Life’s Too Short to Drink Inferior Espresso!
Perhaps you’ve tried to make do with cheap espresso machines for a few years, hoping the espresso would taste remotely like the cup you get from your favorite Italian bistro, or even as good as the chain brand’s espresso offerings. Unfortunately, it doesn’t, and probably never will. If you’re ready to stop fooling yourself and get a serious espresso machine, one that would be right at home wherever world class espresso is brewed, consider the Saeco Talea Giro Espresso machine. It features the right stuff to make you a quality, delicious cup every time.

Pick One UP
Espresso should properly be brewed at 190F to 195F. Most machines simply cannot perform to that level. The Saeco Talea Giro Espresso Machine capably gets there, and quickly too with 1500 watts of power, delivering hot enough water to coax every bit of flavor from your beans. Setting the desired tamping and water pressure are just two of the functions that are simple to set with the fully automated, digital control panel. When you’ve got the settings where you want them, lock them in and all your future cups of satisfying espresso will be customized to your tastes with just a single touch. The built-in grinder offers options to suit, as well. The milk island is convenient and the machine is cleaned with little hassle. This model, as well as the Saeco S-TG-ST Talea Giro Super Automatic Espresso Machine and the Talea Giro Redesign Automatic Espresso Machine offers too many additional features to list, and makes outstanding latte, cappuccino, and other hot beverages.

Take a Second Look
The price point on the Saeco Talea Giro Espresso Machine is significantly higher than that of some espresso machines, but the key is to compare it to machines with the same high-quality components and full range of outstanding features. When comparing apples to apples, this unit is priced very competitively. Plus, it will pay for itself in time when you start brewing your own and skipping the overpriced espresso at your daily coffee shop.

Overall Rating - 4.5 Stars
If you want professional-level espresso from a home machine packed with commercial features, this one is it. You’ll enjoy consistency, wonderful flavor and intensity, from the Saeco Talea Giro Espresso Machine, one stylish and durable machine.

We Needed Lots Of Flooring

We recently purchased an existing home well below market value. The house was structurally sound, but almost all of the flooring was a mess. Flooring can be very expensive, and we certainly didn’t want to spend back all the money we had saved on the price of the house. After doing plenty of research and talking to friends with first-hand experience, we chose Simple Floors for the hardwood and laminate flooring we used in several locations. We liked the fact that HGTV recommends them and that DIY Network users had nothing but good things to say about their experience with Simple Floors. We’ve joined the legion of those who would gladly use them again, and here’s why.

Great Prices

First, the prices for their products were very appealing. They matched or beat their online competition, and were quite a bit below our local home improvement stores. Savings are even greater when a half or full pallet of the same style is purchased, so we were able to extend the hardwood flooring into our home office for what it would have cost us to use inexpensive carpeting.

Great Selection

Secondly, they offer fantastic selections of the various flooring products they sell. What good are low prices if the selection is terrible? Simple Floors features quite a few different manufacturers and their various lines, with a wide assortment of colors and patterns in each one. Good descriptions of the products are also part of each page.

Great Website

Using the Simple Floors website is a pleasure. It’s easy to navigate to the style of flooring you want to peruse. The brands are shown, pricing is displayed very clearly, and the samples load quickly. A feature we really like is the information section that tells where the floor can be laid, e.g., over concrete or wood subflooring, how it can be applied, and what exactly the product is made of. We called customer service with a list of questions, since this was our first foray into do-it-yourself flooring. The representatives patiently answered all of our questions and got us to the right people when necessary.

Overall Rating

We will use Simple Floors again…and again, and think a 5-Star rating is well-deserved!

I found another cool article on the HGTV site called "Kitchens On A Budget:Our 10 Favorites From Rate My Space" and I had to share it with you.  It has a great assortment and ranges of kitchen remodeling projects from very minor cosmetic improvements to budget-conscious larger projects.

Check it out and let me know what you think of it by leaving a comment below.

Better Coffee Begins At Home
Does the coffee from the local diner taste better than the stuff you make at home? Many java lovers have had that experience, and gone searching for a coffee maker that will deliver a tastier cup of coffee. Many seekers have found the answer in the Bunn BTX Coffee Maker, patterned on commercial restaurant-style makers, employing commercial-grade materials and a patented brewing technique that delivers 10 delicious and hot cups in just three minutes. Silver and black models are offered.

Pick One Up
A great cup of coffee from the Bunn BTX begins in the stainless steel tank that resists taste-destroying sediment and corrosion. The internal thermostat heats the water to exactly the right temperature to extract rich, full flavor from the coffee without burning it, while the patented spray head caresses the goodness out of the grounds without forcing out bitter oils. Here’s another nice option – if you live at high altitude, try the Bunn BTX(D) ThermoFresh Coffee Maker that adjusts for lower temperature requirements. Both good looking units feature sleek, modern design and a double-walled insulated carafe that is dishwasher safe. The safety switch that will turn the heat off if you forget, for security and peace of mind.

Take A Second Look
Some users find that the Bunn BTX Coffee Maker cannot accommodate a permanent, washable filter, so paper filters are the only option – and users trying to go green object. A smaller permanent filter won’t hold enough grounds for a full pot of coffee.

Overall Rating – 4.5 Stars
No one argues about the flavorful coffee produced by the Bunn BTX Coffee Maker. Stay home and get the rich, quality brew you’ve been going out to find. Good durability is an added bonus.

