Protecting your eyes 30 years ago was a lot easier than it is today with all of the high-energy light that emits from our all of our electronics. From your desktop and laptop computer to your tablet and cell phone, high-energy light leads to more headaches, eye-strain, and blurred vision everyday. I’m excited to pair with Reticare to introduce you to their screen protectors for all of your family’s devices.

Simple Ways to #ProtectYourEyes from Damaging Light from your Devices

My Eyes Have Always Needed Glasses for Eyesight

Since I was 2 years old I have worn glasses and there isn’t a sense I value more than good eyesight. My husband, who wears contacts by day and glasses at night always talks about how much time we all spend in front of our devices. From my laptop and desktop in the home office to my cellphone and tablet on the go, there is rarely a time I’m not staring at a high-energy light device. The same holds true for my ten year-old daughter and teenage son. I was glad to learn Reticare has screen protectors to help absorb the harmful high-energy light that damages our eyes.

#ProtectYourEyes – Take a look at how Reticare can help these eye-sight damaging factors:

• Kids have a higher risk of being affected by high-energy device lighting from their tablets, computers and cell phone usage. Since their eyes don’t fully develop until age 25 their eye is being exposed before it’s fully matured.
• Computer Vision Syndrome: Have you ever experienced blurry, red, and irritated eyes? Most likely you have had a few symptoms and Reticare screen protectors can help.
• Reticare can also ward off against common eye diseases such as retina damage. If your retina is damaged it can lead to glaucoma, blindness and other eye disorders.

The Reticare screen protector is easy to install on my device

We all know what a pain the screen protectors can be to install on your device, right? From getting lint and dirt under the film to not lining up the protector right, it can be troublesome.

I liked how easy the Reticare protector was to install with a foam guide that fits around your device. I used it on my mini tablet and the square clear adhesive tab on the top kept the protector straight while I peeled off the backing. Ingenious!

Once I applied it and turned on my tablet I could instantly see the harsh white light removed from the display and it actually appeared softer. I’m excited to get the Reticare protectors on all my devices! I’d love to hear what you think about your family’s eyesight and if you’re concerned with all of the devices we all use on a daily basis. Do you think Reticare screen protectors would be right for your family?

One of my fondest memories as a child was visiting my grandparents at the family holidays and spending an entire day before Thanksgiving cleaning crystal and shining the silverware! It was a tradition to take out the best crystal from the china closet and sit at the dining room table and clean and polish every piece that we would use for Thanksgiving Dinner!

Now that I have my own family we still take out the china for the holidays but I always thought crystal was for homes that were very traditional and formal, and that definitely is not the Gibson’s!

Last month I showed you how Villeroy & Boch brings you Everyday Elegance Crystal that you can use for any day of the week and it’s casual enough to use anytime but still looks gorgeous with your casual or formal dinnerware. Today I’m excited to bring you a crystal piece that can be used at the dining table or anywhere in your home as home decor!

Each year I try and make a new seasonal inspired mantle on our fireplace. This autumn season I thought it would be nice to use fall colors of rust, orange, copper and gold and feature pumpkins and pinecones to show off Villeroy & Boch’s – Modern Grace Compote. While I could have used it as a serving piece for fruit at the dining room table, I think it looks great on my mantle! What do you think?

[ad#co-1]

Villeroy & Boch’s Crystal

Whether you are looking for simplicity in your home decor or you’d like to dress up your interiors with the addition of gorgeous crystal, Villeroy and Boch has a wonderful selection of pieces that are versatile for serving and for home decor.

I’m already thinking ahead to Christmas when sparkly ornaments will adorn the Compote beautifully along with our traditional lighted garland and stockings! Villeroy & Boch’s crystal can truly be used anywhere. A front foyer table display or as your dining room tablescape throughout the holiday season would be beautiful as well.

Thank you Villeroy & Boch for the gorgeous Modern Grace Compote, I can’t wait to find new uses for it throughout the upcoming seasons!

Have you entered the Villeroy & Boch – Olioboard Fan Room Travel the World contest yet? Today, October 23rd is officially the last day to enter. Check back on Friday to see the top 5 Olioboard’s to vote on for the grand prize winner announced on Monday, October 28th!

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Disclaimer: I was provided the Modern Grace Compote crystal to review on Stagetecture. All the thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

Now that fall has set in the ability to enjoy family dinners again without everyone running off to another place is what I love most about this season. Sunday brunches at my house with my mom, husband and kids is always an enjoyable time. My mom usually brings her own brunch dishes and we combine them to make a feast! This last Sunday, Sept. 8th was Grandparent’s Day and we decided to honor her with a delicious breakfast – where she didn’t have to lift a finger.

I was excited to partner with fine dinnerware manufacturer Villeroy & Boch who have specialized in making fine crystal, porcelain and ceramics since 1748. Villeroy & Boch dinnerware has graced the tables of the Popes in Vatican, crowned royalty, households of the rich and famous, and renowned restaurants and chefs on every continent.

We are all familiar with using your best china and crystal for special occasions and holidays, but what about everyday elegance? You know, those Sunday brunches with family, that baby shower you want to throw your co-worker or even family game night when everyone is at home to enjoy a hot cooked meal? Villeroy & Boch has launched their “Everyday Crystal” line. Perfect for cold beverages, wine, beer, and even water tastes better in a crystal tumbler!

I tried out the New Cottage Crystal Everyday Drinkware – Longdrink (tall) and the Water tumblers (short) at our Grandparent’s brunch and they were perfect for orange juice and water. What I loved about the crystal glasses was their weight. The base is solid but the drinking glass feels great in your hands and even better to drink from. The glasses were just large enough for my 7 year old daughter and still comfortable for my teenager and us adults.

