling, etc.). To make sure all of the dust was removed, I used my handy-dandy WaterWipes! Since water is the only ingredient (well, 99.9% of it), I didn’t need to worry about the wipes leaving a residue. A quick wipe down and my table was ready to paint, check out the before and after shots:

master-bath-table-before-after

Use WaterWipes to gently remove dust from surfaces, without worrying about leaving residue

So, you see, baby wipes aren’t just for babies. Here are a few more (un)common uses for baby wipes, other than for baby bums:

  1. Camping

  2. Dust cloths

  3. Blot stains (keep in car or small pouch in purse)

  4. Quick shoe clean

  5. Makeup remover

  6. Sunburn relief (it won’t cure it, but it will definitely cool it off instantly)

  7. Quick cleanup for cuts & scrapes

  8. Car cleanup (perfect for dusting off the dash or cleaning up small spills)

  9. Tissues (instead of buying expensive, specialized, moistened toddler tissues, use a baby wipe instead)

  10. Laptop cleanup (I leave my laptop open most of the time, so it gets dusty quickly)

  11. Paw cleaner (perfect for those of you with pets — clean muddy paws in one swipe)

Did you know that baby wipes can by laundered and used again? The weave is thick enough for your wipe to withstand the washing machine, making them perfect to recycle and reuse (if you’re concerned about the waste from using baby wipes for…everything).

Why WaterWipes?

I’m sensitive to fragrances, not only the smell, but using products with fragrances irritates my skin. One of the things I love about Water Wipes, and have loved since they first came available in the US a couple years ago, is that they are fragrance free. I never had to worry about my son’s skin being irritated by using Water Wipes, nor did I need to worry about getting a headache from artificial fragrances.

water-wipes-walgreens

WaterWipes are comprised of 99.9% water and .1% grapefruit seed extract. No chemicals, nothing tricky to pronounce, just water. I just grabbed the last two packages of WaterWipes at my Walgreens, but I’m sure you’ll have no problem grabbing a pack (or two) at your local Walgreens!

If you don’t take my word for it, you can find out more about WaterWipes on Facebook and Twitter.

Want the chance to stock up on WaterWipes? Enter below for the chance to win one of FIVE $100 Walgreens gift cards! The giveaway runs between now and October 7, 2016. Good luck!
WaterWipes Walgreens Giveaway

I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes (5 winners).

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Goodbye Popcorn, Hello Armstrong Ceilings

2016/09 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

This post was sponsored by Armstrong Ceilings as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central; all opinions expressed in this post are my own.

I love popcorn. I also love icicles, but I don’t love them on my ceiling. Who’s with me?

I’ve both lived-in, and visited, a lot of homes in my lifetime, and when I see a popcorn ceiling I a.) shudder, then b.) wonder why or how anyone ever thought that looked good (it reminds me of asbestos, seriously), and c.) wonder how bad the drywall job really is underneath all of that spackle. Yuck! Have you ever tried to paint a textured ceiling? Not fun, not fun at all. I once helped a friend try to remove a popcorn ceiling in her home — never again, my friends, never again. It’s been over 10 years and I’m pretty sure I still have some spackle bits in my eye.

If textured ceilings aren't your thing, Armstrong Ceilings has the solution. Country Classic Planks & their Easy Up installation tracks make it a breeze.

 

Since buying our home in June, I’ve shared some of my decorating, but we’ve only recently begun making the home our own by adding finishing touches, such as painting rooms to give them personality (other than the neutral paint the house came with). A couple things have stood out, as we go room to room. First, the entire house features the original hardwood floors except the living room and my son’s bedroom. Hmmm. At some point we’ll lift the carpet to check out what’s underneath, but I suspect the floors are in bad condition if the developer chose to carpet them. The other thing is that most areas of the house have smooth, drywall ceilings, but some have a textured stucco finish. Another hmmm. Again, how bad was the drywall job that they felt the need to cover some rooms with a textured spackle? I don’t suspect we’ll try to do anything with them soon, as we have other projects taking priority, but when we do, I have the answer: Armstrong Ceilings.

