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April 27, 2015

5 DIY Mother’s Day Gifts She’ll Love

Remember the good old days when you went to school and crafted DIY Mother’s Day gifts with your tiny hands that made her lose her mind because they were way too cute? Who says we can’t do that just because we’re all grown up? Whether you feel like creating personalized handmade gifts for your own mom or helping your little ones up their gift game this Mother’s Day, here are five super easy DIY gifts for mom anyone can make no matter what your artistry level may be.

Mason Jar Picture Frame

mason_jar_frame — via Home Stories A to Z

Ditch the fancy crystal vase she probably already has and give her something with a little more heart. Mom loves pictures of her kids (or grandkids) at any age and this darling mason jar picture frame is a creative way to display her favorite photo.

Mini Polaroid Magnets

Another way to use family photos for your DIY gifts is this fun batch of mini photo magnets. Use this handy little template to print out your photos and glue them onto mounting board to create a practical gift she can use every day!

Homemade Bath Bombs

A luxurious bath with a bomb of essential oils will leave mom feeling invigorated and renewed after a long day of saving the world (like she does every day). Plus, these bath bombs are completely customizable so you can make bombs in her favorite scents and colors.

Handmade Terrariums

Terrariums4 — via Saved By Love Creations

Put a spin on traditional flowers and make mom something that will actually last with minimal upkeep. These gorgeous terrariums take less than an hour to make and will bring a little bit of the garden indoors to spruce her living space and make her smile.

Footprint Step Stool

Perfect for the mom of little kids (or grandma), this small piece of practical furniture is like a memory frozen in time. Mom will be reminded of the pitter patter of little feet for years to come.

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April 22, 2015

Mother’s Day Gift Guide Over $50

Thinking of dishing out the big bucks on Mother’s Day gifts this year? Whether she’s been the ultimate Supermom or she’s a first-timer who has taken the world’s most important job in stride, Mom is due for a special surprise. These gifts for Mom over $50 cover it all–sweet treats, pampering, a little fashion and more. Read on for the ultimate Mother’s Day gift guide for the ultimate mommy.

1. Leatherbay Leather Mini Backpack Purse (eBags) | $98.99
Purses are great but backpacks are perfect for busy moms to keep them hands-free and ready to take on the day. This stylish leather backpack is as practical as it is fashionable.

2. ‘Dylan’ Stone Pendant Necklace (Nordstrom) | $60
This sleek black stone pendant will go with literally any outfit in her closet, even those favorite yoga pants she wears way too often.

3. At Home Spa Kit (Perfume Emporium) | $67.99
This kit includes a peeling mask, hand and foot therapy cream and a luxurious body balm to help her grow her glow and feel fabulous.

4. Sterling Silver Infinity Charm Bracelet (Zales) | $58.65
A mother’s love is infinite and knows no bounds. Show your endless appreciation with this elegant charm bracelet in stunning sterling silver.

5. Godiva Mother’s Day Gift Box (Brookstone) | $59
Every mom needs a little something sweet every now and then. A BIG something sweet is always good, too. Give her a delicious death by chocolate with this Godiva gift box.

6. TOMS Calypso Wedge Pumps (Jildor) | $55.20
Adding a little spring print to her looks will be easy with these unbelievably comfortable TOMS wedges. Her feet and her OOTDs will thank you.

7. Massage Cushion (Light in the Box) | $62.99
The best gifts for Mom are things she can actually use and who couldn’t use a massage every now and then? Help soothe her hard-working muscles with this gentle rolling massage cushion.

Prices and Cash Back percentages are subject to change.

April 22, 2015

Mother’s Day Gift Guide Under $50

Every mom is special in her own way, which can make it hard to find the right gift to show you care. However, we think we’ve picked out some pretty awesome Mother’s Day gifts under $50. From something pretty to wear everyday to luxury gift sets that will make her feel as beautiful as you see her, these gifts for mom have you covered with your budget in mind.

1. Rose Gloves (Gardener’s Supply Company) | $39.95
If Mom’s idea of heaven is a Sunday spent in the garden, show that you care about her interests and get her something she can actually use like these high-quality rose gloves.

2. Prettiest Portions Measuring Cups (ModCloth) | $29.99
Cute kitchen items are usually a safe bet for Mother’s Day, especially if your mom is a culinary wiz. These printed measuring cups will make her think of you every time she’s whipping up another tasty treat. Maybe she’ll even share it with you.

3. Carol Brodie: Accessorize Your Life Perforated Patent Tote (HSN) | $39.95
Most women also need a reliable tote bag, especially if she’s a busy mom on the go. Help keep her organized yet ever fashionable with this on-trend bag.

4. Elephant Reversible Yoga Mat (Gaiam) | $34.98
Whether Mom is a novice yogi or a zen master, encourage her to take some time to center herself and do something good for her body with this festive yoga mat.

