How To Prepare Your Property For Winter

This post was written in partnership with Premier Snow Management.

Now that the holidays are behind us and we have at least 3+ months of winter ahead of us, it's time to start thinking about "winterizing" your property. It's better to be ahead of the game during the winter months so that you don't find yourself without heat, with excess snow you can't remove, or with unnecessary damage to your home. Here are a few easy ways to prepare your property for winter's challenging months and treacherous weather.

0

How To Draft-Proof Your Home To Keep It Warm This Winter

photo via

Winter is coming! And if you haven't thought about draft-proofing your home before, it's time to start thinking about it. Most homes, especially older ones, have a lot of small gaps that let cold air in. If you don’t plug these gaps around your home, it will be a lot harder to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Plus, you may have an issue with noise pollution as well. That’s why draft-proofing is one of the best ways to make your home more eco-friendly and create a better atmosphere at the same time. Here are some of the best ways to draft-proof your home.

0

How To Prepare Your Home For Fall

photo via

How nice would it be to only have to get some pumpkin spice candles in your home, and then you’ll be ready for fall? While yes, the candles are a pretty epic part of the season changing, there are some even more important things to be able to do to the home in time for fall. Some of these things can be costly if they are not looked at properly, which is not what you want as you prep for the the holidays (yes, I went there). So here are some of the things that you should be thinking about before your house transitions from the hot summer days to colder fall nights, and then freezing temperatures.

0

The Perfect Layering Pieces To Stay Warm In Winter

This post is sponsored by ClimateRight but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

We've had the pleasure of enjoying mild weather so far this winter. But the mild temperatures won't stick around much longer. When the winter cold finally decides to show up and stay a while, I want to be prepared with warm and comfortable clothes. But how do you dress warmly while staying comfortable (i.e., not drowning in bulk and layers of clothing) and still looking stylish?

ClimateRight by CuddlDuds at Walmart to the rescue! While picking up some essentials at Walmart this week, I came across this amazing brand of layering and lounging clothes that are perfect for staying warm, cozy, and comfortable. I love the versatility of the pieces. You can layer them for cold days outdoors or wear them alone while lounging indoors.

ClimateRight at Walmart offers both a base layer collection as well as a sleepwear collection. Since I'm all about layering and staying warm while out and about running errands, exploring the city, or walking on the boardwalk on a brisk winter day, I chose two pieces from the base layer collection. However, the sleepwear collection looks ultra comfy if you are in need of some new sleepwear.

0

3 Ways To Prepare For Fall

photo via

The end of the summer is stretching on, but there’s a distinct chill in the air now. Fall is most definitely on the way, and within a few short weeks, we will get to see nature’s stunning transformation as the leaves change color and the nights draw in. It means an end to the barbeques, the evening meals out on the deck on a warm evening. Instead, it’s all about cozy blankets, snuggly pajamas and pumpkin spice lattes! The change of season is likely to inspire a change in your makeup bag, wardrobe and home too. It can be fun to update things for fall and enjoy the changing weather. Here’s how I go about it.

0

Summer To-Do List

It's the first day of summer, so it seems only fitting to share our summer to-do list. Here at the Jersey Shore, there is no shortage of fun summer activities, events, and random things to do. From beach movies to local fairs to concerts and so much more, you'll find plenty to keep the entire family entertained for a few months.

Here's to a summer full of sun, sand, and checking everything below off the list!

1. Go peach picking and make this dessert and these cookies.

2. Go camping on the beach.

3. Walk across The Brooklyn Bridge.

0

Spring Cleaning To-Dos

photo via

Spring cleaning, in some way, shape or form, comes with the territory for most people. It’s the time of year to do the deep cleaning jobs that we often ignore on a daily basis, such as scrubbing the floor boards and cleaning on top of the kitchen cabinets. Beating the rugs outdoors is only worth doing in the warmer weather so that you don’t end up in a rain or snow storm while you do it!

I like to make a spring cleaning task list and check things off diligently. Making a to-do list for spring cleaning can be lengthy and overwhelming. With so many action items, where do you start? I've put together a list of the chores that rank high on my list and are non-negotiables. The last thing you need is to get through the year and realize you’ve double the work to do, so don’t miss out on these:

photo via

LISTS

Everyone loves a good list. Make an inventory of everything in your food pantry and cleaning cabinets. Also, make a list of the pots, pans, bakeware, and kitchenware and a list of the garden tools you own. These lists will enable you to clearly see if you have any duplicates and if you can cull any of your belongings and have a garage sale to make some space.

