That Bottle’s Lookin’Good!
Last year I went up to visit my grandparents for a few days. It is my belief that no matter how old you get, your grandparents house will always seem interesting, as in you want to explore because there are so many cool things packed away. I felt this way for a long time until two years ago when they moved to a new home. I loved their old house and I miss it every time I’m in their new one. The new one doesn’t have the same “home” feeling to it as well as everything is new- the furniture, the paint, the carpet, the house itself. It just isn’t as exploration-worthy anymore.
As much as visiting my grandparents has changed, I still like to look around- and by look around I do not mean snoop. I mean look around. So I went into their bathroom (and I was going in there for real reasons as all of the other bathrooms were occupied) and I noticed a pretty glass bottle filled with a purple liquid sitting on the counter. Obviously that got my attention. I took the lid off and I smelled it and it was mouthwash! I was pretty surprised because I expected it to be some kind of perfume but instead it was minty fresh!
Later I asked my grandma about this (only because it did not seem like the type of thing my grandpa would do to spruce up the bathroom a bit) and she said she got that decanter and put her mouthwash in there because it just looked prettier than a giant plastic purple bottle sitting there. And I must say I have to agree with her. It looked pretty cool, kind of like a secret potion. Anyway, the point of this rambling story is that ever since then I was like, “Hm, I want to do that too!” But my problem is that I tend to knock things over a lot, and a decanter would break or the lid would fall out and the mouthwash would be everywhere.
I have found the solution, and by accident nonetheless. I was solving a little issue we had concerning our canning jars, and I came across this:
Make gorgeous gourmet oils and vinegars. All it takes are some herbs and spices, oil or vinegar, and this Bormioli bottle. Perfect for salad dressings, marinades and other condiments. The metal latches are easy to open and seal tight.
Product Features
- Heavy-duty, transparent glass
- Hermetically air-tight and waterproof
- Metal clamp and stopper
- 7 9/16″ H x 3 5/8″ x 1 5/8″
- 8 3/4 Oz. / 1/4 Liter capacity
I thought, “This is perfect! The lid stays on tight, the glass is heavy-duty, making it less likely to break, and it looks cool!” I can use it for my mouthwash but really it’s perfect for anything that you want to display. It also comes in a larger size of 16 oz.
This item definitely goes on My Wish List because I really can use it for whatever I want, it’s cheap, it’s durable and it has an air-tight lid that will not come undone if knocked over.
Cats are ultra-cool
Well, I don’t know if I would say that cats are ultra-cool for certain, but they’re ultra-something that’s for sure.
I’m pretty sure that whether you’re a dog person, a cat person or have a fascination with strange and exotic animals, you don’t like it when neighbors’pets or stray animals get into your garden or yard. Here is the best thing you will ever hear if you have an unwanted animal problem. Well, an unwanted cat problem at least.
Snapple Fact # 48:
Cats can hear ultrasound.
While the fact simply talks about cats, lots of animals can hear ultrasound, including dogs, deer and rabbits. Use the Guardener Animal Repellent Device to get rid of all those unwanted animals that are getting into your garden or messing up your lawn.
Guardener Animal Repellent Device
Designed to Safely & Effectively Repel Even Stubborn Deer From Your Garden
The Guardener is an ultrasonic repellent with 2 lines of defense-ultrasonic frequencies and water spray- to protect you from even the most stubborn deer. It covers up to 22′ of distance at an impressive 170°.
How It Works
- The Guardener detects the heat and motion of the approaching animal
- It emits ultrasonic frequencies which unsettle and alarm the intruding animals
- If the animal doesn’t leave, water spray is released that’s sure to scare even the boldest of deer away.
Great Features:
- Combines 2 Effective Repellent Methods – Ultrasound & Water Spray
- Solar powered – no power supply necessary, making it portable to any area
- Uses its own water supply – does not need a garden hose connection
- No harmful chemicals
- Does not hurt the animals, only scares them, ensuring it’s a humane product
This is what you want to avoid
Snapple Facts
I thought I’d share one of my favorite things about relaxing on the deck with my family and friends, and that’s opening up a cold Peach Snapple and reading the Real Fact that’s under the lid. Between you and me, I doubt some of the “Real Facts” provided, but nevertheless, I always find them interesting. So I thought, “Hey, how could these be of actual use to me?” And then it hit me. I’ll blog about them. But only the ones that seem to relate to our overall topic at hand here. I’ll start off with the very first Real Snapple Fact:
Real Snapple Fact #1:
A Goldfish’s attention span is three (3) seconds.
So now relate this to yourself. Do you have the attention span of a goldfish? Even if you think you don’t, has anybody ever told you that you do? Keep an eye out for that.
