Blog Posts by Krista Fabregas

Fall is a time of home decorating quick-change. Within 60 days we move from spooky Halloween decor, to russet-hued fall colors, to Christmas sparkle and shine. Add to that holiday entertaining, parties, shopping and kid's school needs and the holiday season becomes busy indeed!

To save time, money -- and sanity -- during this busy season, here are five quick Thanksgiving decorating projects that add fall-inspired pop to any room in just minutes. Best of all, since most craft stores have fall florals on sale by now, these colorful accents cost just a few dollars to make.

1. Make a Leafy Fall Colors Wreath: Make this eye-catching fall and Thanksgiving wreath with just a few handfuls of russet colored silk leaves, a plain foam or natural wreath form and some hot glue. If you can't find loose leaves at the craft store, just trim them from floral picks. Glue single leaves in layers over the wreath form, mixing colors and sizes as you go to create texture. Add a russet or golden hued bow to

It's a tragedy that's surprisingly common. A child reaching for something as mundane as a juice box pulls a heavy television over, is caught underneath, and loses his life.

This terrible accident happened in a Chicago suburb just days ago but, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), it's just the latest of this type of incident. The CPSC reports that children are seriously injured or killed in "tip-over" accidents involving TVs, furniture and even appliances about once every two weeks.

Each year, "tip-over" accidents account for nearly 22,000 injuries in children under age 8, the CPSC reports. Most involve TVs, including lighter flat screen models, placed on a piece of furniture such as a chest, dresser or stand.

The saddest element of this story is that these accidents are nearly 100 percent preventable with a simple TV safety device. Furniture anchors and TV straps capable of supporting hundreds of pounds are available in many home improvement

Party-perfect buffet tables can be set up even in tight spacesHave you ever been to a party with great food on a beautifully arranged buffet table all served up by an unruffled host? If you're like me, you've probably left a few of these parties wondering just how they pulled it off.

While the host who throws perfect parties time after time may seem a magician, there's certainly no spell needed to lay out a great buffet table. From weddings and showers to birthdays and family get-togethers, any space large or small can easily serve a crowd if you know these few simple tricks of the catering trade.

Tip 1 - Start with a Plan
The first and probably most important tip is to make your serving plan a few days in advance - maybe even before you finalize your menu. Knowing which foods go on each dish or platter and where those pieces fit on the serving table beforehand can make party day setup a breeze.

Tip 2 - Give Yourself Some Space
Next take a look at your space and furniture arrangement. What works for everyday may not work for a

Renewable bamboo countertop composterI admit I'm not likely to be the greenest gal in the crowd, but when Earth Day rolls around I try to find a few areas for improvement. This year composting is my greener-living Earth Day resolution, and I find it's actually not too demanding if you have the right tools. These are an outdoor composting bin, preferably in a far corner of the yard, and a countertop composter.

Now don't be fooled by the name "countertop composter," I'm not actually composting on my kitchen counter. These compact, trashcan-style containers are sized to sit on the countertop so you can easily collect food scraps while you cook. But what really makes them special is the odor-absorbing charcoal filter in the lid. This keeps odors at bay if you forget to tote scraps to the compost bin for a day or two -- a big plus for anyone looking for a little "greenvenience" in their eco-minded efforts.

Another great reason to consider using a countertop composter -- they're kid-sized. Collecting scraps in a

ColorWare by Bentley is a US-Made favorite for over 40 yearsIn an age of endless imports filling store shelves, it may surprise you to know that yes -- there are a few products still being made right here in the USA. That even includes plastic tableware such as dishes, glasses and accessories like placemats... really nice ones, too!

To find American-made plastic kitchen and tabletop products you'll have to look beyond the big retailers and discount stores, though. Because of volume manufacturing deals, the big guys still bring in most of their plastic goods from overseas in seasonal batches.

Instead, look for smaller stores or online retailers that specialize in kitchen and tableware products, like www.KidSmartLiving.com. Rather than importing big containers from overseas factories, these smaller companies actively seek US-based manufacturers because they offer more unique and often higher quality product lines that are made year-round.
Crystal-clear Clarus unbreakable plastic glasses are US-made
In fact, some of the most popular and sought after tableware brands you'll find are

Tips for Decorating a Worry-Free Christmas Tree A Christmas tree's twinkling lights, colorful decorations and tempting presents are simply irresistible to small children -- but toddlers and tree trimmings aren't always a perfect mix. Here are some tips to help busy parents decorate a worry-free Christmas tree that's safer for little ones without giving up holiday style.

Tip 1 - Avoid Toppling Trees: Tipping trees can be inconvenient and even dangerous. To keep Christmas trees upright, start with a sturdy base that measures at least half of the full width of the tree. Then add extra support by running string or fishing line from the upper part of the trunk to an anchor on the wall, such as a sturdy picture hook. This easy trick helps keep the tree upright if children tug on branches or ornaments.

Tip 2 - Be Bright with Lights: Wrap light strands close to the tree trunk and out of reach of little hands to protect children from the many hazards lights pose. Also consider using a power strip with a safety cover to easily and

National Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 3-9Fire Prevention week is Oct 3-9, and it's a great reminder to change the batteries in fire alarms and brush up on fire safety basics with the kids. In fact, the timing of Fire Prevention week is ideal - with winter and the holidays just around the corner, it's a great time to consider fireplace, space heater, cooking and candle safety. Did you know these are among the major causes of accidental home fires?

If you have kids in grade school, they may bring home fire safety materials provided by the National Fire Protection Association this week. This group offers some great information on preventing home fires and protecting your loved ones in case of a fire.

If your school doesn't participate in the Fire Safety / Prevention Week program, you can still find plenty of information on their website's Family & Kids section , including fire safety checklists, family escape plans, printable kid's activities and more.

And if you (like most of us busy parents!) are thinking

Recent media reports have questioned whether the chemical BPA, found in the popular plastic polycarbonate, is truly safe for use in plastic glasses, dishes and other products that come into contact with food.

While the the facts, science, pros and cons behind the BPA question could fill a lengthy article, if you're a concerned shopper, you probably aren't too into scientific arguments -- you just want to play it safe and avoid BPA. But conflicting reports about which products might contain BPA make it tough to choose plastic drinkware and dishes with confidence.

Happily, it's quite easy to find BPA-free plastic tableware. There are many different plastics used to make drinkware and dishes -- and most are and have always been BPA-Free! But you need to know what to look for, and what to avoid. Here are a few tips to help you in your search:

Tip 1: In Plastic Tableware, if it's not Polycarbonate, it's BPA-Free
Among the many different plastics used to make glasses, cups