REPAIRS

Making a note of each of your appliances and your pipes in the home is a good way to check if you need to make any repairs. Clearing out the lint from the dryer also comes under this heading as you’ll need to reduce the risk of fire, not to mention the fact that excess lint can make your dryer break down.

PESTS

Everyone knows that pests love to move indoors when it’s cold outside. Check your attic for rodent nests and check the beams for ants and termites, which like to move in after a period of rain. Calling in companies like Terminix to get your termite issue squared away before it becomes an irreversible problem.

ALARMS

It’s the time of year to check your smoke and house alarms. This includes carbon monoxide alarms. Regular checks on these each year can mean the difference between life and death, so don’t be lax on this one.

NOOKS and HARD TO REACH SPOTS

All the nooks and crannies in your house that you usually miss out need a scrub. Ceiling fans, for example, are rarely properly dusted. Dust will settle on them and as they spin, they dispense more dust through your home. This is the same with lightbulbs; they get dirty believe it or not! Clean them and change them over if they need it – fresh bulbs reduce the risk of the electrics blowing out on you. And don't forget to clean blinds and wash curtains and drapes.

WASHING MACHINE

Wash the washer. It may seem like a silly thing to say, but your washing machine doesn’t actually clean itself whenever it does a load of clothing. Empty it of clothes and run a normal cycle with detergent to clean the drum.

photo via

These jobs are tedious, and no one likes to do them. Once they’re done, however, you 'll know that your home is truly clean and ready for those warmer months once again. Grab that feather duster, you’ve work to do!

0

Friday Fresh Picks: Fall Favorites

Happy Friday, friends! I am so glad to be wrapping up the week. I spent most of it in a head cold-induced haze, and I am finally starting to emerge from it. Two of my three sisters are coming to visit this weekend, and Sunday is the JDRF One Walk (there's still time to donate to our team, Harper's Heroes, HERE.). So, I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend spent with family. Hope your weekend is a good one. xx

News alert! We are launching in all new Friday Fresh Picks this week. Check out our new logo and more importantly, our new member Jessica from A Southern Mother. I know you'll love her as much as we do!

In this week's Friday Fresh Picks, I am sharing a few of the things I look forward to each and every fall.

White pumpkins are a refreshing departure from fall's typical orange ones.

Apple picking at Eastmont Orchards is one of our all-time favorite fall activities.

Mini pumpkin tarts from Delicious Orchards. You can't stop at just one.

Photo credit: Taste and Tell

Apple cider donuts are a given in fall. This recipe is on my to-make list this fall.

Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Apple cider mimosas. Enough said.

My DIY Eat, Drink, and Be Scary printable. I made these a few years ago when I hosted a Halloween playdate. I gave each of the moms a framed print as a party favor. I get so many compliments on this super simple, incredibly inexpensive framed print.

__________________________________________________________________

Thanks for checking out this week's Friday Fresh Picks. Swing by the rest of the FFP gals to see what they are loving this week.

Friday Fresh Picks are hand-picked favorite items, reviews and highlights from the amazing women you see above.

Visit their websites to learn about other amazing picks from this week!

Sarah from Finnegan & The Hughes

Hilary from A Fancy Girl Must
Jessica from A Southern Mother

Tina from Life Without Pink

To view all of my Friday Fresh Picks posts, click here.

0

Fall Style Must-Haves

Now that fall has arrived, I've been beefing up my wardrobe for the season. You don't need much to be on trend. Just a few essentials will do it. Mix and match them with other pieces in your closet for a complete look.

Boho Blouse - The boho trend is still strong, and a long sleeved, lightweight top is perfect for fall. The sleeves offer arm coverage in chilly weather, but the tops are light enough to wear on days that are a bit warmer. Shown: Moon River Floral Print Chiffon Tunic $75

0

Fall To-Do List

It's fall, y'all!

Fall is finally here, and well, it's feeling like it too. There's a chill in the air. The sun is rising later and setting earlier. And there's the slightest hint of color change on some of the trees. Before the season completely escapes me (which it has a tendency to do), I wanted to put together a to-do for my second favorite season.

Try a panic room experience to get in a scary Halloween mood.

