Many of us love having pets, even if our allergies don’t agree with us.  If you want to allergy proof your home and are a pet owner, I have some tips that have helped me manage my sneezes for a few years now.

If you have the chance, schedule an appointment with a physician to get tested for what allergens give you the most trouble and how to manage them with any coordinating allergy medications.  While you’re at home though, there are some universal tips and tricks that will help reduce the amount of allergens in your home, reduce pet dander and keep you and your loved ones sneeze free (or at least less sneezy!)

 1.  Use Covers On Anything Your Pet Touches  & Wash Them Every Week

If you have pets, chances are, they shed..a lot.  You will want to have covers for just about everything they touch- and if you have pet beds, make sure they’re easily thrown in the washer to remove pet dander and fur.  Invest in a good set of sofa covers, chair covers and mattress covers that are intended to capture and trap allergens like dander, mites, dead skin cells and dust which can contain the allergens and be easily cleaned.

We wash our pet beds every other week and wash the sofa covers every week or so.  Washing sheets, linens and pillows can seem like a hassle, but if they reduce allergens, your nose will thank you!

2.  Have Someone Else Do The Dirty Work

When it comes to vacuuming, I LOVE it- there is nothing more satisfying than a clean floor and it’s much easier when you can vacuum for instant resultes!  A friend of mine that suffers from allergies told me that her doctor told her to let her partner do the dusting and vacuuming when her allergies were acting up, and if possible, to do the cleaning when she’s out of the home.  It’s not always easy to schedule a deep clean, but if your partner, children or house mate can do the housework that kicks up the most dust, dander and pollen while you’re out- it should settle within 4 hours as you return home.

Of course, you can help out with other tasks when allergens are at their worst, but ladies, isn’t it sexy to have your fella do the housework? Tasks like vacuuming, dusting, and sweeping can kick up allergens that could make you miserable- so if you’re already suffering, dispatch someone else to do the dirty work and leave the home for a few hours.   Kudos to my man for looking so handsome with our new Dyson, rawr!

3.  Invest In An Air Purifier That’s Efficient But Doesn’t Scare Your Pets

Max, our little pug is terrifie of appliances.  While most dogs are fearful of the vacuum cleaner, this little guy is even scared of oscillating fans, opened drawers and the dishwasher.  You can imagine when were shopping around for air purifiers we wanted one that would be effective, on budget, highly rated and of course, not scare our little pug into wetting himself so we could breathe easy.

I’ve used a variety of air purifiers in the past- but you want to look for one that has a high rating.  Read reviews of your air purifier to make sure it’s easy to install and clean, energy efficient, is relatively quiet with an unobtrusive design (they don’t have to be ugly), and will either be standing upright in a corner or able to sit somewhere out of the way.  We chose this Honeywell QuietClean HFD air purifier because it was quiet, had great reviews for the price on Rakuten, had an oscillating feature and sat upright to be easily moved and tucked into the corner of any room.  It wasn’t refurbished, but was on sale- so you can make it fit your budget!  As you can see, Max is not terrified of it, so I’d say it’s a win and my breathing has improved!

4.  Invest In The Right Vaccuum Cleaner

Having the wrong vacuum cleaner can do more harm than good. When we moved into our condo, all we had was one of those flimsy little rechargeable vacuum cleaners, which usually caused my allergies to worsen every time we used it (which is so not the point of a vacuum cleaner).  If you’re using an outdated vacuum cleaner, it could be sucking up the big stuff, but simply kicking up the allergens to resurface the mites, dust and dander to circulate in the air- no good!

This year, we invested in a small but powerful Dyson vacuum cleaner-  it is one of the easiest models to use and came highly recommended by friends and pet lovers alike.  The canister is easy to change and there’s no guess work as to when it’s full or not working properly (because who likes to vacuum an entire floor only to realize it didn’t suck much up at all!)  We got our refurbished Dyson from Rakuten.com and it came with an extra pack of Zorb to freshen carpets and helped us snag a sweet deal.  If you want a better vacuum cleaner, buy high end but go for refurbished to save money-  you will still get a warranty with the company and pay less!

Special Offer: There’s also a 20% discount on Dyson products right now, using promo code DYSON2020 (ends May 12^th) AND on top of the 20% off, you receive 20% back in Super Points from Rakuten.com!

