Home & Garden Blog

Oh how quickly the tides change, seems like just yesterday I was trying to find relief from the Summer heat by sitting in a puddle of my own sweat fanning myself!

Now the crisp breeze in the wind has me closing windows and gasp! even considering purchasing a heater for the cooler seasons. By the way is it just me or do the seasons seem to be more extreme of late? The heat seems to be “unbearable” whereas the winter and fall seem to be both colder and longer than previous years? (Scary.)

Darn, I digress. Where was I? Oh yeah Heaters...

So I don’t know if I ever mentioned it but the love of my life happens to come in a hairy, slobbering snoring, farting form, namely my English bulldog Buddha! So I definitely take him into consideration before making potentially harmful purchases such as space heaters.

The QMark Hydronic Baseboard Heater from Air & Water Inc. is worry free and safe for kids and pets. A sheathed electric heating element is totally immersed in a heat-transfer liquid and sealed in a heater-length copper tube. The large diameter reservoir maximizes the volume of heat storage fluid to prolong the thermal constant of the entire heater. Gentle heat keeps radiating even after the thermostat turns off because of the hydronic elements retention qualities. The entire unit mounts flush to any wall and flat on any floor - wood, carpet or tile. The trim, three-inch thick functional design and low operating temperatures allow carpeting to be installed up to and around the baseboard. Heavy-duty welded steel louvered grilles discourage insertion of foreign objects and direct heat outward into the room. Built-in cut-off automatically shuts down the heater should any overheating occur.

List Price - $199.00

Price Break - $59.05

SALE PRICE - $139.95

If you are interested in purchasing the QMark Electric Heater, click here.

Extra 5% Off all Online Orders! Simply enter coupons code: “Cool” at checkout.

If you are bored with your current home decor options a quick and affordable fix is to change the little things. Changing your bed sheets in the old boudoir, swapping out the lamp shades, adding a nice rug here and there, are all little things that can totally update or change the mood of a room!

Well for the purpose of this particular post let’s focus on lamp shades. In the past I was always quite stunned at how expensive “Tiffany Lamps” cost, I suppose I was just never familiar with that particular genre but I found a great deal on a Landmark Tiffany Lampshade from HomeAnnex.

The lamp shade is featured above and only costs $36.00!

As for me I tend to prefer styles like this Cream Shantung Lamp Shade from LightingDirect.com!

I like the cream color, plus the scalloped bottom fringe adds a little whimsy to an otherwise basic lamp shade. Funny part is on the LightingDirect.com site it states that the optimal suggested location for this lamp shade is a “kitchen nook”. Which I think is fine and dandy but actually I think the lamp shade is better suited in the bedroom, a study or living room scene. I don’t know what sort of kitchen you have but its a tad too fancy for my kitchen plus things described as “cream” have no buisness on my kitchen counters. Just a thought.

Costs $34.00

The Gold Jacquard Lamp Shade emits a nice golden glow and I can see the golden pattern adorning a variety of homes.

Oh my gosh, again it’s recommended in the store description as a good “kitchen nook” item. Does everyone but me have a super fancy kitchen? I really don’t see this lamp shade in a kitchen.

Gold Jacquard Lamp Shade - Costs  $23.00

If you don’t like any of these lamp shades options, don’t worry there are hundreds more to choose from, simply click here, Discount Lamp Shades.  

Some people find wood chimes annoying, I think they are enchanting. Now my preference is a light sweet tinkling when the breeze gently passes, not a loud clanging or symphony of noise with the slightest movement of chimes. Well with that in mind The Vermont Country Store is featuring Handpainted Glass Wind Chimes. The rectangular chimes and center diamond are colorfully handpainted with pastel blossoms. Has sturdy nylon cording and metal rings, and it’s completely rain-proof, but keep in mind it’s still made of glass so don’t leave it out in heavy winds.

Price $14.95

I think this set of two Woodstock Door Chimes are classic, attractive and affordable. Sold by Living Comforts the chimes consist of four anodized aluminum tubes and carbonized laminated bamboo.

Originally cost $44.00 Now $40.00 (remember set of 2)

If you ever daydreamed of being Chinese royalty a’la the Last Emperor than check out the Woodstock Emperor Gong! On top of that I happen to think that this chime is quiet beautiful. This dynamic gong evokes balance, harmony, and grace, with its gentle curves, graduated angles, and subtle tones. Each ash wood accent tapers at one end, for eye-catching movement. The bronze gong will certainly catch and reflect the sun, brightening your garden. The wood striker has a rubber gasket around the center, creating a beautiful tone, rather than a harsh clink. Hang this item from a hook or branch, and allow the wind to move the wooden windcatcher. Conjure images of ancient eastern dynasties in your yard with this Emperor Gong.

Price $69.99 

To shop or purchase any of the featured Wind Chimes simply click on the link or the image.