If textured ceilings aren't your thing, Armstrong Ceilings has the solution. Country Classic Planks & their Easy Up installation tracks make it a breeze.

Our “beautifully textured” dining room ceiling. *sigh*

The great news, my popcorn-ceilinged-friends, is that Armstrong Ceilings are designed to help homeowners easily (emphasis on easily) cover unsightly textured ceilings. No hassle, no need to redo the drywall. Armstrong Ceilings Easy Up installation tracks are self-explanatory, making it easy to transform your room with their panels. Better still, Armstrong Ceilings Country Classic Planks (and Easy Up installation tracks) are available at Lowe’s across the country. Look for this endcap, with everything you need for installation:

If textured ceilings aren't your thing, Armstrong Ceilings has the solution. Country Classic Planks & their Easy Up installation tracks make it a breeze.

Armstrong Ceilings Country Classic Planks and Easy Up tracks are available at select Lowe’s locations across the country

 

If you are unable to locate Armstrong Ceilings planks at your local Lowe’s, don’t fret! Lowe’s offers Special Order Express, allowing you to order the materials you need and receive them in 7 days or less. I know how important that time frame is because when I decide on a home project, I want to get started as soon as possible (so that my burst of “inspiration” doesn’t leave me).

If you’re ready to say goodbye to the popcorn, and learn more about how you can easily transform your room with Armstrong Ceilings, you can visit them HERE. Need a little design inspiration? Follow Armstrong Ceilings on Facebook and Twitter.

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Artis Wall: History in Your Home

2016/08 By Lauren B. Stevens 2 Comments

Every so often, the stars align and an opportunity presents itself, though this is definitely a first for me (I know, you’re wondering what Artis Wall has to do with this, so just read on). With my husband having started a new position in June, and our purchase of a new home, he basically forfeited a summer vacation. So that the summer wasn’t a complete loss, I planned a road trip to Ohio, so that I could visit my best friend from college and D could play with her sons.

Bring a piece of history right into your home with Artis Wall reclaimed wood panels. 100% made in the USA, Artis Wall lets you bring American history home!

About a week before the trip, I received an email from Artis Wall, likely stemming from my master bedroom unveiling post. Upon investigation, I got lost in the beautiful photos of reclaimed wood paneled walls, each with a history. Here’s the cool part, Artis Wall’s parent company, Baker-McMillen, is located just outside of Akron, Ohio — a little under an hour from where I would be visiting. After a phone chat with marketing and Artis Wall’s co-creator, Will Kimmerle, I arranged a visit to the plant while I was in the area.

After a brief introduction to the Artis Wall team, I was taken on a tour of the plant to see how Artis Wall reclaimed wood planks are processed. Due to the proprietary nature of the product, I was unable to take photos of the process, but I can tell you that the team is small and each reclaimed wood plank is handled with care…by REAL people (and nice people at that).

Sustainability

I love repurposed artwork and decor, and Artis Wall reclaimed wood planks takes this concept to an elevated level. Not only is the wood sourced from old, historic barns and structures across the United States (Artis Wall is 100% made in the USA), but a feature of the product/process that doesn’t get enough attention is the fact that Artis Wall replaces what they take. Much like reforestation, or even wetland preservation, Artis Wall replaces the wood that it takes from barns.

I was under the impression that Artis Wall wood was being taken from razed barns, but I was quickly set straight. Not only is Artis Wall creating a product with a history, but they’re helping preserve that history by replacing the wood that they take. In fact, they were just about to head to Amish Country to retrieve wood from a few barns (so they’ll have more stock soon!).

Bring a piece of history right into your home with Artis Wall reclaimed wood panels. 100% made in the USA, Artis Wall lets you bring American history home!

Photo courtesy of Artis Wall™

What’s Old is New

I purchased my first home when I was 25; built in 1979, my townhome’s decor was pretty much untouched since then. I typically have a difficult time visualizing spaces, so when I saw the shingled wall in what would be my living room, I knew I had to tear everything off to start with a clean slate. Not only was a single wall covered in wooden shingles, but they had painted said wall a dark shade of brown underneath. This was not my first experience with wood paneling/shingles, as our family home had the same feature when we purchased it in the late 80s. Wood paneling definitely wasn’t ‘in’ then, but Artis Wall is bringing back wood paneling features and elevating the look with reclaimed wood.

