Home & Garden – Page 3

September 17, 2016

How to Throw an Epic End-of-Summer BBQ

Summer is almost a wrap and everyone is sad to see it go – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t throw it a goodbye party! As the last few days of summer will soon be here, now is the perfect time to throw an end of summer BBQ for your friends and family. Check out this simple list of BBQ tips and summer BBQ party ideas and get ready to get the gang together for one last summer shindig. As an added bonus, you’ll get Cash Back at Ebates with your purchase at any of the mentioned stores. Happy party planning!

1. Plan Your BBQ Menu Around Summer Favorites

Your final summer BBQ is a great time to feature everyone’s favorite summer BBQ food. Grilled shrimp, lobster, chicken and burgers are all premium choices. Make sure you don’t forget about those summer BBQ side dishes that you’ll miss the rest of the year, too! Veggie skewers, portobello burger bites, grilled corn, watermelon and a classic coleslaw will round out the meal. This is no time to skimp on your summer favorites! Throw a checkered tablecloth on those tables and live up the summer fun for one more day with a summer BBQ menu before fall officially arrives. Looking for fun summer BBQ ideas? Consider doing a BBQ sauce tasting! Cost Plus World Market has a great selection of sauces available online for your summer BBQ along with a ton of other great supplies to make your BBQ ideas come to life.

2. Consider the Temperature When Planning Your Party

Depending on your region, the end of the summer can mean cooler days and even cooler nights. Take your area’s climate into consideration and either plan to host your BBQ during the day or pick up some outdoor heaters from Walmart to keep your guests comfortable outdoors at night. Be sure to keep an eye out for an outdoor heater or lighting promo code as the summer comes to a close!

3. Prep Your Food Early and Offer Pitcher Perfect Drinks

Don’t miss out on your last party of the summer by spending the whole time cooking or mixing drinks – plan ahead! Make any food and drinks you can ahead of time to save your energy for the day of the party. You can make a big batch of your favorite summer drink ahead of time and put into it into a festive punch bowl from Crate and Barrel.

4. Live it up With Some Summer Fun

Don’t forget about the games when it comes time to throw your end of summer BBQ party! Make it a party people won’t forget until next summer rolls around with great summer games like bag toss, volleyball, badminton or other summer classics. Set up some games, like an awesome horseshoes set from Rakuten.com, and be sure to keep an eye out for an end of the season promo code.

5. Pack Away All Your Summer Stuff as You Pick Up

You can plan your party décor and activities around all the stuff that will need to be packed away at the end of the summer season. If the arrival of fall means the end of your outdoor party season, get your storage containers ready for the end of the party. You’ll tackle two tasks in one when you pack up your summer party supplies and tuck them away until next year. If you need storage bins, check out the amazing supply online at The Container Store and get everything you need to keep organized so you’ll be ready to launch the next epic bash next summer!

August 29, 2016

17 Guest Bedroom Essentials You Probably Never Thought Of

When hosting overnight guests, the most important thing is to make your guests feel comfortable in your home. A great way to do this is to take some tips from the hotel industry. A hotel room is specifically designed with amenities for making guests feel comfortable. Use these same guest room ideas to welcome guests into your home. To get you started, here are our top picks for guest bedroom ideas and accessories from stores where you can earn Cash Back at Ebates. Remember to use a guest room promo code to save big when you shop for everything from guest bedding to hand soaps.

Tulip Bouquet With Glass Vase

There is no better way to make a guest room feel luxurious and welcoming than with fresh flowers. This beautiful bouquet comes with its own vase and can be delivered right to your door with next-day delivery.

Cable Knit Decorative Throw

This 100% cotton throw creates a warm, inviting look and brings comfort to any guest bed, no matter how humble.

Straight Leg Luggage Rack

Living out of a suitcase can be awkward, but this sturdy, attractive luggage rack makes it a cinch. This luggage rack can hold any size suitcase, has a rack for shoes and can even double as a bedside table.

LED Lighted Vanity Mirror

Help your guests put their best face forward with this 1x magnifying mirror from Beauty.com that will look stylish on a bureau, end table or bathroom counter.

Ambient Light/LED Reading Light

Good lighting is a key element for any comfortable guest room. With this lamp, your guests can enjoy ambient or direct LED light to help them find their way or read in bed.

