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The Westin Oaks Galleria is renovating all its rooms. The old stuff is now being sold off to anyone who ever wanted to take home a part of the place. Tables, chairs, sofas, lamp shades, pianos and chandeliers are all up for grabs. If you'd like to check out the wares, go to Southwest Surplus. Here's a link to the store: http://swsurplus.com/.
For most of these products, you want to make sure you wear gloves, as some can be harmful if you don’t.
1. Marc Tile & Grout Cleaner
Directions: Apply some of the liquid to the grout and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes. Brush the area and then rinse it thoroughly. For tough stains, repeat the process if necessary.
2. Tile Lab Grout & Tile Cleaner
Directions: Spray the area and wipe with a damp sponge and rinse if you need to. For those tougher stains, wait 10 to 15 minutes before wiping, but for areas with a lot of build-up, you may need to scrub.
3. Lemon Juice and Borax
Directions: Mix lemon juice and borax to make a paste. Apply it to the soiled area and let it dry. Scrub it off with an old toothbrush and rinse the area.
4. Baking Soda and Water
Directions: Mix baking soda and water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the area and let it sit. Scrub the area and then rinse off the area.
5. Ammonia
Directions: Apply to the soiled area and scrub with an old toothbrush. Rinse off the area and don’t follow with bleach.
6. Oven Cleaner Spray
Directions: Spray it onto the area and wipe it off within 2 to 3 seconds. Rinse with water immediately. This product tends to work better if you scrub the area after you spray it and then wipe and rinse.
7. Vinegar and Water
Directions: Dilute vinegar with an equal amount of water and apply to area. Scrub and then rinse the area.
8. Deep Cleaning Tile & Grout Magic
Directions: Shake the can and then spray on the area and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Wipe the area with a damp cloth or sponge and then rinse with water. You will need to scrub for those tough stains.
Cake Decorating Classes at Cake Craft Shoppe
http://www.cakecraftshoppe.com/default.asp
San Jacinto College North Cake Classes (Continuing Education Dept.)
Cakes By Gina Designs
http://www.cakesbyginahouston.com/
YELLOWING NAILS:
Take a lemon and slice it into wedges. Take one wedge and rub it gently over each nail once a day. After about a week, you should see a difference in the color.
OR
Drop a couple of tablets of denture cleaner into warm water. Soak your feet or hands for about 5 minutes and you should see a difference.
FUNGUS:
Avoid cutting or trimming the cuticles. Instead use a liquid cuticle remover and moisturize twice a day.
Over-the-counter fungal medications can work to fight fungus.
OR
Add a little bit of tea tree oil to your home pedicure or home manicure water and soak your feet or hands in it for about 5 minutes.
If you want to use the tea tree oil more often, dilute it a little bit in water by taking a small squeeze bottle and filling it 3 quarters of the way with warm water and filling the rest with the tea tree oil. Shake it up and apply.
SPLITTING NAILS:
File your nails in one direction with quick and light motions rather than sawing back and forth.
HOME MANICURE/PEDICURE MESS-UPS:
Use a quick-drying serum on each nail after applying a top coat of polish. After using this serum, you can take a manicure clean up pen and lightly go around the cuticle to clean up the extra polish.
CALLUSES:
Have a great pedicurist that you go to regularly, so that they know what they’re doing and will give you good treatment. Make sure to maintain your feet by exfoliating, soaking, moisturizing, and whatever else necessary every day at home. After this, you can apply cuticle remover to the calluses if necessary, which will soften those spots. Let it sit there for a couple of minutes and then take a buffing block or paddle to exfoliate on those calluses.
STEP 1:
Exfoliate at least every other day.
Use either sea salt or sugar and pour it into a bowl. Add jojoba oil and a couple drops of
essential oil. Mix it up and use to exfoliate your feet.
Homeowners who are facing foreclosure can get free help in the effort to get a loan modification. There are HUD certified counselors all across the state. Here is a link to them. Just scroll down until you see the offices located in Houston.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=TX
Also, be sure to check this site to see tips on dealing with a real housing counselor and avoiding the fake ones.
Flying is not getting any cheaper, but there are some things you can do to cut the costs.
The experts at www.farecompare.com have compiled a list of mistakes folks make when booking tickets or looking for deals.
Check it out:
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/biggest-mistakes-buying-airfare-secrets-cheap-airfare/story?id=11042031
Get ready for a swarm of mosquitoes. Rain water from Hurricane Alex will likely give rise to millions of mosquitoes in about two weeks. That's how long it'll take for mosquito larvae to become full fledged flying pests. Be sure to remove any standing water and don't forget your trash can lids. Bug experts say that's typically a spot most home owners never check. If your yard becomes a bug haven, be sure to use the most effective bug sprays according to Consumer Reports.
