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Win a new vacuum. Eureka is offering pet owners a chance to win a Boss 4D Pet Fresh vacuum cleaner — which is designed to trap pet hair and odor — by logging on to and submitting cleaning tips and pet photos. Each week through Oct. 17, one contestant will be named a winner in the “My Messy, Smelly, Dirty, Hairy, Best Friend” contest. See a picture of the Boss 4D Pet Fresh vacuum cleaner at , and read more about the contest at .
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As the color wheel turns. What hot decorating color trends are on the horizon? According to the designers with Calico Home (calicocorners .), the robin’s-egg blues that have dominated furnishings for about five years are on the decline. Orange is yielding to yellow. Greens are becoming bluer, and blue hues in general are overtaking green. Gray and charcoal are fresh now, especially when paired with yellow or lavender.
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Boomer bedroom battle. More than half of the country’s baby boomers experience regular sleep problems, according to a new survey from the Better Sleep Council (better .). And nearly half are getting less than the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Worries about the economy, personal finances and family matters are top reasons Americans ages 44 to 62 are losing sleep. They know it’s a problem, too, since many say they would give up cellphones, chocolate, their televisions and sex in exchange for sound sleep each night. Here are the council’s tips for achieving more restful sleep:
Maintain a regular bedtime and wake-time schedule, including on weekends.
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.
Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.
Remove work materials, computers and televisions from the sleeping environment.
Finish eating at least two to three hours before bedtime.
Exercise regularly. It is ideal to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.
Avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine close to bedtime.
Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillow. The council recommends that consumers evaluate their current mattress by asking themselves four basic questions that can help determine whether it’s time for a mattress upgrade: Is your mattress 5 to 7 years old or older? Do you wake up with stiffness, numbness, aches and pains? Do you get a better night’s sleep somewhere other than your own bed, such as a hotel? Does your mattress show visible signs of overuse such as sags and stains?
