Aug23

Improving Your Home The Right Way

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Improving Your Home The Right Way

Building is one of the most commonly sought-after trades, and builders can specialize in several types of residential projects. From conversions to minor refurbishment works, some do it all, yet it is important to ensure that the builders you employ are adequately skilled and experienced.

Finding a reliable builder who is committed to delivering exceptional customer service is absolutely essential to running a successful project without any problems. From kitchens to bathrooms and garage conversions to loft conversions, there are certainly plenty of projects to keep builders busy throughout the year. Like the following:

People Prefer To Improve Their Current Home:

House price rises mean that people are now having to stay in the property where they currently live and to extend either into the garage or up into the loft area. This is often seen as a much cheaper way of adding extra space to the property than moving house. The kitchen and bathroom are also popular room refurbishments, particularly if you have bought a house which is in need of some maintenance. Perhaps you are a buy-to-let investor and need a trusted builder to carry out refurbishment work for you – you need a good quality builder who you can count on. All building work takes skill and many years to master properly through training and experience. You should always make sure that your builder has the right level of knowledge and expertise to carry out your projects.

Making improvements piece by piece is an amazing way to keeping your house looking fresh and updated. From adding a patio space to upgrading to Solicon® Conservatory Roofs, these renovations provide a boost in curb appeal and property value.

Finding Quality Builders:

Securing the services of quality builders can be difficult if you don’t take the necessary steps to find the most suitable one. Whatever work you need, from an extension through to a full renovation project, you must ensure that your property and the project will be in safe hands. Finding a good builder will also reassure you that they will be using the right quality materials for the work they are undertaking. Before you start searching for builders, friends and family are always a good port of call, to see if they can recommend any reputable builders they have used previously. If you can’t find suitable recommendations in person, simply enter a search for “construction company in Fort Worth, TX” (or your local area) to see what companies people in your community would recommend. It is so important to find someone trustworthy and highly skilled. You may need to bring some other professionals into the mix as well, such as a plumber, so follow the same careful process and ensure they are happy to work within your existing schedule.

If you are ever unsure of anything, it’s always best to leave it to the professionals. If you’re considering a new roof and need a Conservatory Roof Conversions Company, Projects4Roofing is an excellent way to go!

Refurbishment Projects and Bathroom Fitters:

Plumbing is a job that should always be left to the pros and it will only benefit you to do your research beforehand. Ask for recommendations from friends and family and verify what they say through the company’s online reviews. Simply enter a search for “plumber Sydney” or your local area to reference check. Once you have found a plumber for all of your pipework, you need to fit your bathroom. Within any type of bathroom refurbishment, there is certainly a lot to think about and fitting fixtures is perhaps the last thing on your mind. However, choosing decent bathroom fitters is important as they will understand how each unit fits together and will ensure that your new bathroom is installed with few or no problems. They use their knowledge and expertise to professionally install new showers, toilet facilities, baths, and sinks as well as completing tiling and decorating work. It is always recommended that you use a qualified and experienced fitter.

Efficient Building:

Once you have chosen suitable builders like the team at Element Construction Group Ltd or a similar company in your local area, it pays to carry out several steps to ensure that both parties are safeguarded. It is always recommended that you draw up some form of a written contract so you understand what work will be carried out and the builder knows what is expected of them. A contract provided by builders should detail the work to be completed, when it will begin, how long it will last, how much it will cost, and when payment is required. During the build, make sure that all furniture and household items are tidied away and the builder has enough space to work.

Use the tips above and improve on your home in the best way possible!

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Aug23

Making Time For Me

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Making Time For Me

Hello! Ever since I began my self employment journey five years and change back, I have been dedicated to running both of my businesses the best that I can. Of course, it is exhausting but it is also so rewarding that it makes putting one foot in front of the other each day that little bit easier. The only bad thing about self employment? No paid time off. -_-

I have always had a hard time taking days off because needing “me time” during the week means I won’t be getting paid! However, having a boyfriend who gets holidays off has turned my mindset a total one eighty. Believe you me, I love my job but having to go to work on a day that Johnny has off is for the birds.

So, I began to do something different when Johnny and I got more serious. I began being much more lenient with myself about taking a day off. Sleeping in during the weekend rocks but there’s something about sleeping in on a day you should be at work that just hits different.

Since I have become better about taking a day off every once in a while, it has given me something to look forward to. Johnny and I now coordinate our time off as best as we can and I cannot wait for Labor Day Monday so I can have a three day weekend with my MAN. It’s a bit of a way off, yes. But can you blame a girl for being excited about the little things during the coronavirus pandemic?!

