Category: feature

We’re not one to judge, but front doors these days are full of personality, and we are…HERE for it. There is no better way to shake up the routine color palette than by adding a bit of pop to your front door. We’re talking front door colors from the bold reds to the royal blues and all the sunshine yellows and evergreens. Learn what your front door color says about you in this week’s blog.

Red Front Door

This traditional front door color choice is often associated with being hospitable and welcoming. Going for red serves as bold and inviting. If you have chosen red or intend to, you certainly love to entertain and enjoy the best that life has to offer. 

Yellow Front Door

Creative, logical, and full of energy! A yellow front door color not only ups your curb appeal but also sends some joyous cheer to neighbors and passersby. If you like your home to have a bit of sunshine, you are indeed a morning person and enjoy pretty much every moment of the day. 

Green Front Door

The color green is another traditional front door color choice. Affiliated with money, it shows that you are ambitious and good with your finances. You genuinely care about your community and are responsible and easy-going. 

Dark Blue Front Door

A Blue front door color reminds people of water and air elements. If you have chosen this color, you are likely someone very grounded and peaceful. Dedicated to your principles, but at the same time not serious 100% of the time, you value truth.

Light Blue Front Door

When it comes to you and the color light blue, you are equal parts hopeful and optimistic. A romantic dreamer who believes anything is possible, your home invites the same level of cheer to all who enter. You likely give great advice. Our advice? We love this door color! 

Orange Front Door

Painting your front door the color orange creates an ambiance full of warmth. Choosing this color says you likely have a warm personality as well. Bold and friendly, your home is perfect for entertaining. There’s certainly no challenge you can’t take on.

Black Front Door

A Black front door color always signifies a level of simple elegance and style. This is likely how your personality would be described as well. Not one for trends; you prefer clean and crisp design. Everything has its proper place in your home. 

White Front Door

Talk about being organized, your definitely the Monica of the neighborhood, and we absolutely approve. Your door says you prefer everything clean and tidy. Clean lines are an absolute ideal for you as long as everything can remain simple and relaxed. 

Pink Front Door

While a pink door color may seem like a bold option, it’s surprisingly quite the opposite. This front door color says your thoughtful, and your home is one of love. You may also be the kind of homeowner that loves the opportunity to monogram everything, and we say go for it! This color is all about cheerfulness and generosity. 

When it comes to household cleaning, vacuuming is not necessarily a fan favorite. So in 2021, why continue to do all of the work on your own? With so many new AI-powered vacuum cleaners on the market, you can keep your home spic and span with a simple press of a button. We’re breaking down some of the best AI vacuums on the market so that you can bring your household cleaning into the 21st century!

iRobot Roomba 675

Price: $199.00

One of the first on the market, the iRobot Roomba is a frequent go-to for those ditching the DIY vacuuming and cord. This model of the Roomba 675 is iRobot’s also one of its least expensive options for AI vacuums. The device includes Wi-Fi connectivity, with app control, scheduling, and voice support. 

iRobot Roomba s9+

Price: $899.00

If you want the best AI vacuum on the market, this is the robot for you. iRobot’s Roomba s9+ may be on the pricier side, but with its powerful suction and intelligent navigation, it’s a no-brainer choice. Did we mention it also can empty itself? Talk about hands-free!

Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE

Price: $449.40

If you’re not a fan of constantly emptying your vacuum canister, this is the vacuum. The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL R101AE vacuum can hold up to a month’s worth of dust and debris. This AI vacuum also has excellent smart features, even a self-cleaning brush roll, for a truly seamless low maintenance experience.

Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry Robotic Vacuum

Price: $299.99

Do you want to avoid vacuuming and mopping yourself? We thought so. The Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry robot lands on our AI vacuums list as a robot that has range. The AI vacuum cam scrub along with picking up any unwanted dust for floors that will truly shine.

Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI

Price: $749.99

While the Ecovacs Deebot lands itself alongside the other pricier options for AI vacuums, this 2-in-1 is worth it. The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI robot will vacuum and mop and has excellent battery life. The device can also identify and avoid obstacles making it a unique home monitoring service. 

Ecovacs Deebot N79S

Price: $249.99

A robot vacuum with Alexa voice command? You heard that right. Not only does this model of the Ecovacs Deebot N79S seamlessly connect to your smart home device, but it also does so at an unbeatable price. The device also offers powerful cleaning and app control. So basically everything you could need in a robot vacuum.

Neato Botvac D4 Connected

Price: $299.99

The Neato Botvac D4 Connected is an excellent choice at a moderate price. This AI-powered vacuum offers virtual boundaries and customized cleaning maps. What makes it so unique? It provides all of this for less than any other robot vacuum on the market.

Neato Botvac D7 Connected

Price: $599.00

So what makes this Neato’s Botvac D7 Connected so neat compared to other vacuums? Well, for starters, it has a longer battery life and better smart home integration than any other robot vacuum on the market. The robot vacuum also features interactive cleaning maps and virtual boundaries like the cheaper models offered by the company.

In 2021, every day brings a new advancement in technology. With so much to keep up with, we’re sharing the latest tech specs so that you can keep current in the 21st century. Let this week’s tech news lead you forward from Google entering the Quantum Supercomputer frontier to new accessibility features on iOS.

Spotify Joins the Virtual Event Market, with $15 Event Tickets

If you love virtual events, you’re in luck! Spotify has announced they’ll be joining the digital show arena. This new venture from the streaming music platform will feature shows that viewers can enjoy for $15 per ticket. The announcement was made on May 19 and kicked off with access to five different concert streams, airing throughout May and June. The artists currently slated include The Black Keys, Jack Antonoff of Bleachers, and Leon Bridges. The prerecorded shows can only be viewed at a specific time through the web browser will not be accessible through the Spotify app.

