Tag Archives: Fall

4 Must Do Roofing Tips For Cooler Weather

Posted in Activities by

Personally Fall is not one of my favorite times of the year as Winter is sure to come soon after, but I have to say that the cooler weather in the New Jersey area makes activities so much more enjoyable and gives the night time an entire feel and look
of it’s own.

However, Fall also comes with a few things you’ll want to be prepared for, especially when it comes to your home. For instance, now is the time to look at your roof and see if any maintenance needs to be done before the cooler weather turns too cold.

This will ensure that your home won’t in it’s best shape for the snow, ice, and winter wind that could keep your home’s value from dropping or worse, leave you with a large bill to fix. Below are a few tips to help you navigate what you should do first when it comes to your roof, especially if you are a new homeowner.

Image: Peter’s Roofing

1. Consulting With A Professional: It might seem easy to spot a problem with your roof but because you’re not an expert in this field, it also might be easier to have them come on just to be safe. Hiring a roofing contractor who specializes in roofing replacement is

key. They are the ones who can safely inspect your roof and spot any potential problems before the cold weather emergencies. This also will allow you to fix it before it’s too late.
After all, nobody wants to deal with a leaking roof in negative degree weather in the middle of December. Therefore, it is much easier to make the repairs necessary to your
roof in the fall when there is no snow or ice to worry about it. If you’re looking for a reputable company to help you with this decision, call Peter’s Roofing. These professionals install roofing to residential neighborhoods throughout the New Jersey area. I appreciate that they make safety a top priority and earned an impeccable safety record to show for it. They also have several years of experience as well as a solid team
to meet the demands of their clients.

All of their EPDM roofing service installations are covered by a full warranty and manufacturer guarantee so you can feel good about
having them take a look at your roof. It’s also a free estimate to have them come out and give you an expert estimate to help you determine which roof is best for you, your home,
and your budget.

2. Double Check The Gutters – If you haven’t even thought about cleaning your gutters, now is the time to do so. Debris, mud, twigs, and a whole lot of other things can have accumulated
inside of them which is tricky to see from the ground. As this pile grows, the gutters then become clogged. Rainwater, instead of draining down towards the ground, has nowhere to
go and if it’s can drain properly it’ll eventually spill back onto the roof. The water then begins to form a puddle, putting pressure and weight on various sections of your roof. This weight can then cause the roof to sage allowing for more rainwater to build until it collapses in that
spot. Now that you know, you’ll want to grab a ladder and check your gutters as soon as you
can.

3. Trim Overgrown Branches: Having trees in your yard is wonderful. They provide protection and shade from the hot sun but they can also cause some trouble for your roof. If branches start to overhang your roof you’ll want to make sure that you trim them because if the twigs
break off, they can cause damage to your shingles. The majority of damaged roofs actually are caused by falling branches so if a storm comes through, or if you have an older tree and has weak branches it could potentially fall on your roof. This is when you’ll want to keep an eye on it, especially when the winter arrives and the snow can make the branches fall with its weight.

4. Checking The Attic: While it’s awesome to continue to check the roof for areas of trouble but it’s also important to inspect the roof from the inside of your home. That’s right- I’m talking about your attic. Your attic can often lead to issues that might be missed from the
outside. For instance, look for any water leaks that can appear as any dark stain or discolored areas on the wall or floor. Check for signs of mildew or mold as well and don’t
forget to look for any warped ward. If your attic insulation is in good condition, you’ll want to be able to get the max heat retention during the cold months.

Are you starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with everything? Not to worry. The biggest and best thing
you can do for your loved ones and your home is first calling a professional to help take care of the
important things, such as your roof. They are the ones to know exactly what to look for and can help you with troubled areas as well as staying within your budget if repairs are needed.

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer

Posted in DriveShop, Vehicle Reviews by

The all new 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer was provided to me by DriveShop to test out and give my opinion.

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We took the Lancer for a nice hour and a half long ride to Fright Fest to test it out. Any excuse to go to a theme park is good with me! My initial thoughts were a bit skewed because I drive a fairly large 2016 truck, so any car is inferior in my opinion. This being a 2017, the first thing I noticed was it definitely couldn’t be the fully loaded version. It was not equipped with navigation which I thought came standard in almost every vehicle these days. But maybe I’m wrong. Either way, with this model, you’d need to get an upgraded package that includes navigation.