5.  Suds Your Buds & Furminate Frequently

I attempted to take a picture of the pugs during their last bath, but as you can imagine, like most dogs, they weren’t feeling particularly camera ready during their last trip to the tub!  One of the easiest ways to eliminate dander and collect pug hair is to give your dogs a bath every week or every other week if it’s especially traumatic to them.  Bathing your pets at home can reduce grooming costs, and you can wash your furry friends in the backyard, sink or bathtub.

Giving your pets a regular bath reduces dander, skin irritation and also loosens up the thick undercoats of certain breeds so it will be easier to remove with a brush.  Most of the shedding that happens on a pet is from their undercoat, so after your loosen it up with a warm bath using pet shampoo, invest in a good fur brush like a Furminator to tackle the undercoat without hurting your pet.  You will be amazed at how much fuzz comes off your furry friend!

Do you have any advice for allergy sufferers?

How do you manage both pets & allergies?

I received product to facilitate this review as a brand partner withRakuten.com- celebrate Earth Month with exclusive deals on refurbished, eco friendly and recycled products!.  Opinions and content are entirely my own since I love these products and hope you’ll benefit from my review!

This guest post is from the fabulous Sarah at Marvelous Darling.  Since I am not a romance expert, I was so excited to feature some of Sarah’s knowledge to help you sift through the marketing this Valentine’s Day. If you decide to spice up your love life with some adult products- you’ll make an educated decision to get products that are good for your wallet and safe for your body, since there is a lot of bad stuff out there!

This is typically a family friendly blog, but I made an exception since the marketing out there for VDay doesn’t always have consumer’s best interests at heart & Sarah knows her stuff on how to shop smart and safe..with a frugal twist, enjoy!

Hey Frugal Beautiful readers!  I am so excited to be guest posting today!  The lovely Shannyn has agreed to let me drop some knowledge from my time working as an adult product reviewer and salesperson.  Let’s make this your sexiest Valentine’s Day yet!  

First Things First- Safety!

Safety is number 1, but you must know, not all companies are looking out for you.  Whether you’re playing alone or with a partner, it’s important to take care of your body.  The products that I recommend all meet my personal safety standards, focusing on ease and safety of use and cleaning.  You can find many of these products at your local adult store, but I’ll also be including links to purchase online from one of my favorite retailers, SheVibe.com.

Slippery Stuff and Massage Mania

A good water-based lubricant is the cornerstone of any adult arsenal.  Many women who have tried drugstore lubricants have had bad reactions to ingredients like glycerin and parabens, or they’ve been stuck with a sticky, goopy mess.  I’m telling you, it does not have to be like this!

I love Sliquid brand lubricant so much that if I could go around handing it out, I would.  Everything they make is free of glycerin and parabens, it’s not tested on animals, and it’s completely vegan friendly.  My personal favorite is Sliquid Sassy, a thicker formula that’s great for myriad uses, though it was designed for back door fun.  (I like it because it’s not runny, so you don’t end up accidentally lube wrestling.)

I’ve had a lot of customers request a massage oil that can be used safely as a lubricant.  Unfortunately, there is no true massage “oil” that is safe for internal use.  I have good news, though!  A quality silicone lubricant makes an awesome unscented massage liquid and lasts forever as a lubricant during sex.  If you want a frugal solution to having a million bottles in your bedside drawer, pick up some Sliquid Silver or System JO Premium Silicone Lubricant.

If you prefer an oil for massage, and you’re really feeling frugal, pick up some Virgin Coconut Oil from Trader Joe’s.  Seriously.  The molecular makeup of coconut oil is such that it absorbs particularly well into skin, and the scent is light and obviously natural.  Plus, at $6 for a big jar, you can slather it all over and not feel like you have to save it for special occasions only.  And you smell like an Almond Joy!

(Note: You cannot use silicone lubricant with silicone toys.  Silicone’s molecular makeup is such that it is always looking to bond with other silicone molecules, and you will destroy your toys if you mix silicones.)

