A Prince or Princess Potty Chair! No Way! What's Next?!

Potty Training can be messy business, in more ways than one. But if you're little prince or princess is "Ready to Go" ... Get them a potty they'll want to spend time on! How about the His Majesty's Throne for your little Prince or Princess Potty Chair by Levels of Discovery. They are so adorable! I wish they had these when my little princes were ready to go by themselves. These little potty chairs even have a photo place to put their own photo!



Here's a few tips to know when your little one is ready to go on his or her own:

1. Is he showing an interest in what you're doing when you're going?
2. Is she taking her diaper off as if she doesn't like it?
3. Is he holding himself right before he goes - as if he knows he has to go but doesn't know what to do?
4. Is her diaper staying dry during naptime?
5. Are his bowel movements at regular intervals?

These are some signs your little one is ready to go on his or her own. But don't rush it. It's usually not before the age of two and often times well past their third birthday. Sometimes they act like they're ready then they backtrack and that's perfectly normal. Just be sure to start potty training when you are BOTH ready for it. Try not to begin at the same time as other life challenges such as a major move or impending birth. Just be sure you're ready when they're ready and it'll be so much easier on everyone!

We found these adorable Potty Chairs at Odyssey Homestore® - everything you need for your "Porch to Patio and Everything in Between!" 888 - 564 - 4744

Once Upon a Time, There Was the Perfect Present

Once upon a time there was a rocking chair who wanted very much to be a best friend... Beautifully handcrafted and hand-decorated wooden "heirlooms-to-be" that are sure to delight your favorite little rocker! We know how hard it is to find the perfect gift for your little one.

Whether it's a niece or nephew, grandchild, or your own daughter or son, sometimes finding a gift that says "I Love You" is harder than you would imagine. We found these adorable little rocking chairs made by Levels of Discovery called "Rock A Buddies!" And they really couldn't be cuter! They are hand-crafted and made for whatever your child is in to.

There's Rock a Buddies for Sports Stars, Artists, Farmers, Jungle, Fairies, Airplanes, Fire Engines, Pirates, Policeman, Noah's Ark, Ballerina, Race Car, Prince and Princess and so many more! There's even a grandchild or Time Out Chair with a timer. Honestly they couldn't be more adorable! There's larger ones recommended for ages 3 + (up to 100 lbs) and smaller ones for children ages 0 - 3 (up to 50 lbs).

We just don't know what might be any cuter! Below are just a few Rock A Buddies we found. We can't decide which one to get. What do you think? Click Here to View All of the Rock A Buddy Rocking Chairs!

Cold Drinks. Backyard Barbecues. And Relaxing. They’re all the makings of the perfect summer evening when enjoying time with family and friends. It’s the season when everyone is looking for ways to spend time outside, and with a little ingenuity, a bit of a green thumb and a knack for do-it-yourself projects, the backyard can easily become an outdoor oasis. Here are some summer project tips:


Garden Ready: Make sure garden beds are free of overgrowth and weeds. If they’re looking a little sparse, consider enhancing the area with a few low-maintenance perennials planted in illuminated planters by GardenGlo shown here.


Add a touch of lighting with a unique outdoor torch such as the Kona Torch Set as seen here, or mix it up a little and put up a Planter Lamp such as the Milano Patio Planter Lamp shown here.



Outdoor Living: Cooking with outdoor grills can help keep the heat out of the kitchen. An outdoor fire pit serves as an inviting centerpiece to the area, allowing everyone to enjoy cooler summer evenings. One really cool style of Barbecue grills go wherever you go – to the beach, the pool, or tailgate parties. Both styles are super convenient because they come in either charcoal or small portable propane tanks like those shownhere.

Relax and Enjoy: Finally, create seating areas where family and friends can relax. The classic Adirondack chair is the perfect option for additional seating like these shown here. Or … Take it a step further and create a cozy rocking chair for your porch or patio like the one shown here, including a table and a place for an umbrella to shade the area. You’ll have a new outdoor seating area that is custom for your backyard oasis. Click Here to View Numerous Umbrella Styles for your Outdoor Space. Need them fast? Click here for same day shipping umbrellas. Many styles and colors.


