Nov11

Creating The Perfect Focal Point In Any Room

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Creating The Perfect Focal Point In Any Room

The focal point of a room is one of the most significant parts of interior design and should never be ignored. Put simply, this is the center of the space. It is the first item that your visitors notice when they enter the room, giving their eye something to rest on and it is the focal point around which you construct the remainder of your design. It also offers minor clues to the homeowner’s personality or hides an undesired design aspect that cannot be otherwise eliminated.

It is crucial to make sure that you have chosen the correct place for this showcase. This guide will help and offers all you need to know about finding the proper focal point for your space:

Emphasize the most desirable feature:

In an ideal situation, each of the rooms in your home would have an integrated focal point. In that instance, all you have to do is construct your design and decor in such a way that it draws attention to the already existing element. As a result, determining how to arrange a room becomes considerably simpler.

The following are some of the most popular forms of built-in focal points:

Windows and Outdoor Views: Windows and outdoor views are a natural choice for a focal point in any room. Regardless of what else is going on in the room, the eyes are drawn here. If you are fortunate enough to have this kind of view, all you need to do is open the windows as wide and as fully visible as possible to take full advantage of it.

Fireplaces: Fireplaces can help to bring a sense of calm to a room. It is important to create a comfortable seating area around the fireplace and hang a daring piece of art hanging over it.

Integral shelving: Shelves and fireplaces are frequently found together in the same space. Even if this is not the case, the concept is still very close. Create a seating area around the shelving and be sure to incorporate your personal style into the design.

You can build your own focal point:

Make a custom one for yourself if you do not have anything that creates a natural one for you. While this will require a little more effort, it is by no means insurmountable. As previously stated, there are numerous possibilities to pick from so select the one that best suits your needs. And, of course, you can always elevate your home with the right designer should you feel stuck at any time in your own design process. Interior designers are able to look at your decor from a fresh perspective whether that be with custom options like the ones listed below or with standard design trends like the ones above. This team approach can leave your home looking as good as new!

Accent walls: As a general rule, if there are no built-in elements to work with, an accent wall can be constructed on the wall that is the furthest away from the room’s entrance. Make use of eye-catching paint or wallpaper, like the one found here to capture people’s attention.

Artwork: A large piece of art or a mirror can stand on its own and command attention. As a result, you will want to make certain that the item you select is large enough to accommodate the wall on which it will be installed. It should be placed at or near eye level, and accent lighting should be used whenever feasible to make the piece even more noticeable and appealing.

Furniture that makes a statement: A huge piece of furniture that is distinctive or bold might serve as an excellent focal point in a room. The dining room and the bedroom are typical examples of this, as there is clearly a focal point in the room. You will want to use accessories, such as a table centerpiece or some cushions on the bed to help direct the viewer’s attention to this area.

Some things to avoid when creating a focal point include:

  • Having more than one focal point: This can confuse the eye and distance the room
  • Only using color: Texture and pattern can also create a focal point for the eye to land on
  • Ignoring lighting: Lighting is crucial, and if possible, your focal point should have its own light source
  • Poor scaling: Not properly sizing and furnishing the area can result in a jarring tone that detracts from the overall effect of the room.

Making a decision on a focal point is one of the most crucial aspects of interior design and for good reason. This feature is the first thing that visitors notice when they walk into the space and it serves as the focal point of your design. You may take your design to the next level by making a few little adjustments to make it perfect for your space.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov11

Lil Red Loves: Game Night

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Lil Red Loves: Game Night

Hello! Prior to the pandemic, you could usually catch Johnny and I hanging out at our favorite bar called the Zephyr on a Friday or Saturday night. Now, I can’t tell you the last time we have been to a bar so it is all about nights in when we want to hang out with our friends. Johnny and I have always been avid gamers and we have a huge collection of board games and a variety of gaming systems including a Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Nintendo 64, GameCube, and Wii. With this expansive collection, game nights are now the move for our weekend activities.