Seriously though, that’s not where I was going with this. My intention was to provided all goldfish owners with a deeper knowledge of those slimy little creatures swimming around in circles that they like to call their pets. I have a ton of goldfish at my house because we have a pond in our backyard and honestly, finding out that they almost really don’t even have a brain is no surprise to me.
Maybe this is what people are really saying when you remind them of a goldfish.
Now Featuring You
You know, sometimes it’s hard to be creative. I mean, yeah, sometimes it just comes naturally and it’s fun and exciting, but other times, when you have to do it because it’s part of your job, it just doesn’t have the same shine to it that draws you in. I do realize that due to my sparkling and captivating personality, it’s hard for you to believe that I could possibly run out of witty and entertaining things to say, but alas, the time has come.
Because I am lacking creativity at this moment, I thought I’d ask you, as the readers, what you’d like to read about. So, readers, “What would you like to read about?” Better yet though, what would you like to write about? I mean, you guys know stuff too! In fact, I just received a message from a very bright customer who clearly knows her stuff detailing one of the products I previously wrote about.
So let me hear it! Write me a post about one of our products that you enjoy or want to share with others, and I’ll post it and put your name at the bottom, making you famous! (I can’t guarantee the famous part, but it sounded good.) If you’re lacking the creative juices also, then just send me a topic/product that you would like to learn more about and that will at least give me a jump start to start inspiring and dazzling you all with my wonderful words of wisdom.
I just want to hear from you, so email me your thoughts at rachel@gardenocity.com and let me know what you want to see and you will be the next Featured Guest Writer and Gold-Level Friend and Follower of Yardlover.com! (I just made that up, btw, therefore no prizes or awards come with receiving that title, other than the fact that you will feel great about your awesomeness.)
Product Spotlight: Flip Flop Flower Pot Stand Set of 3
Get better use out of your space by using the Flip Flop Flower Pot Stand to show off your gravity defying plants. Pots are held in place by a hidden stabilization tube that also works as a water conduit.
Features of the Flip Flop Flower Pot Stand:
- Unique plant stand makes plants “stackable”
- Perfect for indoor or outdoor use
- Can be used for plants, flowers, herbs, and more
- Finished product stands approximately 42″H
- Made in the USA
Included with the Flip Flop Flower Pot:
- Two polycarbonate supports (each support holds two pots)
- One fiberglass center pole with multiple holes
- Instructions for set up and use
*Requires one – 14″ to 20″ tapered pot and four smaller tapered pots with center drain hole in bottom
Planters not included.
My Miracle Gro Story
I have decided to share my Miracle-Gro Story with you. It truly is a story worth hearing and will change the way you feel about plant food forever.
First, let me start off by explaining what Miracle-Gro is. It is, essentially, steroids for your plant. There are many different types of Miracle-Gro, ranging from liquid plant food to tree spikes, potting mix to fertilizer granules. What I am here to talk to you about today is the Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food. To use this product, you mix the correct amount into your water can and then water all of your houseplants, trees, shrubs, and other vegetation that you are growing. And that’s where my story begins.
I like houseplants. I have several in my room, I keep some in my office at work, and I have tons on my deck outside. One of my most unique houseplants is a little bonsai tree that I have had for a couple years. I bought it because it was just so cute and it was different from most of my other plants. Well, this bonsai tree has always had me puzzled because I could never tell how much water was the right amount of water.
I water all my plants when they need water. I don’t keep a schedule, although who knows, maybe I should. Well one day I realized that my little bonsai tree wasn’t doing so well. In fact, most of its leaves had fallen off and the ones that were still on were covered in some type of white residue. I didn’t have any disease control products and, I admit, was really too lazy to find the product that I needed to save my bonsai.
I looked through our cabinets until I found something that I thought would help. And that something was Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food. I mixed the right amount into some water and went ahead and watered the bonsai as well as all of my other plants. Within three days I kid you not there were fresh, new, bright green and healthy leaves on that bonsai. I noticed a change in all of my other plants as well. They weren’t suffering at all, but they all shot up within a couple days. All of my plants are as healthy as can be and not one of them is suffering from any disease or incorrect watering.
All I can say is that you have to give Miracle-Gro a try. No matter which type you decide to use, there is a product out there for you and I guarantee that you will have the same happiness and success that Miracle-Gro has given back to me and my precious little bonsai tree. All I can say is this: it truly was a miracle.
Let there be light!