Toys, Toys, Toys

The number one thing to look for in a toy is its material.  Silicone, ABS plastic, metal (like stainless steel), and glass are the most hygienic, and will not break down if they’re cleaned with dish soap and water.  But watch out!  A toy only has to be 10% silicone for it to be labeled “silicone” – so always look for the fine print!  If you spy a toy that you just have to have, at least be sure it’s advertised as “phthalate-free”.

To get the most bang for your buck, look for toys with warranties, like those from Evolved Novelties ($-$$), WeVibe ($$-$$$), and Lelo ($$-$$$$).  They cover manufacturing defects and even busted motors, which is more common than you would think!

I’m going to break my toy recommendations down by couples and then singles.  (I bought my first luxury toy for myself last Valentine’s Day, and let me tell you, it was probably the best Valentine’s I had in college.)

For male/female couples:

If you’re on a budget, I love Screaming O brand C-rings.  The bands themselves are very stretchy and comfortable, and the bullets they use are PowerBullets, which are very well regarded both for power and for the low environmental impact of the factory in which they’re made.

For a bit more, you can upgrade to the Lelo Bo (1 speed) or the Lelo Tor 2 (multi-speed).  Both are made of silicone and ABS plastic, are rechargeable, and come with a 1-year warranty.

Pro tip: Use plenty of water-based lubricant with C-rings – that will make them far more comfortable to put on and take off!

For female/female couples:

If you’re fluid-bonded (you’ve not been using dental dams, or you’ve shared toys before), you can really have a lot of fun picking out non-porous toys that both of you will enjoy.  I know that not every lesbian couple is into strap-ons, and they can be pricey if you want something that will last.  But, if you’ve been looking for something quality of that nature, check out MySpare for harnesses and Tantus for compatible toys.  If you prefer external stimulation and play, I love toys like the WeVibe Touch ($$$) or the Lelo Mia ($-$$), both with 1-year warranties.

For Fabulous Singles:

Whether you’re erring on the frugal side or you want to spoil yourself, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to invest in a new toy!  Orgasms improve mood, focus, and health – and toys don’t steal all the blankets while you’re asleep.

If you’re looking for a solid toy that won’t break the bank, I recommend buying online so you can read the reviews.  SheVibe, Babeland, and Lovehoney.com all provide reviews on their product pages, as well as star ratings so you can get a quick idea of how well the toy performs.  I absolutely love my Vibratex Tulip wand, which retails for $26 at SheVibe and performs as well as some of my most expensive toys.

Planning to Treat Yo-self?  You have a lot of luxury options!  WeVibe makes some wonderful external vibrators like the Touch, the Tango, and the Salsa, all of which have been rated very highly by other trusted reviewers.  My stand-by favorites include the Vibratex Mystic Wand, Vixen Creations VixSkin dildos, and the Lelo Mia.

And finally, shop the sales!  Valentine’s Day means tons of online sales targeted at couples, but why shouldn’t you share in the fun?

In September I relocated from Chicago to California and had to set up shop to comfortably but frugally work my blog and social media consulting business from home.  One of the biggest headaches from the move was the fact that I had to ditch nearly all of my storage tuppers in the process in order to keep the move frugal.

Truth be told, you cannot ship tuppers via Amtrak Freight (since they’re not shatter proof) and their slightly curvy shape meant they didn’t perfectly stack in the rental car to move them.  Since I’m partially a review blogger, I had tuppers full of to-be-reviewed product in order to stay organized.  You can imagine my dismay when I had to give up my beloved clear tuppers when I relocated, leaving me without any storage solutions in my new place.

Scout must have heard my cry for help since they sent me a gorgeous and girly storage solution for my new impromptu office space.  Their Rump Roost Bins come in cute prints and are far more stylish and versatile than the traditional clear tupper.

At first, you may think that the $57 price tag is not frugal- but I assure you, you’re getting style, versatility and durability over your average plastic bin.  Plus, you will have plenty of options when it comes to getting your life organized- either for home, office or on the go with their coordinating bag collection!

Why I LOVE Scout Bungalow For Organizing My Office:

• The bin is completely collapsable, meaning, that if I have to move again (which I will) my storage can come with me.
• Lightweight, but durable, these bins hold a lot of stuff but look more sophisticated than a plastic bin where you can see my, ahem, junk.
• Leopard Print… ’nuff said. Beyond being pretty to look at, it’s also well made!
• This bin is part of a line, you can get your whole life organized and color coordinated!

