Nov5

Spooky Spectacular OOTD Bonus Pictures

Posted on by
Standard
Spooky Spectacular OOTD Bonus Pictures

Howdy! As promised, today we are going to look at some bonus pictures from my Spooky Spectacular OOTD. Johnny and I had a very successful Halloween weekend, minus me coming down with an awful cold on Sunday. But that’s okay because Halloween Sunday was just us watching scary movies all day so we didn’t miss out on any of our festivities. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

On Friday, Johnny and I attended a Halloween get together hosted by one of his work friends seen in the picture above. Her and her husband set up a mini haunted house in their backyard which we unfortunately didn’t get to go through because it wasn’t finished by the time we were heading out. It was still a lot of fun, though, and it was nice to finally meet some of my husband’s work friends who he has spoke so highly about.

Saturday was a hoot too and we took our little niece trick or treating at our apartment offices and had a spooky song dance party afterwards. She also enjoyed playing with all of the bits and baubles on our spooky shelf as well as our huge collection of LEGO mini figs! Later that evening, we headed to a friend’s house for some Halloween hangs. Of course, Johnny and I had to step out in our costumes even though no one else was dressed up lol.

As mentioned above, I woke up feeling miserable on Sunday and was left exhausted by a killer cold from outer space. Everyone has a certain time during the year when they usually catch a little bug and I thought that I had surpassed mine because it tends to happen for me in mid-October. I guess Halloween weekend had one more trick for me so it was the perfect day to watch all of the scary movies and a couple episodes of Criminal Minds – our favorite! 😀

Even though I fell under the weather, our Halloween weekend was a great time. Johnny and I had so much fun getting dressed up in our costumes and we are already talking about what we should be next year! ❤

How did you celebrate Halloween? What is your favorite Halloween candy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov4

The Essentials You Need For A Hiking Adventure

Posted on by
Standard
The Essentials You Need For A Hiking Adventure

Heading out for a hike in any weather is something that is not only a great form of exercise, but it’s also super fun for the whole family! If you are an outdoorsy person and you love being surrounded by nature, there is nothing better than heading out for some fresh air. Preparing for a hike is not as simple as hopping in your car and finding a destination, you also need to think about your own safety and health while out in the wild.

Here are some of the essential things that you should bring along with you the next time you go for a hike:

An off road car:

The first thing you need to have on hand if you like hiking is a car that can withstand many terrains such as a Land Rover. Consider changing your car to one more suitable for being out in the countryside because a regular rear wheel drive just won’t cut it up steep inclines. Invest in a car that has plenty of space, all of the mod cons, and is able to keep you secure and safe out in the country.

Plenty of water:

It is more important than anything that you bring a lot of water along with you for a hike. Dehydration can make you delirious and it isn’t worth going without a drink of H2O when out and about. Make sure to pack a big bottle of water or consider buying a backpack with a water pouch built in that can be filled and drunk from during the hike. One useful gadget to consider is a water filter which you can buy online that will filter water from rivers and streams to make it safe for you to drink.

High sugar snacks:

When you head out for a hike, it is important to keep your energy levels up so packing some high sugar and protein snacks is a must. And no, this isn’t to say a big slice of chocolate brownie is a great hiking snack! When we mean high sugar, we mean HIGH sugar – there is a snack called a Kendal Mint Cake which is essentially a full block of minty sugar, and this can be nibbled on throughout a long hike to help keep those sugar levels up.

A cag in a bag:

As unfashionable as a cag in a bag may be, it is one of the most useful things for you to bring along with you on your hike. A cagoule will protect you from the rain but will not provide a thick layer that may overheat you while walking. If you love to be out and about, a cagoule is the ideal type of coat and one you should consider.

Great walking boots:

The last thing to invest in as a hiker is some great quality walking boots. Your boots should be sturdy, comfortable, and weatherproof. Always make sure you have enough space within the boots to layer with thick socks too.

Hiking is an amazing all seasons activity that allows you to exercise and explore in nature. However, it is important to consider your safety so always have a first aid kit handy and use the tips above so that you can fully enjoy your adventure!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov4

Spooky Spectacular OOTD

Posted on by
Standard
Spooky Spectacular OOTD

Hi! Today, we are going to take a look at my Spooky Spectacular OOTD for Halloween. I’ll be the first to admit that I threw this costume together and hoped for the best and I am incredibly pleased with how it turned out. Although I couldn’t find a vampire costume to match Johnny’s, that’s okay, because I was able to come up with a costume that no one else would have. Take a look:

Who? What? Wear?

