These unexpected stain fighters are items that nearly everyone already has in their home. Read on to learn about double-duty household items and how to use them!

1) For sweat stains, use a dash of White Vinegar and a sprinkle of Meat Tenderizer. Soak stains in white vinegar and then wash in hot water. If the stain remains sprinkle it with a little meat tenderizer, let it sit for 30 minutes and then wash again.

2) Got deodorant on your shirt? Baby Wipes are an easy fix to lift those hard to remove marks!

3) Lipstick and Ink Stains are tough, but a little Hair Spray can change that! If the fabric is machine washable, saturate the stain with hair spray, let it sit for 10 minutes, then dab with a damp cloth or sponge. Clean as usual to wash away any residual stain and spray.

4) Not just for fingernails anymore, use an Emory Board to remove small stains on suede items! Gently rub an Emory board across the stain a few times to get rid of the blemish and refresh the nap of the suede.

5) Spill red wine on your new blouse? Shake some Salt on it! On washable fabric, immediately blot and then pour cold water over the stain. Next, cover the stain with salt, then stretch the fabric over a bowl and carefully pour boiling water over it, from a height of 6 – 8 inches. If the stain doesn’t come out after following the steps above, soak the item in a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water. Once the stain lightens, launder the item as usual.

6) To keep your kicks lookin’ fresh, spray Starch on sneakers to help repel dirt and grime!

7) WD-40 has yet another use, removing crayon marks! Place the garment stain-side down on a stack of paper towels. Spray with WD-40 and let sit for 5 minutes. Flip garment over and spray again. Rinse well. Rub liquid dish soap into the stain and rinse again. If any stain remains, apply a stick or spray stain remover and machine wash as usual.

Sixteen years ago, Tim Dugan and Gavan James, formerly of Oakwood Corporate Housing, now CEO of Nomad, had a crazy idea. Why not start a professional trade association to support corporate housing providers. With a handful of furnished housing providers (I am proud to say Princeton was one of the early members), they founded the Association of Temporary Housing Providers (ATHP) and several years later renamed it to the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA).

Two weeks ago in Miami, CHPA had its largest conference in history with over 480 attendees from around the world. The mood was upbeat and very positive. With increasing corporate relocations and special consulting projects, the need for short term furnished apartments is growing. The common theme from every session was that demand for corporate housing will be strong for the foreseeable future.

Perhaps, the increase in furnished housing is a harbinger of an overall national economic recovery.

For more information on CHPA click on www.chpaonline.org.

I am sure many have experienced losing a cell phone or, as in my case, having a cell phone stolen. While away on a business trip, I left my phone to charge in a room being used by the organization. I did leave the phone unattended, which brings me to rule #1 – DO NOT leave phone unattended! Yes, by the time I returned… someone had decided they needed my phone more than I did.

My life was gone. My contacts, my emails, my Facebook, my photos – gone. Panic set in, and the thought of some stranger accessing all my information bring me to rule #2 – create a password for your phone so strangers can’t access it! But another thought crossed my mind: It’s a smart phone, so couldn’t I just use the GPS to find out if it’s still in the hotel? No! According to my service provider, apparently they can’t risk you being the crazy ex trying to track down the one that wronged you.

In my state of shock, I kept asking, “Of what use is my phone to anyone other than me?” I would get answers like, “Well, it’s an easy way for them to make long-distance calls on your dime,” “The SD cards are worth $40-$50,” “Some carriers will activate your phone – because they don’t care where it came from – and they’re just happy to have a new service contract.” Interesting. So, if I lock my phone and remove the SD card, I may be able to eliminate two situations… but I’m still without a phone! I guess having the SD card may be a benefit.

Is there anything to deter a “would-be” phone thief? I suppose the answer is no, but with a few quick changes, you may prevent one from wreaking havoc on your phone, your email, Facebook, etc.

I started looking to the internet for answers on how to prevent this from happening and, if it should happen, steps you should take immediately. There were some helpful tips, but nothing available all at one location. So this is my gift to you.

I hope you find this of no use… because I hope you never have your phone stolen.

Prevention tips:
Never leave your phone unattended.
Create a secure code to lock the phone when not in use.
Activate a Gmail account.
Remove SD card while charging.
Register your phone with your network operator

If your phone is stolen:
Contact the local authorities to file a report (this is helpful should there be excessive charges to the phone during the time it was still active).
Contact your provider to have the phone disabled, not the account.