It’s definitely interesting to see how old fashions and techniques are brought back into style and revitalized. While I could not envision my former home with the wood paneling it came with, I can now see how beautiful our living room would look with a removable reclaimed wood accent wall.

When ‘New’ Becomes Old

Perhaps the best part of Artis Wall is that it is easily installed…and easily removed. While I was left with hundreds of holes, left from staples used to secure the wood panels, Artis Wall has patented a way for users to easily install AND remove their reclaimed wood panels without destroying their walls in the process: A.I.M.™ Strips.

Should you decide you no longer like your reclaimed wood paneled Artis Wall where it’s located, or decide to change your decor, you can easily remove the panels. Having had the chance to speak with Artis Wall co-creator, Will Kimmerle, I learned that he worked for over a year to find a way to install Artis Wall without damaging your walls.

I remember renting a home, where we were not allowed to use nails to hang artwork, and spending a significant chunk of money on Command products…only to have the product fail. A clock we had received as a wedding gift fell from the wall, breaking on the hardwood floor, and taking a chunk of the plaster with it (the clock was lightweight, so it was well within the product’s weight limits). Not only did we end up doing more damage with a nail-less product, but we ended-up with an expensive broken clock.

Having a similar experience, Kimmerle spent a great deal of time coming up with an adhesive option (A.I.M.™ Strips) that a.) won’t damage your walls, and b.) actually works! I was amazed to see it in action, Will quickly removed strips from his office wall to demonstrate the damage-free ease of use — I was sold!

Bring a piece of history right into your home with Artis Wall reclaimed wood panels. 100% made in the USA, Artis Wall lets you bring American history home!

Photo courtesy of Artis Wall™

A Piece of History

The artwork my husband and I display around our home is not only there for aesthetic purposes, but also as conversation pieces. Artis Wall panels are each stamped with an origination code that you can then enter on the site to discover the history of the structure from where it came. One of the interesting things about Artis Wall is that they research the history of each structure, and provide a detailed history of the structure’s use, or uses over time, giving you an intimate look at the history now gracing your walls.

The Process

If you grew up in a house with antiques, you know that the introduction of wood into your home can be precarious (my parents once acquired a piece with wood worms that had to be treated quickly, before it could ‘attack’ other pieces in our home). Artis Wall reclaimed wood panels are all treated in a process of kiln heating (160 degrees for 4+ days), to kill any fungus or possible pests and remove moisture from the wood.

Because all of the moisture is removed from the wood, you want to open your cases of Artis Wall panels upon receipt and leave in the room where you’ll be installing for at least 72 hours prior to use. This will acclimate the wood to the climate of the room, allowing you to install the panels without fear of your hard work being railroaded by expanding panels; if you’re the impatient type, and your panels do expand after installing, you need only adjust the panel placement after expansion.

I am absolutely impressed with Artis Wall, from their company history, their passion for the product they produce, and the rich history they’re helping to preserve. If you’re looking to make a statement in your home, consider adding Artis Wall reclaimed wood panels — your wall will be the talk amongst friends!

Visit ArtisWall.com to purchase, and be sure to check out their Instagram account for beautiful examples of Artis Wall in action!

*This post is sponsored by Artis Wall; all opinions are my own.

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So Fresh (and So Clean): Tide Purclean

2016/06 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

This post was sponsored by NEW! Tide purclean as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. 

What’s the dirtiest laundry you’ve ever done? Athletic clothes after completing a mud run? Silt-stained shorts and suits from tubing down the river? For me, it’s cloth diapers.

Tide purclean is the first bio-based detergent with the cleaning power of Tide, keeping your colors bright and clean without optical brighteners.

We became a Tide family about a year into cloth diapering, when mainstream cloth diaper detergents stopped working and my son’s diapers developed ammonia crystals and a barnyard stink — lovely, eh? If you’ve done cloth diaper laundry, and I know many of you have, you know that there are times when you definitely don’t think anything will get the smell and stains from your diapers, especially in the heat of the summer.