This is my first time driving any Mitsubishi, so I am not sure if this is a standard for them, but the keyless entry in this specific car is a little odd in my opinion. I am so used to push start, that I guess I don’t understand why there would be an almost keyed like ignition start. It isn’t a key, but rather shaped like one, and you push it in and turn it. I just don’t see the point of it. Again, maybe it isn’t just this model, and its a Mitsubishi brand thing. My dream car when I was a teen was a Mitsubishi eclipse, and I never did actually get it, darn!

There is a back up camera, like any other vehicle made after 2013, and it’s quite accurate. I felt comfortable relying on it as I packed in and out of parking spots and my driveway. Some vehicles cameras are not as clear, or do not include the entire view, but this one did.

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I loved the exterior. It was so pretty, especially when the sunlight hits it. This color is not just white, but it’s called Pearl for a reason. In the sunlight, it is such a beautiful, sparkling pearl color. The black leather interior really compliments it well, and the rims are stunning!

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Since I had this car for a week, I took it to and from work more then anywhere. I work up in the mountains, so the daily drive includes a vigorous incline on the way to work, and a long and slow decline on the way home. Let me tell you, this Lancer took it like a champ! I felt comfortable driving up and down the hilly slopes and felt like I had total control over the car. That definitely has to do with the face that it was 4 wheel drive option. There is a button in the center that you can switch easily between 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive which was a plus.

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The halogen lights were beautiful and helped with driving home from our long drive to six flags. They were super bright and I felt like it was a smooth ride home. Did I mention gas in this car is great!?! It’s everything I love about a sedan as opposed to my gas guzzling truck.

What a nice vehicle inside an out. There sunroof was an added bonus, especially since it’s the fall and the beautiful sunshine is still poking through the clouds often. I didn’t get a photo of the trunk, but it’s a decent size for a 4 door sedan. I was able to fit food for the week for our family of 4 in the truck with no issues. It also has the option to fold down the back row seats one at a time for added trunk space.

I have to say, the only con is the lack of navigation being standard. The driver and passenger seats were manual control, which is also a bit outdated in a 2017 model, but it’s less of an issue as it a critique.

Overall, The 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer is a nice, reliable vehicle, and it starts at $24,000 which is very well priced for this car. It’s an affordable option for families that may not be able to make the jump to an SUV. You can ride in style while still having the room in the back to fit 2 kids in car seats and another passenger back there with them.

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What’s in your Bag? GIVEAWAY

Posted in Kids and Moms, Product Reviews by

Hyland’s is proud to be a leader in offering safe and effective medicines for the entire family and I am proud to be working with Hyland’s on this amazing giveaway they’re hosting!  The What’s In Your Bag?” Giveaway has three bags to enter to win: A Baby Beach Bag, a Day-Trip Kid Bag and a Natural Fashionista Mom Bag. There is also a $100 VISA Gift Card per bag! They’ve provided me with products to try and share my feedback with you.

Click on the photo for the bags, choose one or all and you’ll be in for a treat! Each bag offers an interactive overview of each product up for grabs. You can also enter to win each bag and each bag winner will get a $100 Visa gift card as well.

Baby Beach Bag:

BabyBeachBag

Kid Day-Trip Bag:

KidActivityBag

Natural Fashionista Mom Bag:

FashionistaMomBag

Let’s take a look at some of the brand’s and what my fav’s are!

Hyland’s is well known for its homeopathic remedies and trusted by parents everywhere. I know people will know their teething tablets, but I’m the biggest fan of their Cold N’ Cough medicine. It’s safe for ages 2+ and seems to really help when my kids have colds. I’ve used it the last year since they’ve put it into stores.

Noyah prides itself on 2 things. HEALTH & BEAUTY combined. With all natural beauty products, you can feel good about the products you’re buying. Even better, right now, for every item you purchase and tag online, Noyah will donate a lip balm to the homeless.
SheaMoisture offers some wonderful alternatives to your everyday lotions like b&b and Vaseline. It’s amazing smelling and keeps your skin glowing all day.
Goddess Garden has some bad-ass products! Essential oils, sun repair products and sun screens. They even have a monthly subscription box if oils that are hand picked for you. Everything is free shipping over $35!