Laminated Bamboo Serving Tray

Nothing compares to breakfast in bed. Your guests will be wowed with morning coffee on this elegant natural bamboo tray which can also be used as a convenient lap desk for a laptop or book.

Bedside Water Carafe Set

Save your guests the trouble of finding their way through a dark house at night for a drink of water. This beautiful customizable carafe and glass combo is convenient, beautiful and strong and would look lovely at any bedside.

Places to Go, People to See Coffee Table Book

With vibrant photographs, inspirational quotes and words of wisdom from world travelers, this coffee table book from kate spade new york makes a visual statement and is sure to spark great conversations.

Belkin MIXIT ChargeSync Dock

Give your guests a convenient place to charge their phones, tablets and other digital gadgets as well as a simple way to dock and sync them with this handy gadget from PCM.

Breezie Tabletop Bladeless Fan

Your guests can keep cool without the noise of fan blades with this portable bladeless fan. For those scorching hot days, dampen the included cooling sponge and the fan becomes a personal air conditioner.

Park B. Smith Ultra Spa Robe

Just like the finest hotels and spas, you can give your guests a sense of personal luxury with this mini-waffle weave cotton robe. Just don’t be surprised if they don’t want to give it back!

NEST Fragrances Reed Diffuser

A reed diffuser is a great way to bring aromatherapy into your guest room without overwhelming your guests with perfumes. The blend of orange blossom, orchid, lemon and musk is slowly diffused throughout your guest room for a subtle but memorable scent that is both relaxing and calming.

Neatfreak Clothes Hanger

Your guests will feel right at home with these professional, non-slip felt hangers that keep clothes wrinkle-free and neatly organized.

Bath Towels

This luxurious Turkish cotton towel set makes for elegant guest towels that feel rich and lush. Shop the Kohl’s Linum collection with a linens promo code to save on everything you need for your guest bath.

Surge Protector

This surge protector protects your guests from unexpected power fluctuations and also provides maximum protection for all of your sensitive electronic devices.

Hadley Notepad Holder

Memo pads are a quick and convenient way to jot down notes for your guests and this stylish notepad holder makes it easy while keeping surfaces uncluttered.

Philip Kingsley Jet Set Smooth & Shiny

Help your guests look their best with this three pack of moisturizing shampoo, conditioner and elasticizing product from LookFantastic. Way better than tiny hotel bottles, this miracle set helps keep hair frizz-free, shiny and manageable.

August 23, 2016

20 Ways to Pamper Your Pooch on National Dog Day

Hot diggety it’s National Dog Day! This Friday, August 26th is a day dedicated to showing appreciation for our favorite four-legged family members. It’s also a great day to save big on special treats for your pet pal with National Dog Day coupons and a promo code from Ebates. Celebrating this holiday can be as easy as giving your dog a scratch behind the ear and maybe an extra good tummy rub. After all, your best friend is pretty easy to please. But if you want to give your buddy the very best, this holiday is your chance to save big on pet supplies, dog treats and dog toys by shopping our top pet care stores while earning Cash Back at Ebates. To get the ball rolling on the celebrations, here are 20 ways to treat your dog to a special day with links to our top dog-friendly stores where you can save while you shop.