While you don’t need much to make a game night a success, here are a few tips that I have found effective to make your evening even better:

Ready The Room:

Prior to hosting a game night, please do a deep clean of your space! Lol, this should go without saying but it is so true. You want your space to be the perfect set up for people to relax and have fun which means clearing clutter, taking out the trash, and doing the dreaded cleaning of your bathroom. Have fresh hand towels at the ready, light some candles or fairy lights, and prep your space to be the ultimate chill zone. (Keep in mind that if you are partaking in dranks, a guest room and comfy couches are a must so no one risks the safety of themselves and others to drive home.)

Location Is Everything:

Normally, Johnny and I will alternate which home we are having our game night at and this always works out well for us. However, if you are having multiple people over, a small apartment like mine might not cut it so that’s something to think about. If you are having guests from several different areas over, it’s best to choose a home that is it at the center of all of yours so no one has to drive super far.

Food & Drinks:

I absolutely love cooking for people so for mine and Johnny’s game nights, our friends will alternate between who is cooking dinner. This doesn’t need to be a fancy five star meal but just something tasty that everyone can enjoy. For example, I made a big pot of homemade mac n’ cheese for one of our game nights while our guests brought sides of salad and garlic bread. That being said, there is nothing wrong with ordering Chinese takeout or pizza if you want a quick and easy meal! (Also, make sure you are attentive to any of your guests with dietary needs or preferences. Last game night, our friends brought veggie burgers for their favorite Lil Red vegetarian!)

If your game night is one that tends to run longer, don’t forget the snacks. You can get creative with themed snacks like decorated cookies or cupcakes that look like the mushrooms in Mario games but a bowl of chips will also be just fine. Fruit salad, a sundae bar, and a Chex or trail mix station can also be a big hit.

For drinks, it is important to think about all of your guests because some might not drink alcohol. Always have your Britta pitcher full or water bottles at the ready as well as a variety of different sodas and juices. If you are partaking in dranks, there is nothing wrong with a good old fashioned White Claw lol but you can also play bartender and make a signature drink. How about a pitcher of Sangria or white wine spritzers? Every game night house could have a different signature drink!

Playlist Perfect:

Any good game night will have some music playing in the background. For this, Johnny and I have our record player but we also have a Bluetooth speaker which we love. Remember, you don’t want the music to be too loud to disturb your neighbors or that you have to yell to talk to your friends. Just something quiet that everyone can agree on to add to the party ambiance.

Games Galore:

Now, most importantly, are the games! Are you having video gamers over? Mario Party and Super Smash Bros. will be a huge success. Board game lovers? How about a night based off of classics like Monopoly and Sorry or a co op game to solve together? Word game fans? Scrabble or Catch Phrase will go over well! Card game aficionados? Try a Magic The Gathering tournament or a casino night.

You know your guests best so it is up to you to choose the perfect selection of games to keep your evening rolling. A good rule of thumb is to avoid overly involved games that are difficult to explain or have a ton of rules. You want to play things that are easy to catch on to for maximum enjoyment for everyone. There are also some party games that can truly become annoying if you are playing with a group of people who have a ton of inside jokes that everyone might not be in on, so definitely be mindful of that.

With the tips above and your own special take on a game filled evening, your game nights will turn into an event that your friends will spend the week looking forward to. Play well and have fun!