Babyganics offers a wide range of organic items for baby. The most well known, and one I love the most is their hand sanitizer. We were stocked on this for both of my children as babies and no one was allowed to touch or hold them until they sanitized! The best part is there is virtually no harsh smell and no alcohol drying out your skin so it’s safe to use as often as you want.
Jack ‘n Jill is representing with the all natural baby toothpaste. I wish i had this when my children were infants. Starting healthy habits young are key.
Ella’s Kitchen has the squeezable foods that are easy for parents and yummy for children. My kids were never a fan of the squeeze pouches unfortunately but I’ve always envied those who has kids who were. Easy to throw in your diaper bag and go!

Ishga Organic Skincare has provided some of the top skin care products to the US. Ish-what? Foreign is usually a sign that it might be some undiscovered secret to us Americans and these Scottish Seaweed skincare products are going to be all the new rage.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hyland’s and Promotional Partners. Uses for Hyland’s products are based on traditional homeopathic practice. They have not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration.

 

 

The Beautiful 2015 Hyundai Sante Fe Limited Edition, Chuggington, Tball, & NY Baby Show

Posted in DriveShop, Vehicle Reviews by

2015 Hyundai Sante Fe Limited Edition AWD

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I was so excited when I heard I would be testing out the all new 2015 Hyundai Sante Fe in the Limited Edition with All Wheel Drive. It was fully loaded and had so much to offer a family of 4 like mine.

Thanks to the 411 Mommas and Drive Shop for making this review possible.

I LOVE being able to be a guest on the 411 Mommas!

Check out my Video Review on The411Mommas.com or below;

How nice is this vehicle? I mean, seriously, the color is so luxurious, as is the inside. I felt so proud driving this around town and it made me want to seriously consider buying one for my next family SUV. It is a little bigger then what I am used to, but it handled so well that wasn’t an issue at all.

Some of the features that I really loved were the safety features. Like the blind spot monitor which alerts you by beeping or lighting up whenever someone is in your blind spot. How it works, is the car senses when another vehicle is on the side of your car. If you’re driving on the highway, the light will just illuminate as the cars drive by. Right when you put your blinker on to get over (depending on the direction your going) it will beep if there is a vehicle in you blind spot on the side where you’re trying to go.

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Talk about luxury, this baby has heated AND air conditioned seats as well as a heated steering wheel option. The steering wheel sensitivity can also be changed based on what you’re most comfortable with. The frosted mocha color is the one I had, and I have to say it was beautiful! The interior felt so clean with the light wood grain and beige and black seats.

The 3rd row seats have their own controls for heating and air conditioning which is excellent. Any time you have a large SUV, it’s always an issue controlling the temperature throughout the entire vehicle. The back usually has a vent, but not it’s own temperature controls, so that was great. There is also a 12V socket that you can plug into in the trunk as well which is neat. You can blow dry your hair in the trunk of your car in desperate situations! Haha!

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The over-sized moon roof extends all the way to the 3rd row seating and would make a great “camp out” for kids in the summer to watch the stars with the AC on and maybe a pillow and blanket. There isn’t only a moon roof. The front portion of the glass is actually a sun roof. You can choose to have that open fully, just a tad, or not at all.

I didn’t have to use the 3rd row seating this time, because it was only the 4 of us in the vehicle this week, so I kept the 3rd row seats down the whole week. When I tell you there is a ton of room, that is almost an understatement. I fit my sons stroller back there, and 2 giant bags of laundry and I still had room for about 3 times that back there. The back seats were split apart, which I loved because you don’t have to lower a rear seat to get to the 3rd row. That was always a turn off for me in other 3rd row seating vehicles because I have 2 kids in car seats. So it was a hassle to pull down the seat for someone to climb back there and again when they get out. It also just made the vehicle feel so open and fresh.

This option had tinted windows, which helped keep it cooler inside. Even though the tinted windows kept most of the sun out of my kids eyes, it was nice to have the visors built in to give that extra sun block. My 2 year old seems to always have the sun-facing seat and complains during most family trips in our current vehicle but he did not complain at all in this one!

I am so in love with this SUV, that even though the gas mileage is 19 MPG and about 10 MPG less the my current vehicle, I don’t even mind. It is so worth the extra gas money to have the added safety and convenience to me. Plus, I started with a full tank, and drove it to and from work each day, and I didn’t even need to put gas in it the entire week. So for my personal use, it was fine and not a gas guzzler.

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I hope you get a chance to check out this car, you will not be let down!