» Housekeeping

The Case Of The Stolen Car Seats

Steph — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:49:07 +0000

by Stephanie Berenbaum – March 21, 2012

Cops, Robbers & Homeowners Insurance

Yesterday was an ordinary day, until I found myself at the center of an international crime thriller! Okay, well, not exactly … but I DID have two car seats stolen from my very own driveway. Here’s what happened: our babysitter set our car seats down next to my car – in my driveway – and then came back inside for maybe 60 seconds because I had forgotten to give something to her. She went back out and – that’s right – the seats were GONE.

Get to Know Your Local Police Precinct

Or at least have their phone number handy! Not only did I not even know what police precinct I was in, I didn’t even have their number. By the time I managed to look them up and call, many minutes had gone by. I know the odds of catching the car seat thief was slim, but I realized that my precinct should definitely be on my go-to list of important phone numbers!

Insurance to the Rescue?

This theft – the first since we moved into our house 8 years ago – actually was a wake up call for me. Because, to be honest, I realized how little I knew about our very own insurance policy. I always just took my homeowners policy for granted, and was a little embarrassed that I actually had no idea if something stolen from my driveway was even covered…

I called our insurance agency (Travelers) and told my agent (Michelle) what happened. Here’s the 411 on what I learned about the ins and outs of insurance and theft!

Does The Driveway Count?

Talking to agent Michelle, my first question was if my insurance policy covered things only inside the house, or outside too. I honestly didn’t know, but she assured me that property in my driveway was covered under my plan. She broke it down further to explain that I had two kinds of coverage: a certain amount for personal property (like my car seats) and another amount for dwelling coverage (like if someone breaks down your front door).

Coverage On The Go

My new BFF Michelle also explained to me something I had no idea about: if I am traveling and my luggage (or car seats!) gets stolen, it is also covered under my “personal property” homeowners insurance – even if the theft happens away from home. *Note: Most renter’s insurance policies are the same.

Make a Video Diary

One thing Michelle highly recommended to speed up any insurance claim: make a video diary of your high ticket items! Of course it helps to also keep all of your receipts. But if you haven’t done that, just take 5 minutes and shoot video of your pricey jewelry, TV, computers, clothing and, oh, I don’t know, maybe CAR SEATS?! That way when the insurance adjuster comes out you can prove to him that, yes, the $250 pair of jeans really was yours (no judging, we swear…).

Make Your Jeans Last Longer

brandi — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:56:36 +0000

by Brandi Savitt – February 15, 2012

6 Tips to Preserve Your Favorite Denim

Six months ago, I invested in a pricey pair of dark denim jeans that I absolutely love. I thought I was doing everything right when it came to caring for them. I turned them inside out in the wash to help preserve the color. I washed them in cold, and I usually – but not always – hung them up to dry. And while there’s still some life left in them, sadly my favorite pair of jeans has seen better days…

You want to know the worst part? I only bought one pair, and now I can’t seem to find the same style in my size…anywhere! So, in effort to stretch out the life of my bootcut bad boys, I thought it was time to get educated on the best way to care for denim!

Stop Washing Your Jeans

It doesn’t matter who you ask, all experts say that washing your jeans wears them out way more than wearing them. In 2010, Carl Chiara, Design Director of Premium Brands at Levi’s, told The Wall Street Journal that throwing your jeans in the washing machine agitates the cotton in the fabric causing it to ‘bloom’ and then tighten up and shorten the fibers. In fact, Chiara is so serious about preserving his personal denim wardrobe, he only officially washes (or should I say soaks) each pair of jeans in the bathtub every six months. He fills the tub up with cold water and Dr. Bronner’s soap, and then soaks each pair lying flat for 20 minutes. Chiara never scrubs the fabric, and after rinsing, he hangs his jeans up by the belt hooks, and let’s them air dry.

–This sixth month rule may sound disgusting and a little extreme for us laundry obsessed ladies. Of course, these are not the care instructions listed on the Levi’s label, but do take note… If you want to make your jeans last longer, washing them less is the answer!