5. Wine Bites Cookbook (Crate & Barrel) | $24.95
If Mom has been known to throw one heck of a party, this cook book of small plates expertly paired with fine wines will help her take her next get-together to new levels.

6. L’Occitane Pretty en Provence Set (Sephora) | $38
Nothing will make Mom want to take care of her skin more than a basket full of high-end bath products. Help her grow her glow with luxurious bath oils and moisturizing creams from L’Occitane.

7. Alex and Ani ‘Mom’ Adjustable Wire Bangle (Nordstrom) | $28
Give Mom a gift straight from the heart with this gorgeous yet simple Alex and Ani bangle. She can wear this little token of your affection every day for years to come.

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

April 21, 2015

Mother’s Day Gift Guide Under $25

Mother’s Day will be here before you know it and while many moms out there love flowers, why not try something a little different this year? If you’re looking to keep things simple this Mother’s Day but want to still give her something small that says a lot, we’ve got the perfect gift guide for you. Items that will help her relax, pamper herself or help preserve memories will make this Mother’s Day extra special.

1. Prada Candy Florale Rollerball (Sephora) | $25
Research your mom’s favorite perfume scent (or introduce her to something new) and give her a rollerball version of it. These are great for travel or a busy mom on the go.

2. Posy Court Small Heart Dish (Kate Spade) | $20
Losing an earring or the keys can happen daily in a mother’s life. This heart shaped dish is a great solution for commonly misplaced small objects. And it’s so darn cute!

3. Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Wash & Foam Bath (Bath & Body Works) | $13
Setting aside some “me time” can be hard to schedule in. This body wash will remind her to take at least five minutes for herself daily.

4. Kate Spade ‘Asteroid Stones’ Stud Earrings (Overstock) | $22.99
Jewelry tends to be a typical Mother’s Day gift, but when it’s something she can wear daily (like these earrings) she’ll remember you every time she puts them on.

5. Pacifica Soy Candle in Malibu Lemon Blossom (Beauty.com) | $16
Soy candles are a great alternative to traditional candles as they burn clean and longer. The Malibu Lemon Blossom scent captures the Pacific Ocean perfectly, allowing her to escape for a few moments during the day.

6. Formula X The Match CLIX (Sephora) | $16
These fun nail polishes take the guessing out of which shades will flatter the skin tone. The best part of giving her this gift is you can offer to spend time giving her a manicure.

7. Mom’s Five-second Memory Journal (Walmart) | $6
This gift is perfect for the mom with only five seconds to spare. Full of fun prompts for her to jot down thoughts on life, after time it’ll be a great keepsake for her to look back on.

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

April 21, 2015

Celebrating Earth Day with Ebates!

Earth Day 2015 is just around the corner on April 22. Do you know what you’ll be doing to celebrate the 45th anniversary this year? According to the Earth Day Network’s official website, the holiday serves as a lightning rod for environmental discussion and change. “Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.”

While the organization is sparking a global conversation about the environment, you can do your part and bring the Earth Day message to your local community by making small changes. Not sure where to get started? Check out some of our ways to celebrate Earth Day this year!

Research Easy Changes
Getting started with Earth Day is as easy as taking a look at your daily habits and see what small changes you can make to reduce, reuse, and recycle. For most people, something as simple as reducing the amount of time you spend in the shower, remembering to shut off the water when you brush your teeth, and sorting out recyclables before you take out the trash. When you’re mindful about your consumption habits, small changes can add up to a big difference over time.

Switch Out Your Lightbulbs
One of the best small changes you can make is to switch out the incandescent lightbulbs in your home to environmentally friendly alternatives. The energy-efficient, green lightbulbs are known as CFL’s or Compact Florescent Lamp bulbs, and they can use around 75% less energy than traditional bulbs. So you’re not only saving the environment, but you’re saving money on your electricity bill while you’re at it. If you want to save even more, you can order you CFL bulbs using Walmart coupons and Ebates for discounted pricing and Cash Back on your purchase!

Start a Compost
Another way to redirect your waste toward productive uses is to start a compost. It’s easy to set up and can work wonders for your garden once you’re finished. Designate a bin in your yard for your compost heap and add organic waste like fruit and vegetables, weeds, and coffee grounds instead of throwing them out. Over time, the materials will decompose to create a nutrient rich fertilizer or your garden and reduce the amount of garbage your household generates. It’s a win-win!

Plan an Afternoon of Volunteering
If you’re looking for ways to get your office or family involved, an afternoon of volunteering is a great way to do that. There are local volunteer events around the country ranging from community clean-up to public gardening opportunities. Find an event in your area to contribute this year!

Take on a few of these projects for an enriching Earth Day, because changing the world happens one small step at a time!