This is my impromptu office until I’m able to move back to Chicago and move in with my honey (pug in tow!)  and I love that this bin will be girly but still guy-friendly (The print is even called Def Leopard…so it gets points with my fella!).   Right now, it’s housing all of my blogging stuff- photo equipment, paper, review items & lighting…with room to spare!  As soon as I set it up and organized my insane little office, it was like a breath of fresh air!

I would recommend any of the Scout by Bungalow Co. products-  but I seriously hope they’ll make more office stuff in leopard, I cannot get enough of it!   Huge thanks to Scout by Bungalow Co. for sending this over to review, it has saved my sanity and made my office really feel like home and who knows, perhaps having cute office gear helps improve my productivity?  I’m willing to take that bet.

Is there an organizational item that saves your sanity?

Where do you get your organizational inspiration?

I realize that even trying to talk about what is “enough” in an American context is much like trying to make a healthy meal out of jello-  lots of mass, not enough substance.  There’s a lot of fluff in the discussion of consumerism and evaluation of the modern American Dream, but as a young-ish college graduate who is weighing options for employment as it nears closer and closer to the holiday season, I find myself pondering what 2013 will hold and what I’ll need to have, earn, consume and give to feel like I have “enough.”

Every job you could possibly have has it’s plusses and trade offs.  In America, it seems that you either have wealth or you have freedom, but unless you’re some uber-successful jerk featured on the cover of Forbes, you rarely have both.  Right now, I work for myself as a blogger & freelance social media consultant.  I have freedom, but I don’t make as much money as some of my counterparts that do similar work for one big client (AKA they’re employed to one big corporation) with a sizable budget.

I absolutely love the freedom (especially as I search for the right “next step”) , but I have found that I haven’t budgeted in extra money for the holidays and I’m wondering how much stress I should be in right now.

Living simply and within your means seems do-able until the holidays approach.  It doesn’t matter how much money we make, whether we’re going from paycheck to paycheck or living with a bountiful budget, none of that seems to matter when it’s time to go Christmas shopping.  Pair this with the fact that now is the time I have to book my 2013 expenses, travel & conferences and I’m scratching my head on how amazingly fast all this “live simple, live free” stuff has gone to the wayside in the face of consumerism.

Many of you know I’m looking to transition into a day job that incorporates my love of blogging, social media and entrepreneurialism, but for now, as I find that perfect fit of a job, I’m happy blogging, freelancing and traveling.  I make enough money to cover my expenses, my love for racing, healthy food, donating to charities and pay my bills- but I didn’t really make an extra $700+ this month to cover what will surely be a stressful event of gift shopping & holiday travel.

Many of us young-guns are tight-roping it between entrepreneurialism and the pressures of convention.  I find myself constantly stratling between the desire to live free and fast and the need to settle down and shop at Crate and Barrel like the rest of (perceived) America.  I’m currently applying for jobs to add some stability to my paycheck and save for the future,  but what the hell am I saving for?

What will really make our generation happy & fulfilled?  Will the security of a steady paycheck make me feel free and protected or totally enclosed in the yearly cycle of consumerism… (A.K.A. the message that if you have the money, you should spend it on a new car, a nice wedding, your first home, etc.)

Truth is, I feel pretty happy even in a time of transition without out a lot of extra money to cover the “necessary” expenses (like holidays, weddings, get togethers & fancy stuff) but the pressure to be, have, do, and get “more,” seems to mount to a loud roar during the holidays…how to cope?

Consumerism can be a fun ride, but it also feels like a total trap.  As soon as I’ve purchased the jacket I’ve been gushing over for months and months, the gratification is gone after a short-lived high, only to be replaced by another item to lust over.  We build, we acquire, we achieve- the better we do, the more we expect of ourselves.  The low-ticket satisfaction of our youth is replaced by the trap of successful living, as we compete with a moving target of growing income and lowered satisfaction.

I guess, as I sit here in a coffee shop, doing my work and pondering on life- I wonder, like most of do after we hit 25- what the right next step is… to find joy in the freedom I have now, though the living is uncertain, or to batten the hatches and apply myself in the 9-5 so I can keep up with the Joneses.  Perhaps in 2012 I read too many memoirs on artists & too many blogs, but as the holidays approach and I know that fiscal reality and expectation are in stiff competition.