Spot Clean & Steam

Keep in mind, Chiara does not suggest that you walk around wearing filthy jeans either! When you take your jeans off at night do a little spot cleaning to remove any stains or dirt. Chiara likes to use a damp cloth with a cleaning agent like Windex to blot out the dirt, but a drop of Woolite or Dr. Bronner’s will do the trick too. Avoid using any chemicals if cleaning up any sensitive areas (if you know what I mean)…

After cleaning any stains, hang your jeans on by the belt hooks (to help keep the shape) in the bathroom while you take a shower. The steam will help to freshen and restore the shape to the fabric while steaming out creases and wrinkles.

Organic Coupon Corner

Steph — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:03:10 +0000

We’re excited to see that Whole Foods is introducing it’s “Eco-Scale” system -which will easily rate household products they sell to see which are the greenest! By April of this year, the chain has vowed to have all its products rated and verified by a 3rd party – making it a whole lot easier to be greener.

Check out the following coupons on natural and non-toxic cleaning products:

From Whole Foods…

$1 off any One Method Item

$1 off One 365 Everyday Value Laundry Product – either 80 ct. fabric softener sheets OR 5 lb. concentrated laundry detergent powder

*Our Fab & Fru Fave: Method Smarty Dishwasher Detergent Tablets

Mrs. Meyers…

Is offering a whopping 60% off their remaining seasonal products - good while supplies last or until 1/29/11. I don’t know about you, but Gingerbread smells good to me any time of year! Love that Mrs. Meyers products offer you a cleaning and aromatherapy product in one.

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: Mrs. Meyers Gingerbread Liquid Hand soap.

BioKleen…

This consistently top rated brand is offering many coupons, check out:

$2 off any TWO BioKleen LAUNDRY Products

$1 off any TWO BioKleen CLEANING Products

$1 off any ONE BioKleen KITCHEN Product

$1 off any ONE BioKleen Soyblends Cleanser

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: BioKleen BAC-OUT Stain & Odor Eliminator

Naturally, It’s Clean…

I’ve mentioned before that I LOVE the enzyme based brand “Naturally, It’s Clean” – their floor cleaner is one of the best I’ve found. Something else I found – major discounts on this brand at IHerb.com! Many of their products are over 20% off, plus you get free shipping with orders over $20 — AND right now they are also offering an ADDITIONAL $5 off your order for new customers with coupon code BUY123. We like IHerb for the low minimum to qualify for free shipping and be sure and check out their major discounts on Seventh Generation as well…

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: Naturally It’s Clean Enzymatic Floor Cleaner

Seventh Generation…

Speaking of Seventh Generation, you can sign up on their site to receive coupons and special promotions sent right to you!

**Our Fab & Fru Fave: Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Liquid

And, of course, we always suggest looking in your own pantry first – you’ll be amazed at just how much household cleaning you can do with old-fashioned vinegar and baking soda!

Waste Less Food

Steph — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:40:22 +0000

by Stephanie Berenbaum – December 07, 2011

Answers to Your Kitchen Questions

As Fab & Fru as I am, I have a confession: I throw out more food than I would like to admit. Often it’s simply because I am just not sure about expiration dates and food safety rules. So, rather than continue to be wasteful, I dug into the book “The Kitchen Answer Book” by Hank Rubin, in an effort to educate myself about food safety and save myself a lot of money in the process!

Preserve Your Parmigano

Fresh Parmesan cheese is delicious – and expensive. To preserve it, make sure you wrap it tightly in plastic wrap – and that you use fresh wrap after each use! Hank also recommends storing it in the warmest part of your fridge (40 degrees).

Mmmm…Mold

If I see even a hint of mold on cheese, I toss the whole thing out. Apparently, not necessary! All you have to do is cut about a half inch off the surface from the affected side, and use the remainder within a week. A definite money saver!

Ice Cream I.Q.

What’s the best way to keep ice cream from tasting like the freezer? Fill your half eaten container with plastic wrap each time before replacing the lid. In addition, avoid repeated softening and refreezing and make sure to keep it in main part of the freezer - not the door which is subject to more temperature fluctuations.