Making more time for me has turned me into a much more relaxed individual because I’m literally giving myself permission to chill out. That really has never happened before since I began being my own boss. A day off with my boyfriend is always what the doctor ordered, though, so bring on Labor Day! 😀

What are you looking forward to? How do you make time for yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug22

A Change Of Scenery

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A Change Of Scenery

Hello! As you all know from yesterday’s post, Johnny and I went on our first date this past weekend since the beginning of all of this COVID business. It was insanely refreshing, to say the least, and we are both eager to get out and about a bit more under circumstances that we are comfortable with. We really did have the best time and the only thing that was different was that we were sitting outside with our drinks instead of in the bar – and social distanced from our friends, of course.

Although our excursion was edited slightly to fit the current times, it just felt good to get out of the house! If you are itching for a change of scenery, why not try the following:

Picnics:

In Ohio, downtown Kent has a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) where you can enjoy food and drinks on spread apart picnic benches. This is how Johnny spent our date night out and we loved it! It was so nice to be in a downtown area and seeing so many people who we’ve been missing since March.

If your neck of the woods doesn’t have a DORA program, pick your favorite Metro Park or even set up a blanket in your own backyard. Purchase take out or make your own meal, sit back, and enjoy the sunshine.

Hiking:

How about a trek through the woods to get you in some different scenery? One of my friends has a goal of hiking one hundred miles by October and he is well on his way to achieving it. If you prefer having company, there are plenty of local animal shelters with lots of dogs to walk along with you. Who knows, you might even end up adopting your new best friend!

Dinner Party:

The next time Johnny and I visit another couple who we are friends with in Kent, I plan on preparing dinner for us. Their house is one you can social distance at. Our apartment? Not so much because it’s so small! I’m bringing the ingredients and “borrowing” their kitchen and we will light a bonfire and eat outdoors. Johnny and I used to go on double dates with this couple often pre-COVID and it will be so fun to continue this tradition in a slightly altered way.

Fun & Games:

There are plenty of games that you can play all while being spread out from people. Video games, charades, Dungeons & Dragons, Bingo, and even silly story telling can all be part of a social distanced game night with your close friends or family. You could even have a paint night right from your own backyard! All it takes is a little creativity and I’m sure you can come up with plenty of social distanced activities, too.

Of course, things are not close to being “back to normal” yet. However, the last date night Johnny and I had was the most normal thing we’ve done in a while. Set up your safety plan so everyone feels comfortable and try out a change of scenery for yourself!

How do you safely see your friends in the COVID era? Where do you go when you need a change of scenery? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug21

Going From Renter To Homeowner The Easy Way

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Going From Renter To Homeowner The Easy Way

If you are keen to put down roots but you are used to being a seasoned renter, you might not know where to begin when it comes to home ownership. The thought of buying a piece of real estate, such as one of the new build homes Capstone Homes offers, and taking out the largest loan of your life to afford it can be terrifying but it can also give you the chance to build up equity and have your own little patch of bricks and mortar. Homeownership, whether it be in your local neighborhood or a brand new state is a luxury for many. However, if you have the cash saved up, you no longer want to move from rental pad to rental pad, and you’d rather not throw money at a faceless landlord, you need to read this guide to help you go from renter to homeowner the easy way:

Finances:

The most important part of buying a house is making sure that you have your finances in order. It’s all too easy to go house hunting without sorting out your home loan and property lawyer first. To make life easy for yourself, begin saving your hard-earned cash as soon as you have an inkling that you want to buy. Don’t venture into your overdraft for at least three months prior to putting an offer in on a house and demonstrate to home loan lenders that you are a responsible borrower. This means paying off the full balance of your credit card each month and not being flash with the cash, paying out for big-ticket items like new cars or luxury holidays. Be frugal and you could find more favorable home loan interest rates available to you. Be sure to use every option for help to your advantage like a trusted mortgage broker or an excellent real estate agent. The financial aspect of home ownership can feel complicated and a professional in your corner can simplify this process and help save money too.

Moving:

When you are renting, it can be difficult to get your lease end date and your moving date into your new pad merging together perfectly. While the second-best option would be to collect the keys to your new dwelling prior to your lease ending so you can move your items from one place to another, it doesn’t always work out like that. If you need to move out of your rented home before completing your property purchase, you may need to look into storage units to house your furniture, heirlooms, and items for a short while before you can eventually start setting up house. While timelines can get a little muddled, don’t allow your logistics to get in the way of signing for your home.