Instead of experimenting with different routines, soaks and stripping, I decided to give Tide a try…and I’ve never looked back. Part of my motivation to cloth diaper was because it’s an environmentally friendly alternative to using disposable diapers, and I was determined to keep harsh chemicals away from my baby’s skin. Fast forward two years, to the release of Tide purclean.

Tide purclean is the first bio-based detergent with the cleaning power of Tide, keeping your colors bright and clean without optical brighteners.

Tide purclean is the first bio-based detergent with the cleaning power of Tide, keeping your colors bright and clean without optical brighteners.

So many of the ingredients in mainstream detergents scare cloth diapering families away from using them on their babies’ diapers. Tide purclean’s ingredients are as transparent as the detergent itself: water, plant derived surfactants, coconut derived cleaning agent, plant derived processing aid, bio-derived enzymes, mineral based enzyme stabilizer, pH adjuster, chelant and fragrance. Total aside, but did you see that it contains coconut? Seriously, we all know that coconut oil is the multi-purpose, cure-all household staple for families with babies!

Furthermore, Tide purclean is free of dyes, chlorine, phosphates, ethanolamine and optical brighteners — all of the nasties we try to keep away from our little ones. If you’re familiar with how laundry detergents can effect the environment, you’ll be happy to know that Tide purclean is a member of the USDA BioPreferred Program, with a formula that is 65% bio-based (again, read the ingredient list above).

Not only is Tide purclean the first bio-based detergent with the cleaning power of Tide, but its formula is made with 100% renewable wind power electricity and is produced at a zero manufacturing waste to landfill site. Simply put, Tide purclean is a detergent you can feel confident using.

When you have little ones, a trip to Target is an adventure. Bright white floors, fluorescent lighting, bright, colorful items on every endcap, and the constant barrage of “Can I have that?” I try save my browsing trips to Target for after 7pm, when running there for deodorant takes one, glorious hour of alone time. I digress.

PurClean_logo

Tide purclean is now available at Target AND if you Cartwheel (which you should anyway), you can save an additional 10% off of your purchase of Tide purclean…and a myriad of other fun items at Target! After perusing the entire aisle of Tide products — yes, an entire aisle — I was unable to find what I was looking for — Tide purclean. My husband’s eagle eyes caught two shelves of purclean on an endcap, and we were in business. While my Target was not offering a neckhanger coupon, I do know that there is a $1.00 off neckhanger coupon being offered at other stores. You know what that means? DOUBLE savings! There is a Cartwheel coupon currently running for 5% off, with a 10% coupon beginning 7/17, so be sure to grab Tide purclean on your next Target run to maximize your savings!

Tide purclean is the first bio-based detergent with the cleaning power of Tide, keeping your colors bright and clean without optical brighteners.

I have a new washing machine (a Samsung Activewash — love it!), so I’m always looking for reasons to do laundry. The first load I washed with Tide purclean was my kitchen linens, which are comprised of cloth napkins and dishtowels in the bright and bold designs of Marimekko for Target. As expected, Tide purclean has the cleaning power of Tide original, without all of the additives (and the strong Tide fragrance). The smell of Tide original doesn’t bother me, but I know a lot of people are put off by the strong fragrance, which is why you’ll love purclean. I purchased Tide purclean in Honey Lavender scent, which is unbelievably light. In fact, if I hadn’t known that I’d thrown my linens in the dryer, I would have guessed that they had been lined-dried, because the fragrance is light and fresh. To me, Tide purclean’s fragrance smelled lightly of the outdoors, which made sleeping in my clean bed linens absolutely lovely.

Alright, so whaddaya waiting for? Head to Target and give Tide purclean a try!

To find out what’s new with Tide products, and for great stain fighting tips, visit them on social media via Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download Target’s Cartwheel app, if you haven’t already!

 

This is a sponsored post, and may contain affiliate links throughout; all opinions expressed are my own.