Pet-Proofing Your Home

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:40:05 +0000

By Megan Segura – November 2, 2011

Keep Your Furniture & Floors Looking Like New

I happen to be quite the pet lover. Although I won’t be appearing on Animal Hoarders anytime soon, I have a hard time saying no to any cat or dog that is in need of a home. Full disclosure: I recently even brought an injured baby rat home…

All of this pet friendliness may ensure good Karma, but it tends to wreak expensive havoc on my home if I’m not careful. It seems there are two ways to keep your furniture from looking like it belongs at the dump: discipline or prevention. Since I’m a big softy when it comes to cute and cuddly creatures, I researched some tips to keep paws and teeth off the furniture!

Cat Scratch Fever

I learned pretty early on how important it is for cats to keep their claws, so declawing has never been a consideration for me. I certainly can see why it’s so tempting, though. In the past, my cats have scratched and shredded everything from my sofa and hardwood floors to the big suitcase in my closet.

Instead of stopping a cat from scratching (which is nearly impossible), redirect the behavior. If the sight of those typical cat posts has you running for the hills, try a cat scratcher that is designed to look like wall décor – why didn’t we think of this? Square Cat Habitat sells their version starting at just $30!

If your cat still prefers to sink its claws into your furniture, try placing double-sided tape onto the areas your cat scratches. Felines hate the feeling of something sticky on their paws, and soon enough, they will equate the sensation with your furniture and move on.

Bad Chewing Habits

If you have a puppy on your hands, chances are they have starting teething on your fine leather sofa or shoes. In this case, it is extremely important to keep clutter behind closed doors. Shoes, purses, clothes and kids’ toys should not be left on the ground. Screaming “No!” can only do so much, and a determined dog won’t be able to resist the taste and feel of chewing your belongings.

And if you keep your dog behind a gate, make sure the room he is corralled in is free of any plants and exposed electrical wires. Not only can both end up costing you a lot of money, they can cost your pet the most valuable thing of all – his health!

Before you run out and spend a fortune on the “cutest” chew toys around, take a moment to note what textures or materials your pup seems to most like chew! This will save you oodles of dough – no matter how adorable Little Lamby is, Rover just may not be interested unless there is something similar to shoe leather involved…

Michelle Rivera, owner of Chateau Marmutt, a Los Angeles dog daycare and grooming facility, says many dogs can be steered away from your furniture with a good bone. This doesn’t mean you should throw your dog old steak bones, as these can be a serious choking hazard. Instead, Michelle suggests asking a pet store employee to help you pick out a dog bone that has been popular with past customers. Bully Sticks are a great option, since they’re made from natural rawhide.

Vinegar Va-Va-Voom

Steph — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:38:24 +0000

Ok, so humble, old vinegar might take a backseat to some racier products in your kitchen. And it ‘s understandable – it certainly doesn’t have the star quality of Kim Chee, Proscuitto or French Chevretine goat cheese. But this behind-the-scenes player should get an Oscar for usefulness, versatility and frugality. Not to mention it was eco-friendly before it was cool to be eco-friendly!

So, why all the attention to vinegar this week? Well, we happened to notice a couple coupons available right now for vinegar, and it reminded us of all the great uses for this Fab & Fru Favorite…

Whole Foods has a coupon for $1.00 off a 64 ounce jug of their Distilled White Vinegar. And Heinz is also offering a coupon for 50 cents off a bottle on their website!

As many of you know, vinegar has a a million uses for both cooking and cleaning – here are some of our favorite ideas:

Buttermilk – Who knew? Often I will have a recipe that calls for some buttermilk, but it’s something I never – ever – keep on hand. Apparently, if you add a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of regular milk…voila – buttermilk!

Recipe Corrector – Another one I didn’t know about – according to the Heinz website, if you have a recipe that you accidentally made too salty or too sweet, they suggest tossing in a dash of vinegar – it often corrects the dish enough to save it!

Quick Pickled Veggies – I know it’s not everyone’s favorite, but I could just about LIVE on pickled vegatables. I love them and am often caught eating them for breakfast with coffee. Sounds gross, but it’s an acquired taste. Anyhoo, I have never actually thought to make them myself, and always buying them prepared is a pricey proposition! But Whole Foods suggests just quick pickling veggies such as carrots, radishes, beets peppers and onions in white vinegar and it will not only save you money but extend the life of your veggies for a few weeks!

Deodorizer – I cannot stand those spray room deodorizers – they always seem to leave a weird film on things and not really get rid of odors. My favorite solution? Just boil little vinegar and water on the stove – zaps odors out of the air with no weird floral scent left behind! You can also just leave a little bowl of it the counter while you are cooking and it will help freshen as you go.

Kid’s Science Experiment – Apparently you can turn a chicken bone into …. Rubber? Haven’t tried this one yet but it’s on my to do list with the boys for this weekend. A great way to turn scraps from dinner into an activity!

Windows and Mirrors – My grandmother swore by this, and so do I – clean mirrors with vinegar – the key is to use crumpled up newspaper instead of paper towels! Yet another good reason to keep getting at least the weekend newspaper – though I fear it will soon be a thing of the past.

Stickers and Decals meet their match – My house is covered with remnants of old Spiderman and Sponge Bob stickers that my kids have left behind. Frankly, I don’t think they are adding much to the overall ambiance of my home. Did you know that vinegar is good dee-gooifier – try this first before spending money on “goo-be-gone” products!

We know there are a million other uses for vinegar — what are some of your Fab & Fru Favorites?

Preparing For Out-of-Town Guests

Steph — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:05:25 +0000

7 Frugal Tips for the Hostess with the Mostess

After spending the last several days hosting my favorite Scandinavian friends/business colleagues, I realized that being a fabulous hostess can cost you a lot more than you bargained for if you aren’t careful!

Sure, having out-of-town company can be great - especially when they are friends or family that you actually want to see. But if you’re anything like me and start to see every little thing wrong in your home (I actually seriously considered replacing my cat scratched couch before the Norwegians came), you need to take a step back and put things into realistic perspective. Take it from me – there is a Fab & Fru way to turn your home into an oasis of comfort for your guests without going overboard…

Clean & De-Clutter

The cheapest and most simple way to create an inviting and calm environment for your guests is to clean your house and get rid of clutter. Scrubbing the tub, getting rid of that pile of old mail and putting away the laundry doesn’t cost you anything extra, plus tidying up for your guests is a fantastic excuse to bring order to your home and reclaim your space for yourself!

Change the Sheets

Steph may have come a long way in getting over her germophobia, but unidentifiable stains on sheets are NOT ok! And of course, sheet sets can get very expensive – or the cheap ones feel like sandpaper. Our solution? Tee shirt sheets! They feel luxurious and cost the same or less than cheap, crappy sheets. Buy a set in white – we found twin sets at Target for only $10 or so. Now you’ll know why even Oprah threw out her multi-count sheets in favor of jersey knit ones!

Invest in White Towels

No, your old, raggedy towels are NOT okay either – that’s just gross! However, before you go out and buy an entire set of new towels, we recommend trying to bleach your old ones first. If the the bleach doesn’t do the trick, then it’s time to invest a little money in a new set of towels. But keep in mind- DO NOT use your guests as an excuse to buy luxury Turkish bath towels when you can’t afford to. By making a trip to your local linen outlet, you’ll be able to find (and feel) a nice but affordable 6 piece set for under $20-30. *Be sure to buy white towels only. This way, you’ll be able to bleach them after each house guest!

Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

This next prep step won’t cost you a dime…. Clean all the gross stuff out of your medicine cabinet! Many of us will be sharing a bathroom with our treasured guests, and the last thing they need to see is your anti-fungal cream, yeast infection tubes or anti-psychotic meds staring them in the face in the morning.

Storing Your Winter Clothes

brandi — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:05:33 +0000

by Kathy Pape – March 21, 2011

Preserve Your Wardrobe & Your Wallet

Twice a year I do what I call “switching wardrobes” in our house when I put away all of our winter clothes and pull out all the summer gear. Oh how I would love to live in California where the seasons never change, and there is no need for this dreaded task!