Go apple and pumpkin picking at our favorite orchard.

Visit Paterson Great Falls during peak leaf-changing season.

Try out different pumpkin pie recipes to discover a new one to love.

Create and paint a Star Wars-themed pumpkin, such as this one.

Make pumpkin butter.

Make a caramel apple bar.

Do a house purge, tackling a different closet every few days.

I'm curious to know. What are some things you love to do in the fall?

0

Spring To-Do List

Spring is finally here! Although it doesn't quite feel it, it's officially spring. That's all I need to know to put me in a lighter, brighter mood. Over the past few years, I've grown to really adore and appreciate spring. Although the weather can be unpredictable (chilly, rainy, and sometimes downright hot), spring in the northeast is glorious. I'm excited to get started on this year's spring to-do list.

0

Jenkinson's Boo At The Boardwalk is Back! #JenksMemory

For two weekends in the fall, Jenkinson's Boardwalk hosts Boo at the Boardwalk, a seaside celebration filled with Halloween fun including games, trick-or-treating and more. The kids get a chance to take an early spin in their costumes and collect candy from Jenkinson's businesses including the Sweet Shop and the Aquarium.

At last year's festivities, there was plenty of fun for the kiddos including a coloring table with fun and spooky pictures. You could even turn your coloring creation into a mask. This year Jenkinson's promises all the fun of last year and some new events and activities as well!

There was a prize wheel. You spin it. You win it!

There were fun photo opps including an adorable threesome of scarecrows.

And a Jenkinson's step and repeat.

We had a chance to sneak in a few games of Skee-Ball too!

After the boardwalk fun, we headed to the Aquarium. Even the penguins were in the spirit of Halloween!

This year Jenkinson's has added a few new events including a beach maze, a pumpkin patch, and underwater pumpkin carving shows at the Aquarium.

New in 2015 is Perky's Pumpkin Derby, a race of pumpkins to the finish line! For full contest rules, regulations, and entry requirements, click here.

Jenkinson's Boo at the Boardwalk is a limited engagement. You can enjoy the fun on the weekends of October 17th and 18 and again on October 24th and 25th from 12 - 4 pm. The aquarium hours are 10 am - 5 pm on Saturdays and Sunday. Underwater Pumpkin Carving** is held in the Aquarium and will have four showings: Oct. 17 & 24: 12:30-1 and 3-3:30.

** Requires admission to the Aquarium.

For more information, visit jenkinsons.com.

0

Happy October ~ Letter From The Editor

Well, hello, October! Where did you come from?

I had September in my grasp, and just like that it's gone. Like it or not, October is here. As I sit at my desk typing this month's letter, we are also prepping for a hurricane. Joaquin is sweeping its way up the east coast and heading straight towards New Jersey. I'm having flashbacks to Hurricane Sandy and hoping Joaquin spares us this time around.

Let's just push that little detail out of our minds and turn our focus towards the blog, ok? This month is a busy one on the blog. I'll be sharing lots of good beauty finds for both us ladies and for little girls. I'm also doing a fun project with Stonyfield and Shutterfly as well as sharing an online shopping experience at The Stationery Studio and the goodies I purchased.

An all-new Spotlight on the Jersey Shore will hit the blog later this month, and I have a few fall recipes that I'll be sharing including a Halloween-inspired cocktail and a sweet treat. All this talk about food makes me want to entertain! I'll be showcasing our new Raymour & Flanigan furnished dining room in action, and I'll be sharing a few easy ways to decorate for the holidays without going overboard.

Stay tuned! There are lots of good things on the way this month, and of course, if there is anything specific you want to see covered, send me an email at piecesofamom {at} gmail {dot} com.
__________________________________________________________________

In the meantime, sit back, relax, and enjoy these popular stories from September.

Dining room makeover with Raymour & Flanigan

What to wear to a winery

Currently craving: All things fall

My favorite fall decorations

___________________________________________________________________

OCTOBER MUST-HAVES

Waffle Knit Turtleneck Sweater from Forever 21 - Perfect for fall's transitional weather.

Reyes Bootie from Sam Edelman - Every girl needs a great looking bootie for the fall.

Campfire Soy Candle - It's candle weather, friends!

Pumpkin Carving Kit - We could all use a little help when it comes to this messy task!

Check out what I'm pinning on Pinterest!