Encourage a roll in the mud. Most dogs like to get dirty, it’s just a fact of dogness. You can let your mutt get muddy without stressing about stains if you stock up on safe, natural stain and odor cleaners and dog supplies at Petco. Use a petcare promo code at checkout to save at Petco.com and find great free shipping offers too.
Make a dog-safe cake or cookies. Believe it or not, there are sweet treat recipes out there designed to delight dogs. What better way to say “I love you” than with cake!
Play advanced fetch. Although a dog can play fetch with anything from your car keys to unreasonably big sticks, there are pet toys out there designed to play long-distance fetch. These games help give dogs excellent exercise while getting in some quality pet-owner bonding time.
Open the couch for cuddles. Pet stores don’t have a monopoly on pet accessories for your home. Use a coupon code to get a great price on a easy-wash microfiber couch cover from Walmart and you can snuggle your buddy without worrying about the upholstery.
Give your pooch a paw-dicure. You can take advantage of the fashion world gone wild and give your pet a day at the nail salon with pet-safe nail-polish and other salon-worthy dog accessories.
Bring on the bling. What’s a holiday without a little bit of dressing up? PetSmart has an amazing array of gorgeous and affordable dog collars that will make your furry friend top model ready. Yes, there are ones shaped like bowties.
Make new friends. Dogs are social creatures, even the shy ones. Introduce your dog to new furry faces at the local park, at an outdoor event or just on a walk somewhere new.
Make a portrait of your pooch. The best way to truly capture your pet’s personality is with a portrait – and I don’t mean just a really good vertical photo on your cell phone. There are tons of amazing artists on Etsy that specialize in custom pet portraits.
Follow the leader. Go for a walk with your dog and surrender the navigational decision making to them. Following your dog’s nose may not mean following the roads, but it’s sure to lead to excitement.
Share with others. It has been shown that therapy animals like dogs and cats really can bring significant health benefits to people and lower stress. Keep an eye out for information on therapy dog training both locally and online. Find out more about how your dog can lend a paw to help others and get some extra special love.
Junk food. You don’t have to feed your pets unhealthy treats to indulge them because there are lots of great, healthy options available. For all the best sweet, salty, crunchy, meaty treats your pooch can handle, browse the selection of natural food and treats for dogs at Pet360.
Take a time out. Dogs are basically furry toddlers and for both of them, naptime is key. Dogs need 12-14 hours of sleep a day so why not join them for one or two – it’s the ultimate bonding activity in the dog world.
Karaoke. Seriously. Have you even heard a dog sing? It’s awesome and absolutely worth recording on video.
Play dress up. You dog might not love this one as much as you, but the photos will be worth it. Instagram gold.
Take them for a ride. Roll the windows down and let the sweet breeze flow through your pup’s fur and flap some ears. Guaranteed smiles all around.
Get a checkup. A trip to the doctor sounds like a bummer of a way to celebrate a holiday until you consider how crucial it is for you to have a good idea of your dog’s health at every age. Make sure your furry friend gets to the vet for regular checkups and save on the top-selling pet medications at PetCareRx where you can earn Cash Back at Ebates with every refill. For affordable pet prescription plans, visit Pet Plus which puts the best pet care online right at your fingertips.
Make a sacrifice. Give up an old shoe, a ragged shirt or some other worn-out item that’s usually off-limits to your dog. Let them destroy it. Witness their joy. Think about whether or not that was a bad idea later.
Write a book starring you and your dog having epic adventures. This is easier than it sounds thanks to the abundance of online publishers, like Snapfish, that can arrange, edit, print, bind and ship a photo book about you and Bowser straight to your door.
Offer a refreshment. It’s important for dogs to stay hydrated and when you search online for “flavored water for dogs” you’ll be amazed at how much fun you can have hydrating.
Remember this day. Make a dog print stepping stone, ornament or paint print to create a one-of-a-kind memento that you can keep forever and ever.

August 16, 2016

10 Organization Tips for Teeny Tiny Dorm Rooms

It’s back-to-school season and students everywhere are busy packing and getting ready to move into their new dorm rooms. Everyone knows that while living in the dorms can be a ton of fun, extra space is hard to come by so you’ll need to get creative with both your storage and organization ideas. Whether you’re heading off to college for the first time or returning for another year, check out this list of awesome organizational tips and tricks to help you get your room set up in style and comfort in no time. Be sure to activate Cash Back at Ebates for those organizational essentials that you’ll need to pick up to ensure that you’ll still have some pocket money left come moving day!

Tip # 1: Get Your Room Measurements & Dorm Rules Ahead of Time

If you can get the approximate dimensions for your room or visit a sample dorm room on campus before your move-in date, you can start planning out your dorm room early. Even a rough estimate of the space and a list of the rules will let you know how much to pack, whether you’re allowed to bring things like a mini-fridge or a microwave and will help you start brainstorming dorm room ideas and dorm décor.

Tip # 2: Pack Your Items in Organizers

Once you figure out how much space you have to work with in your dorm room, you should organize your stuff into bins as you pack. The dorm will probably provide a dresser and a desk but all your other odds and ends will need a dedicated spot. Prepping your storage ideas ahead of time is also a great way to hit the ground running and get unpacked quickly when you get to campus. Get all the bins and storage solutions you’ll need online at The Container Store and keep an eye out for a storage bin promo code.