As I’m sure all of you know, during the lovely summer months, you want to spend time outside for as long as possibly possible. And, as much fun as it is to be outside late at night, it’s also fun to be able to see! I get if you’re camping or being outdoorsy then you’ll have a campfire, which I will totally talk about later, but for now let’s just say you’re on your deck and you want to be able to see the people you’re hanging out with. I mean, call me crazy but that can sometimes be nice. So. Now is the fun part- you get to decide what you’re into!
If you Have Awesome Night Vision, then I would suggest checking out our numerous Low Voltage Lights.
If you’re a Tree-Hugger Green Lover definitely go with Solar Lights. Whether it be Stake Lights, Spot Lights, Deck Lighting, Figurine Lighting, or Solar Urn Lighting, you will have no problem finding the right solar light for you. We even have Decorative Solar Lighting so if you like solar lights, and you prefer them to have decor, check them out.
If you’re Awesome, you might like Gel Flame Torches and Bowls! You really just have to take a look and see for yourself with this one.
If you like something with a bit more Natural Life to it, go for the Patio Torches! They are essentially tiki torches and therefore include fire in their lighting.
If you are Someone Who Doesn’t Know What They Like or Never Can Make Up Their Mind, then check out all of our outdoor lights and see what catches your eye!
My personal favorites:
Outdoor Wall Art
It’s possible that some of you did not know that Yardlover.com has tons of paintings meant to be used outside. I didn’t even know about them until I stumbled across them just a few days ago. And let me just say, some of them are really pretty! It was really quite a shock to find all of those paintings on our site because I just didn’t expect it. I recommend that you just take a look around and see if anything catches your eye. I bet at least one will.
The thing about these paintings though, is that they’re not really paintings. They are specially made to look like paintings, but in fact the images are generated from high resolution digital photographs and printed onto the canvas to give the allusion of an original painting. The canvases are treated front and back with UV lacquer to help the image keep its amazing and vivid color. The prints are 100% waterproof and the staples are stainless steel, meaning they will not rust. The canvas is stretched around a 1.5″ poly-vinyl bar made to withstand the outdoor elements. Last but not least, the specialty made mounting hardware ensures that the “painting” will stay right where it is in up to 60 mph winds (anything higher than that, you probably want to move it indoors). Just to make these images even better, a 2-year guarantee against peeling, running, or fading is included.
For those of you who don’t live on the edge or enjoy getting caught up in the wild world of outdoor decor, these “paintings” can also be used indoors. But where’s the fun in that?
Take a look and see if there’s anything that floats your boat:
*Just a bit of extra information: these “paintings” are actually a lot bigger than they appear. They are all 30″ x 40″ x 1.5″ so don’t go in thinking that you are getting a little painting you can hang in that little corner of your house between the window and the door (unless of course it will actually fit there) because they are bigger than they seem. Just sayin’.
38 Protective Defenses Against Mosquitoes
I bet you didn’t know that mosquitoes have 47 teeth! Lucky for you, we have 38 different defenses against those teeth! While it may not be 47, I think any and all of them should do the trick in protecting you against those pesky little buggers! Check out our 38 Protective Defenses Against Mosquitoes (also known as Mosquito Control) now for more information on how you can save your skin (and blood) this summer against the inevitable attack.
Check it out now: http://www.yardlover.com/mosquito-control
It pays to explore
You know, we have so many products that sometimes I miss a couple. When I’m at work, I’ll be surfing through our website checking in different categories or I’ll be glancing through our showroom looking at different samples we’ve received and I tell ya, I find new stuff all the time! I just find all sorts of cool things that I never even knew we had and sometimes I’m just like, “Why didn’t I know about this?!” So I just thought I’d update you on my most current findings while searching the office.
I happened to stumble across a WaterStik. I was in shock after reading the packaging because it really is a cool product. All you have to do is stick it into the soil of a potted plant and it will automatically blink, either blue, green, yellow or red, telling you whether you have over-watered, watered just right, need to water soon, or need to water now! How cool is that! It’s easy to use (you just have to be able to tell your colors apart), and it’s cheap- $15.99. Ya really can’t get much better than that.
The other thing I discovered was a LiteStik. It is essentially the same thing as the WaterStik, except, obviously, for providing light to your plant. The thing about this one is that I saw somebody else at the office using one, and I just never really realized how awesome it was until I found it today. But it really is cool because you can put your plant anywhere(!) now and it will still have a sufficient amount of light to survive with. It also comes in a Blooming Plant Version which is to use with plants that have blooming flowers. They are both simple to use and allow you to have more options with where you keep your houseplants. More freedom!
LiteStik for General Plants
LiteStik for Blooming Plants
So I’m gonna have to say that this little Exploring Session went really well considering that I found some awesome new products to inform you about. But who knows, you probably already knew about them!