For all of your outdoor needs to help you create a relaxing outdoor space, shop online at www.odysseyhomestore.com or give us a call at 888 – 564 – 4744. To make shopping a little easier, don’t forget to sign up for coupon savings of up to 10% off on top of our already reduced prices of up to 60% off. Click here for coupons.

(From ARAContent)

It's Hot, and Getting Hotter at Odyssey Homestore®

 "The artist must create the spark before he can create fire and before art is born, the artist must be ready to be consumed by the fire of his own creation." - Auguste Rodin

To make your summer parties more memorable, just add fire and water. The "Tower of Fire" will beautify your yard or patio and provide a wonderful gathering spot for your guests at get-togethers. With its dramatic combination of flames above water, this fire fountain creation shimmers in firelight along with beautiful soothing sounds of water.

We know it's hot and getting hotter, but when the sun goes down and there's a chill in the air, you don't necessarily want to go inside. Now you can stay outdoors even longer and sit in front of a mesmerizing fireplace, enjoying the heat it throws off. Even better, when the weather changes and it's too cold to sit outside, bring our fireplace inside with a Revolutionary New Concept in Contemporary Vent Free Mobil Fireplaces - using Ethanol Biofuel. Because they're vent free, the energy goes straight into the room and isn't lost through the chimney, thereby maximizing efficient indoors.

Odyssey Homestore® is now an authorized distributor of Pureflame Wall Mounted, Free Standingor Table Top Fireplaces. The quality of these are so superior we believe every house should own one!

Biofuel is a pure plant derivative made from only the purest ethyl alcohol and is of the highest quality fuels available on the market today. It is non-toxic, smokeless, odorless and completely environmentally friendly.

These contemporary fireplaces encourage creativity as the sensational flame is reflected from the beautifully polished stainless steel surface. Being extremely mobile, they can be moved indoors or outdoors for the ultimate vent free fire.  

For a Cooler You, Stay Cool with Coolaroo

Stay Cool with Coolaroo

Like the kangaroo, the story of Coolaroo is uniquely Australian. Coolaroo fabric was developed in Australia over 50 years ago from tough, durable exterior grade materials to withstand the extreme weather conditions. Its design was also unique, a combination of yarns patterned to allow cooling breezes to pass through while repelling heat and the harmful effects of UV rays. The effect was dramatic. Homeowners began using Coolaroo as a shade fabric and later as a window shade to provide cooling relief during summer, making life more bearable and leading to the modern day Australian lifestyle.

Coolaroo Exterior Awnings and Window Shades are the ideal solution for reducing temperatures within your home. Made from Coolaroo's unique knitted all weather fabric, they block the sun's UV rays yet still allow air to flow through. This breathable fabric not only significantly reduces temperatures behind the shade but still allows just the right amount of light transmission to ensure you can always see what's happening outside. Items such as this Roman Shade by Coolaroo come in either 4ft, 6ft or 8ft sizes in a variety of contemporary colors. They shade any indoor or outdoor room of your home, reducing glare and energy bills. With Coolaroo Exterior Awnings and Window Shades  you can have custom looking blinds at a reasonable price.

Coolaroo also makes really stylish Umbrellas and Gazebos. The 10 foot Coolaroo cantilever umbrella combines its attractive and functional frame with a 100% recyclable 90% UV block canopy. This umbrella has been designed to shade your spa, picnic table or any outdoor area where a center pole just doesn’t quite work. Of course, Coolaroo also manufactures an 11 ft Center Pole Umbrella. This umbrella is made to adorn the center of your dining table or stand alone in all its glory! These two umbrellas are typically at least $100 less than umbrellas made with upgraded fabrics such as Sunbrella, making these both a great choice for the economic-minded consumer.

We also need to mention the Victoria Gazebo made by Coolaroo. It’s perfect for backyard BBQs, poolside or to surround your picnic table so the bugs don’t bite. It creates an elegant retreat to relax and enjoy your day or entertain guests. All Coolaroo products are designed to resist mold and mildew and have a 5 year warranty against UV degradation.

Coolaroo also makes Shade Sails – made to shade and decorate such areas as sandboxes, play rooms, parties, picnics and more. They’re easy to move from one area to the other as needed and will keep your family protected from harmful UV Rays.