When my grandmother was a child, her group of siblings rejoiced over receiving and apple and and orange for Christmas, but granted, that was even better than most kids got during that time.  Now that the standard of living has risen for some, we find ourselves oddly unfulfilled since we always feel we’re a few steps behind our richer, thinner & happier looking peers.  We are less happy with a $1,300 Apple MacBook Pro under the tree than some of our family members were with an actual apple in their stocking.  I wonder where I stand in all of this, and what price I’ll pay for the consumerisin 2013.

So is anyone else thinking about consumerism as we get into the holidays and plan for 2013?

How are you managing costs this holiday season?

You know this, I love free stuff.  As a blogger, anytime I can get anything to make me feel glam & happy, I go for it.  I kept seeing photos of Influenster boxes popping up on my blog feeds and on Twitter, I saw a few other bloggers were getting boxes of free stuff… really good free stuff  and I wanted in.

Influenster is a pretty cool review service site.  If you’re a blogger who uses social media, they send you products based on your lifestyle for review.  I filled a quick survey with my interests and stats, got a few badges and forgot about it for a few weeks..until they said they were sending me goodies.  Oh, and goodies they sent!

The Spring Beauty VoxBox included:

• Sheer Cover Duo Concealer (sample):  Full size $29.95
• AVEENO Daily Moisturizing Body Wash (sample):  Full size $6.99
• ChapStick Lip Shield 365 (full): Retail $1.89
• Sally Hansen Salon Effects (full): Retail $9.99
• Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist in Twilight Woods (full):  Retail $14.99
• SOYJOY Bar:  $1.29 each
• Dr. Scholl’s For Her- Ball of Foot Cushions:  $5.99

So what’d I think?  The concealer from Sheer Cover was a bit too cakey for me- I have under eye circles and am very picky on what product works and what doesn’t..it was fun to try, but not a win.

The AVEENO Daily Moisturizing Body Wash brought back memories of being at the beach as a kid-  great, light smell that didn’t clash with my perfume and lathered well.  I also used it for shaving and it didn’t dry out my legs.  The ChapStick was good, as it always is.  I survive on Chapstick in the winter, but for  the sun exposure I get in the summer at the lakeside, I need one with an SPF- this had SPF 50 and moisturization so no sun chapping for me!

If you haven’t tried SOYJOY, I can recommend them-  if you’re looking for something that tastes sorta-biscotti without the crunch and more of the health, this might be a good fit for you.  The flavors are generally good- especially paired with tea or juice.  This Strawberry Bar from SOYJOY was nom noms.

By far, the two favorite products in the box were the Dr. Scholl’s gel insoles, Sally Hansen Nail Effects and Bath & Body Works Twilight Woods Spray.  These are all brands I’ve enjoyed in the past but haven’t been evangelized.  Dr. Scholl’s has saved my life several times with their gel insoles…  As a sorority girl in undergrad, I spent many recruitment days in black stilettos, without these gellies I’d have died.  If you wear high heels- YOU NEED THESE..for $6 you can swap these out in any pair (no adhesive) so it’s worth it.

Sally Hansen has knocked my socks off with their Nail Effects nail polish strips.  I haven’t put on the pink tigers strips yet, but for Christmas I tried their print in Candy Cane…  If you wondering if Sally Hansen Nail Effects are worth it, I’d say yes.  For $10 your “polish” lasts twice as long (mine looked nice for 6 days) and no annoying dry time.  I am not a pro and they apply like a dream!

Finally, there was the Twilight Woods Spray from BBW how could this not be a winner?  This fine fragrance mistis a mix of floral and berry with a smidge of silk powder.  Not too fruity, not too “grandma” either- just a good smell that’s universal. I’d never tried it before, but the bottle is gorgeous and it smells fab!  I don’t think it can replace my fave fragrance by Kate Spade, but it was fun to try.

(Disclaimer: I received the products reviewed above as part of the InfluensterVoxBox testing program. The products were provided free in exchange for my reviews and opinions of said products. I was not otherwise compensated and the opinions expressed in said reviews are truthful and entirely my own.)