During the fall, we frequently hear tips about how to better weatherproof our homes for the cold winter season that lies ahead. I haven't read a tip list yet which didn't mention using a programmable thermostat, and that's probably because 50 - 70 percent of our homes' energy consumption is directly related to its HVAC system. A programmable thermostat not only makes saving energy easy, it also saves us plenty of money quite effortlessly.

I have to admit that I didn't think there were many differences between various models of programmable thermostats...until I discovered the ecobee thermostat.  ecobee is a smart, innovative company with a brand new approach to home energy management.  I recently had the chance to learn more about their Smart Si thermostat.  Keep reading to learn more!

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As you may remember reading in a previous post, I was lucky enough to be chosen as a Maytag Dependable Laundry Mom!  With that designation comes the perk of trying out the new Maytag Bravos XL High-Efficiency Top Loading Washer and Steam Dryer in my own home.

I'm happy to report that I've been using the Maytag Bravos XL pair to clean my family's neverending supply of dirty clothes for over two months now.  Keep reading to learn what my impressions of this laundry room duo are so far!

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Speaking as someone who hasn't been blessed with trouble-free skin, I've spent my life searching for the perfect skin care regimen for my particular set of skin challenges.  Basically, I need a system which can hydrate and moisturize well, while keeping my Rosacea and acne flare-ups to a minimum.  I also would love a skin care system that brightens and tones my skin, while lessening the look of fine lines and wrinkles as well as helping to remove prior sun damage.

Of course, in a perfect world, I want an all-natural skin care regimen too, free from loads of harmful chemicals and toxins.  Sounds like a tall order, right?  That's why I'm very excited to have the chance to review the Sibu Beauty line of Sea Buckthorn skin care products.  Keep reading to learn much more about them as well as whether or not they're working for me!

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Decorating a nursery is a special and exciting time. But when you've never had a baby before, it can also be overwhelming. Little babies need a surprising amount of stuff, including things you may have never heard of before! The good news is the desire to create a safe, warm, beautiful place for our babies is instinctual - it's called nesting. The “Peaceful Nursery: Green, Healthy Tips For Your Baby’s Room” app gives you all the information and guidance you need to ensure you enjoy the process.

The “Peaceful Nursery: Green, Healthy Tips For Your Baby’s Room” features a quick and easy shopping checklist of all the right items to buy for the nursery, along with tips that include: How to make healthy choices when shopping for your baby; Why going green is so important for infants; Choosing paint color; and arranging your nursery to help your baby sleep better. The app also includes video insights from the app’s co-authors, Healthy Home and Lifestyle experts Laura Forbes Carlin and Alison Forbes.

Carlin and Forbes want to help you with the overwhelming process of designing the perfect nursery for your new bundle of joy and offer these tips to guide you along:

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From as far back as I can remember, I've been a list maker...to-do lists, grocery lists, wish lists, shopping lists.  You name it and I'll make a list for it.  Especially now that I'm getting older and trying to run a household and three businesses, keeping lists is the only way I know to make sure I get done what needs to be accomplished and still stay sane!  :pull hair out:

Using scraps of paper to make all of these various lists I keep isn't very good for the environment and since I've vowed to "be more green" this year, I knew there had to be a better solution.  That's what led me to discover the Boogie Board.  I happened to be at Brookstone one day (the most dangerous store in the world for me) and I came across the original eWriter from Improv Electronics.  Of course, I just had to buy it and have been using it to keep my mind right ever since.

Unfortunately, it didn't have the one capability that would make this tool truly indispensable...the ability to save the notes you keep.  Thankfully, Improv Electronics recognized that need and did something about it.  The result is one of the best eco-friendly tools on the market today and a gadget that I absolutely can't live without...the Boogie Board Rip LCD Writing Tablet.  Keep reading to learn more!

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Healthy Home and Lifestyle experts Laura Forbes Carlin and Alison Forbes have created the “Easy Feng Shui with Augmented Reality” iPhone app to help guide you in creating a healthy home. Using an overlay technique known as “augmented reality,” users can use their iPhone viewfinders to literally look around a room, while the app shows them exactly which part of the room is represented, such as the love, wealth or health areas. By following the app's suggestions, you can make adjustments to troubled areas and compensate for any issues.

Our homes are like our third skin—our actual skin being first and clothes being second. What we have in our homes, how we clean them, and how we decorate are all decisions that affect our lives on a daily basis. We need to take care of our homes just as we do our bodies. 

To help you create the best possible healthy home, Carlin and Forbes offer the following must-haves for creating a healthy home:

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