Yes! Fall Preparedness


**Disclosure:  We were provided a service plan in exchange for the feature of their services. No monetary compensation was received. 

Fall is Near! Is Your Home Ready?

Can you believe that summer is over? With September in full swing, you may be starting to get into the fall spirit. Cooler weather is drawing near, and it’s time to start thinking about prepping your home for it.

Prepping for cooler weather can ensure that your home is ready for seasons to come. In the Las Vegas valley, the bitter chill of winter can happen almost overnight. It may seem early, but you may be surprised by what some preventative maintenance can do for your budget.

See below for some expert tips to prep your home for a safe and comfortable fall season:

  • Clean Those Gutters: As the fall season begins, the leaves begin to change and fall from the trees. Your gutters are bound to get some extra debris, and could potentially get clogged. To prevent this pain, inspect your home’s roof and gutter system. Ensure that gutters are cleared, or go a step further and install a mesh guard to prevent build-up.

  • Detect for Carbon Monoxide: If you’re planning on firing up your fireplace this fall, get your home checked by a professional, and consider installing a carbon monoxide detector. A detector can alert you to odorless carbon monoxide emitted from furnaces, fireplaces, stoves and other gas-fired appliances.

  • Insulate & Weather Strip: Check your home’s window insulation to ensure heat is not leaking out. Why run your unit this fall and winter if it won't be warming your home? You’ll end up spending more, because the unit will need to work overtime for lost air. Gaps in caulk and weather-stripping can account for 10% of your heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

  • Maintain your System: Change your filters, and have your ducts cleaned. Changing your air filter can slow down the dirt and debris build up in your HVAC system, and takes only minutes when done by a professional.

  • Adjust Your Blinds: On sunny days, take advantage of the sun to bring in heat. Adjust blinds so they are open and tilted toward the ceiling—but be sure to close the blinds at sundown.

  • Ceiling Fans: Set your ceiling fan in the clockwise position, on low.  The fan will help circulate warm air all around the room.
Find a trusted heating and air conditioning company to help with any safety or energy concerns you may have as we transition into the cooler months. When dealing with electricity and gas, it is always best to call a professional. Follow these maintenance's tips and you’ll keep your system running efficiently, and at the lowest cost throughout the fall season. 

Yes! has offered our readers some special discounts! Call Yes! at 702-545-6560 and give the code Hula Hooping Mom to receive the below offers!
  • 10% off individual services and 5% off replacement installations
  • One-time tune up at $59 (regular price $119)

Article By: Lance Fernandez of Yes!, a residential heating, air conditioning and plumbing company. For more tips or to make an appointment for your HVAC maintenance or service needs, visit www.theyesmancan.com. Lic #71246 & 71233

Allergies - Yuck!



Allergies can affect everyone in one way or another! Did you know that every 3 minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency department – the last thing parents want is for one of those visits to be their child.  Luckily my family only has seasonal allergies to the Santa Ana winds and all the pollen it brings up, but I know plenty of parents that do have children with allergies to food substances.  This is a great graphic, if you save it to your phone, it's always good to reference! 



We are celebrating our youngest daughters birthday this weekend! We'll be back up and running on Tuesday.  You can still catch us on Twitter & Instagram!  And don't forget to enter our current giveaway - Click Here



P.S. - I Made This…


**Disclosure: This is a paid interview. Opinions are of my own, you're opinion may vary. I hope that you show your own creative side through your own DIY projects! Enjoy!

I am a big fan of DIY Projects!  Especially around the holidays, even anytime of year - DIY projects not only give you a boost of self-esteem, but also shows your friends and loved ones how much you really care by putting in your time for others.  After all....time is more valuable than any store bought gift / item! Whether you’re ogling Pinterest, checking out the latest home décor blogs or hooked on home improvement programs, there is no doubt that DIY projects are having a moment, particularly among Millennials. 

Whatever the reason, most people agree that building something with your own hands is always a satisfying feeling and can add value to an object’s worth.  The idea of putting your own effort into a project makes it extra special, whether it’s a project for your home or one that you might give as a gift.  DIY Maven Erica Domesek knows all the DIY tricks to help guide you through the latest home DIY trends and projects of the season. 