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Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

April 17, 2015

How To Drink More Water Every Day

Drinking water is one of the best things you can do for your health, with myriad benefits to both your digestive and immune systems. While it’s easy to find reasons why we should be drinking more water, it’s a little trickier trying to put those plans into action. If you’re looking for some inspiration with new ways to incorporate more water in your daily routine, we’re here to help!

1. Make a Drinking Schedule
It may seem silly at first, but making a schedule for increasing your water intake can actually be a great strategy. Like everything else you can imagine, there’s an app for that. Waterlogged is a fun way to track your daily water intake with reminders on your phone, making it super easy to stick to your schedule. If you’re on Android, Water Your Body is number one water app to record and remind you to drink water.

2. Keep a Glass of Water on Your Bedside Table
The tried and true method of keeping a glass of water on your bedside table is a good way to stay hydrated before you go to bed and first thing when you wake up in the morning.

3. Carry a Bottle with You Wherever You Go
It might seem like a simple solution, but the biggest reason we don’t all carry water bottles with us everywhere we go is for their lack of style. Luckily water bottle designs are getting trendier these days. If you’re in the market for a more elegant drinking solution, there are plenty of chic solutions like the high tech Vessyl that you won’t feel self-conscious carrying around.

4. Punch Up the Flavor
We know, water isn’t the most exciting drink, but you can always punch up the flavor to start drinking more. Try citrus infused water with the Citrus Zinger Water Bottle Infuser (available in pink, orange and green). When you use drugstore.com coupons from Ebates, you can take advantage of 4% Cash Back on the purchase and free shipping on orders over $35.

5. Eat Fruits and Veggies Containing Water
Increasing your water intake doesn’t necessarily even need to entail drinking water. Fruits and veggies contain high concentrations of water, providing up to 20% of the average person’s fluid intake. They also provide essential fiber and nutrients while they’re at it. While a glass of water is your best bet to stay hydrated, the added benefits of eating your veggies makes it a worthwhile addition to the routine.

And as far as the benefits of drinking water? They’re innumerable. For those looking to get in shape, WebMD advises that drinking more water is a good way to control your calorie intake and energize your muscles before and after a hearty workout. You’ll prevent fatigue and have an easier time staying fit. Curing your cravings, preventing headaches, improving your skin’s complexion and helping out your metabolism all seem like good enough reasons to start drinking more water!

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Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

April 16, 2015

Gardening Tips for Beginners

Spring is the time of new beginnings. And if you’re thinking of taking advantage of the new season by spending time in your yard and starting a garden, we have a few tips for you. Make sure to check out all the stores that have Double Cash Back during Home and Garden Week over at Ebates! You’ll find some great deals on all the gardening tools you need a stores like Home Depot, Sears, and Walmart.

1. Plan
The first step may seem obvious but it is important! Plan what you want. Do you want a flower garden, vegetable garden or herb garden? Keep in mind that it is better to start small. You can always add more once your garden starts to be successful.

2. Choose a place to plant
Do you have a sunny or shady space to plant? This can be a deciding factor on what to plant as most vegetables and some flowers require about six hours of sun each day. So if you don’t have a lot of sun, look for plants that can tolerate the shade. Make sure that you plant your garden where you can’t ignore it. If your garden starts to need attention, you’ll notice it faster than if you put it in an area you rarely see daily.

3. Prepare the ground
Get rid of the sod that is covering the area you want to plant and spread compost to improve the soil. Using an organic material will boost your soil. Using compost, dry grass clippings, decayed leaves, or old manure will improve the soil and make a perfect starting point for your garden.

4. Decide on your plants
Now that you’ve picked your area and what type of garden you want to have, you’ll want to pick what you want to plant. Some plants are harder to grow and maintain than others, so we suggest these easy-to-grow plants for beginners. If you’re planning to plant flowers, try out marigolds, geraniums, pansies, or daylilies. If you’re planning to plant vegetables, go for peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers.

5. Put them in the ground
Learn about which plant you’ve chosen and when the best time to plant them is. Some plants and vegetables are picky about the cold and you will want to wait until all frost has passed. Some plants will fare better planted in autumn or late winter. Some plants, such as lettuce and sunflowers, are easy to grow from seeds. But you may find that it is easier for some flowers to buy a set plant or transplant and just pop it in the ground and grow from there.

6. Water your plants
You’ll want to water your seedlings daily, as they should never dry out. As they grow, you can taper this off. The new transplants will need watering every other day until their roots become established into the ground. After the initial process, watering depends on the humidity of your climate, soil, and how often it rains. If you see that your plants are starting to wilt, they are in need of water. Slowly water so that it is absorbed and does not run off.

7. Keep it up
You’ve started your garden! Keep in mind that the garden will take work. You need to water when needed and pull weeds before they grow large and overtake your garden. In the end, just stop and smell the roses. Or whatever you choose to plant!