I didn’t feel afraid that they couldn’t handle them, and that’s what I love about Villeroy & Boch’s new Everyday Crystal line.  Best of all.. they are dishwasher safe!

Here’s a few of the features of  Villeroy & Boch’s Everyday Crystal

‘It’s time to end the myth that crystal glasses are delicate and should be saved for special occasions. Our EVERYDAY CRYSTAL drinking glasses are the most durable and cost effective material for stemware, barware and casual drinkware. It will happily live up to everyday use without clouding or chipping. Year after year, your Villeroy & Boch crystal glasses will sparkle with radiance and ring to each toast with clarity. With our vast range of designs you can rest assured that the crystal you use every day will transition stylishly into your formal and casual entertaining. That’s an #everydayluxury you deserve!’

I love when home manufacturer’s cater to all spectrums of consumers. While we all love the special holidays that take 3 hours to set the Christmas or Thanksgiving table.. he he…. we enjoy even more being able to enjoy a bit of elegance in our everyday dining and get togethers with friends and family.

I invite you to see the rest of the “Everyday Crystal” line they offer and follow them on Twitter and Facebook for the latest products for your home entertaining.

Disclaimer: I was offered a promotional sample of the Villeroy & Boch drinkware to review. All opinions are strictly my own.

For more entertaining ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Welcome back to Stagetecture Holiday D.I.Y. Saturday’s. This upcoming Thursday is the big day, are you ready? Today I thought I’d focus on the piece of furniture that gets all the publicity this holiday – the dining room table. Whether you plan on having a formal dinner or an informal one, there’s always tips you can use.

Today, I have a Southern Living You Tube video that shows you how to set the perfect Thanksgiving table.

Use these helpful tips from Reader’s Digest on what components you need to set your inviting dinner table. Everything from glasses to the place cards, it’s all here!

Items you will need:

Table Covers
Cutlery
China
Glasses
Napkins
Place Cards

Serving Options
The Buffet
The Kids’ Table

The Traditional Table Setting

Table Covers:

The first step in setting the table is deciding on the table covering. Conflicted about using a tablecloth or placemats? If you have a beautiful table, consider using placemats instead of a tablecloth. Mats can be plain or patterned, woven or made of rush, as long as they’re heatproof. If your table surface needs to be protected or is already damaged, use a tablecloth. The cloth should be big enough to drape 6 inches over each side of the table. Some tablecloths need a heatproof protective mat laid under them to prevent spills from penetrating through to the table surface.

White tablecloths are traditional for formal meals, but you can also use lace or plain-colored cloths. Patterned cloths are okay, as long as they don’t make the table look too cluttered once it’s set. If a tablecloth is wrinkled or creased, throw it in a clothes dryer set on “Fluff” or “Air” along with a damp towel.

Cutlery:

Don’t let the fork run away with the spoon! Forks go on the left, spoons and knives on the right. They should be placed in the order in which they will be used, with the first utensil on the far end from the plate, the second utensil closer toward the plate and so on. Knife blades should be turned toward the plate.

Bring out specialty utensils, like grapefruit spoons or shellfish forks, with the course. Do the same with forks or spoons for dessert.

China:

The side plate goes to the left of the place setting. If the first course is a cold one, such as a salad, set the dish at each place before guests sit. If you’re serving finger foods that might get messy, set out finger bowls with warm water and a lemon slice.

Glasses:

If there is one wineglass, place it at the tip of the main-course knife. If there is more than one glass, arrange them in the order they will be used, outermost first. Bring liqueur glasses or brandy balloons to the table with the liqueurs.

Napkins:

If you are using a fancy fold, place the napkin on top of the main plate. Otherwise, place it on the side plate or underneath the knife and spoon.

Place Cards:Using place cards avoids awkward moments when guests seat themselves and wards off potential problems if a fussy aunt sits next to a sloppy child or a fur-loving fashion slave sits next to a social activist. You can make place cards by simply folding in half an unlined index card and writing in calligraphy.

Serving Options

The Buffet:

Place the plates, flatware and napkins close to each other on one side of the table. Use large 12-inch plates instead of 9-inch entree plates so diners have enough space to pile on the fixings. Check the table occasionally to refill certain dishes and to rearrange serving platters that are messy.

Of course, make sure you have enough chairs and eating surfaces. Avoid benches and stools without backs if you have elderly guests or toddlers.

For a compromise between a formal dinner and a buffet, set the dishes in the kitchen and have the guests serve themselves. Then serve seconds and dessert at the dining table.

The Kids’ Table:

You may remember as a kid how wearisome adult dinner conversation can be. Setting up a separate table for the kids is a tradition worth upholding. Use brightly colored paper or plastic plates. The Sunday funny papers make great table covers, as do informal, plain-colored tablecloths. Buy laundry markers so kids can write on the cloth during the meal. Set out a new cloth the next Thanksgiving; then years down the road you can reminisce and read the cloths. Whichever you choose, use padding to protect the table.

You could also take a tip from restaurants by setting out paper place mats and crayons. Coloring books with a Thanksgiving theme or other activity books can be placed on the kids’ table as well.

For more Thanksgiving ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

// <![CDATA[
document.write(‘(function () {try{VCM.media.render({sid:66678,media_id:12,media_type:14,version:”1.2″});} catch(e){document.write(”);}}());’);
// ]]>

You Tube Video: Installing a Glass Tile Back splash

[ad#co-2]