Have a great October! xx

0

Fall Bucket List

I have a soft spot in my heart for summer, but fall doesn't fall {pun intended!} too far behind. The crisp air, the rich, robust colors, and the culinary delights are just a few of my fall favorites. I like to consider it our last hurrah before winter hits. That means lots of time spent outdoors partaking in all the fall activities.

This autumn we are going to do a few new things we've never done before as well as our old favorites. I have a feeling it's going to be a great fall!

1. Go apple picking and pumpkin picking at our favorite orchard.

2. Make mile-high apple pie, apple crostada, apple crisp, and apple cider donuts with all the apples we pick.

3. Paint and carve pumpkins.

4. Take a nature hike here.

5. Rake and play in an enormous pile of leaves.

6. Go on a hay ride, walk through a corn maze, and pick the perfect pumpkin here.

7. Make spiced hot apple cider and a spiked version for the adults.

8. Try a few new pumpkin recipes (this one, this one, and this one) in addition to the old standbys such as pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread.

9. Attend Boo at the Boardwalk at Jenkinson's Boardwalk.

10. Watch a scary movie. This one is one of my favorites. 

11. Enjoy pumpkin ice cream and mini pumpkin tarts from Delicious Orchards.

What's on your to-do list this fall?

0

Currently Craving: All Things Fall

There is a chill in the air, and the tips of the leaves are starting to show signs of changing colors. In one day, we will officially say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. Each fall I like to do my own version of back to school shopping by picking up a few of my favorite things for the season.

Here are a few of my must-have items for fall 2015.

Cape | Candle | Boots | Clutch | Open-toe booties | Nail Polish | Hand Soap | Scarf | Pumpkin Tart | Lipstick

Fall is all about comfy and cozy. Chilly nights call for a warm, rich scent such as butter rum. I just ordered this Pumpkin Butter Rum candle from Crate & Barrel over the weekend, and I can't wait to light it on a cool night.

This fall I am straying from my normal purchase of a leather tote and opting for a fun, ethnic-inspired clutch instead. This foldover fabric clutch with tassels from Sole Society caught my eye immediately. How fun is this clutch?

I'm not quite ready to let go of summer just yet, and these open toe booties from Steve Madden are the ideal way to bridge the gap between the warm days and cool evenings. Pair them with this plaid scarf for an on-trend and seasonally appropriate look.

And don't forget to amp up your beauty routine this fall. Start with a great shade for your nails. Essie's "in the lobby" matches everything in my closet this fall from browns to blues to black and white. Put the finishing touch on your entire look with a lipstick in a fabulous fall shade such as Pumpkin Spice by Paulal Dorf.

One of my favorite fall past times is baking. This fall, a pumpkin cheesecake tart with a gingersnap crust is at the top of my baking list. Who's coming over to help me devour it?

0

Friday Fresh Picks: Favorite Fall Decorations

Some people get excited about football in fall. Me? Well, I'm excited about hot apple cider (which may or may not be spiked) and hauling out my boxes of fall decorations. I love decorating for the holidays, and one of my favorites is fall. I usually start decorating at the end of September and keep my fall decorations up through Thanksgiving. This fall, I'm looking forward to decorating our brand new dining room. I have lots of ideas, and I've been eyeing up some new decorations for the new digs.

In this week's Friday's Fresh Picks I'm sharing a few of my favorite fall home decorations and decor items.

We've got a new Friday Fresh Picker this week! She's the fabulous Corine Ingrassia from Complicated Mama. Don't miss her first FFP post where she's sharing a few of her favorite autumn picks from sangria to clutches!

{How cute is this burlap pumpkin banner? $9}

{Mix it up with this gold and black polka dot pumpkin. $39}

{Fall tree painted wine glasses $10/each}

{Smith & Hawken acorn glass candle holder $25}

{Pumpkin buttered rum scented candle $15}

{Pumpkin wreath $40-$100}

{Pumpkin beverage dispenser $60}

{Pumpkin gourd dish towel $6}

Friday Fresh Picks are hand-picked favorite items, reviews and highlights from the amazing women you see above.

Visit their websites to learn about other amazing picks from this week!

Sarah from Finnegan & The Hughes

Corine from Complicated Mama

Hilary from A Fancy Girl Must

Tina from Life Without Pink

To view all of my Friday Fresh Picks posts, click here.

0