Tip # 3: Label Your Boxes

Don’t forget to label your boxes as you pack, especially for the bins that you’ll be using as a part of your ongoing storage system at school. This will help you unpack the essentials first, maintain the organizational system you’ve already set up and quickly get to hanging out with your new friends.

Tip # 4: Vertical Storage is Your Friend

When it comes to keeping your dorm room organized and tidy, don’t forget about going vertical! The ceiling is the limit when it comes to stacking handy storage cubes and other vertical storage options like tall shelves or over-the-door hanging pantry racks. Just make sure your storage cubes and shelves are not at risk for tipping over!

Tip # 5: Optimize Your Closet Space

Get the most out of your dorm room closet space with the help of useful hanging racks and organizers. Whether you add a hanging shoe rack like the one above from Macy’s or some hanging drawers, you won’t regret the extra space it frees up. Pack seasonal stuff in a designated box to pull out when you need it to help keep clutter out of your closet organization system.

Tip # 6: Invest in a Shower Caddy

Keep your bathroom supplies tidy with a water-draining shower caddy that you can easily carry in and out of what will likely be a shared dorm bathroom. Bed Bath and Beyond has a great selection of dorm-ready bathroom caddies online that come without a hefty price tag.

Tip # 7: Prep Your Desk for Success

Gather all the school supplies plus the important organizational tools, trays and accessories you’ll need to make it to the top of your class. Pack these supplies in their own dedicated and labeled box to help you find them easily when you arrive on campus. Start shopping early and keep an eye out for an awesome back to school promo code online at Dollar General to get the most bang for your buck.

Tip # 8: Get a Whiteboard With a Calendar

Help yourself and your roommate stay organized with a white board with a calendar to keep track of your social events, room cleaning to-dos and your shared shopping list. Pick one up at RoomMates Decor, add in a pack of colored dry erase markers and you’re good to go!

Tip # 9: Make Use of Space Under Your Bed

With the limited space available in your dorm room, help keep the floors and surfaces clear by making use of the valuable space under your bed. There’s ample space under your bed to store your extra dorm bedding, seasonal apparel or other things that are most often tucked away. If your beds are bunked, divvy up the space under the beds with your roommate and consider getting some drawer-style under bed organization to help keep your stuff separate and organized.

Tip # 10: Keep Things Tidy With a Housekeeping Caddy

Keep all your housekeeping items in one place so you can freshen up your dorm room in a flash. With a dedicated place for cleaning sprays, you and your roommate can easily spruce up your room for any impromptu social gatherings in your awesome dorm room.

What are your favorite ways to keep your dorm room organized? Share your best tips in the comments below!

August 11, 2016

DIY Home Projects Under $500 To Entertain Your Kids This Summer

School’s out and summer’s here. Along with the more relaxed routine and the warmer weather, many families are finding that they have a lot of time on their hands right about now. If you’re looking for something to do with the kids, why not tackle a few projects around the home? Not only can you keep the kids entertained, you can improve your property values, and make your home more comfortable for everyone at the same time. Best of all, each of these projects is budget friendly and can be done for under $500.

1. Create Homemade Stepping Stones

If you have a garden path, outdoor patio or eating area, consider making some homemade stepping stones with your kids. Stepping stones can enhance the whole area, and you and your kids can customize them to make a personal statement around your yard.

Budget

You can make stepping stones for around $20 a piece depending on the types of embellishments you use.

Money Saving Tips

Make molds out of things you already have in the house such as pie tins, pizza boxes, and bucket lids.
Buy your embellishments in bulk and use them again and again throughout the stones.

Helpful DIY Tips

Mix up only enough concrete for one stone at a time.
Get your mold and embellishments totally ready before mixing your concrete to avoid it beginning to set too soon.

2. Build a Brick BBQ

If your kids are handy with Legos and other building blocks, why not give them a real challenge to build this summer, and take on a family brick barbecue. A brick BBQ is actually not too difficult to build, provided you take your time, and it costs a lot less than some top-of-the-line grills. Best of all, it’s sure to become a point of pride for the whole family for years to come.