Erica Domesek is a distinguished DIY design and style expert, author of PS - I Made This...I See It. I Like It. I Make It and the founder of the popular site P.S. - I Made This…Her mission is to inspire and empower people to cultivate their inner-creativity and embrace the ever-growing DIY way of life. She has appeared on The Today Show, Rachael Ray, The Martha Stewart Show, E! News, The Nate Berkus Show, FOX Business News and as a judge on TLC’s Craft Wars. Her work has been featured in issues of Glamour, Lucky, InStyle, Teen Vogue, Self, Elle, Vogue, The Wall Street Journal and more.

Hotel Transylvania 2 + Giveaway



Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. The blogger has received a prize pack and/or compensation. All opinions are of my own, your opinion may vary. 

Very excited to announce that Drac's pack is back for an all-new monster comedy adventure in Sony Pictures Animation's Hotel Transylvania 2! Everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania.....Dracula's rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up it's doors to human guests.
But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human vampire grandson, Dennis isn't showing signs of being a vampire.  So while Mavis is busy visiting her human in-laws with Johnny - and in for a major cultural shock of her own - "Vampa" Drac enlists his friends Frank, Murray, Wayne and Griffin to put Dennis through a "monster-in-training" boot camp.  But little do they know that Drac's grumpy and very old, old, old school dad Vlad is about to pay a family visit to the hotel. And when Vlad finds out his great-grandson is not a pure blood - and humans are now welcome at the Hotel Transylvania - things are going to get batty!     

Hotel Transylvania 2 has been rated PG by the MPAA for the following reasons: Some scary images, action and rude humor.  Starring a full list of Hollywood Superstars - Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon and David Spade. Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
   
How about some Swag!!?! WIN A HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 PRIZE PACKAGE! 1 Winner will receive Drac’s Prize Pack that includes: 1 Cape, 1 Stationary Set, 1 Vampire Fangs, 1 Blobby Putty and 1 Activity Book! 

Just Tweet the below message to me @HulaHoopingMom - you may tweet more than once per day.  Winner will be selected October 2nd after 5pm Pacific Time. Must be a US resident to win. Prize will be shipped by the sponsor. 

Copy & Tweet - 



Connect!

Organic Almond Milk



**Disclosure: Our family was provided a gift card to help facilitate this post.  All opinions are of my own, your opinion may vary. 

Since my family and I have been on a task to eat more healthy, we have tried and failed and many things! I must say, changing your eating habits after years and years can def be harder than it sounds.  One thing that I have managed to cut out is dairy products.  My husband and I are both lactose intolerant so it was a great transition for us.  I have made the switch to Almond Milk.  While there may be a small taste difference than regular milk, it's something that our family, even the kids have adopted well.  There are many options for Almond Milk - do stay away from the ones that seem to have all that added sugar!  While changing our eating habits, we've also changed our shopping habits and have started shopping at Whole Foods.  I love that store, I could literally spend hours there lol!  They just recently started to carry the first ever Organic Almond Milk.

  • Made with six or fewer simple ingredients
  • Three times the protein
  • Three flavors to choose from
  • Comes in convenient, highly recyclable PET 28 fluid ounce bottles (very cute!)
  • Cost affordable at $4.99
So what makes this Almond Milk so different? It's made with more almonds - which means more protein, healthy fats and an overall higher nutritious content.  Ingredients include organic almonds, spring water from California, U.S. grown organic maple syrup in the sweetened version, organic acacia gum and sea salt.  


Exclusively available in the refrigerated dairy sections at the 56 Whole Foods Market stores in Southern California, Arizona, Southern Nevada and Hawaii.

Click here for a yummy recipe using Almond Milk - Cherry Almond Smoothie!!



  




Win an Amazing Super Hero Basket!!




**This is a sponsored post in partnership with Batman Unlimited/DC Super Friends

Calling all Super Hero Fans!! No matter what age you are, young and old, we all enjoy super heros! Now, you can create your ultimate super hero with a fun name, look, powers and more! http://bit.ly/1Elk5bi . Also check out some of the amazing new videos from Warner Bros, including favorites such as Scooby Doo www.scoobydoo.com  & Batman Unlimited www.dckids.com . There will be many more updates over the next year, so don't forget to subscribe to their channels!



WBKids Channel

WIN!! 1 of 5 amazing gift sets from Warner Bros, including Teen Titans Go Action Figures, T-Tower Set, A Batman unlimited action figure, DC Super Friends gift set and Batmobile.
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