As soon as you have a set move in date, enter a search for “beaverton movers” (or a similar company in your local area) to schedule a moving team. Keep in mind that you might have to shop around for a moving company based on their availability. Whichever company you are using should be well reviewed, trustworthy, and efficient to ensure your move goes as smooth as possible.

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Image by cottonbro on Pexels!

Location:

If you know the area that you want to move to, it still always pays to do some research. If you’re looking to outperform the market and you don’t mind having a go at some home renovations, it can pay to buy the worst house on the best street. If you are wanting to buy in a well-established and highly desirable area but don’t have the budget, this can be the ideal way to get your foot on the property ladder. Hold some cash back from your deposit and change up the kitchen, put some more modern decor into your new living spaces, and give your garden an overhaul. Doing this will increase the value of your first home and leave you more equity in your bricks and mortar. This is key if you are looking to move again in the future.

You don’t have to rent forever. Take the plunge and you can evolve from seasoned renter to homeowner!

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Aug21

Super Happy Fun Times

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Super Happy Fun Times

Hi! This past weekend, Johnny and I went on a date for the first time since March. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “A date? You and Johnny barely leave the house!” Believe me, I would be thinking the exact same thing. But, thanks to a little something called DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), Johnny and I were able to enjoy some drinks from our favorite bar in Kent while sitting outside in the park!

We spent two hours eating takeout from Taco Tantos and drinking Moscow Mules from the Zephyr and we did it all completely social distanced. Granted, it was a lot different than back in 2019 when we all had no problem being on the Zephyr’s back patio playing games and hanging out. However, what we did was the next best thing! Some of our Kent friends even stopped by for a chat, which was great because we haven’t really seen anyone since March, either.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem sitting in my living room with Johnny day drinking and watching The Last Kingdom. But, there is absolutely nothing better than getting dressed up and going out with my boyfriend. Sitting on that park bench in Kent laughing and taking selfies was one of the most joyous moments I’ve had in weeks and I am going to treasure it for forever. It brought me back to our first date almost one year ago and it was kind of magical.

The best part? Now that we know that the open container areas in Kent are something that we feel comfortable with, we can go on dates again whenever we want! As soon as Johnny brought our drinks to our bench, the first thing we both said was “this is so nice” and we are already looking forward to our next date very soon! ❤

How do you do social distance hang outs? Does your downtown area have a DORA program? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug20

Face Mask Festivities: Celavi Cucumber Sheet Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Celavi Cucumber Sheet Mask Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the final review from my set of Celavi sheet masks! In mid July, I ordered a pack of twelve sheet masks off of Amazon from the Celavi brand. I received two of the six different kinds which included Charcoal, Honey, Avocado, Pomegranate, Tea Tree, and Cucumber – which we will be discussing today.

As a reminder, the score for the masks I didn’t like is three and I only liked two of them. Will the Cucumber mask be the tie breaker? Let’s find out:

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I decided to use this mask after returning home from my mom and dad’s house over the weekend. It was a hot day and that was exasperated by frolicking about the backyard with my adorable little niece. By the time I got home to my apartment, I was sweating my nads off and just wanted to put on a soothing mask to help cool me down. Cue the Cucumber sheet mask with the soothing and softening properties!

The Cucumber sheet mask was nice for multiple reasons. For starters, this mask fit my face really well so I didn’t have to deal with it slipping and sliding for twenty minutes. It also smelled great – like a freshly cut cucumber and I felt like I was at the spa! And, finally, my skin really did feel much better after using it.

When the twenty minutes of mask time was up, I had gotten my body temperature back to baseline and I was eager to see the results because I had a good feeling about it. Upon removing the mask, I was pleased to see the puffiness on my face from sweating profusely (lol) had disappeared and my skin felt clean and fresh. So soft, too!

This sheet mask is definitely one I would use again, especially on another hot day. It cooled me down completely, I loved the cucumber scent, and the grimy, sticky sensation of a scorching day had dissipated. Soothe and Soften it did and the Cucumber sheet mask was a success.

Unfortunately, this series of Celavi Face Mask Festivities ended in a 3-3 tie. The masks I liked were Charcoal, Pomegranate, and Cucumber and I found them to be quite effective. The masks I disliked were Honey, Avocado, and Tea Tree and they didn’t do squat.