Budget

The average cost to build a brick BBQ is around $500, including the concrete pad, bricks, mortar, and other tools necessary to build.

Money Saving Tips

Look for reclaimed bricks or pavers to build your BBQ with. Many can be found for free or low cost at salvage sites.
Rent equipment rather than buying it to save money on set up costs.

Helpful DIY Tips

Pour a level concrete pad that you can build on for stability first.
Hose off your bricks about 30 minutes before you start. This will prevent them from absorbing too much moisture from the mortar.
Remember that you can turn your bricks 90 degrees every so often to create a pattern in the sides of the walls.

3. Install a Fire Pit

Does your family love to entertain in the outdoors? If so, you may want to consider installing a fire pit near your patio for everyone to enjoy. Fire pits can be large and imposing or something simple and minimal, so it’s possible to find something that will fit your landscaping and your family’s needs. Your kids will find that stacking the stone is as easy and fun as creating a block structure indoors.

Budget

The average cost of a 5’ x 5’ stone fire pit is around $500. The total costs for this project range from $200 for a DIY pit to $1400 for a decorative, granite fire pit.

Money Saving Tips

Look for reclaimed bricks or pavers to build your fire pit with
Buy things like crushed stone to fill the surrounding area with in bulk to save money

Helpful DIY Tips

Use fire bricks or stones meant for this purpose to ensure they will contain the fire safely.
Use curved bricks or blocks for a round pit that doesn’t require any cutting.
Dig out the area around the pit and fill it with crushed stone to prevent fires from stray sparks, and to increase the visibility of the project.

4. Paint Your Front Door

Summertime has everyone running in and out the front door, which can mean that it starts to get a little battered over time. Adding to this, is the impact that your front door has on your curb appeal. Break out the paint and have your kids help you paint the front door to revitalize the entire area.

Budget

The average cost of painting a door is around $100, including the cost of paint and supplies for the whole entryway.

Money Saving Tips

Ask to see odd paint at the hardware store – this is paint that was mixed, but wasn’t sold. Often you can get several cans of high quality paint much more cheaply this way.

Helpful DIY Tips

Use an angle brush around the edges of the door, then roll the paint through the center.
Plan on applying at least two coats of paint for the best coverage.

5. Build a Waterfall

If you have a pool, garden, or small pond in your yard, and you want to enhance your landscaping, consider building a waterfall feature with your kids. Waterfalls add a tranquil, soothing atmosphere to your yard, and can be a real draw for everyone on the property. Best of all, DIY kits are available that allow you to build the waterfall out of lightweight composite materials – perfect for putting together with your kids one hot afternoon.

Budget

DIY a waterfall kits are available for around $450.

Money Saving Tips

Save money by installing your waterfall someplace you already have water flowing like a pool or pond. While you can buy waterfalls without current sources, they cost more money to run when you need to add water to the set up.

Helpful DIY Tips

Purchase a kit with lightweight material that doesn’t require cutting; just follow the stacking and mortar instructions as if you were putting together a block kit with your kids.

Summer can feel endless without enough to do. These five projects will keep everyone busy, and will help enhance your enjoyment of your property this summer. Take on any of these DIY, budget friendly projects with your kids under $500 this summer and beat the summertime blues in style. To find out more about what things cost, be sure to visit Fixr’s Cost Guides.

Get everything you need for these home improvement projects with Cash Back at Ebates here: Ace Hardware, Build.com and Lowe’s.

August 5, 2016

Home Office Ideas to Create an Inspiring Workspace

When working from home, the most important thing is to create a dedicated space that helps keep you focused and efficient. Your home office should be customized to you and the work you need to get done, even if your work attire is your favorite pair of jammies. To help inspire you in your quest for home office perfection, we’ve gathered together some of the most unique and useful home office ideas from around the web. And to inspire your wallet to stay fat and happy, when you shop these featured products you can find incredible deals, free shipping offers and earn Cash Back at Ebates. So get your home office ideas promo code ready and let’s get down to business.

Brooklyn Mighty Bright Desk Lamp

Targeted task lighting is important in any office, especially one where space is at a premium. This Spark Design Award-winning lamp from LAMPS PLUS puts out an incredible 450 dimmable lumens and also includes two USB ports to charge your digital desk accessories.

