It has come to my attention that many of our younger cousins who have just tied the knot are looking into buying a house or are or has already bought the house.  While I strongly encourage a home inspection before buying their home – I have some cousins who are very good with their pneumatic tools  and can do all their own minor renovation or fixing up of their new homes on their own.   But unless you get the house at a really low price – I wouldn’t want to fix up my house for we don’t have any spare time to do it.  So when the spouse or the brother in laws wants tools for Christmas – i gladly buy them for them because I know that when we need renovation work done in our home they would certainly come to help with the tools we’ve bought them.So what so important about a home inspection and what to watch out for a home inspection,  that would be for another post and another day.

Now if I owned a spa or a hair salon – I could definitely use a lighting like above.  Found from Absolut Lighting and at $399 – not cheap but definitely unique and yes, it’s a talking piece alright.

A winner of the 2007 Nachlux, a European award for innovation in lighting, the Shining Brussels Sconce/Pendant can be hung as either a wall sconce or a ceiling pendant.  While the technology that goes into each pendant is cutting edge, it’s the old-world craft behind the glass shade that makes the greater impact. Featuring a finely etched design, the light cast from this lamp is made into astriking pattern of light and shadow.

While we are paying dearly for our electricity – my friend from new jersey told me all about their power bill with new jersey energy – how I envy her.  Winter’s power bills can be real pain on the pocket of many people – and  we all would loved a little savings on power bill wherever we can.  Even though we are never home for most of the day, our power bill is still very high and for a normal family I would say – it can be quite taxing keeping all the bills paid during the winter months.  My girlfriend say that at new jersey energy, they even have a $50 sign up bonus – good marketing plan – but the overall savings is the one we are all looking for right?  Everyone could use some savings during the winter months and every month of the year – and if you are in New Jersey – you should look up at some savings too.

When you have kids you definitely need to visit a pediatrician at one time or another.  Some of us visits the Pediatrician more often than others and a new mom asked me the other day – which is the best pediatrician in town.  I chose my pediatrician not only because he came highly recommended but his office was all equipped with computer carts  that were also designed for children and less intimidating.   When your kids enter the pediatrician’s office and see all those children’s cartoon of submarine, fishes, smiley faces – it definitely helped. Visual are so important to kids – so if they can picture the pediatrician’s office being a happy and kiddy place – they don’t mind going back to visit the pediatrician.  So my advice to all new parents to choose your child’s pediatrician properly – make sure that the doctor’s office is a fun place for your kids’ to visit.  The all white or grey office just don’t cut it for our kids now – our kids are way too smart these days.

I do not like to buy complicated things – all complicated things are for the spouse – and i can’t wait for him each time I want something right?  so i find things that I can fix and do it up myself which I find is the simplest.   Box for the birds is an easy way for you to have a bird house without screwdrivers, sawing and hammering them together.

Pretty neat right?  if a kid can do it – so can you!  check it out yourself.  Buy them from FAB or box for birds starting for about $23 .50 – $79 – depending on the material.

What began as a project with his daughter grew into an intelligently constructed birdhouse for all to enjoy. Designer and artist Michael Oliveri crafted this innovative bird sanctuary as a puzzle so that each piece slides together neatly without requiring nails or glue. Made from aluminum, it’s awonderful craft project for you and your kids to enjoy. In the end it’s for the birds, but putting it together will be a beautiful memory of an afternoon with your family.

The local radio station had been playing sounds from Adele for the last few months – that even someone who don’t know who Adele is – would know by now.  My kids had been asking for Adele’s song to be downloaded on their  ipods  as well – so we have been buying  iTunes gift cards for them instead of their allowances.   Unlike other parents, we make sure that they learned that things cost money and they need to save up for their ipod accessories and iTunes gift cards – we don’t just give it to them.  My kids say that I’m mean and stingy but I don’t mind being the bad guy in the family because I was brought up that way – therefore I never spend what I don’t have.  Instilling the right value in your children when they are young is very important – so if they needed anything they know they have to save their allowances for them.  In the meantime, here’s a sound from Adele.

Handcrafted Minimal Furnishing by http://www.sarabistudio.com/  are furniture that I like a lot.   They are certainly sleek looking – don’t you think – like this steel tatami planter – costing like $300 + shipping.   I loved the steel bench too – but since it’s so cold here – I know they are going to zap my children bad – so I’m only considering getting this sleek looking planter instead for the summer.  And I read they can custom made anything for you – just give them a call.  Pretty neat I say – wished they were in a warmer place like Asia – so we don’t have to worry about getting zapped.

]]> http://www.cowsonthecouch.com/2012/01/tatami-planter/feed/ 0 http://www.cowsonthecouch.com/2012/01/dino-loving-kids/ http://www.cowsonthecouch.com/2012/01/dino-loving-kids/#comments Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:36:54 +0000 peepingcow http://www.cowsonthecouch.com/?p=7251

My kid loved the dino and I do not know why ?  but she would buy books and books all about dino and if she could read about dino everyday – she would.  She is so fascinated by dino – so when I saw this online at http://www.dinoprints.com/  I had to get one of these posters for her.  Printed on Epson photo paper – a wee bit expensive – I think it’s worth every penny for my dino loving kid.

Always looking out for new stuff for my home and found this lovely decal to for a clock in my kid’s bedroom and many designs for other part of the house.  At $36.50 at FAB -  you can buy this wall decal and one battery operated clock movement that you can put up directly onto the wall of your home – pretty unique I think.  I loved ! and if you use it – I know for sure – your friends would loved it too.

Seriously, I’ve never heard of Latex bed – and this is supposed to give you a better sleep because it is made breathable and sustainable natural latex.   It has a salt based solution that works to destroy common home odor like pets and body odor and laundry and more.  Has a built in stain protection – so even if you spill something on it – or you have your menses – at a time y ou weren’t expecting it – it is not gonna stain the mattress.  Also this mattress has an anti-micobial as well as hypoallergenic and prevents the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.  Pretty neat – but how can one get a good sleep with such a think mattress i hear you say.   I too wonder – so I’m going to be doing a little investigation because I’m looking at getting a twin bed for my kids.  Be prepare to spend like $500 on a piece of twin size mattress.

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