Archive for the “Interesting Ideas” Category

Wow, this is pretty cool what I discovered on the web today. This is totally off the topic, but I am totally into in preserving our environment with solar energy. You know that with solar energy, you will always have reliable electricity while helping to ensure future generations of having clean air to breathe? The site I came across is called bpsolardecathlon.com. BP is a proud to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy and sponsor the BP Solar Decathlon.

In this event that occurs every other year, 20 university teams from around the world design, build and operate livable, every-efficient, and completely solar-powered houses. The event culminates in a week-long competition on the National Mall in Washington, DC. This year, the even occurs from October 11–19.

BP is sponsoring this special event as part of their commitment to discovering cost effective, clean energy solutions for everyday living. They are one of the main corporate sponsors, and the only energy company sponsor, of the 2007 Solar Decathlon and have been involved since the first competition in 2002.

As part of their support for the competition, BP has created a blog in which all of the teams as well as an on-site reporter will write posts throughout the competition. I just wanted to share this will all of you just in case some of you have the similar interest in the preserving out environment. Check this out and let me know what you think.

Tags: Solar energy, BP Solar, BP Solar Decathlon blog

I can’t believe the holidays are now sneaking up on us!! My son and I was walking throughout different retailers today and saw decorated Christmas trees already. I was thinking to myself how can I get more bang for my bucks this holiday season without breaking the bank on Halloween, birthday gifts, thanksgiving, and Christmas this year?

I know I will be spending a lot of money on toys again. I know my son will want the Leapster Learning System, The black & decker Power Tool Workshop, and many others. So, I came across this online shopping site that offers lot of savings at stores I already shop at. The site is called couponchief.com which seems to be a one stop coupon deal and discount resource for shoppers. Their focus is on customer service and providing up to date coupon codes and promotional deals and discounts. I alway shop at KbToys for my son and I found kbtoys coupons that I can use to save money on for Christmas time. I also came across a great store for Halloween this year called Costume Supercenter. There you can find a variety of costumes and save big with the costume supercenter coupons through the coupon chief. So check it out and start saving now and help ease your finances this holiday season.

Tags: holiday shopping, coupons, coupon chief, parents

Are you planning your next vacation/holiday to Paris, France? Are you looking for a easy way to plan your vacation, so that when you arrive there you will be able to see what you want without panicking at the last minute with questions and directions once you are there? I know if I could plan my itinerary before I get there and have a well planned vacation it becomes much more enjoyable. Well I came across this site called whytraveltofrance.com. This site gives ample information on France accommodations in order for a person to make a sound decision on where to stay, where to dine and explore during their duration in France. I also noticed recommendations they offer for credit voiture and France travel. So, if this sounds like you check it out and you will be intrigued.Tags: travel, vacation, Paris, France

Okay, I have really got to get to Vegas! I was browsing on the Nutrisystem community boards today and came across a lot of members talking up Las Vegas so much that now I want to go. Me and my hubby have never been there and it sounds like too much fun. The shows for one thing, the dining at many places that is unreal, shopping (you all now I love to shop)and the casino. I feel like a kid getting giddy about Disney world.

I came across the Tropicana Las Vegas resort and I was impressed with what they have to offer. Have anyone of you stayed at this resort? If so what do you think? Is this a nice resort to start with for me and my hubby to stay at or would you recommend another? I was browsing i4vegas.com and they give you quotes and list amenities that will be available to have fun until you drop. So, maybe in the future we can convince grandpa to watch our little one for just a weekend, so that DH and I can be a couple for a few days. God, I can’t wait for the day!! You couple know exactly what I am talking about if you haven’t had a nice break from you kiddos. You love them to death, but just a little break would be heaven.