Last but not least, don’t forget the other important member of your family. Your dog. Yes, Coolaroo makes pet beds that are elevated off the ground keeping your best friend cool all summer long!

For my money and value, Coolaroo rates up at the top in terms of outdoor protection. Coolaroo products outdoor products create a romantic, tranquil setting for your casual afternoons on the patio, lanai, or sunroom.  We rate these products a 5 out of 5!

To view more about Coolaroo, take a look at this short video:

Last Minute Wedding Decorations Ideas - Don't Forget Your Umbrella!

Large sized umbrellas are often used at outdoor wedding receptions to help shade your guests from the sun. Don’t forget to decorate the umbrella! Here’s just a few ideas for you, and feel free to add your own ideas to coordinate with the theme of your wedding.

Decorate the edges with silk flowers and beads. Use a hot glue gun and carefully put a large dollop of hot glue at the end of each rib and attach a flower. With long strings of beads, allow a slight swag and string the beads from flower to flower, adding an elegant touch to an otherwise plain umbrella. Just be sure to test the fabric in an inconspicuous place with the hot glue to make sure it doesn’t melt. The best type of umbrella for this will be a canvas type of fabric. If you do have a problem, use super glue.

Don’t forget the pole. Wind a long length of wide ribbon that matches your bridesmaids dresses all the way down the center pole and attach small flowers to the ribbon. You could also use long floral garland, or attach seashells if you have a beach theme. There's nothing worst than adding what could be a beautiful focal object to your table, then forgetting all about it!

Another fun thing you can do is to put small alligator clips with pieces of paper and allow your guests to write good wishes to the bridge and groom and attach them to the umbrella fabric – or better yet let them write on the umbrella and you’ll have it as a wonderful souvenir!A couple of warnings: just be sure not to weigh down the umbrella with too much frou frou – first it’ll look overdone and you run the risk of it overshadowing your tables and second, you might damage the umbrella for future use.

Don't forget umbrella lights to run on the underside of your umbrella if your wedding is going to go past sundown. They add beautiful ambient light and help add to the romantic mood. J(ust be sure to get the kind that have batteries, as you certainly don't want your guests tripping over long electrical cords)

Our umbrella recommendation is a wood umbrella with an outdoor polyester fabric. This umbrella comes in many different colors to match just about any wedding, including white. The price is affordable enough that you can buy quite a few and the really good news is that it’s one of the very few wedding decorations that won’t end up cluttering up a closet. You’ll bring your umbrella out year after year and remember how special your wedding day was.

Keep in mind one thing - budget. If you are considering renting a large tent, purchasing a number of umbrellas might be more cost effective and add a unique touch making your wedding your own. And remember to keep your cake out of the sun! It just might need an umbrella of it's own!

If you decide to take any ideas, or decorate an umbrella with your own ideas, please be sure to email a photo or two. We would love to highlight your special day on our website. For this and more tips, contact an Odyssey Homestore® umbrella specialist to help you find just the right umbrella for your wedding.

What Kind of Outdoor Furniture Covers Should You Buy?

The great outdoor furniture cover debate. Doesn't sound like a very interesting topic, now does it? However, if you think about it, you've spent a King's Ransom on your outdoor furniture, Umbrellas and BBQs, why would you buy inexpensive covers that allow water and dirt in, opening up the possibility that mold and stains might ruin them?

So how do you know what to buy? Well, that isn't an easy choice because there are several different brands and materials to choose from, not to mention color. I'm not going to create a matrix - that would be much too easy for you. After all, you spent all that time choosing exactly the correct furniture so now spend just a few more minutes researching the difference in fabrics and then make your own choice. So below, I will list the manufacturer and a little bit about them and their covers so you can easily make up your own mind.