There are also many anti-theft programs to look into, so one may be right for you.
Some of the many I found were Gadget Trak, Theft Aware, Mobile Me, and Phone Guardian. I have no experience with any of these, so I would recommend researching further. Good luck!

This year’s mild winter comes with the price of ticks making an early arrival. The winter weather usually brings the benefit of keeping ticks away. But the relatively warm winter we have enjoyed this year means the Lyme disease-carrying pests could be arriving earlier than usual this year.

Ticks bring with them the risk of Lyme disease for both pets and humans. Symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue, skin rash, and muscle and/or joint pain that can last for weeks.

According to the state Department of Health and Human Services, younger ticks are active in the spring and summer months while the older ticks are more active in the fall. The younger ones are more likely to bring the threat of infecting a person with Lyme disease. It is important to wear protective clothing and use insect repellents containing DEET to help prevent the ticks from biting and spreading the disease.

It is also important for pet owners to protect their pets with the proper medications to ward of these pests. It is best to consult a Veterinarian and start a monthly treatment plan. Most over the counter remedies have been around so long that ticks have become resistant to them.

(Information taken from an article published in the Union Leader on March 9, 2012.

Who isn’t addicted to Pinterest by now? Whenever someone asks me what the heck this new-fangled website is, I describe it this way: take an entire wall in your bedroom and put up as many cork or pin-boards as you have “categories” of ideas floating around in your head, then every time you have an idea (see a picture you like, think of a recipe you want to remember, want to add a book to your reading list) you put it on your massive wall of pin-boards – Pinterest is like that, but nice and compactly, cleanly online! I literally feel like I am organizing my brain when I log on and pin away. It’s the next best thing since Facebook (c’mon, Google+ was fooling themselves…)! So, if you haven’t already, consider taking a peek at Pinterest. If you want an invitation to join I’d be MORE than glad to send you one – if only so I don’t feel like the only wacko spending Friday and Saturday nights “pinning” pictures and links…
Happy Pinning!

Times are tough, and we’re all looking for ways to save money. We’re couponing in ways so extreme that a reality show was created about it. We sign up to receive email deals from our favorite clothing stores and practically give ourselves carpal tunnel syndrome from logging in so many times a day to check for new deals. And sometimes we even figure out the BJ’s sampling schedule and make it a point to only shop when there’s a sample station at the end of every aisle so we don’t need to worry about dinner (or is that just me? I cannot be the only one who does this!). Whatever lengths you go to, you really can save a few bucks if you put a little thought and effort into your shopping. That being said, there are times when you should, at all costs, avoid a so-called deal. Yahoo! Finance posted 8 Things You Should Never Buy Used, a list that’s definitely worth checking out. Below are two big ones to keep in mind – especially if you live in an apartment community!

– Mattresses – I once saw someone leave a mattress by the side of the road and, only five minutes later, saw someone pick it up as though they’d just struck gold. What?! How could someone just pluck it from the side of the road, having no idea how old it is or where it came from or if there were ever any monkeys jumping on it (just making sure you’re reading)? In all seriousness, any time you buy – or take – a used mattress, you’re running the risk of bringing those dreaded bedbugs into your home. And if you live in an apartment home, you’re not the only one at stake; those little critters will happily hop into your neighbors’ apartments and nibble on them for a while, too. I know mattresses aren’t exactly cheap, but it’s also not like they’re something you have to buy often. When you spend $300-$700 (a price range I got from the Jordan’s Furniture website) on a mattress, it’s not just going to last you a few years – it’s going to be a nightly reassurance that you’re the only one who’s ever crawled into it.

– Couches and Upholstered Furniture – The same logic that applies to mattresses applies to your living room and accent furniture. As the Yahoo! article cutely says, “They’d change the name [of bedbugs], but ‘upholstered furniture bugs’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it.” So while it can be a good idea to poke around on Craigslist for a gently-used dining room set or an antique mirror, it’s a decidedly bad idea to try to find a big comfy couch… that someone else’s entire family has been spending years flopping down into. And spilling who-knows-what on. And grooming the dog on. And… ok, you get the point. Upholstered furniture sees a lot of action and can just as easily become home to bedbugs. Go to Bob’s Discount Furniture and buy your own living room set. And while you’re there, ask who Kathy is and why she’s in all the commercials, please.