Off Deep Woods Sportsmen II
Cutter Backwoods Unscented
Off FamilyCare Smooth & Dry
3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 8
Repel Plant Based Lemon Eucalyptus
Natural 8-Hour with picaridin
Shampoo and Conditioner:
Kerastase Bain Shampoo and Conditioners $38- $40
Goodwell’s Kerasilk Shampoo and Conditioner $14
Leave-in Conditioner:
For every hair texture: Sublimateur $38
Neutrogena Triple Moisture $6
Fine and Frizzy hair texture products:
Essence Absolue Shu Uemura $67
Moroccan Oil $45
Styling Products to tame curly hair:
Kaze Waze by Shu Uemura $33
Dynamic Loop by Goodwell $14
Curls Up $6
Product for all day frizz maintenance:
John Frieda’s Frizz Ease “Secret Weapon” $6
In Stretch Your Dollar, we put several hair styling gadgets to the test.
BP is warning job seekers to be careful of scams involving oil spill clean up work.
Apparently people posing as BP employees are charging would be clean up workers a fee for training and job placement.
BP says it doesn't charge to get a job with the company.
Workforce Solutions has a job offer database that lists offers from businesses that have tax I.D. numbers.
https://wit.twc.state.tx.us/WORKINTEXAS/wtx?u=1275509388291&pageid=BROWSE_POST_BY_TEXT
Hot weather is here and that means your power bill is probably going to increase.
If you need help paying a big power bill the state of Texas has assistance which can be found here,
http://www.puc.state.tx.us/ocp/electric/elecfacts/Electpayassist.pdf
Reliant Energy customers can call the company to see what is availalbe for them.
The company is voluntarily suspending disconnection notices for low income seniors, low income residential custoemrs and those on the Critcial Care List.
Call Reliant to find out more @ 1-866-RELIANT.
The state PUC keeps the Critical Care list, to find out how to get on it, contact your power provider.
One way to save on electricity is to switch providers if they offer a better rate.
Before you switch, check out a companies complaint history with the PUC.
You can find both the rates and complaint history at the PUC's power to choose web site.
Promo codes can help you save big bucks on airfare.
There are a couple of web sites that have great promo code information.
Check them out:
Below are dry shampoo brands and prices from Patricia Lopez's Stretch Your Dollar report on Thursday.
Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder $35
OSiS Dust It - Mattifying Powder $18
KMS Hairplay Makeover Spray $20
Pssst Instant Spray Shampoo $6
Taxi
Taxi
1657
Westheimer Road
Houston,
TX 77006
713-528-5500
Buffalo
Exchange
1618
Westheimer
Houston,
TX 77006
(713)
523-8701
Buffalo
Exchange
Houston
Heights
249
W. 19th Street
Houston,
TX 77008
(713)
868-2400
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Blackbird Trading Co. 1628 Westheimer Road Houston, TX 77006 (713) 524-9100 |
|
Fashion
Recycler 1629
Westheimer Rd Houston,
TX 77006 |
From Patricia Lopez's Stretch You Dollar report on Thursday, May 13, the following salons have Shellac:
Unique Tips & Toes
7805 Louetta Road Suite 144
Spring, TX 77379
Salon Phone: 281-851-0635
Isle Pedi Spa
5819 Kirby Dr.
Houston, TX 77005
Salon Phone 713-528-8802
Cell phone bills can get out of hand in a hurry if you go over your allotted minutes.
The cell phone companies have easy ways for you to check your minutes and account balances but the FCC thinks more can be done to limit cell phone bill shock.
The agency is considering a plan that would require cell phone carriers to send you a text message that would let you know when you are nearing the end of your monthly minutes.
Some cell phone customers we spoke with like the idea and others thought it would be unnecessary.
Tell the FCC what you think by logging on to the agencies comment section.
You can find the FCC comment page here:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display?z=83q26
Meanwhile the wireless carrier's have their own account management plans and you can find them all right here:
http://www.ctia.org/blog/index.cfm/2010/5/12/Consumer-Tip-How-to-Manage-Your-Wireless-Account
Young people looking for work may be able to catch a break when it comes to finding a job.
Workforce Solutions has a program specifically for teens and young adults.
There are income requirements, but they are not overly restrictive. For instance if you live in a family of four, the limit is $64,286.