Do you enjoy gardening? Are you planning to start one this year? Let us know by leaving a comment!

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Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

April 14, 2015

Win $250 to Shop at Build.com!

Is spring not the perfect time for tackling those home renovation projects? Not only is the weather mild so you can work both outdoors and inside the home, but the season itself is all about refreshing your outlook and renewing your spirit. What better way to do that than to spruce up your surroundings? Let us help you love where you live with a $250 gift card from Build.com!

Always count on Build.com for the best prices on everything you need to renovate your kitchen, bathroom and beyond with the perfect lighting, fixtures, fans, flooring and home decor to make your dream home a reality. Build.com also covers the basics including hardware, appliances, heating and cooling to keep your castle running in tip-top shape. Enter the Build.com giveaway today to get $250 closer to a better home.

It’s April clearance time at Build.com! For even more savings, check out the Savings and Clearance Center, where you’ll find big discounts on name brand products. Plus, take an additional 7% off Clearance items with code: CLEARANCE7 through 4/30/2015.

How to Enter the Build.com Giveaway:

1. If you’re not already an Ebates member, join over 8 million other savvy shoppers who earn up to 40% Cash Back on almost everything they buy. Joining Ebates is free and you’ll receive a $10 Welcome Bonus when you join today at www.ebates.com.

2. After you enter your Ebates email, you can earn extra entries for each type of entry. Comment, tweet, pin, follow us, like us, circle us — the more you do, the more entries you get! This sweepstakes ends on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 11:59 PM PST. The winner will be randomly picked through Rafflecopter, and will be posted on Facebook and this blog. Please be aware of the Giveaway Rules.

Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox, as the winner will have 24 hours to accept the prize before we will choose another winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

April 14, 2015

5 Must-Try Interior Design Trends

If you’ve had a major home makeover itch for the past few months, there is no time like now to start getting inspired by unique home decor ideas and then dive in. It’s spring, after all! This is the season when most interior design trends come to life. No matter what colors or styles you prefer, you’re sure to find something that sparks your creative spirit in our list of five hot interior design trends.

gingham_chairs — via Fieldstone Hill Design

1. Girly Gingham

Forget kitchen curtains and tablecloths. Gingham is expanding into other areas of the home with ultra-feminine styling in mind. These gingham chairs are rustic-meets-teenybopper to create a unique style perspective.

2. Bold Blue Accents

A blue accent wall is not for the faint of heart but it creates a beautiful focal point for any room. Blue furniture and fixtures also create this effect in a bite-sized serving.

However, if you want to try something a little more temporary, this lovely blue bedroom lamp is a nice baby step. Pair it with some blue accent pillows or a blue throw rug!

3. Neutral Accents

We all know the safest rule in home decor is to paint in neutrals and mix things up with colorful accents. But why not live dangerously? Paint with colors that make you giddy and keep the look grounded with creamy or nude furniture.

grasscloth_wallpaper — via South Shore Decorating

4. Monochrome Texture

If color isn’t your thing and you love a clean, calm gray palette, you can keep the look lively with inspired with a mix of textures. Grasscloth wallpaper is particularly popular this year to give your walls a little pop.

5. Menswear Inspired

Plaids, pinstripes, houndstooth. Little pops of these menswear prints can give any room in your house a nice little kick, especially when juxtaposing modern and classic styles. For instance, the retro vibe of a plaid chair and the contemporary geometric mirror make an interesting mix.

This blue plaid chair may look like Dad’s favorite sitting spot but with the right wall treatments and accents, it can be right at home in your mishmash style bedroom.

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

April 13, 2015

What is Raw Denim?

If you haven’t heard of raw denim, you are missing out on perhaps the biggest trend in menswear in the last decade. Raw denim is more of a movement than a fashion trend. Born of DIY culture and eco-friendliness, raw denim jeans and other goods are all about customization and quality.

Basically, raw denim is untreated and unwashed after the dying process. While a lot of modern denim products are distressed with chemicals and sandblasting, which may be hazardous to both the environment and factory workers, raw denim is virtually untouched. The end result is super sturdy, long-lasting denim that you can break in and shrink to your own personal preferences. Plus, you can create your own natural fading and distressing over time for a one-of-a-kind look.

Raw denim doesn’t only come in the form of jeans. This jacket with leather accents is an investment in quality that will last for years to come, which is perhaps the most important aspect of this fabric. You get your money’s worth.

Most raw denim products are selvedge denim. This means the ends are bound and not cut, making them less likely to fray, which also increases the garment’s quality. This selvedge denim jacket is a basic staple piece that can take you into any season.

And of course, raw denim accessories are definitely a thing. Wallets, key chains, even bracelets have been made from raw denim as a way for diehards to wave a flag of pride. This trucker hat is one stylish way to say you rock the raw.

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.