So was the set of Celavi sheet masks I purchased something that I would recommend? I do. Despite not loving half of the masks, I got twelve of them for ten bucks and I think that’s a great deal! It’s nice to have masks at the ready at my apartment and, even though some were more successful than others, it makes for a cheap spa night and who doesn’t love that?!

How do you pamper yourself? How do you do an at home spa treatment? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug19

Audible Awesomeness

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Audible Awesomeness

Howdy! Johnny and I both love reading and we have quite a respectable collection of books between the two of us. To me, there is nothing better than holding a tangible book in my hands and turning the pages myself. I have never been too interested in books for the Kindle or book tapes because I do prefer an actual book. But, that all changed when I was introduced to Audible through a chance encounter with my Facebook ads.

For those of you who don’t know, I am obsessed with the Sandman comics by Neil Gaiman. I have read the series countless times as well as all of the offshoot stories for different characters from Sandman. I have several tattoos from Sandman and when I feel like splurging, I might just fuck around and buy the (very expensive) omnibuses so I will have my own copy of the saga.

For those of you who don’t know again, there were talks of making a Sandman TV series or movie for years now but it just never got put into production. And, because it is such an epic tale, it would be hard to condense all of it into a season of TV or a two hour movie. I had all but given up on any Sandman content outside of the comics until I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed.

The ad I saw literally made me pump my fist in the air and say “YES!” because it was for a book tape of Sandman that could be listened to on Audible. It’s not just any book tape though because it features an all star cast with James McAvoy, Kat Dennings, Andy Serkis, and Neil Gaiman, himself, as the narrator. I needed it.

Because Johnny has Amazon Prime, we got a month subscription to Audible FO FREE as well as two free book tapes. Johnny picked a history one out for himself and I, of course, opted for Sandman. I began listening to it as soon as we finished completing the info for our trial order and I honestly could have cried. It was that good.

For the past over half a decade now, the amazing and fantastical characters of Sandman have kept me company. However, all of their voices just sounded like me saying the lines in my head as I read them. Lol, to actually hear the character’s voices while I pictured the comic book pages in my head was nothing short of incredible for me. I got to hear the character’s in a way that their creator, Neil Gaiman, saw fit and that’s the coolest part. And hearing Neil Gaiman narrate is own story the way he wanted it to be told was the cherry on top.

The Sandman audible tape covers the first three collections in an almost eleven hour recording. I am not quite done with it yet, however, I am already chomping at the bit for the next installment which I hope will be a thing. Fingers and toes crossed!

Johnny and I worked out a perfect schedule for both of us to enjoy our own hobbies. As soon as we both get home from work, he settles in to play Borderlands and I curl up on the couch to listen to my tape. For about an hour and a half or two, we hang out while we do our own thing and then we have dinner and watch our shows for the rest of the evening. And, I’ve got to say, it suits us just fine and I can’t wait to conclude the epic audio tale soon. 🙂

Do you prefer an actual book to a Kindle copy or book tape? What are you currently reading? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug18

Lil Red And The Rogue Cheerio

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Lil Red And The Rogue Cheerio

Hello! My boyfriend, Johnny, is basically the cutest and he is always doing little things around the apartment that make me think about him when I notice it. For example, he likes to change the position of my wooden artist’s body model and whenever I see which way the legs or arms are stretched out this time around it never ceases to make me smile.

Recently, Johnny has taken up eating Honey Nut Cheerios to lower his cholesterol ever since his friend came back from the doctor’s with a report of his cholesterol running high. It’s a little bit funny but more power to him for making a positive change!

Before he even began telling me about his new breakfast routine of having a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios in the morning I definitely knew. How? He is always leaving a rogue Cheerio behind:

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While Johnny makes his breakfast, he is definitely tired enough to not notice if an escape artist Cheerio ends up on our kitchen counter instead of in his bowl or the bag. So, when I am prepping all of my own stuff in the morning, I am greeted by the Cheerio that got away sitting all alone on the countertop.

When I asked Johnny if he ever notices the rogue Cheerio in the mornings, he replied with: “No, but it’s so you know I’m eating my breakfast”. And, now that he knows I notice it, I think he leaves a Honey Nut Cheerio behind anyways just to make me smile. It seriously always does and I do feel a bit better knowing that he ate before going to work!