What are your favorite games? What are your tips for hosting game nights? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov10

How To Create The Perfect Family Friendly Backyard

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How To Create The Perfect Family Friendly Backyard

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or simply want to revitalize your usual surroundings, revamping your garden to better suit your family’s needs can upgrade your property to no end. You should never allow your backyard to go to waste, as it offers the perfect opportunity for you and your little ones to get outside and immerse yourselves in nature! Thankfully, it couldn’t be easier to create the perfect family friendly garden, as there are just a few key steps that you can follow to turn your backyard dreams into a reality in no time. So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then read on to uncover some of the best tips and tricks that you can utilize today:

Always Prioritize Safety:

Your first priority when it comes to revamping your backyard should always be safety, as you need to be able to maintain ultimate peace of mind that your little ones are out of harm’s way whenever they head outside to play. Start by sourcing quality fence installation to secure the perimeter of your backyard so your children can’t leave the grounds without you knowing, nor do you want people from outside gaining access. Make sure there are no potentially harmful plants in your garden space, such as poison ivy or stinging nettles that could injure your children while they play. The grass should also be lush, soft, and properly maintained to avoid pests like ticks as it grows out. If this is something you could use some help with, simply enter a search for “lawn care near me” and the pros can turn your yard into the ultimate play area.

Make Space For Play:

When crafting the ideal family garden, it’s important that you can make space for your children to play. Having nothing but empty green space will not motivate your kids to want to visit your backyard, so you need to encourage them somehow! Set up a play area with some fun equipment like a swing set, a slide, and a range of other exciting options that will keep them occupied for hours. Making play accessible will ensure that your children spend their waking hours laughing and joking outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine, so get online and start searching for some suitable equipment.

Establish An Outdoor Dining Area:

Eating ‘al fresco’ or outdoors can offer a totally different experience to chowing down inside, especially when the sun is shining! You and your family can expect to benefit from a lot of different features when dining outdoors too, so it’s a win-win situation. Identify a spot that’s large enough to house a weatherproof table and chair set, away from low hanging trees and other things that may disrupt you while eating. Making the decision to set up a barbecue grill of some kind will take your family garden to a whole new level, as it will provide you with the opportunity to cook up a storm in the great outdoors.

There’s no time like the present to upgrade your backyard, which will provide you with lasting memories of joyous family time on a beautiful summer day!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov10

Sweet Surprises: Silly Socks Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Silly Socks Edition

Hello! Some girls like being surprised with flowers from their significant other. Myself, on the other hand, loves when Johnny surprises me with spooky attire and decor for the apartment. So, when he came home from running errands and said that he had a surprise for me, I had a feeling that it was going to be from a discounted Halloween section and (as always! haha) I was right! Check out these adorable silly socks that Johnny gifted me with:

My Johnny has a staggering collection of Halloween socks. He seriously has over fifteen pairs and his collection seems to grow by the day. Despite my love of the holiday, I had not a one spooky pair of socks until this Frankenstein pair came into my life. They are so comfy and there is nothing like a new pair of socks to slide around the hard wood floors of our apartment with! 😀

You can’t put a price on happiness but, in this case, it came in a two dollar pair of socks that make me smile every time I look at them. Whenever Johnny or I are running errands, we always tend to pick up a little treat for each other if something catches our eye and it makes every time we return home an exciting event. While my Halloween sock collection will never be as magnificent as my better half’s, I think these Frankenstein socks will help me start off on the right foot. Ba dum chhhhhhhhhh! ❤

What do you like being surprised with? Do you have a silly sock collection? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov9

Making Time For Me Time

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Making Time For Me Time

Hello! I am self employed and have been running two businesses for over half a decade now. Of course, I love my jobs so much but anyone who is their own boss can tell you that it can be highly stressful – especially because if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. Two businesses means a demanding schedule with weeks feeling too long and the weekends, sadly, not being long enough!

I never really realize how much I push myself for my jobs until something as small as the common cold knocks me completely on my ass. On Halloween day, I woke up with an unbearable cold and it was a struggle to get out of bed. Thankfully, a scary movie day was on the agenda so not much movement was required but I had to call off of work on Monday, which is something that I rarely do.

For most people, a cold is something that they can usually still function through but for me, it was the polar opposite. This was pretty alarming to me and I knew that it was related to just how hard that I have been working for what feels like forever. Whenever I fall sick, I always tell myself that I am going to be more lenient with giving myself a day off if I need it. While it never happens, I actually mean it this time lol.

I will be taking time off for Thanksgiving and Christmas and in the new year, I am making it a resolution to give myself permission to give myself a break. This completely goes against my work ethic but I have now realized how important it is to give myself a mental and physical break from my work. I wish that meant lavish vacations to Paris but, in reality, it will be taking an afternoon off to get my nails done or spending a day playing Animal Crossing when I feel myself getting run down.

This, of course, won’t be a monthly thing but pushing through exhaustion isn’t healthy and I know that the next time I fall ill for days on end, I will be wishing that I gave myself a break. Chill evenings with TV and a face mask is great but it just isn’t enough after an uber busy work week and jam packed weekend.

My normal self care involves pampering of some kind but I have come to realize that it is so much more than that. I now know that a more effective form of self care for me would be being less hard on myself and allowing for a day of rest as needed. It will be difficult because it goes against everything that my brain is wired to think. However, I can’t have another half decade of success in my businesses without it!

What is your method of self care? How do you make time for you with a demanding schedule? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov8

5 Common Kitchen Tools You’re Probably Using Wrong

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5 Common Kitchen Tools You’re Probably Using Wrong

Kitchen gadgets and appliances are designed to make your life easier and there seems to be a new one coming out every five minutes. A lot of them are completely useless and probably not worth your money but there are plenty that are actually useful. The problem is, many people don’t know how to use their kitchen appliances and gadgets properly, so they’re not getting the most out of them. These are some of the kitchen tools you are probably using wrong:

Garlic Press:

The worst thing about using garlic in the kitchen is taking the skin off. It’s so fiddly and annoying to do, so you’d think that it would be more useful to have a tool for that instead of a garlic press. The thing is, you don’t actually need to remove the skin at all when you use a garlic press! Most people make this mistake and they waste a lot of time. But if you put the whole clove in there and use the press, it should do all of the hard work for you.

Nutribullet:

Nutribullets are one of the most popular kitchen gadgets on the market right now. They’re great for making smoothies, but that’s not all they’re for. People often make the mistake of using their Nutribullet for making smoothies and nothing else. But if you’re going to do that, you may as well buy a much cheaper smoothie maker. Nutribullets can actually be used for all sorts of things like blending soups, making sauces, and mixing batter. You can even use them for crushing ice and nuts too, so you get the most out of the one gadget.

If you have a Nutribullet of your own, check out these 19 nutribullet recipes at mykidslickthebowl.com to get some more ideas. Once you start experimenting with a few different recipes, you’ll see that your Nutribullet is capable of much more than just making smoothies (although it is great for that too).

Dishwasher:

There are a lot of ways that people use their dishwasher wrong. Sometimes, people just pile all of the dirty dishes in there without giving it a second thought. But if you don’t load it efficiently, things won’t clean properly and you won’t be able to get as much in there. Loading your dishwasher properly makes everything easier for the machine, which means that it will run more efficiently and even save you money on electricity bills if you do it right.

People also overlook the fact that they need to clean their dishwashers. If you don’t clean your dishwasher regularly, then the machine will get clogged up with food particles and it will start breaking down. It’s important to keep on top of this if you want your dishwasher to continue working properly. There are filters inside that you need to take out and clean yourself. You should also rinse plates properly before you put them in to prevent food buildup.

Knives:

Most people don’t know how to sharpen their knives properly so if you want to get the most longevity out of your knife set, it’s crucial that you hand wash them and dry them thoroughly after each use. Don’t put them in the dishwasher because this will ruin the blade and make it duller very quickly. After cleaning, you should store them either hung up or on a magnetic bar (not loose).

Using the right knife for the right job is important too, and it’s something that people get wrong a lot. A standard chef knife is good for most tasks, but some jobs require a bread knife, fillet knife, carving knife, and so on. By using the right knife for each job, you’ll get much better results and you will be able to cut things more easily. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that sharper means more dangerous. In fact, a blunt knife means that you have to apply more pressure to cut, and that increases the likelihood of slipping and cutting yourself. So, it’s actually better to use a sharper knife.