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OurPact: Manage Your Child’s Screentime

2016/06 By Lauren B. Stevens 1 Comment

Until a couple months ago, I had no reason to worry about my [almost] four-year-old son accessing content I’d rather he not see on the internet…until he was gifted an iPad. Not only did his LeapPad Ultra (which didn’t allow him to surf the web) get pushed to the side, but a true screen addiction began.

The OurPact app helps parents manage their children's screen time at the touch of a button.

After having D answer a couple of my phone calls on his iPad (super stressful because they were about our mortgage application), and several tantrums over screen time, I instituted the use of an egg timer. Based on behavior, my son was allotted 15-30 minute increments on his iPad, and when the bell rang, he was to turn it over. Then I was introduced to OurPact.

In under 5 minutes, I was able to upload the OurPact app, register an account, install the app on D’s iPad and begin scheduling, or granting, screen time for D and his tablet. If you really want to drive your kiddo nuts, select the block feature from your device — all of my kiddo’s apps disappeared from his iPad (I was able to restore them before the waterworks began).

The best part of OurPact is that you, as a parent, are able to manage your children’s devices from any internet-enabled device. Away from home and the sitter texts you to let you know your kiddo is misbehaving? With the touch of a button you’re able to take away their internet privileges! Ah, the control. Seriously, my egg timer is a great example of how little I rely on technology (I still use a paper planner and handwrite checks to pay bills), but OurPact really is a great way to manage your children’s screen time. Maybe I’ll explain why D’s iPad “stops working” when he gets older, but right now, the whole, “I don’t know why it’s doing that, I think you need to give it a rest” bit works.

OurPact allows parents to block out times when apps (including social media) or internet access is disabled from their children's devices.

Want to make sure that your children only use their phones for emergency calls during school hours, or have no distractions in the evening during homework time or bedtime? You’re able to block out times when apps (including social media) or internet access is disabled from your children’s devices. While I don’t have a teenager, I can definitely see how this can come in handy for enforcing internet rules of usage and safety.

Those of you with older children will appreciate the OurPact Family Contract, easily downloaded and printed from the website. Since open communication is one of the best ways to keep your child safe online, print out the contract and have a discussion with your pre-teen or teen before signing. Questions can be addressed in the conversation, so there are no grey areas in the future.

Now that you’re excited about all of the benefits OurPact offers, I have something even more exciting to share with you — the app is FREE! Yes, you can download the OurPact app for free, available for iPhone, and features a Web app for parents to easily access from any device. OurPact is able to manage your children’s iOS and Android devices. Don’t wait to have the conversation with your children, download the OurPact app and contract, and get started.

You can discover more about OurPact by visiting them at OurPact.com, and staying up-to-date the latest news and updates via Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Don’t have a tablet, but want to test OurPact on one? Enter this giveaway for an iPad Air, sponsored by OurPact:

OurPact is giving one lucky winner an iPad Air!

OurPact iPad Air2 Giveaway

*This post is sponsored by OurPact; all opinions expressed are my own.

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Rout.com: Shopping with Ease

2016/05 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

As I sit here, with my fingers crossed that we are able to close on our new home within a day or two of our scheduled closing, I’m also thinking about outfitting our new home with furniture and window treatments. If you’re an online shopper, like I am, Rout.com is your shopping nirvana.

Rout.com helps consumers shop with ease, by notifying them when select items experience price drops. The best feature? It's free to use!

In the five years my husband and I have been married, we’ve not purchased a lot of furniture together. We both came to the marriage with our own homes full of furniture and favorite pieces, carefully selected throughout our 20s and 30s, which we’ve attempted to pare down over our years together. We’ve also rented homes because we’ve moved frequently for my husband’s job, and we weren’t ready to commit to custom furniture, selected specifically for a home that we would just be, well, renting.

After we started the home buying process, just six weeks ago, I got busy planning each room in the house (my office being my favorite project). I can’t tell you how much fun it’s been, creating vision boards for each room, able to decorate any way I want! Since it’s not especially practical to buy all of the furniture at once, unless you have a ton of disposable income, it helps to have idea boards with select pieces for each room. What helps even more is to have our ideas saved in our Rout.com account, so that we’re notified when an item has a price drop — who doesn’t love buying at the best price possible?