I found this excellent post on the HGTV site that should make doing kitchen remodeling on a budget a whole lot easier. The thing I loved about this article is that it gives you exactly what you need to know in a very short, compact article so you can learn and get to doing that much quicker.

Here is the link:

10 Steps To Budgeting For Your Kitchen Remodel

I should have a few more articles like this one going up in the next week or so.  Keep your eyes open for them and subscribe to my RSS feed.

I found this video on YouTube and decided I had to share it with you. Michael Watts, owner of Bel Air Construction in Forest Hill, MD takes you through the key points to consider when you are thinking of a kitchen remodeling project.

Consider it a late Christmas present! Here's part 1:

And here's part 2:

Michael does a great job of giving you things to consider without overwhelming you with pointless details while also giving you resources to consult for more information.

Both of these are very short (6-7 minutes) and will open your eyes to kitchen remodeling possibilities you probably hadn't considered.

I just wanted to write a short post to tell you we've made a site upgrade that will allow you to view our site with your iPhone or other smartphone much quicker and easier.  With the help of the WPTouch WordPress plugin, you can now choose to view our site as a normal web page or in a faster to navigate iPhone theme that allows you to see more of the website content on one page.

Moving into and beyond 2010, all the web experts are saying how important it is to have a mobile friendly site.  Sales of iPhones and other smartphones are still blazing and these people want to be able find information and products quickly without feeling like they have to conform to the full website page formula.  They appreciate the efforts of site owners to make their site work better with their lifestyles and not the other way around.

So, fire up your iPhone, Droid, Blackberry or other smartphone and browse our site.  Let me know what you think of the upgrade and any problems you experience with it.

Think of it as an early Christmas present to my readers!

Renovations Can Be Scary

Have you thought about doing any home renovations lately? It seems like a lot of folks I know are choosing to make changes to the homes they have, rather than try to sell and upgrade their living situation. They want a kitchen that functions better, with new appliances and a new layout that makes their work more efficient. Adding a work island that has power to it seems like a popular choice. Or, they are having the basement remodeled to provide more living space, and many are turning their bedroom over to one of the kids while adding a master suite addition.

Some of my friends and associates have had pretty bad experiences hiring a contractor to do the work. They don’t show up when scheduled, make a horrible mess they never clean up, or do a poor quality job. I started looking for a way to find reliable contractors to hire, and came across Renovation Experts.

Simple And Hassle-Free

The way they work is pretty simple, and it gives homeowners the confidence the work is going to be done by a contractor they can trust. You fill out a 3-step information form, and they send you a list of contractors in your area that specialize in the type of work you want done, from bathrooms and the plumbing issues involved, to kitchens which require a significant amount of electrical work. You contact the companies you want, have them out to look at the job, and they give you a no cost, no obligation estimate. Renovation Experts makes sure the contractors they put homeowners in touch with are qualified, licensed and insured, and have the expertise to do a great job.

If you are planning a renovation project to the interior or exterior of your home, it might be worth taking a look at Renovation Experts.

Convenience And Flavor In One Package
Cuisinart has been making life in the kitchen easier and more delicious for years. And nothing is more convenient or tastier than a fresh cup of coffee delivered by the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal Coffee Maker. This line features a burr grinder which produces a more flavorful cup of coffee, never bitter or stale.

Pick One UP
Coffee from the can never matches the flavor of fresh ground beans, and all the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal Coffee Makers keep the beans super fresh with a sealed lid to prevent moisture from compromising the flavor. Other reasons to select either the 12-cup DGB-700C or the 12-Cup DGB-900C include a large, 8 ounce bean hopper, a one-touch strength selector for a customized pot of coffee, and the 2-4 cup selector when making smaller quantities. The Commercial grade permanent water filter removes impurities, so every cup is pure delight. Program it up to 24 hours ahead, to have a fresh cup waiting, or hit the pause button once brewing is under way to pour yourself a hot cup when you don’t have time to wait.

Take a Second Look
Some users have found that the units shut off before brewing is finished, and that the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal Coffee Maker is somewhat difficult to clean. Cuisnart does offer a good warranty on defective machines, and when cleaned, these makers produce a great cup of java.

Overall Rating - 4 Stars
All coffee makers require some cleaning, and with proper maintenance, the Cuisinart Grind & Brew Thermal Coffee Maker is a good choice as a personal coffee maker, or for use when you have a house full of guests.

Kitchen Remodeling On The Cheap

I know the feeling...you want to update and refresh your kitchen but you're not interested in dropping big money right now.  I completely sympathize with you on that.  I feel the overwhelm myself when I look at my kitchen and start listing the things I'd like to change.  It doesn't take me long before I just get disgusted and quit.  The main reason is I start looking at the big ticket stuff first which is very limiting.   Instead, I should be starting from the simple stuff and work up.  The cool thing about doing this is that you can quickly see how to make an impact without ending up on the streets.

One of these simple and inexpensive things is your kitchen faucet.

Wide Range Of Styles And Prices

Faucets are one of those things you've got a dizzying array of choices that run the gamut from very simple and sophisticated to incredibly elegant.  The cool part is it's all up to you.  Just take a look at a site like eFaucets.com and you'll see what I mean.  They've got every make and model I've ever heard of at great prices and many with no shipping charges.  Bop on over there for a quick peek.

It's All Up To You

Take a second look at that kitchen refresh project and see if you can't start off on the lower end of the price rainbow.  You'll be amazed at how much a new kitchen faucet by itself will improve the look of your kitchen and inspire you to make even more inexpensive upgrades.