Mekong Hanging Lamp

Overhead light is important too because it sets the mood of a room. If your office needs natural beauty and refined texture, this polished and netted bamboo lamp is just what you need. And because it’s made from sustainable materials, it will make you look bright and smart.

Perch Magnetic Wall Storage Collection

Increase your efficiency by making the most of your available storage space to keep your office supplies close at hand. Take advantage of vertical storage with the desk organizer system designed to keep your surfaces clear and keep walls free from damage.

Bigso Prism Stockholm Office Storage Boxes

These durable storage boxes are made from recycled materials and feature bold, colorful designs you won’t want to hide in a closet. Although they might just hold tax records, each box looks like a pretty gift and will bring color and sophistication to your desk decorations.

Scroll Dry Erase Calendar Wall Decal

Digital calendars are popular, but nothing beats being able to easily look over your whole month at once. This oversized calendar from RoomMates Decor is moveable, reusable and a great way to keep track of your home, work and personal schedules all at once.

Elephant File Organizer

You won’t find this clever and helpful elephant in just any corporate office. This unique fella is strong, made from steel and can hold books, files, papers and more. Plus, like the best modern desk accessories, it’s cute, too!

Chevron Cork Board

The bulletin board is an office classic, and a funky chevron print gives this one a fun, modern update. It can fit anything from photos to business cards to blueprints. It’s also ideal to use as an inspiration board to collect images and items that inspire you at work.

Starburst Modern Wall Clock

Although working from home can mean you don’t have to watch the clock, that doesn’t mean you should lose track of time. This mid-century modern wall clock from Euro Style Lighting is bold but subtle and would complement all kinds of home décor ideas.

Reclaimed Wood Living Wall

Bring life into your home office with a new twist on the old-fashioned office fern. This stunning wall garden is made from recycled materials for easy-care succulent plants and is an elegant piece of home office furniture.

Flocked Floral Wallpaper

When you work from home, your office is automatically the best office in the building. Bring the swank of an executive suite to your home base with this luxurious flocked wallpaper that will make you feel like chair of the board.

Printable Wall Art

You can download and print this inspirational poster at home and hang it yourself. Now that sounds like something your future self would appreciate.

Golden Gate Bridge Wall Print

When you work at home, it’s up to you to keep yourself motivated. Make sure to have at least one thing in your office that inspires you to greatness.

July 29, 2016

Dorm Room Decor Essentials to Create an Inspiring Space

When it comes to the college experience, it is hard to overstate the importance of dorm room décor. The classic college dorm room is usually cramped, awkward and short on privacy, but one thing it does offer is a blank slate for self-expression. A dorm room has to be a lot of things at once: a bedroom, living room, study spot, closet and sometimes even a kitchen. To cram all that function into one space while maintaining comfort and a sense of style can be hard. So we’ve put together a list of dorm room essentials and unique finds to inspire you. It’s also important to not break the bank on dorm room decorations. While you look through our dorm room ideas, remember that you can earn Cash Back on all your dorm furniture when you shop with Ebates. Get the dorm room decor you need without draining your savings. Now that’s a class act!

Himalayan Ionic Salt Lamp

When space is at a premium, it’s important to make sure everything you decorate with is multi-functional. When heated, this hand-carved Himalayan salt crystal lamp glows with a beautiful natural light and emits negative ions that help clear the air and dilute odors. A bedside lamp that neutralizes your roommate’s gym socks? Genius.

Emoji Pillow

There’s no reason your dorm bedding has to be super serious. This comfy, squishy pillow from Sears is not only the perfect size for a dorm bed, but it’s a quirky way to express yourself in an unmistakable way and show off your silly side.

Sunset Tapestry

Use this handmade fine art photography print as a bedspread, wall hanging or curtain and bring the beauty of nature inside. Shop Etsy for unique handmade goods and tons of other bedroom ideas and use a bedroom décor promo code from Ebates to save on everything you buy.

Nebula Duvet Cover

An ultra soft microfiber blanket that’s easy to wash and features a photo of distant planets is an amazing way of bringing space into your dorm room. Literally.

Gold Diamond Throw Blanket

Show ‘em what a gem you are with this custom gold sparkle fleece blanket. Snuggle up while you make a statement.

Dots and Feelings Stapler

Desktop essentials can double as décor if you find one with enough style, like this cute stapler that’s practically a work of art. Find this and more desk friends at ModCloth.

Alma Otter Tape Dispenser

Who said a tape dispenser can’t be impossibly cute? Get a case of the warm fuzzies every time you need tape and spread some smiles in your dorm room with this unique tape dispenser.

Brilliant Resilience Hoop Art

Not only is this itty bitty wall art adorable and dorm-sized, but it might just help you stay motivated during late night cram sessions.

Simple By Design LED Desk Lamp

Talk about multi-purpose, this battery-powered lamp doubles as an emergency charging station for two phones and even has a dish to hold paperclips or keys.

Mountain Wall Decal

Removable wall art like vinyl wall decals are a great, temporary way to decorate without damaging walls. Even if you can’t paint or hang pictures, you can easily put up movable décor wall stickers and then take them down later.

July 20, 2016

5 Outdoor Party Tips for Unforgettable Summer Gatherings

Every season has its upsides when it comes to party planning, but it’s pretty much a given that summer is the best season for throwing an outdoor party, especially if you’re not sure you even know how to throw a party. The best thing about outdoor parties is that they’re great for first-timers because ample food and drink choices, warm weather and the availability of your guests is pretty much a given. But even when the odds are ever in your favor, it can still be a little intimidating to host an outdoor party. That’s why we’ve collected our top five outdoor party planning tips and paired them with five great stores, so you can easily stock up on everything you need for a great time. Start your supplies shopping at Ebates to save big on your bash and earn Cash Back on all of your party planning essentials.

1. Keep It Simple

Above all else, the number one summer party tip is to keep it simple. Plan a menu that can be prepared and served all at once, can be cleaned up easily and avoids the need for oven or hot-top cooking. Don’t go nuts with a theme and don’t over-think the playlist. For a runaway success, pare your party down to the bare essentials: something to eat, something to drink, something to talk about and somewhere to sit. The first three are up to you, but for the best in outdoor furniture, check out Home and Patio Décor Center and use a patio décor promo code when you buy to get great savings. Not only does Home and Patio Décor Center have a huge variety of outdoor furniture from portable to permanent, but they also carry all the extras like landscape lighting, unbreakable dishware, outdoor rugs and more.

2. Let Nature Be Your Decorator

Let’s face it. There is no better decorator than Mother Nature. With seasonal flowers and greenery all around, items like streamers, balloons, flags or other party store decorating ideas can simply be finishing touches. Summer parties are all about comfort and ease so let your party decorations reflect that. Walk around your yard, your neighborhood or your local park to see what you can find to decorate your party naturally. Big bold foliage like tall grasses or leafy branches accent a table well, and small colorful leaves make great subtle accents. Of course, the best way to guarantee all-natural summer party décor is to plant your own blooms, herbs and plants. Check out Burpee Gardening to get all the tips, tools, seeds and supplies you need to make sure your summer parties are full of color.

3. Connect Inside and Outside

Even on the most beautiful summer day, any party needs a connection to the indoors for essentials like electricity, restrooms and running water. But you don’t want the party vibe to get lost in the transition from inside to out so find a way to connect them by leaving windows open, playing the same music indoors as out or even take everyday furniture outside. Aim to keep the indoor lighting subtle and indirect. Whether it’s evening or mid-day, a cool, dim indoors makes a good partner with an outdoor party. Shop Light in the Box for great deals on string lights, novelty lights, faux flames and more dimmable lighting ideas with incredible shipping offers.

4. No Idle Hands

Everybody wants to help when it comes to a summer party. Leave a few things undone that early-comers can lend a hand with such as plugging in the string lights, filling ice buckets, bringing out the yard games or setting up the sound system. It’s just busy work, of course, but it will give people a chance to mingle, meet and start their own conversations while you mix cocktails and heat up the grill. To find everything you need to make set-up a snap, no matter who’s doing it, head to Shindigz with a summer promo code. There you can save big on all the gear, games and goods you need to keep your guests entertained.

