A Great Day

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A Great Day

Hello! Whenever Johnny and I ask each other how work went for the day, our usual response is “it was day”. Lol, not bad not good… Just day. With the monotony of pandemic life, it has been a while since either of us have had a day that really knocked it out of the park. However, this past week I had a Grand Slam of a day and I am still thinking back on it with a big smile.

To start with, as soon as I got to work in the morning, my client asked me “Can I call you a name?” I replied with, “Well, it depends. Is it a nice name or a mean one?” With a grin he told me, “I wanna call you Lucille Ball… or the Pink Panther” and my heart basically exploded. It was the first time he acknowledged my new hair since I got it done and I know for a fact based on his new nicknames for me that he loves it. 🙂

I was still in a great mood when I arrived home from work so I did not think it was possible to feel any better but I was wrong! Johnny and I never sit on the same couch because both of ours are way too small to comfortably seat both of us. However, that night, we snuggled up on one of the couches together and talked for hours. It reminded me of when we first started dating and it was such a lovely flashback to have.

For the grand finale, Johnny picked up his guitar and played old country songs while I picked up our Guitar Hero guitar and strummed along, lol. After a while, I even picked up his other guitar and tried to match what he was so expertly doing. We also did a charming duet of “Bye Bye, Love” and it was just so much fun that we hadn’t even realized that over three hours had passed!

With the struggles of pandemic life, my Great Day felt like a lighthouse in a never ending streak of the same old same old. It also makes me appreciate the tiny sunshine breaks even more and I will not be forgetting my day any time soon. ❤

What was your last great day like? Can you play any instruments? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

4 Steps For The Perfect Movie Marathon

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4 Steps For The Perfect Movie Marathon

When you’re in lock down, you have to constantly think of new ways to entertain yourself. Many people have taken up new hobbies, such as baking, gardening, or arts and crafts. These are excellent ways to keep your creative juices flowing and take your mind away from the harsh realities of the global situation.

But if none of these activities appeals to you, nothing beats the simple pleasure of watching a good film. An excellent way to keep your household entertained in lock down is to throw a family movie night. A chance to recreate the currently inaccessible cinematic experience in your own home, watching film after film with the lights off and surrounded by endless buckets of popcorn.

Anyone can have a movie marathon; you don’t need a 75-inch TV screen or a home cinema. As long as you have a selection of films and something to watch them on, you’re all set. To get your night off to a good start, here are the four steps of planning the perfect movie marathon.

Figure out your set-up:

The very first thing you need to do is set up the technology required. What will you be using to watch the film? The bigger the screen you use, the better the experience will be, so opt for a TV over a laptop or tablet if possible. If you have the budget for it, you could enlist electrical contractor services to help you install a home entertainment system and surround-sound speakers, but it’s not essential.

If you are an avid fan of movies and a frequent host of movie nights, a simple space could be transformed into a media room for the ultimate experience. How cool would it be to have a movie theater right in your own home?! And, while super fun, this can also add a huge boost to your property value too. If this is a renovation you are interested in, simply enter a search for “home cinema installer surrey” (or your local area) to get started. Fair warning – your friends will not want to leave!

Pick the movies:

The crucial decision for your movie marathon is deciding what to watch. Although you can choose anything you like, the best movie marathons follow a theme: a common element linking each one of the movies you pick. This could be watching all the films in a series, such as the Lord Of The Rings movies or the Twilight saga. Alternatively, it could feature films by a single director. If you are watching with the whole family, it’s hard to find something for everyone, so you could keep all viewers happy by getting each person to pick one of the films.

Get some snacks:

It’s not a movie marathon without something to munch on while you watch. Popcorn is a must-have and you’ll need some fizzy drinks too. If you’re planning on going through the night, you might need some caffeinated beverages on standby! Make sure there is something for everyone and you’ve covered all dietary requirements. You should try to refrain from including noisy foods like potato chips, as these will distract from the film.

Make it comfortable:

The final step is to make the room as comfortable and atmospheric as possible. Turn the lights down low, set the heating or air conditioning to a cozy temperature, and turn off phones and other distractions. Make sure there are plenty of blankets and pillows for everyone to find a comfortable position but don’t make it too comfy or you might not stay awake to the end!

You can’t go wrong with a movie night to help shake the boredom blues. Turn your living room into the movie theater and enjoy!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Fun & (Video) Games Pt. 2

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Fun & (Video) Games Pt. 2

Hi! For one of my Christmas gifts, Johnny let me pick out a game on the Nintendo Switch store for myself since I haven’t had much to play since beating Paper Mario: The Origami King, which he got me for our one year anniversary. I have always enjoyed playing Mario games and ever since playing the new Paper Mario, I have been in a huge Mario mood. Let me just say Mario one more time… MARIO. 😀

Anyways, for my Christmas gift, I decided to go with a three pack of Mario games that included Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Sunshine. I was most looking forward to playing Super Mario Sunshine, as I can remember always being excited to play it at the Target video game section while running errands with my mom whenever I was younger.

Unfortunately, Super Mario Sunshine was a complete bust and, despite having Johnny help me, we had trouble completing even the first few levels. The catch with Super Mario Sunshine is that there is no traditional jump and punch fighting – you are spraying everything with water! The controls were dodgy and the fact that it wasn’t like a classic Mario game in the slightest were definitely grounds to try a different game so I scrapped Sunshine and went with playing Super Mario Galaxy, instead. And, let me tell you, I am SO glad I did!

Super Mario Galaxy was an absolute blast and I finally beat it this past week. It was so much fun because it was such a completely different version of Mario thanks to the outer space setting. Because of gravity, not only could you explore the top part of the platforms but you could also run about on its bottom and sides without fear of falling off. It made each level thrilling because there was so much to do as there was a lot of space to cover.

In Galaxy, it always felt like something new was happening – a new galaxy or planet being discovered, a letter from Luigi, or the opportunity for different powers like turning into a bee or a bouncy spring. From scaling giant honey combs to exploring underwater caverns, no two levels were alike and it was impossible to beat one level without seeing which the next one (or two, or three) would be like.

The best part of playing Super Mario Galaxy, though, was when Johnny would help me beat the levels I was stuck on. There were a lot of tricky aspects to the game that involved motion, as it was originally for the Wii. Levels that involved rolling around on a ball or surfing on an eel always left me calling for him for help and he would drop whatever he was doing to give it a try. So sweet!

We delighted in beating levels together and even on the ones we couldn’t beat, it was still fun to keep trying until our lives ran out. After beating the game, I found out you could unlock a new world if you beat every single level and, unfortunately, that’s just not going to happen. Lol, so I plan on playing Super Mario 64 next!

What video game are you currently playing? What is your favorite Mario game? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Natural Ways For A Man To Keep Fit

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Natural Ways For A Man To Keep Fit

For natural ways to keep fit, there is nothing like a run in the country. However, the weather is not always that kind to us, neither is the time that we have when we have busy working lives that involve earning a living to support ourselves. So, we look to ways that are less time consuming to keep fit. In other words, exercises that can be done that do not take us too far away from home.

This could mean attending a local gym or making our home the gym. The exercises in a gym are still natural because they involve the natural movements of the body. All we are doing is recreating the same movements as if we were running, using an oar, or climbing a rock face. Then, to assist further in these activities, some people like to use a natural testosterone booster to enhance their workouts. These are healthy supplements which you can take that complement and improve our performance with activities.

This article will consider some of these gym exercises that we can do in conjunction with taking natural boosters to decide how they relate to actual activities:

Treadmill:

The treadmill is a popular piece of gym equipment because it replicates the action of running. Also, it can replicate, by changing its angle, the gradient, so it recreates the exertion required to run up a mountainside. Apart from being a cardio workout machine, the treadmill will also help you to lose weight. So, perfect for a healthy heart and profile. For more information on running machines, click here.

Rowing:

A rowing machine will provide the same activity as if rowing in a boat down the river. It is an exercise that will increase both stamina and fitness. Rowing machines can benefit a range of muscle groups, keeping them well balanced and strong. Regular rowing will also strengthen the shoulders, back muscles, and the arms. In addition, rowing will be good for your hamstrings and glutes. It is a muscle strengthening activity as much as it will tone core muscles.

As a very physical activity, rowing is also good for pumping the blood around the body and, therefore, promoting a healthy heart. Exercise is only of benefit when it involves much exertion and rowing can certainly be said to achieve that. Another great thing about rowing machines is that they are compact and can easily fit in your home. If you are not interested in buying a machine outright, you can search for “concept2 rower hire” to rent one. This will help you get the hang of rowing and decide if you want to fully invest in a machine for yourself.