Spaghetti Spoons:

Most people assume that the hole in the middle of a spaghetti spoon is for draining water. It does help with that, but that isn’t what it’s there for! Most people don’t realize that the hole in the middle of the spoon is actually for measuring the amount of spaghetti you should cook. The hole will take one average portion of pasta for a person, so you can avoid cooking way too much.

If you want to make life easier for yourself in the kitchen, make sure that you are using these tools properly!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov8

Lil Red’s Book Club: Not A Happy Family By Shari Lapena Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Not A Happy Family By Shari Lapena Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Today, without giving any spoilers away, we will be discussing Not A Happy Family by Shari Lapena. I got this book in large print from the library and, is it just me, or does reading a large print book go by way faster than a normal print? After a mere five reading sessions, I was done with this four hundred and twenty-two page thriller and it was one that I enjoyed a lot! Now, let’s get to it:

Sheila and Fred Merton are, for lack of better words, filthy rich. Fred made his fortune in robotics and they boast a sprawling estate and a net worth upwards of thirty million. Fred is proud of his life as a businessman but of his children… Not so much, and it all comes to light on a particularly awful Easter dinner when Catherine, Dan, and Jenna’s father screams his poison in a drunken rage. While his disappointment is nothing new, his extreme anger is a surprise but no one is ready for what happens next when Fred and Sheila are found murdered in their own home.

The bodies of the Merton parents are discovered by their long term nanny turned housekeeper and the police investigation begins immediately with the children as their prime suspects. First, we have the eldest sister named Catherine. She is a dermatologist and married to Ted, who both enjoy the finer things in life. Dan is the middle child who is married to Lisa and are currently in a desperate financial situation. Fred also happened to refuse and degrade him when he asked for a loan on Easter Sunday. And, finally, we have Jenna who is the baby of the family. She is a starving artist with a new fling every week, a violent streak, and is currently living off of a monthly allowance from her parents.

Any one of the Merton children could have committed the double murder but who? All of them have secrets to hide about the night of the murder and with their partners lying for them and siblings backing each other up, it sends the detectives on a wild goose chase with the possibility that the case could go cold. Each Merton child has a lot to lose and a fortune to gain from the wills of Sheila and Fred so whodoneit? Read Not A Happy Family to find out!

I have been pretty unimpressed with the books that I have read recently and Not A Happy Family kept me on my toes until the very last page. This was definitely a nice change of pace and, for once, I couldn’t figure out the grand reveal so I really liked it! Not A Happy Family was an unputdownable read with red herrings at every turn of the page, especially because the children weren’t the only players in the investigation. The housekeeper, aunt, and a family friend are all potential suspects too which added to the confusion and suspense of the case.

This book changed narrators either every chapter or paragraph between the children, their partners, or other suspects who all have a lot of money to gain from the murder of Fred and Sheila. I love this type of format and it added so much urgency because you couldn’t put each person’s puzzle pieces together consistently. Just when I thought that I knew who did it, I read another few paragraphs and my opinion would change drastically.

I can’t recommend Not A Happy Family enough if you are looking for a fast paced murder mystery and am awarding it with an eight out of ten stars. Although it wasn’t a groundbreaking story line, it had me hooked and happily reading for hours on end. If you like playing detective as much as I do, then you are going to love this book!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov7

Just So You Know!

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Just So You Know!