I’m thrilled when I feel as though I’ve been able to negotiate a deal on something (our car and home being the last two “big” negotiations of mine), and Rout.com helps me feel that I’m getting the best price on items I want. Take a look at my master bedroom board:

Rout.com helps consumers shop with ease, by notifying them when select items experience price drops. The best feature? It's free to use!

 

With Rout.com, you’re not just limited to housewares (that’s just my current focus). With over 150 participating stores, and over 85 million products, Rout.com allows you to search for virtually any item you’re looking for — and it’s perfect for planning your holiday shopping!

Price Tracking

Once you’ve created your free Rout.com account, it’s time to start “window shopping”! I decided to create boards based on each room I’m planning to outfit: Master Bedroom, D’s Room, Office, Living Room. When I’m ready to start serious shopping, I select those items I’m positive I want to purchase and select the “Start Tracking” link for each item:

Rout.com helps consumers shop with ease, by notifying them when select items experience price drops. The best feature? It's free to use!

 

I’m pretty positive that this is the upholstered headboard I’m going to purchase for our bedroom, so I enter the price at which I’ll jump on the item — $295 sounds good to me — and input that number to begin tracking. I’m not sure I’ll get the headboard at that price, as it’s currently at it’s lowest price historically (down from $329), but we’ll see (I have time to wait).

Price History

If you’re a numbers or statistics person, you’ll love Rout.com’s price history feature. You’re able to input a date range to take a look at your item’s pricing history, and can possibly spot trends in price drops. Here’s an example chart for an area rug I have my eye on:

Rout.com helps consumers shop with ease, by notifying them when select items experience price drops. The best feature? It's free to use!

So, while I await word from my agent about closing, I’ll happily distract myself by adding items to my Rout.com boards (hoping that we’ll be able to outfit our home soon). Well, what are you waiting for? Get shopping!

You can learn more by visiting Rout.com and opening a free account for yourself. Be sure to visit Rout.com on social media via Facebook and Twitter.

 

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Blue Apron Meals: The Final Verdict

2016/05 By Lauren B. Stevens 2 Comments

When I was offered a Blue Apron coupon code, I was initially reluctant to give them a try. I’m not a fan of subscription boxes, and quite frankly, I consider myself an expert home cook. From my perspective, what could Blue Apron really offer me?

Well, a lot actually. As I shared in my two week check-in, Blue Apron came at the perfect time, as our lives went from zero to sixty when my husband was offered a job out of state. While we were preparing for a big move at some point in the next year, we definitely didn’t expect it to happen this quickly, and to purchase a home within six weeks (if we do, actually, make our closing on the 31st).

After trying for a month, I want to share my $20 off Blue Apron coupon code for you to enjoy the ease of meal kit delivery!

I’ve spent the past month scrambling to get together paperwork and funds to purchase our home, in addition to keeping afloat with my clients. The beauty of freelancing is that I set my own schedule, but the downside is that you really don’t get any vacation time. I just started with a new client, Net Nanny, so I’m reluctant to ask for a break. What does all of my babbling mean? Well, I’m incredibly harried and having Blue Apron deliveries has been an unbelievable time saver.

So, yes, Blue Apron absolutely saves you time, without sacrificing quality. Not only does Blue Apron take care of my meal planning, but they send you exactly what you need to prepare healthy meals (with the exception of pantry staples such as olive oil). No more scrambling to figure out what to do the remainder of the bundle of leeks you bought for the recipe that only required ONE, and no more letting bunches of celery, spring onions, or any other produce, go to waste in your refrigerator. I really love this aspect of Blue Apron, but this convenience does have associated waste.

Since Blue Apron sends you exactly what you need for your recipe, almost every item is packaged in small baggies, bottles and containers. That’s a lot of waste. There is good news, however. While we’re recycling our Blue Apron boxes by using them for our current move (they’re perfect for packing kitchen items), Blue Apron does offer a recycling program for all of their packaging.

In addition to being a time-saver, Blue Apron is great for new cooks. Not only do they provide recipe cards with step-by-step instructions and photos, but they will teach new cooks one of the most difficult things to learn about cooking — time management. I like how Blue Apron guides users through the recipes, telling cooks what to prep and at what stage to prep it, as well as what you should be doing as one part of dinner simmers. The recipes really can be prepped and cooked in 30-40 minutes, but they’ll taste like you spent hours preparing the meal.

If you’re interested in Blue Apron to help with portioning meals, I will warn you that Blue Apron portion sizes are hearty. This is great for enthusiastic eaters, but can be bad for those wanting help in keeping their portion sizes to a minimum. For example, I ordered Blue Apron meals for a family of four. Each meal was able to feed the three of use for two nights.

Because Blue Apron uses premium quality ingredients from specially selected sources, everything in your box will be of the highest quality, from the meats and fish to your produce. In fact, a couple of times I was unable to get to cooking Blue Apron until 4-5 days after delivery a couple of times, and the produce was still in excellent condition (however, I don’t really recommend doing this, especially if you have fish).

And again, the packaging your Blue Apron items arrive in is specifically tailored to keep your items fresh until you get home and are able to unpack the box. In fact, the ice packs they send with your food, and they send plenty of them, typically take several days to thaw. I would feel perfectly comfortable with my box being delivered during a summer heatwave, and sitting on my doorstep until I get home from work.

My verdict? I give Blue Apron two thumbs up for premium ingredients, excellent packaging, step-by-step recipe guides and saving me a great deal of time.

If you’re interested in trying Blue Apron for free, contact me, I have 3 invites to send out. Want to dive in now? Use my Blue Apron coupon code to save $20 off of your first order:

$20 Off Your First Blue Apron Order

*I was offered a Blue Apron subscription, at no cost to myself, for the purpose of this review; all opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

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Blue Apron: The First Two Weeks

2016/05 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

When I was offered a Blue Apron promotional offer, my first thought was that I already had everything under control. I enjoy cooking, and had been doing rough meal planning for a few months, so things were relatively smooth going for me. What could I possibly gain by trying Blue Apron?

Then life hit. In a whirlwind few weeks, my husband was interviewing for a job in another state, we were house hunting, I was canceling camp and school plans here, researching and registering my son for a new school in the area where we’d be moving, and working…a lot. Blue Apron really couldn’t have come at a better time.

Blue Apron has allowed me to focus my energies elsewhere, taking meal planning and food shopping off of my plate so that I can focus on more pressing things (although, yes, feeding my family is important as well). I’ve been using Blue Apron’s meal service for two weeks and here are a few of my thoughts.

blue-apron-open-box

The boxes come insulated, with all of your ingredients packaged for the number of servings you’ve signed up for. This, my friends, means that you’re not wasting stalks of celery, or packs of green onions, tomatoes, or whatever produce that usually goes bad before you can use it. I absolutely love this aspect of Blue Apron. The only thing that would make this easier is if all of the vegetables were already washed, prepped and chopped (but that’s not really practical, is it?).

Last night’s @blueapron meal was our favorite yet! Roasted Pork & Carrots w/ Farro Salad. #nofilter #pork #nomnomnom #blueapron #blueapronmeals

A photo posted by Lauren Stevens (@laurenbethstevens) on Apr 28, 2016 at 12:52pm PDT

Blue Apron boxes come packed with exceptional care because the ingredients are top notch. Grass fed, responsibly fished, humanely kept and free range meats are the proteins you receive in these boxes, so you can feel good about what you’re eating. The produce is beautiful, and Blue Apron even includes the little things you may not have readily available in your refrigerator or pantry — ginger root, butter, farm fresh eggs and sauce bases.

So, Blue Apron has been a true help these past two weeks, allowing me to feed my family healthy, flavorful and inspired meals while giving me the time to focus on transitioning for a move.

I’m trying Blue Apron for a month to really gauge the impact it has on my household, so stay tuned for another post with all of my thoughts on Blue Apron meals.