Dumbbells:

Lifting weights can be the same as doing a physical job that involves carrying heavy weights. Repetitions of the same activity, that is lifting the dumbbells, will strengthen and tone the muscles in the arms. The advantage of dumbbells is that you can have different weights and build up from light to heavy. In fact, this is recommended. Another benefit of dumbbells is that they are more portable than other pieces of gym equipment and would not take up so much room in your house.

In summary, there are three types of gym equipment that can keep our body functioning to its peak and help with muscle development and strengthening. In addition, there are health supplements that can be taken to aid these activities and muscle development. For instance, boron will develop and strengthen the muscles that we need for these activities in the first place, and then assist our body in carrying them out, while something like this Gummy for immunities will ensure your body and health are resilient in the face of infections and sickness, as well as ready to take on whatever you throw at it. Sports nutrition is a growing industry and anyone from any walk of life can obtain products to help with fitness and improve their body’s performance and health. 

Featured Image By: Maksim Romashkin from Pexels

Creating An Opulent And Impressive Bathroom Space

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Creating An Opulent And Impressive Bathroom Space

When designing the ultimate in luxurious bathrooms you can’t go far wrong in following the template of a five-star hotel bathroom. The elegant and extravagant style that is found in the best hotels anywhere in the world is the pinnacle of luxury. Design really is the key to an opulent bathroom and doing it well takes time, a great eye for detail and, of course, a generous budget Do not be tempted to cut corners where costs are concerned on any of those little details that will make your bathroom a true showpiece:

Don’t cut corners with plumbing:

The first thing you need to do is find a good plumber; someone you can rely on for everything from increasing water pressure to backflow inspection and repair. No matter what you do, your bathroom won’t be luxurious if your plumbing lets you down. In fact, it would just be disastrous!

Style:

One thing to consider is the look you are hoping to achieve, be it a sleek modern luxury or an ornate rather opulent bathroom with extravagant fixtures and fittings that are, perhaps, just a little over the top without looking cheap. Once you have a style in mind, the color scheme, bathroom suite, and all of the fixtures including light fitting can be sourced to fit in with the style. Before you hire a Bathroom remodeler in Ogden, UT or your local area, make a plan of what your remodel will require. Then, you and the professional can put your heads together to bring it to life.

Clutter:

Consider your clutter when designing your bathroom, as clutter is not a feature that sits well in an opulent bathroom. Sleek lines and well thought out storage solutions should definitely be a big feature in any opulent bathroom. Keep personal items on display to a minimum and, instead, rely on cleverly designed cupboards or even a vanity unit to keep them out of sight. 

Fixtures:

Say goodbye to simple framed mirrors and glass-covered ceiling lights. Opulence is all about adding that touch of extra to the room. Make sure that your fixtures make a statement in their own right like the mirrored medicine cabinets linked here and consider using several light sources within the room to create a variety of light depending on your mood. Remember, lighting and mirrors can really help give the illusion of space in a smaller bathroom. If you have difficulty imagining new fixtures or are lacking inspiration, it could be a good idea to visit a few different bathroom showrooms. Seeing fixtures and designs in real life could be just what you need to make your project a success.

When it comes to your fitting, look for taps and shower fixtures that are a unique shape or style to set your bathroom apart. Freestanding furniture such as vanity units and even a freestanding bathtub can also add to the luxury design of your bathroom, as can frameless shower units.

Tiles:

Special attention and consideration should be given to the choice of floor tiles or tiles for your wall. It is important that the theme of your room continues over every surface in order to achieve the bathroom you desire. Opt for high-quality tiles – a choice that could even add value to your property. The tiles you choose can truly make or break the space so think carefully about your decision. If you need help narrowing things down, check out this guide on selecting tile color. This will come in handy if you are having a difficult time with this important step.

Create a bathroom fit for royalty, which will not only increase your property value but decrease any stress as you sink into your freestanding tub after a long day!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Four Steps To Add Value To Your Home

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Four Steps To Add Value To Your Home

If you might be moving in the future, try to think about some of the best ways of being able to improve the value of your home and add appeal to it. When you’re looking to sell for a high price, it is important to think about the changes you can make that will allow you to be successful with this. Make sure you do as much as possible to present and provide a home that will be appealing to owners and add value to any sales price.

Work out what you can do to take things to the next level in your home to blow potential buyers away. Here are some of the most essential things that play a part in this and there is no better time than the present to get started!

Extend:

Extending your home is one of the best ways to add value to the home. Whether this be a sun room in the back of your home, building a second or third floor, or simply adding some additional bathrooms, your property value is sure to go up with these fixes because you will have more home to sell!

Sort the Garden Out:

Improving on the landscaping in your back and front yard are also surefire ways to add more value to your home. You can do so much to sort the garden out and add value, like hiring a tree company to remove the trees with problematic branches in your back garden, installing a koi pond, or – if you really want to go wild: building a new green house or shed.

Get a New Boiler:

There are a lot of changes that will help you when it comes to improving your home’s value, and one of the key things you can do to achieve this is to install a new boiler. There are a lot of factors that you should think about here, and a new boiler can make all of the difference to helping you improve the functionality of the home, as well as being able to boost the value as well in the process. Don’t forget to get all of your appliances repaired before you put your house on the market, too.

Fix your roof:

A visibly damaged roof can greatly harm the value of your home. Hiring roofing services to repair your roof could be a worthwhile investment. It’s possible that you may only need to replace a few tiles, however in cases of major damage, a roof replacement could be recommended. This will cost a lot more, but is usually worth the extra value that it adds to a home.

From extending your home to tending to the landscaping, there are ample ways for you to add more value to your property. For an even bigger boost to your curb appeal, give your home a fresh coat of paint and use a statement color for your shutters or front door!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Spring Flowers To Brighten Your Day

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Spring Flowers To Brighten Your Day

Hello! Every time I show up at my parents’ house, there is always the most beautiful bouquet of flowers in a vase on the kitchen table. Not only is my dad an extremely skilled gardener but he also can prepare arrangements of flowers like nobody’s business. Whenever I go to chez parents, I look forward to what flowers are going to be on the table next and I was delighted by brightly colored and oh so spring tulips the last time I was there. Check it out:

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Even though we’re barely into February and still have quite a bit of winter to go, it feels so good to think about spring and all of the exciting things that come with it. Warmer weather means flowers, light jackets, and the opportunity to meet with friends outside. It feels so far away but, I swear, seeing these sunburst tulips made me feel like spring was just around the corner – despite the fact that there was a lot of snow on the ground!

My dad has been bringing home beautiful flowers for everyone to enjoy (especially my mom!) for as long as I can remember. The tulips have easily been my favorite arrangement in a while, as I’m partial to his summer flower bouquets, and I just had to share them with all of you. And, just maybe it will help to put a spring in your step on this cold winter’s day. ❤

What is your favorite flower? What makes you think of spring? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Buyer’s Guide When Purchasing Plastic Access Panels

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Buyer’s Guide When Purchasing Plastic Access Panels

Access panels are used in an assortment of projects. They typically have the function of providing people with access to services for maintenance purposes, such as valves, fuses, and switches. Regardless of why you need this item, there is a lot to take into account to ensure you purchase the right plastic access panels for your needs specifically. Keeping that in mind, read on to discover everything you need to consider:

Wall or Ceiling: 

There is only one place to begin and this is by deciding where the access panel is going to be used. This will decipher whether you are going to purchase a wall or ceiling access panel. For example, if you’re looking for plastic panels for your electric fuse box, this will determine what you’re going to need from your access panels. Needless to say, the local electrician will be the best person to turn to for advice on things like this.

Size:

Size is, undoubtedly, a pivotal factor. You need to meet the right balance, because if you go for an access panel that is too small, you might not even benefit from its easy access. However, you don’t want to go for something too big that is going to take over the entire ceiling or wall. From 300 x 300 mm to 550 mm x 1200 mm to bespoke sizes, the options are endless.

Frames:

You also have a choice of different frames. Generally speaking you can choose between a plaster frame, a picture frame, and a beaded frame. A plaster frame is used when access panels are going to be installed into walls to be plastered. A picture from is used where supporting construction is already built. It is worth noting that you will be able to see the frame once it has been installed. Finally, a beaded frame is used in a new-build where the board is skim finished or taped and jointed.

Fire Rating: 

There are various performance benefits you are able to get from your plastic access panels and one of these is in regards to fire. Whilst a lot of access panels are not fire rated you can get those that are one hour or two hour fire rated.

Lock:

On a final note, you should also take the locking system into mind. If you need to benefit from high levels of security this is particularly important, with a lot of people going for a three-point locking system in this instance. Alternatively, you can select an access panel that is tamper proof or has a touch catch system. Budget access panels typically have a very low level of security. You can, of course, have a bespoke system created if you so wish.

There is a lot to consider when buying plastic access panels for your home. Keep the factors above in mind to find the ideal solution for your needs.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Giving Your Kitchen A Mini Makeover

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Giving Your Kitchen A Mini Makeover

If you had success during your Mini Living Room Makeover, then now might be the time to start turning your attention over to the kitchen. In my opinion, a house is only as great as its kitchen and not only will improving on it increase its functionality but it is also a surefire way to increase your home’s property value, too. Today, we are going to explore some ideas to help start your own mini makeover for your kitchen:

Tend To Maintenance:

The most important thing to do in your kitchen is to first make sure that all of your appliances are working properly. Maintenance like stove repair or a garbage disposal making questionable noises should be tended to immediately as more damage will be caused the longer you hold off. Despite appliance repairs not making a visual difference, they will sure improve your kitchen’s functionality and that’s just as good, if not better.

Add A Backsplash:

Adding a tile backsplash behind your stove or dishwasher is an amazing way to transform your kitchen relatively cheaply and easily. It also gives you the opportunity to have some fun as you decide on how you want your backsplash to look. You could opt for timeless kitchen design trends like sleek monochrome or bright marble. Or, you could go crazy with colors to checkered, paisley, or even glitter! You are sure to find a tile that will suit the mood you are going for in your kitchen.

If the backsplash you love doesn’t go with your current color scheme, fear not! That is nothing a new coat of paint won’t fix and you can space out these projects for as long as you need.

Storage:

If you proudly have had your ingredients like flour, sugar, and salt displayed in the same jars for years on your countertops, then it might be time to change things up! There are countless cute and functional storage tins and containers to house your most used ingredients in. You could even incorporate some shelving onto your kitchen walls to place them on to help free up counter space.

Storage accessories as well as dish towels, place mats, and dishes are all perfect opportunities to add bright pops of color or patterns into your kitchen. It is also one of the cheaper ways to makeover the space.

Improve The Lighting:

Having good lighting in a kitchen is crucial as you read new recipes, chop veggies, and measure ingredients. Not to mention entertain your guests and family! One of the best ways to improve the lighting in your kitchen if your current situation isn’t up to snuff is to add a few hanging light fixtures in the problem area. They will instantly illuminate your work space, island, or dining area and turn your kitchen into an even brighter space in the house.

The kitchen is the heart of the home and we all want ours to look its best. Follow the mini ideas above to start making big improvements!

Simple Upgrades To Make Life Easier

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Simple Upgrades To Make Life Easier

With all of the additional stress that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought, I think we all deserve to treat ourselves to a few upgrades that will help make life a little easier. Our minds have been filled constantly this past year with concern for the health of our loved ones and any additional space we have left is spent worrying about work, bills, and how to keep our mental health in check. Give your brain a break by adding some of these simple and super handy upgrades into your life:

Remote Car Starter:

A remote car starter is an amazing tool to have, especially in the winter. I always find myself wishing that I had one, as it snows a lot where I live and nothing sounds more luxurious to me than getting my car to defrost automatically while I wait inside. A remote car starter will save you a lot of extra time in the morning since you can warm up your car as you finish getting ready for work. It will also save you from the frustration of having to slip slide around your car to brush your windows off. I hate that!

Air Fryer:

I know I’m about to sound like Every. Single. Adult who has an air fryer when I say this… But the air fryer is the best kitchen appliance ever. I am blown away by how good my food turns out whenever I use it and it is a much healthier option than greasy fried food. Air fryers are not only convenient in size but also really nice for when you’re feeling ravenous because you don’t have to wait for them to preheat.

Contact Free Shopping:

Did you know that certain grocery stores have employees that will gather the items on your shopping list for you, bag it, and either deliver it or put it all away in your car? As we are still in the midst of a pandemic, any way to cut out unnecessary contact is a good thing and is an immediate upgrade that you can make next time you need to restock your pantry.

It has also been said that people feel less likely to impulse buy when they shop for their groceries online, which can help save you money. Talk about a win/win!

Cleaning Appliances:

Endless time at home means an endless cycle of things to clean – That’s sure what it feels like, anyways. If you are constantly cleaning up at your place, you deserve to make the job easier with the right tools. Purchase a Swiffer WetJet instead of having to break out the mop and bucket. Or how about a Dust Buster for those hard to reach corners and spaces? There are also spot carpet cleaners which are great for if you have a new pet that you are house training. Cleaning is hard work and it is well worth it if you can make it any easier on yourself.

Upgrades don’t need to break your bank, despite the word sounding expensive. Simple upgrades, like the ones above, are budget friendly ways to make some improvements.