Hello! Johnny and I got married on June fourth and, as many of you know, we very much wanted to have a Halloween reception. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we just weren’t comfortable with this but are aware that our friends and family wanted to send us gifts. We never bothered making a registry, which we probably should have lol but we are accepting donations to our honeymoon/new microwave fund! If you would like to send us a wedding present, my Venmo handle is: @Sarah-Mushenheim

We so appreciate the well wishes from everyone and wish that we could have celebrated our big day all together. As always, thank you for your unending support and we love you all! -Sarah and Johnny ❤

Nov6

Face Mask Festivities: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a new edition of Face Mask Festivities! Today, we are going to discuss the Summer Fridays Jet Lag mask that I got as a freebie during my last Sephora haul. There are some things that I like about this mask and others that I don’t so let’s get to it and you can decide if it’s worth the buy or not:

I have been using this mask morning and night for the past several days and, as you can see, it is fairly thick in texture. Despite that, it applies so easily which I wasn’t expecting at all. In fact, I don’t think that I have ever used a skin care product that applies and absorbs into your skin in one go. One sweep on my face of this mask and I was done. This was definitely a novelty that I enjoyed and was pleasantly surprised by.

Although these were all good things, the buck stopped there. I expected this mask to be ultra hydrating and that just wasn’t there. After continued use, I noticed no real differences in the way my skin looked or felt. Rather, my normal skin care routine provided everything that I wanted this mask to do and more. And, at almost fifty dollars for a full sized tube, I think that I will be sticking to my drugstore brands, thank you very much.

While I love trying out new products compliments of Sephora freebies, I am always pleased to see that my cheaper brands tend to work better than anything with an expensive price tag. If you are looking for a new face mask to try, I would say to skip on the Jet Lag one by Summer Fridays. You’d be surprised at how much more bang for your buck you can get at your local drugstore or the skin care section of TJMaxx!

Have you ever used this face mask before? What did you think of it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov5

Easy Ways To Start Elevating Your Confidence

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Easy Ways To Start Elevating Your Confidence

If you haven’t been feeling like yourself recently, you aren’t alone. In fact, 85% of adults deal with low-self esteem or confidence in their daily lives. While these figures are high, they are hardly surprising due to the fact that there are so many different factors that can inhibit our confidence. This could include societal pressures, the expectations of our peers or loved ones, or even a setback at work.

While so much of our confidence is impacted by external forces, it’s important to remember that true confidence comes from within. Furthermore, when you start to feel good about yourself, confidence will come naturally as you will no longer care about what other people may think. That being said, confidence is a lifelong journey – it’s not something that you can obtain overnight.

So, if you’ve decided that it’s time to get your confidence back, here are some top tips to get you started:

Start taking better care of yourself:

Our confidence levels are often greatly impacted by how we look (or rather, the way we feel about how we look). While it’s important to remember that beauty comes in many different shapes and sizes, taking better care of yourself can help you look and feel better in your daily life. For example, putting together a beauty routine can help to clear your skin. Additionally, making the most of dental services available to you can help you learn to love your smile once again, meaning that it will be impossible to keep a grin off of your face.

Start working out:

Exercising more frequently is a great way to boost your body confidence. However, it’s important that you don’t work out with the intention to lose weight but rather to change your relationship with your body for the better. To achieve this goal, you should not base your success on the scale or the size of clothing you are wearing but on your capabilities. If you were to start running every day, set yourself the goal of running a bit further each day and note how your body changes as you get stronger, faster, and more capable. Setting yourself small fitness goals will also help boost your confidence as they’ll show you that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.

Take a break from social media:

In a world where we spend so much time on our phones, it’s no wonder that social media can significantly impact our confidence. Social media constantly encourages us to compare ourselves to others, whether that’s due to the fact that every picture that your friends post looks perfect or they get a lot more likes on their latest upload than we do. If you want to challenge how you perceive yourself, it’s time to give yourself a break from the socials. Log out, deactivate, or even delete the apps from your phone, if only temporarily. When you return, you should ensure that you unfollow (or mute) any accounts that do not make you feel good about yourself.

As mentioned above, confidence is a lifelong journey and the tips above can help you get started on the right foot!

Featured Image By: Jordan Donaldson | @jordi.d on Unsplash