First, let’s start with KoverRoos®. They carry four different patented fabrics, along with sunbrella, in varying degrees of quality, durability and, of course, price:

• 
  
  Tyvek , a Dupont product, which comes only in white, is perfectly appropriate for mild weather conditions. It is very lightweight so it’s easy to take off and on, and at $39.99 for the umbrella cover, is the most affordable in the KoverRoos lineup. We give it a durability rating factor of 1 out of 4, with 4 being best.
• 
  
  KoverRoos III, also a Dupont product, available only in an attractive taupe color, is good for slightly harsher or windier climates. It has a soft inner layer that is very gentle on your furniture yet has a slightly heavier feel. At $39.99 for the patio umbrella cover, it is an affordable option. We give it a durability factor rating of 2 out of 4.
• 
  
  SupraRoos is designed for the harshest and windiest conditions. It uses a Dupont two-layer technology: The outer layer has great UV-resistance to further protect your furniture and can withstand hours of rain, snow and strong wind. The inner layer adds strength and resistance so that sharp corner won’t damage your covers. The price runs $54.99 for an umbrella cover – not too bad really. The only drawback is that it comes only in white. We give it a durability factor rating of 3 out of 4.
• 
  
  WeatherMax is a bit more on the discerning side. It comes in a nice range of contemporary colors adding richness to your yard when not in use. It is extremely breathable allowing it to resist mold and mildew ruining your furniture. The price point of $59.99 seems a bargain considering the choice of colors and quality. We give it a durability factor of 4 out of 4 – the best we can give.
• 
  
  Sunbrella. For those who know the Sunbrella name, you know it equates to quality. These covers are perfect for warm, dry climates with lots of sunlight. Sunbrella will hold its color for 5 years and because it is so breathable, it also resists mold and mildew. This is one of the few manufacturers we found who offers Sunbrella fabrics to cover your furniture, grill and umbrella and more. Price point will likely be more than WeatherMax but we give it a durability factor of 4 out of 4, with a bonus for versatility.
  

Two Dogs Designs. We like this manufacturer because of the larger variety of covers for a larger variety of products, plus they use Velcro tabs, zippers and closures to protect from the elements. They offer two levels of covers:

• 
  
  Two Dogs Fabric made of heavyweight 600-denier polyester similar to luggage fabric, therefore it is weather resistant to protect against damage from the elements, and the PVC lining protects helps protect the items they cover. It comes in two different patterns: chili pepper and banana leaves which are attractive and unique, and two solid colors: forest green and chocolate brown. The price point is in the mid-range for the quality and in terms of durability we give this 3 out of 4.
• 
  
  WeatherReady Fabric by Two Dogs is made for mild weather conditions. They are weather resistant, durable and affordable and come in two colors: Black or Khaki. Made of heavy-duty polyester, they are also PVC lined to help protect the exterior of your furniture, bbqs and umbrellas. One of the reason we like Two Dogs is that they offer unique items such as log rack covers, fire table covers and double chaise covers making this a very versatile line of covers. We give this a durability factor of 2 out of 4, with a bonus point for versatility.
  

Dayva International, which sells outdoor umbrellas and patio heaters, also has a full line of outdoor furniture covers made of two different fabrics: TronWeve and Duro-Nex

• 
  
  Tron-Weve, available in SandStone color, is made for the harshest weather conditions including hot and cold. It’s a “Space Age” type material that has been rated to withstand cold below -40 degrees F and heat exceeding the hottest recorded temperature in the world. It also has a huge selection of covers for furniture, umbrellas and accessories including a lawn mower cover, snow blower cover and bicycle cover, we give this a 4+ in durability with two bonus points for quality and versatility. Umbrella covers start at $29, the price makes these a very attractive option
• 
  
  Duro-Nex furniture and accessory covers are made for mild weather conditions. They come in a light gray color and feature a protective cloth backing which is gentle against your furniture. The price point is extremely affordable and the variety is large. We give this a durability rating of 2 out of 4.
  

Obviously, there are many other types of furniture covers available on the market. Typically what you will find is that they are a private label of one of these covers. You will also find very inexpensive covers at big box stores or online catalog stores made of tarp-like material which look good for a few weeks or months but upon exposure to any type of inclement weather typically begin to fall apart. In this case, it’s definitely buyer beware. It is important to know what type of cover you need that will withstand your weather conditions and protect your outdoor furniture and accessories for many years.

If you have any questions on which type of patio furniture covers, chair covers, umbrella cover, bbq grill cover or even an outdoor television cover (we also carry outdoor waterproof hd televisions) or any accessory cover to buy, please feel free to give us a call at 888-564-4744. We're always happy to be a resource to our online consumers.