Google Working to Reinvent Docs Application

 Google announced this week that it would be making some changes to its Workspace platform. A long-awaited update to Google Docs is underway, after usage of the app has declined in recent years due to a competitive market. Some of the new features will include the capability to start a Meet video chat within Docs or even share your Doc into a Meet Call. Other new additions include emoji reactions in Google Docs and a new timeline view in Google Sheets for improved project management. Finally, last but not least, is the addition of a new “pageless” view in Google Docs that dynamically resizes the Doc to the size of your web browser. These changes are part of a suite of updates to Google Workspace, creating what Google calls a “smart canvas.”

Amazon in Talks to Purchase MGM for $9 Billion

Earlier in the week, Variety reported that Amazon is in talks to buy MGM for a reported $9 Billion. With blockbusters that include James Bond and The Handmaid’s Tale, the deal would be noteworthy for the industry behemoth. MGM went up for sale in December of 2020, and according to several executives, there are hopes that their preferred asking price of $9 Billion will be met. While there is no word on if and when the deal will go through, the news comes as another industry heavyweight branches out. This Monday also brought about the news that AT&T would be spinning off Warner Media to combine it with Discovery. The recent mergers of these long-established studios have increased following Disney’s growing content stronghold.

Apple Unveils New Features for People with Disabilities

This week Apple unveiled new features to accommodate the Disability community. The first of the new features is SignTime, which helps customers communicate with AppleCare. The new feature will also work with other retail customer services by using ASL, BSL, and LSF. The service will be open to customers visiting Apple Stores in the US, UK, and France. Customers can use SignTime to remotely access a sign language interpreter without booking one ahead of time. According to Apple, the feature will roll out to other countries soon. The second feature arriving this year for Apple Watch users is AssistiveTouch. The feature will allow those with “upper body limb differences” to use WatchOS by using specific hand gestures.

Google Seeking to Build Quantum Supercomputer by 2022

Google announced this week that they are working to develop a “useful, error-corrected quantum computer”. The goal is to have the computer developed by the end of the decade. They are hopeful that the supercomputer can help to solve a range of global problems. This would include issues currently plaguing the world like hunger, climate change, and developing better medicines. As the Wall Street Journal reported, Google has already begun the steps needed to set their plan into action.  The first of which includes a new Quantum AI campus in Santa Barbara. The new center contains a quantum data center, hardware research labs, and quantum processor chip fabrication facilities. The facilities and project funding’s reported costs are upwards in the billions spread over the next decade. 

We know what you’re thinking. ‘It’s not even summer yet, what about my spring plants?’ Who said you have to wait until summer to get started on your summer garden? With Memorial Day around the corner, the sunniest season of the year is almost here. That’s why now is a great time to spruce up your florals and shrubs with some seasonal accents. Give your yard an upgrade with our list of the perfect plants to add to your home’s summer garden.

Fuchsia

Talk about a statement-making flora. With shades of white and pink hues, Fuschia’s are perfect for the shade. From trailing to vining varieties, you’ll have more than a couple of ways to enhance your garden.

Limelight Hydrangeas

Is there anything more stunning than Hydrangeas? What we love most about this perfect summer garden plant is its range. These botanic bushes can span a color range from tranquil pastels to soft white. Since they can range in size as well, they work great in a vase arrangement. Opt for partial to full sun and well-drained soil to ensure you achieve the best blossom.

Rose of Sharon

Here is another flower that serves equally as a statement piece for your summer garden. What is even better is that the Rose of Sharon is easy to care for. While this large shrub blooms late in the summer, it requires little pruning. So then, what does it need? A lot of sun and well-drained soil. 

Yarrow

The Yarrow flower will add a graceful touch of sophistication to your summer garden with ease. While these flowers thrive best with a lot of sunlight, they can also do well in some shade. Just be sure to plant your Yarrow’s in well-drained soil.

Foxgloves

Is this the Oscars? Because we are all about statement-making pieces for this week’s blog. We love Foxgloves as a showstopper for your garden, and in general, we just really love them. This flower can grow up to six feet and will bloom best in early summer. They also come in a slew of colors, ranging from pink to white.

Rudbeckia

If you are familiar with Rudbeckia, you may be wondering how it works in the summer months. This stunning flora has varieties that can bloom during the summer. Many consider these delightful flowers as low maintenance. Just make sure your Rudbeckia’s get a lot of suns and are in well-drained soil.

Amaranthus

What we love about this flower is its variety. Also known as amaranth, this flower can grow from 18 inches to 6 feet tall in various colors, including red, orange, gold, green, and purple. Just be sure to keep in mind that this direct-sow annual does not tolerate wet soil or shade well.

Lily of the Nile

This flower is as exotic as the name suggests and makes for a stunning addition to your summer garden. Also called blue lily or African lily, Agapanthus praecox is full sun or partial shade flower. The Lily of the Nile will thrive best in warmer areas, especially if planted in pots.

California Poppies

The signature flower of our state can also become your signature flower of summer. The California Poppy, also known as Eschscholzia californica, comes in red, pink, orange, yellow, and cream. This full-sun perennial does not tolerate transplanting well and grows best if directly sown. The California Poppy is also not a fan of rich or wet soil, so we recommend you to deadhead periodically for continuous blooming all season long.

Astilbe

The final showstopper on our list of perfect plants for your summer garden is the Astilbe. If you are a fan of the color pink, you will love this perennial. The flower loves shade, and its fluffy plumes can grow up to 2 feet tall. We recommend pairing this flora with hostas or ferns.