There are about 4000 jobs available through the program, to find out more, go to the following link and click on the "Summer Jobs for Youth" tab.
As Houston's summer weather heats up, your lawn and garden strategy needs to adapt to stay green and healthy.
Flowering plants:
Non-flowering plants that have color and can withstand summer temperatures:
Nitrogen fertilizer to 'green up' your yard
For more information, visit Gardenline Guru Randy Lemmon's Facebook page
If you are planning on moving soon, it may be a good idea to check out the moving company before you hire them.
The state of Texas requires movers to register with the agency and display the registration number on all trucks and in all advertisements.
The state's database on movers can provide you with a list of complaints and also let you know if the company is registered at all.
Here is the link:
Those of you who got a Texas Appliance Rebate are also eligible for an extra 75 dollar recycling rebate.
To use that money to further offset your new appliance you will have to take the old appliance to a certified recycling facility.
There are many in the state and around Houston.
For a complete list check the following link: http://www.texaspowerfulsmart.org/rebate/recycling.php
From Patricia Lopez's story on Mrs. Baird's bakery on Wednesday, April 14, here are the locations.
605 East Tidwell
(713) 884-1762
Houston, Texas, 77022
If you were like the millions of Texans who had trouble getting one of those appliance rebates, you are not alone.
Now the State Comptroller wants to hear about those busy signals and that slow web site.
You can leave a comment at www.texaspowerfulsmart.org
The job market may not be in full recovery mode yet, but temp jobs are starting to gain strength.
In the last year there has been almost a ten percent increase in temp jobs. Temp jobs can lead to full time employment.
If you are considering a temp job check out the tips at the following link:
You are entitled to get a free credit report once a year. All you have to do is go to www.annualcreditreport.com
Out of work home owners are about to get some help keeping their homes.
Changes to the Making Home Affordable Program would allow unemployed home owners to pay a reduced amount. Under the plan a home owner would be allowed to pay only 31% of their income on their mortgage for up to six months.
The plan would also pay mortgage companies to reduce the amount a home owner owes if their home is worth less than the current loan value.
Interested home owners are being told to contact the Making Home Affordable Program, here's the link to that website.
April 30th is the deadline for anyone who wants to take advantage of the 8000 dollar new home tax credit or the 6500 dollar repeat home buyer tax credit.
The tax credits can still be had, but time is running out because it takes 30 to 45 days to get the paper work and loan applications processed.
There are many questions about the tex credit, and here is a link to the answers:
Randy Lemmon’s Tips on getting your yard green for the spring:
1. If your grass is brown and looks dead, scalp your yard. You can do this by lowering your lawn mower about an inch.
2. Fertilize
· Late February-Early March - apply a simple 15-5-10 for an early green-up. Most companies that make slow-release fertilizers also make a nonslow-release 15-5-10 that provides for a quick two-week green up before we get to the heart of the fertilizer schedule. Some people will be tempted to use a weed-and-feed at this time, but if you've been following the GardenLine herbicide schedule, there should never be a need. However, spot weed-and-feed treatments are recommended for those with turf-only landscapes or landscapes that have been established for many years. Warning: Most weed-and-feeds contain Atrizine which burns roots of young trees and shrubs.
3. Add an “organic soil amendment” to your lawn. This will add nutrients to your soil that were stripped during the winter months
4. Fertilize
· In Late March-Early April - apply slow-release 3-1-2 ratio fertilizers.
Recommended formulations:
19-4-10 Nitro Phos Super Turff
18-4-6 Fertilome Southwest Greenmaker
18-0-6 Fertilome's Zero Phosphate Formula
15-5-10 Southwest Fertilizer Premium Gold
19-5-9 Easy Gro Premium
21-5-10 Mr. C's (Cornelius brand)
For more information check out Randy Lemmon’s Facebook page
Lifetime warranties sound great, but sometimes they just don't live up to the claim.
Before you buy a product, you have the right to read the warranty and you should.
Many warranties are Limited Lifetime Warranties and it's important to find out what the "limits" are in the fine print.
The Federal Trade Commission has a few things to say about warranties, you can read it here:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro17.shtm
Texas has the Deceptive Trade Practices Act that gives you certain rights on almost everything you buy.
Knowing about the DTPA can help you get a bad product replaced or fixed.
Here is a good break down of the DTPA by the Texas Bar Association:
http://www.texasbar.com/Content/ContentGroups/Public_Information1/Legal_Resources_Consumer_Information/Consumer_Protection1/Texas_Deceptive_Trade_Practices_Consumer_Protection_Act.htm
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