5. One Good Thing Leads to Another

Every party leaves something behind and the best thing you can do is be sure to separate out what you could use for the next shindig. Don’t just toss those few paper plates or plastic cups, they will come in handy next time. Try to save what you can of leftovers by freezing, or pack your guests to-go bags like party favors. Cut down on clean-up by organizing ahead of time where trash, recycling, food scraps and leftovers will go. For food and party supplies storage solutions, your one-stop shop is The Container Store where you can find everything from storage bins to ice cube trays.

What are your favorite outdoor party tips? Tell us in the comments below!

July 16, 2016

Time-Saving Gadgets That Make Life So Much Easier

The only way to stretch out summer a little longer is to make the most of your time. There are tons of gadgets that claim to put to practice the latest and greatest time-saving tips, but figuring out which time-savers actually deliver on those claims can eat up more time than they save! So we’ve done the legwork for you and found the best time-saving products from our top Ebates stores, where you can earn Cash Back on your purchases. And remember: When you shop for time-saving products with a gadget promo code from Ebates, you can save both time and money!

Portable Document Scanner

This handy little gadget is light and portable, so you can scan practically anything, anywhere. With no need for wires and the software included, you’ll have the ability to scan like a pro while earning Cash Back at Ebates.

Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer

Looking for a hot and steamy way to charge through your day? This mug warmer will keep your precious coffee, tea or soup warm and toasty. Mug warmers are high on the list of time-saving baby products since new parents won’t be spending time reheating their coffee again and again!

Dragon Professional Individual

Dragon Professional Individual drives productivity at work by providing accurate and customizable dictation and transcription software. See how freeing it can be to work paperless with Dragon Professional, which allows you to create, edit and format documents all by voice.

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iRobot Roomba 860

It’s the original robotic at-home helper, and a surefire way to save time on everyone’s least-favorite household chore: vacuuming. The Roomba vacuum-cleaning robot can be set up to clean your floors while you’re out, and it has unique technological features such as AeroForce extractors, which are proven to remove up to 50 percent more dirt, dust, hair and debris from all floor types.

Canon Wireless Mobile Printer

This tiny powerhouse printer from Canon prints incredible color or black-and-white images wirelessly from almost any mobile device. This mobile printer uses WiFi to print beautiful photos and crisp, professional documents on the go.

Chef’s Fork Cooking Thermometer

Folks, it’s the digital age. There’s no need to be second-guessing when your burger is done. With the built-in thermometer in this chef’s fork, you’ll get an accurate reading on your cooked meats. Shop with a kitchen gadget promo code and you can save money while you grill to perfection and cook with confidence.

Paderno 4-Blade Spiralizer

This ingenious kitchen gadget helps you make beautiful, complex dishes that will transform your kitchen table into a fine-dining experience. With a simple flick of the wrist, the Paderno Spiralizer slices and shreds vegetables, creating thin spirals and ribbons. The Spiralizer is stabilized by four strong suction-cup feet and has internal storage for all its component parts.

Rapid Beverage Chiller

Crate and Barrel has a whole host of high-quality, affordable, time-saving cookware, such as the Cooper Rapid Beverage Chiller, which can cool a bottle of wine to the perfect temperature 40 times faster than a conventional freezer. Use a cookwear promo code from Ebates when you check out at Crate and Barrel to save big on these great gadgets.

Avo Shark Avocado Multi-Tool

The Avo Shark is not only a time-saver, but also a super cute multi-tool. For anyone who loves avocado, this dishwasher-safe tool makes preparation a breeze, saving time and frustration. Check out The Grommet for other unique, innovative, time-saving appliances for your home that you can’t find anywhere else.

June 21, 2016

15 Things Every Cat Lady Needs Right Meow

June is National Adopt a Cat Month and we thought it fitting to give a shout out to all the cat ladies out there! Whether you are a veteran cat mamma or an aspiring one, we’ve rounded up a few things to help you give a cat a loving forever home AND wave your Crazy Cat Lady flag high. Embrace your undying love for your favorite cuddly creature and save on fun products for cat lovers with Cash Back at Ebates. From cat lovers gifts to wacky wearables and supplies your pet will love, here are 15 items every feline fanatic and their furry friends must have.