When people think St. Patrick’s Day foods they think of Corned Beef and Cabbage, but what about the most part of any meal…Dessert?! Satisfy your St. Patrick’s Day sweet tooth with Mudslide Cupcakes topped with Irish Cream Frosting!

Mudslide Cupcake Recipe (Makes 12 cupcakes)
• 2/3 C sugar
• 2 C flour
• 1 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 3 T ground coffee
• 3/4 C unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 C melted vanilla ice cream (coffee or mocha ice cream work too!)
• 1/4 C Coffee Liqueur (i.e. Kahlua)
• 1/4 C Irish Cream Liqueur (i.e. Bailey’s)

1. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and coffee in a bowl.
2. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl for 1 minute until light and fluffy.
3. Beat eggs, ice cream, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream liqueur into the butter/sugar mixture until blended.
4. Fold in flour mixture.
5. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full.
6. Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of the cupcake clean.

Irish Whipped Cream Frosting (*Note: If you like lots of frosting, double the recipe!)
• 2 C heavy whipping cream
• 2/3 C sugar
• 2 T Irish Cream liqueur

1. Whip heavy whipping cream until it looks like whipped cream.
2. Mix in sugar and Irish Cream until just combined.

Optional – Top off with Chocolate Sprinkles or Chocolate Syrup (or BOTH!)
Insert Pirouette Cookies as decorative “straws”

SLÁINTE!

The internet is an invaluable tool with countless ways to improve our daily lives. Arguably one of the best uses of the internet is the ability to view cute animal pictures.

Check out the 26 happiest animals posted by BuzzFeed @ http://www.buzzfeed.com/animals/happiest-animals-in-the-world

Number 10 is my favorite, what is yours?

Enjoy!

I found this year that fundraising was not easy. Normally when I run Daffodil Days for the American Cancer Society, we can reach our goal fairly quickly with time to spare. This year was a bit different.. Maybe it is because times are tough, maybe because our goal was higher.

At first I was starting to get discouraged. It is not an easy thing asking people for money even if it is going to such a great cause as finding a cure for cancer. Once again I am always touched at repeat supporters, and also the many residents that we have at River Place that donate whenever and whatever they can. And I love hearing thier stories, about cancer survivors in thier lives or about those that they donate in memory of.

The support of my peers and co-workers has been awesome! I actually opened up the donating to friends and family on my personal Facebook page, and was pleasantly touched when some people I have not actually met in person, but are Facebook friends, (mostly from my Disney family) sent in money to help us reach our goal!

We set a goal of $1500, and passed it by reaching $1660. I am proud to be a part of this cause, and to help where I can. I am thankful for all those who did help and support me in this year after year. The one thing I always find after doing a fundraiser, people will say, “I would have done it, but you never asked me!” So this year, I asked… and I asked everyone. If you are doing any kind of fundraiser, that is my advice to you, Just Ask.. You never know who has been touched by what you are standing behind and you never know if they want to help or not.

Where is L’Andover? If you’re from “The Valley” then you’re already in the know! For all others, let me explain…..L’Andover is the lovingly coined identifier for that sweet spot known as the “Mt. Vernon Neighborhood”. Although we do not know the origin for the term, we can make the assumption that this nickname grew out of the location’s close proximity to the Andover town line. L’Andover, just steps away from Andover, has so many wonderful things to offer such as public transportation, easy access to major highways, and a 25 minute commute to Boston, the seacoast, New Hampshire’s mountain region, as well as fine dining and great shopping. L’Andover is the place to be, offering quality living without the price.

Over the years, the Merrimack Valley, better know as “The Valley” has experienced many changes in its cities and towns, which stretch from Manchester, New Hampshire to Lowell Massachusetts. In particular, the City of Lawrence once known for its industry and ingenuity had attracted thousands of immigrants from countries all over the world. The evolution of Lawrence has once again opened the door to many newcomers, once abandoned mill buildings have been refurbished and are now the home to many restaurants and businesses. Though years of economic highs and lows have changed the landscape of this once booming city, one thing still remains, and that is that the heart of Lawrence remains in its history and its people.