For years I was lazy and inefficient at this switcheroo. I’d store my bathing suits, shorts and skirts in garbage bags and throw the bags into whatever closet I could find… That is, until I realized how much money my system was costing me when items got lost, or clothes got ruined! So, here’s what I learned about storing and cleaning clothes properly…

Dry Cleaning Sweaters

Make sure you get all sweaters dry cleaned before you store them for the summer because stains and smells will set if they are tucked away in a closet for 6 months. And even worse, moths actually LOVE to feed on dirty sweaters. I know – YUCK – but it’s true! They like all those little pieces of food that your toddler’s grubby hands wiped all over the wool, and even if you can’t see it, they know it’s there!

Storing Sweaters

When storing, group sweaters together by material, then fold neatly and place in garment boxes that are made of organic or breathable materials such as cotton. You should put cedar balls in with them - and since I’ve always hated the way cedar smells, I put lavender in the same box to counteract the smell. Stack items loosely so they have room to breathe and don’t hang sweaters or other knit items to store them because they can become misshapen by long term hanging.

Storing Boots

I used to just throw all my boots in the closet in a big pile – thereby putting a rather substantial investment at risk! You should always take them to your local repair shop for a good once over before you put them to bed for the summer. Get suede cleaned, repair the heel caps and replace the shoelaces if needed. All waterproofing should all be done before you store away your winter footwear. Remove any dirt, caked-on mud or salt from your winter shoes because it can permanently damage your footwear.

I feel like a superstar because a few years ago, I learned an easy way to make deodorizing inserts for your boots. Just fill clean tube socks with cat litter and tie off the top of each sock… They will help keep the shape of the boot and keep them smelling clean! Who knew? --You can also use magazines to create supports for your knee high leather boots.

Vacuum Seal Your Clothes For Easy Storage

This is not just for people who watch infomercials – I swear! I’m normally not a big advocate of ‘As Seen On TV’ products, but this one is genius. I discovered the magic of the vacuum sealing when I stumbled upon a box of bags at Costco one year. All you do is put your clothes in the bag, use your vacuum cleaner to compress the bag and presto! It’s so compact you can store the clothes under any bed. This is especially perfect for t-shirts, shorts and yes, bathing suits! Sweaters should be stored in boxes, however, because it can damage the fibers of the wool to be stored that tightly.

Chemical Free Spring Cleaning

brandi — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:36:01 +0000

by Brandi Savitt – March 7, 2011

Green Clean Your House

It’s official, the giant pile of dirty ice and snow that has been an eye sore in my front yard for the past three months has finally melted, revealing crocus shoots sprouting out of the forgotten soil! Could this really be the beginning of spring?!

With the excitement of open windows and buds on the trees, it’s only natural to want to start giving your cooped up quarters a springtime dust-off. It may be a little early to pack away the sweaters, but we have some dirt cheap, super green tips to help you scrub away the winter grime – and leave your house feeling as fresh as spring!

Invest in a Floor Steamer

Do you want to change your life and make cleaning your floors (almost) fun? I’m not kidding! For about $100 (& up) invest in a quality light weight upright floor steam/electric mop that cleans and sanitizes your wood & tile floor – plus other surfaces – with ZERO cleaning products and just the pure power of water & steam! Unless you have an enormous house, in less than ten or fifteen minutes you can steam & disinfect all the floors in your house – with no mess, no chemicals and almost instant drying time .

Honestly, it couldn’t be easier. For the best results, sweep well or vacuum your floors before steaming them. There’s no extra paper wasted either. Just throw the used cloth pad in the wash and it will be fresh as new. And just think of all the money you’ll save by not buying pricey cleaning products!

*More expensive steamers come with attachments to make steaming & sanitizing furniture, mattresses, curtains and rugs easier too!