Tags: Tropicana Las Vegas, travel, vacation, shopping, couples

I was cooking last night in my kitchen which is pretty nice with the exception of my counter tops. Okay, now I have plenty of counter space, believe me I love it, but.. Yep there is a but. I have rethinking how much I dislike them so much. We have purchased our home almost 3 years ago and the one thing that is a must have in my kitchen is nice counter tops and a grand black splash. I guess I just love to have a kitchen with a clean, traditional style. But what’s wrong with them? Well the previous owner must have loved the color purple/mauve tone because you can totally tell that they installed the tile counter tops and back splash too themselves. How do I know? Well the tile is not measured out right, it is cut in different lengths, and my island is also tiled however with a slit slope, and to top it off the tile wasn’t grouted properly too. It tell you it is a do it yourself project gone bad.

Now my hubby has promised that we will eventually remodel the counter tops and back splash, but I am adventurous and curious to know how difficult it would be to do it yourselves? We have remodeled or first home back in 2000. We did bathroom with new vanity, refinished walls, installed the toilet and all. So, I could not imagine with the right direction of this cool website I came across called doityourself.com I could not go wrong. This site is an open, free community with thousands of articles and over 100 active forums on several do-it-yourself home improvement topics ranging from bathroom remodels, install a skylight, to my favorite kitchen remodeling. I feel that knowledge is power and with the tools you get I can’t imagine having my new counter tops and back splash look as bad as they do now. You also can buy do it yourself DVD’s to assist you along the way. If you are in a remodel mode like me right now I would check this site out and see if your hubby will let you put your new project on agenda for next spring, heck maybe before your next holiday dinner this year! That’s what I am hoping for.

Tags: Kitchen remodel, do it yourself, home improvement, home and garden

Have anyone of you vacationed at a bed and breakfast before? I have never done that with my hubby and I was thinking that would be something relaxing to do for our 9 year wedding anniversary next June 2008. I was browsing the web and I did not realize that there was so many Texas bed and breakfast in my own backyard! I was at this site called iloveinns.com and they had a variety of locations you can lodge at in the state of Texas. There was so many different styles of bed and breakfast to choose from. Now we just need to find a sitter for maybe 3 days. Maybe grandpa will be so gracious. We will see. If you live in my neck of the woods and looking for a relaxing getaway check out this site.

Tags: Bed and Breakfast, vacation,inn, hotels, travel

I must be still thinking and dreaming about vacation today! I know I want to go to Paris and Walt Disney World, but I was thinking to myself, “try something different for once”. But what would that be? I was talking to a friend of mine today about this same topic and she suggested going to a ski resort. I was like a ski resort? I haven’t been skiing since high school for a PE class. But I thought she maybe on to something. Because skiing would be great for exercise while on vacation, but fun at the same time. Also it is something that me and my hubby have never tried before together too! So, maybe this would be a trip that I would try with just the two of us first and when Arman gets a little older maybe him too? What do you all think? Is the age of 4 too young for him to learn how to ski?

Well, I decided to do some research on Tahoe Reno resorts at Tahoe360.com because I would not have a clue on how to plan a vacation like that. What I found is that their site is very interactive especially for someone like me that likes to get as much information I can on a particular area of travel before traveling. They have interactive maps to ski resorts, hotels and restaurants. You can also see snow and weather reports and visit lake Tahoe ski resort web cams there too. I thought that was pretty neat. If you are a snow bunny and want to be one I suggest you check this out and see what you think. Maybe we will all become snow bunnies soon.

Tags: vacation, travel, ski resorts, Tahoe Reno resorts

I was just day dreaming about our next home that we plan to build in the future and what I would want in my dream kitchen. I love kitchens!! They are the heart of the home and where everyone socialize at during any occasion. Would you agree? Now, I definitely want a gourmet kitchen with all the bells and whistles such as granite counters tops, travertine tiled back splash, stainless steel appliances, display space for my china and fun dishes I have collected over time. I also want lots of storage space, and island for food preparation and entertaining. Another item I may want in my kitchen is a wine coolers.  I am not too sure if I want it because I have been brain washed by seeing them inside of every home builder’s model home or if I just want one for the ease of storage and preservation of the wine that we keep. Do any one you own a wine cooler in your home? If so, what do you like about having one? Is it worth my investment to buy one for our next home? Let me know!!

Tags: wine, drinks, food, home entertainment