During our search for Halloween costumes, Johnny and I went to three different stores and I couldn’t find NOTHIN minus a couple of super cool accessories. This included the claw rings that I am obsessed with even though they are way too big and crazy cheap lol. Johnny was able to find a vampire costume that I thought he looked dashing in while I had to resort to online shopping after our rounds at the stores.

I scoured Amazon for over a half hour and was still coming up empty. I just couldn’t find anything that spoke to me and I had all but given up when I stumbled upon the skeleton bodysuit by Tipsy Elves. It was definitely more expensive than what I was comfortable with, however, it was one of the few things I saw that I could actually work with so I gave it a shot. It conveniently arrived with free one day shipping and it was a huge relief that it fit well when I tried it on. The last thing I needed was to find another costume in a sea of not so muches.

Despite having the bodysuit, my costume was not complete because I felt too exposed in just the bodysuit and fishnets. I decided that a black tutu skirt was a necessity so Johnny and I made our way back to Spirit Halloween the Thursday before the big weekend. The store was so picked over and entire shelves were completely bare with no black tutu skirt in sight. All that was left was red and purple skirts, so red it was. At the time, I wasn’t thrilled about it but after putting on the completed costume, I should have been looking for a red skirt all along – it’s so cute!

To finish the look, I went with my wedding heels that worked perfectly with the skeleton bodysuit. I also was really happy to be able to wear them again after mine and Johnny’s June nuptials. After my OOTD was ready to go, it was time to apply makeup and that went as well as to be expected with a palette from Spirit Halloween lol. Needless to say, it didn’t apply very well but I was pleased with how my attempt at skeleton makeup turned out even though I didn’t have the best tools to work with.

My Spooky Spectacular costume is one that I am really proud of and it turned out even better than I expected. Thrown together? Yes. So cute it’s scary? Yes times a million! Be sure to tune in tomorrow for bonus pictures! 😀

What did you do for Halloween? What did you dress up as? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Nov3

3 Tips To Prepare For Your First Glamping Trip

Posted on by
Standard
3 Tips To Prepare For Your First Glamping Trip

Some people detest the idea of camping. They worry about the work it will take to pitch a tent, the bug that will crawl into their sleeping bag, and having to sleep on the hard ground. It’s understandable to see why camping can have its downsides. Why would you sleep in a cold tent in the rain when you can be in a soft warm bed at home? Camping also tends to make people feel drained. It really is difficult to have a peaceful sleep in a tent.

Thankfully, glamping is around and it’s bringing new meaning to being in the great outdoors. So what exactly is “glamping”? It’s short for “Glamorous Camping”. This means that it’s a luxurious way to be within nature, but with all of the frills that a hotel offers. No pitching tents, mosquitos, or outdoor toilets, just simple luxury. These are some helpful tips for preparing for a glamping trip:

Look into your options:

Glamping is highly recognized today and many national parks offer glamping accommodations. Glamping comes in an array of forms such as trailers, cabins, tents, and tree houses. Many accommodation sites will even reuse vehicles such as train carts or old jets and flip them into a luxurious paradise for campers. For example, if you enter a search for “glamping maremma” you can see an old caravan converted into a glamping site by the Pereti glamping resort. They also offer yurts and a charming witch house too! Camping comfortably has never been more accessible.

Just keep in mind what you’re wanting, your price range, and what activities you’re expecting to do. You’ll want to make sure that the place is going to be comfortable and that you can have a good night’s sleep. Not sleeping enough is going to affect your health and it’s also going to make you enjoy your trip far less.

Know what to pack:

Each glamping accommodation is going to offer different amenities. You can expect there to be a bed and pillows. You can most likely expect there to be running water and toilet paper, as well. Of course, glamping calls for all of the extras to make your experience even better and more relaxing. Look into Camping Stuff that will not be found at a traditional campground, are a must have, and will keep you comfortable. And be sure to read through your glamp-ground listing, reach out, and ask questions about it. If your glamping trip is going to entail that you do a lot of hiking and other activities within nature, then you’re far better off purchasing some gear from EcoGearFX to help you survive the trip.

Look into what activities you’d like to do:

Some glamping resorts will provide activities for their guests. This can include tours, rides, workshops, and crafting. More and more glamping accommodations are offering things such as hot tubs, spas, saunas, and playgrounds to ensure that guests enjoy their stay.

You should also look into what is offered around the area. This can include seeing if there are hiking trails close by or any nice towns that are close. Sometimes even a short drive away there could be something fun for you and your party to do. You just want to make sure that if you’re having to drive during your glamping trip, that you’re not going too far. Just ask around about what is offered.

If you like to enjoy Mother Nature from afar, then a glamping trip could be the perfect thing for your next getaway – no tent required!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Nov3

Sephora Haul

Posted on by
Standard
Sephora Haul

Hi! I was running low on my Better Than Sex mascara, which meant that it was time to put an online order in with Sephora. I love shopping on Sephora’s website because of all of the amazing freebies that are offered with your purchase. You can’t beat free shipping, two samples, a mini product, and cashing in your Beauty Insider points for a haul worth writing home about… Or posting on your blog about, I should say! Check it out:

The Haul:

  • 2 Too Faced Better Than Sex mascaras
  • Clinique Moisture Surge moisturizer: FREE with Beauty Insider points
  • Summer Fridays Jet Lag face mask: FREE with twenty-five dollar purchase
  • Lancome Advanced Genifique serum sample: FREE with purchase
  • Fenty Skin starter set sample: FREE with purchase

The Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced is the most expensive makeup product that I use. While I cringe a bit at the twenty-seven dollar price tag, I can justify it by all of the goodies that I get to test out from my purchase. Sephora always offers an assortment of free mini products with twenty-five dollar orders and if you shop with Sephora, then you know that that isn’t hard to do!

During my online shopping, I usually like to cash in my Beauty Insider points and when I saw that the Clinique Moisture Surge moisturizer was available, it went into my bag immediately. I do love my Garnier SkinActive moisturizers but the Moisture Surge by Clinique is SO nice. It is ultra hydrating, so lightweight, and absorbs like a dream. Although I have a ton of my Garnier moisturizers in my stock pile, the Clinique one will be much appreciated during the winter to help combat dry skin.

For my next freebie, I chose the Jet Lag face mask by Summer Fridays because it has been a while since we have had a Face Mask Festivities post. Testing out new face masks is one of my favorite things to do to relax and you can’t beat trying one out free of charge. I’m excited! 😀

Finally, for my samples I went with a serum by Lancome and the Fenty Skin starter set. I could take or leave the serum because I am most looking forward to trying out the Fenty products – I have always wanted to! The starter set came with the Total Cleans’r, Fat Water, and Hydra Vizor. How can you turn down testing out a product named Fat Water?! The answer is that you don’t lol.

For under sixty dollars, I was able to get my must have mascara and a whole lot of freebies along with it. I can’t wait to try out all of the new to me products in my haul so keep it posted for reviews!

Have you used any of these products before? What do you think of them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

 

Nov2

Easy Ways To Secure Your Home

Posted on by
Standard
Easy Ways To Secure Your Home

If you’re decorating your home or working on some important home maintenance, then you might be thinking about your home security. However, a burglar can strike at any time and if your home isn’t secure, then you could be at risk. To help you get back to the more enjoyable home tasks, here are some easy ways to make your home is more secure:

Secure The Doors:

Don’t let someone just walk in your front door. More burglars than you’d think gain access through the front door. Check that all of your exterior doors have strong door frames, protected hinges, and a mail slot that can’t be used to reach through to unlock the door. If you’re moving into a home that someone else lived in, change the locks. This means that there won’t be strangers out there with keys to your home. You can also make sure that you have the best locks available.

There are some other easy reinforcements you can add:

  • Install a deadbolt
  • Add a strike plate
  • Upgrade to smart locks
  • Buy a video doorbell

Reinforce Sliding Glass Doors:

Sliding doors are loved by burglars, so make sure that yours are properly protected. You could use a window bar or a dowel in the track to prevent the door from being forced open from the outside. For a more high-tech solution, you can add a door sensor or a glass break sensor. These will alert you if someone tampers with the door, and the loud noise could scare off an intruder.

Tend to the Garage Door:

A garage door that isn’t functioning as it should is a huge welcome sign to burglars and provides an open invitation into your home. Finding a team that specializes in garage door repair should be done immediately to get it back in working order and provide peace of mind. If you have to wait for the repair to take place, ensure that any doors leading into the home from the garage are locked at all times until the garage door can get fixed.

Lock Your Windows:

Windows are another entry point for intruders, as they are often left shut but unlocked by homeowners. If you’re considering replacement windows, make sure you take security into account. Manufacturer latches on windows aren’t always effective, and can often be quite flimsy. If you don’t think your window latches are secure, you can add new locks to them or key-operated levers to make them more secure. There are some other upgrades that you can make to:

  • Reinforce the glass with window security film
  • Install window or glass break sensors
  • Add window bars
  • Plant prickly bushes under first-floor windows

Light Up The Landscape:

Intruders don’t want to be caught in a bright light. You can discourage would-be intruders by using plenty of outdoor lighting. Place lots of lights around your front and back yards, along any pathways, and near the garage and other outdoor structures. These lights will make intruders less likely to approach the house, but you’ll also reduce the risk of stumbling yourself when you come home at night.

You can make your outdoor security lights even more effective with a few other tips:

  • Use motion-activated lights
  • Save power with solar-powered lights
  • Use a smart outlet to put outdoor lights on a timer
  • Set up schedules with smart light bulbs

Keeping your home secure and safe doesn’t have to be complicated. Some simple, affordable upgrades can help you to keep things more secure, so you can feel much safer in your home.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Nov2

Accessory Story: Halloween Haul Pt. 2

Posted on by
Standard
Accessory Story: Halloween Haul Pt. 2

Hello! After acquiring our Halloween costumes, Johnny and I realized that we didn’t have everything that we needed. So, we made our way back to Spirit Halloween to pick up some odds and ends to complete our costumes. Makeup was an absolute must but I also needed to grab some type of skirt for my bodysuit style costume, which I can’t wait to show you all! Now, take a look at this part two Halloween Haul:

Despite getting everything that we needed for our costumes, I will be the first to admit that Johnny and I should have done this a lot earlier. When we hit the store last Thursday, Spirit Halloween was so picked over with entire displays completely bare and a check out line longer than waiting for a ride at an amusement part. I think if we waited even an hour longer to go, we wouldn’t have gotten the last few essentials for our costumes!

Originally, I wanted a black tulle skirt to compliment my bodysuit but there was none to be found. All that was left was purple and red skirts so red it was! Because the red was going to be such an abrupt pop of color, I decided to go with the glitter top hat headband to tie the look together. It might work or it might not but, on the bright side, I could use it if I celebrate Halloween as a sexy Mad Hatter next year lol.

With the costume accessories taken care of, it was onto makeup and Johnny purchased us a palette with red, black, and white cream based makeup. While he selected our face palette, I needed eyelash glue in a bad way because all of mine was no longer usable. I won’t be wearing the bow fake eyelashes with my costume but it gave me all of the Hello Kitty vibes and I couldn’t pass them up. So cute!

And, finally, the hair glitter was not really a costume purchase either but something fun to have. I used to love using gold and silver spray glitter in my hair for some fairy sparkle so I just had to buy a can for myself. I was a bit disappointed that there was no gold glitter but beggars can’t be choosers when the entire store’s supply was almost entirely gone.

Partially for costumes and partially for fun, Spirit Halloween provided me with another successful accessory haul. I can’t wait for all of you to see mine and Johnny’s Halloween OOTDs so keep it posted!

What is your favorite holiday? What did you dress up as for Halloween? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov1

How To Regain Your Confidence To Smile More 

Posted on by
Standard
How To Regain Your Confidence To Smile More 

There are so many reasons to smile in life. From daily affection from your children to having some time to cook up a storm, there are daily occurrences that everyone experiences that should encourage you to smile. Smiling more will maintain a good mood and a positive attitude. Should you dislike your smile or not feel entirely confident when smiling, here is how to regain your confidence and fall back in love with your smile:

Get dental help:

Using dental services can get your smile in top condition so that you feel more confident and happy smiling. You can repair your teeth, transform them to better health, or reshape them so that you like your smile and the overall look of your teeth. Getting help with your teeth will help you achieve your desired outcome as well as the best oral health.

Practice in the mirror:

You might not like your smile because of a quick and unflattering picture. If so, remember that a picture does not always reflect what you look like. You could have been caught off guard yet remember that in your mind and use it as a reason not to smile. If this is the case, then practice smiling more in the mirror. Doing so will help you see how much better you look when you smile. It will also help you practice smiling for photos so that you can see how much nicer you look when you smile for the next pictures you take.

Smile more:

If you often find that you have a grumpy face yet feel happy, why not show off your happiness through smiling? There is no harm in walking around smiling or watching the TV and smiling. Smiling is the best way to feel happy. If you are not in the best mood and want to get out of your slump, then try smiling and notice how much better it makes you feel. You will soon smile more and more and regain your confidence to smile again.

Face the fear:

Everyone has their own unique phobia and if yours is smiling in photos or in public, then face those fears. It is the only way to overcome it. The more you practice smiling in photos and out in public, the more comfortable you will feel doing it. Soon enough, it will come naturally to you to smile in photos and you will look back and realize how far you have come by facing your fears.

Brush as much as you should:

Should you have poor teeth or gum health, it could be the reason that you are avoiding smiling. If so, then make sure to brush your teeth and gums as often as you should (at least twice a day) to maintain good oral health. Better oral health will encourage you to smile more and feel confident in doing so. If you can find time to brush after every meal, then you will be able to achieve optimal oral health.

You are never fully dressed without a smile! Use the tips above and soon you will be flashing your pearly whites all day. 🙂

Featured Image By: Anastasia Gepp from Pixabay

Nov1

Accessory Story: Halloween Haul Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Accessory Story: Halloween Haul Edition

Hi! Halloween is mine and Johnny’s favorite time of the year. We love the style, the decorations, and all of the other spooky treats that come with the season. Last week, we ventured out to three different stores to search for vampire costumes for Halloween weekend and while Johnny found a great costume, I had no such luck. I had to resort to purchasing a costume off of Amazon (Which you will all see soon!) but I didn’t walk away from our shopping empty handed. Check out my Halloween Accessory Haul:

While I normally prefer accessory shopping at TJMaxx, you can’t beat places like Spirit Halloween to find odds and ends that add a touch of the macabre to all of your OOTDS. I have always wanted finger rings despite my pointy acrylics and just couldn’t pass up on the ones that I bought. And, yes, I had to buy them both because I couldn’t decide between the Vampire and Skeleton pack! Can you imagine typing at the keyboard with those babies on? 😀

Several years ago, I bought a pair of my favorite bloody knife earrings from Spirit Halloween and was looking forward to scoping out their earring selection. It definitely didn’t disappoint and I love the Day Of The Dead inspired dangly pair that I picked out. The real piece de resistance, however, is the feather collar for all of the Black Swan vibes. I recently rewatched that movie for the millionth time and when I saw only one collar left on the shelf, it had to come home with me.

I seriously cannot wait to create a look with the collar as the centerpiece so keep your eyes peeled for that as well as my Halloween costume OOTD very soon. It may be November first but that’s no matter when every day is Halloween in my household! ❤

What did you dress up as for Halloween? How would you style my feather collar? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct31

Easy Tips For Improved Cooking Skills 

Posted on by
Standard
Easy Tips For Improved Cooking Skills 

Knowing how to cook is a basic, fundamental skill that we all need to have. The pandemic has been tough on everyone, but many people have gone out of their way to get creative. Some have headed outside and created a garden packed with new flowers and veggies. Others have turned their hand to DIY and revamped their entire houses.

Then, there are those who turned to cooking. With the pandemic ending and lock downs lifting, people are choosing to Google ‘bakery course near me’ to improve their cooking skills that they learned while they were unable to go out and see people. Cooking is an amazing skill to have – it’s science and a little bit of magic all rolled together. Learning to bake a beautiful loaf of bread or cook the perfect roast chicken dinner? It’s all part of the fun.

If you want to improve your cooking skills, you can, and we’ve got some tips for you below to continue building your skill set:

Shop Well:

You can’t cook delicious meals without delicious ingredients, right? Ingredients that are fresh and vibrant in taste and color can help you to make transformative foods. Even the most basic dishes can become five star meals when you choose the right ingredients, and that’s the best place to start.

Get Equipped:

Can you cook the perfect fried egg if your pans are scratched to pieces? Of course not. If you want to make cooking a hobby of yours, then you need to equip yourself with the right tools. The right pans, the best knives, new kitchen scales, and the right cutlery can ensure that your cooking becomes something better than you ever thought it could be. The best quality equipment will help you to bring those recipes out properly.

Prepare Beforehand:

Be prepared. You need to get yourself set up by weighing and measuring all of your ingredients before you even get started. Warm up the oven early, and get into the habit of preparing your ingredients before you do anything else. This will make the whole process easier on you when you want to improve the current skills you have.

And, remember, part of the prep work before making anything involves reading the recipe thoroughly! When you are just beginning to take cooking more seriously inspect the recipe carefully no matter how easy it might seem. From pasta sauce to a diet-friendly edibles recipe, you don’t want to realize you don’t have some necessary ingredients halfway through the process!

Have A Tasting Spoon:

When you cook, you need to taste. You’ll see the best chefs tasting as they go and they do this for a good reason. Tasting will help you to tell whether you have seasoned enough and it can help you to avoid plating up a dish that really doesn’t taste great. Of course, you need to keep this spoon separate from the rest of the cooking utensils you use!

Use the tips above to make the next meal you prepare even better. Happy cooking!

Featured Image By: Pexels