To find out more about Blue Apron meal delivery, head to their website at BlueApron.com. To check out some of the recipes they’re sending and serving, visit Blue Apron on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Interested in checking out Blue Apron for yourself? Click on a Blue Apron promotional offer below:

2 Meals Free on Your First Blue Apron Order

$20 Off Your First Blue Apron Order

*Blue Apron sent me items to facilitate this post, however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

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Wild Selections®: Eat Responsibly

2016/04 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment


You’re likely familiar with the #DrinkResponsibly campaign, but Wild Selections® wants you to #EatResponsibly as well. We spend time researching our produce, and time making sure we’re that we’re purchasing only humane and locally sourced meats, so why wouldn’t we do the same with our seafood?

Wild Selections, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, makes it incredibly easy to eat seafood responsibly.

 

Overfishing is a very real problem, with fish populations become scarcer each year, as fishermen plunder the seas to fulfill demand. My husband has worked in the food industry for 20+ years, and his ideals about food don’t stop at door. Treating our seafood as he would in any restaurant, my husband ensures that we’re following the Monterey Bay Aquarium seafood guidelines.

If you’re not familiar with Monterey Bay’s Seafood Watch, they rate seafood with 3 classifications for consumers: Best, Good and Avoid. If you’re at the store, simply input the fish you are planning to purchase to received detailed information about how that fish is caught, whether fishing for that fish affects other species (bycatch) and to what extent, in addition to information about how that fishery is impacting the surrounding sea habitat.

As parents, we need to be concerned about the food we feed our families, and more importantly, our children. Not only do we want to make the best choices for our table, but we need to be mindful of our children’s tables in the future. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, “As a result of prolonged and widespread overfishing, nearly a third of the world’s assessed fisheries are now in deep trouble—and that’s likely an underestimate, since many fisheries remain unstudied.”

wild_selections_infographic

I know, you’re busy. We’re all busier than ever, but Wild Selections®, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, makes it incredibly easy to eat seafood responsibly. Wild Selections® is making a difference, not only in the way we eat, but for marine habitats around the world.

  • Wild Selections® gives back to the oceans by donating 13 cents from every can sold to World Wildlife Fund marine conservation and fishery improvement projects
  • Wild Selections® is the only full line of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified sustainable seafood.  The blue MSC eco-label tells you the fish in your can comes from well managed fisheries and healthy fish stocks
  • Wild Selections® is premium quality, sustainably sourced fish that’s 100% traceable; visit WildSelections.com to learn where the fish in your can was caught
  • Wild Selections® fish is premium quality, delicious and all-natural
  • All Wild Selections® tuna is Non-GMO Project verified

Wild Selections, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, makes it incredibly easy to eat seafood responsibly.

I know, I know, this is all well and good, but how does it taste, right? Delicious. I’ll be honest, I’ve only ever used canned tuna to make tuna salad, and not often at that. Wild Selections® canned tuna is premium chunk tuna (I actually had a difficult time getting it out of the can without breaking it up too much), perfect for a myriad of recipes.

Rigatoni-Tuna-Sun-Dried-Tomatoes

Eager to try something new, I scoured Pinterest and came across a recipe, from Pampered Chef, for Rigatoni with Tuna and Sun-Dried Tomatoes. This is a super-quick, easy to prepare, healthy meal! My family loved it, and it’s now gone onto my Pinterest board of recipes to keep. Usually a pasta-lover, my son was bypassing rigatoni to pluck chunks of tuna out of all of our bowls. Two [chubby toddler] thumbs up and responsibly sourced — it doesn’t get much better than that!

You can find out where Wild Selections® premium seafood products are being sold near you by using their convenient Store Locator. Get social! Visit Wild Selections® on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Well, what are you waiting for? Mangia!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Lauren B. Stevens is a former publishing rep-turned-writer, whose work can be found on ChildVantage, The Huffington Post, Scary Mommy and Care.com, among many other websites. When she's not chasing her precocious preschooler, Lauren pens hilarious and heartwarming stories about her life as a mother, ghostwrites blogs for businesses, and sometimes even finds the time to write a bit of creative non-fiction.
Look for Lauren's published essays in the books listed below:

i’m in these books!

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