Moisturize & Shine Your Wood Furniture

After having the heat on all winter, your wood furniture is dying for a drink. Revitalize your furniture naturally by blending together equal parts lemon juice and olive oil. Gently rub the mixture into your wood surfaces with a soft cloth. Give each piece time to absorb the concoction before wiping away any extra residue with a clean cloth. It’s that easy!

Clean Your Curtains

Be honest, when was the last time you cleaned your curtains? These serious dust collectors trap dirt from both the inside and the outside. Sure, you might occasionally think to pull off the dust bunnies, but if you really want to brighten a room while cleaning the air too – throw your curtains in the wash!

Of course some curtains are ‘dry clean only’ BUT – before you go running to the cleaners, READ THE CARE INSTRUCTIONS first. If the label says the fabric can get wet, save yourself an expensive & chemical filled trip to the dry cleaner and machine wash your curtains yourself!

De-Clutter Your Life & Save Big

Steph — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:20:19 +0000

by Stephanie Berenbaum – December 16, 2010

Time, Money & the Pursuit of Organization

Scheduling in a little organizational time, will not only help you de-clutter your life, it will help you save money- all while gaining more hours in the day! But if you’re anything like me, staying organized is easier said than done…

Oh sure, I go through periods of serious hyper-organization, but then it all too often seems to fall apart. Having my home office in my kids’ playroom doesn’t help the matter any, but to blame my chronic disorganization on two preschoolers may be a bit of a cop out… So, my New Year’s resolution this year (as it is most years) is to finally get organized with a system that I can actually easily maintain! Given that I am such a proponent of professional help in other areas of my life, it’s no surprise that I turned to professionals for help on this subject!

To lead me to a path of organizational freedom, I consulted with organizational expert Danielle Novi Heller! Danielle is the creator of the Smart Solutions Toolkit for Working Mothers - and I find that a lot of her tips apply to working women whether they have kids or not!

Designate A Weekly Preparation Day

Utilize a set time once a week (Sundays seem to work for most) as weekly preparation time. This is when the majority of organization and preparation for the 7 days ahead should take place. This includes planning your schedule, reviewing your calendar, planning meals for the week, and organizing who is responsible for what tasks (both at home & at work). I am always amazed at how even a concentrated 30 minutes of my time can be so effective!

Meal Planning

Using a weekly meal planner can be particularly helpful when you have a gaggle of kids! And even if you don’t, we all know planning ahead can help save big bucks. There is actually a weekly meal planner in the Smart Solutions Tool Kit – and you can check out a sample of it on her website. Creating a shopping list based on your menu for the week will not only save you time, but planning ahead also helps families eat healthier & save money! As we all know, it is often last minute, rushed meals which are the unhealthiest and/or the most expensive!

Weekly Meal Prep Shelf

This may seem uber-organized (and it is!), but Danielle actually advises clearing out one shelf of your dry goods cabinet and designating it as your ‘weekly meal prep shelf’. Danielle uses that shelf to organize the dry goods for the week’s lunches, dinners and snacks. She likes to pre measure dry goods, like rice, for dinner and pre-pack kids snacks, like pretzels. Then when packing lunches in the morning rush, all you have to do is gather refrigerated items and you are good to go!

Of course, dinner is also streamlined by pre-measuring ingredients. Just make sure you label your food after measuring it so you don’t forget how much is there – the last thing you need is to create unneeded chaos for yourself!

Preselect Outfits for the Week

For many women, getting dressed in the morning is not only challenging, but also a huge time stealer! Danielle swears you can decrease your morning stress by utilizing a weekly clothing planner, like the one in her kit. And of course if you have kids, planning their outfits in advance will reduce stress and save loads of time. Hello – why is it that every Saturday morning I am frantically searching for Noah’s soccer shin guards and team shirt? Seriously, it’s like a deja vu I just can’t shake…

Many parents report that getting their younger children dressed in the morning is a major source of conflict – particularly if you have a budding fashionista on your hands! Danielle recommends using Days of the Week Labels to organize your child’s wardrobe for the upcoming week. Another idea for decreasing morning stress is to lay out the outfits for the week and allowing your child the choice of which day they wear which outfit.