The rogue Cheerio may seem like a silly story but I think it’s sweet and something so small can make a huge impact on your day. Normally, waking up for work is a drag but seeing that piece of cereal in the morning just tickles me. Instead of thinking about all of the crap I have to do for the day, I am usually thinking about how happy I am and all of the amazing times Johnny and I have had in our almost year of dating.

Moral of the story? The Rogue Cheerio makes for a very happy Lil Red and a boyfriend who is lowering his cholesterol one bowl of Honey Nut at a time, lol! 🙂

What is something little that makes you smile? What is your favorite kind of cereal? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug17

Looking Your Best Out Of Lock Down

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Looking Your Best Out Of Lock Down

The world is slowly returning a little more to normal after the global Coronavirus pandemic, we’re all looking forward to getting a more social again, safely. Whether it’s catching up with friends and family, going on socially distanced dates, or being able to meet colleagues in person again, we all have to readjust to doing things face to face. So it’s little wonder the question of how to look and feel good is at the top of our minds. How about starting with these tips?

Sort Out Your Smile:

Non-verbal communication and facial expressions are hugely important in how others feel about us. Just simple things like smiling more can change the way people perceive you. If you don’t feel confident about your smile, it’s easy to fix these days. Home teeth whitening kits are easier and safer than ever or you could try adding a charcoal toothpaste to your routine for a more natural boost. If you need a bigger change, cosmetic dentistry has some answers, such as invisalign braces to straighten out crooked or gapped teeth. Being able to smile with confidence can make a huge difference to the success of that job interview or date.

Add A Pop Of Blush:

We’re all a tad pasty from staying inside so much, so one easy trick to define your face more is adding a little extra touch of blush to your makeup. Cream or gel blush formulas tend to be the best – they blend out easier, give a fresh look, and it’s harder to be too heavy-handed with them. The vibrant color can be easily applied just by using your fingertips or a dense, fluffy synthetic brush. Hello rosy and defined cheeks! You’ll be glowing.

Fill In Those Brows:

Another important step for the ‘architecture’ of your face is well-groomed, neatly defined eyebrows. These frame your eyes, which are so important for expressing yourself, especially if you are wearing a face mask. Done correctly, a brow makeover can even make the rest of your face appear lifted and refreshed. Quickly brush them upwards with a spoolie or an old, cleaned up mascara wand, and then gently stroke through a brow pencil or a powder eyeshadow which matches the shade of your brows. If you’re blonde, consider a light taupe a shade or two darker, and if you have really dark hair, a shade or two lighter with a chocolate brown often looks softer.

Get The Lighting Right:

Hollywood actresses and Instagram influencers alike know that lighting is everything! So when getting back to socializing in person, you can feel confident by flattering yourself with the right illumination. Position yourself to be facing a window and you won’t get any harsh shadows that show up under eye bags and fine lines. Position a lamp or other light source to the other side for truly flawless results!

Everyone has their own quick fixes for looking their best and hopefully these will have you feeling it as you step back into this great big world. 🙂

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Aug17

Fun Family Fiesta

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Fun Family Fiesta

Hello! Sometimes my schedule can change at the drop of a hat. Clients might cancel and I am left with a huge chunk of free time. For example, a few Wednesdays ago I only had to work with my morning client and not my afternoon one so I decided to go to my mom and dad’s place afterwards. Johnny would be at work and then band practice and I didn’t particularly want to spend all evening playing Animal Crossing… Again!

After I was done at work, I headed to chez parents. During the drive over, I gave my sister a call and she happened to be free too, which meant her and her daughter could join all of us for some family fun and a Taco Bell dinner party, as per my request. We spent time outside in my dad’s gardens but, mostly, we all just hung around and enjoyed each other’s company.

It is always such a treat when several members of my family can get together at one time and I know everyone had just as great of a time as I did. Since COVID, I still see my friends through Skype and social distance hang outs but that doesn’t happen often. However, I see my family numerous times throughout the week and that definitely helps. Even the shortest visits lift my spirits and, afterwards, I never fail to have an extra pep in my step.

A family Taco Bell night seems like such a simple pleasure but I am still looking back at it fondly a few weeks later. It was just so fun and the impromptu Hump Day dinner party kept me in a happy place as I finished up my work week. While going out frequently is not an option for me with such high risk clients, I have learned how to still have a good time with nights in. And you know what? Those nights in are awesome!

If these crazy times have you in a slump, you might need some quality family time to get yourself back in gear. Schedule a take out dinner “party” of your own and enjoy!

What is your favorite restaurant? How often do you get take out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah