Tag Archives: anything and everything

Apr18

College Kid Essentials

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College Kid Essentials

Whether you are packing up your cases for your first semester or your last one, there are some things that you just can’t do without when you head off to college. Some of these are practical, some are fun, and some are downright luxurious, but all are simply essential. Read on to find out what they are and then get back to studying:

A Decent Bag: One of the major rules of college is that you will spend half of your time lugging your laptop and a boat load of big thick textbooks around with you. That is why you need a bag like a sturdy backpack for heavy books and all of your lecture notes. If you think that you are going to be able to work it out Legally Blonde style with a trendy backpack, then you are just setting yourself up for a world of pain. I’m not saying don’t take a cute handbag or two (or ten), because you can always use them on your nights out. Just make sure that you have something a bit more sensible for the day time when you’re hauling all of your homework.

Shower Shoes: Okay, things are going to get a little gross here, but that’s what a dormitory bathroom is! Sharing bathrooms and showers is a hazard in college that most people cannot avoid. Yes, dodging dirty underwear left in there by mistake just might happen. But you just don’t know who has walked on the floor in their bare feet. That is why it is a genius idea to take some thongs with you to wear in the bathroom! Not today, athlete’s foot. Not today.

A Frying Pan: Did you know that you can pretty much cook all meals in a frying pan? Get one deep enough like a wok, and you can boil vegetables and make sauces in it, too. In fact, it’s the most useful piece of kitchen equipment that you should have apart from a tin opener and corkscrew! So make sure to pack yours when you head back for the first day of term.

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Your Laptop: Obviously, the only time that you hand write anything at college these days is in exams, the rest of the time you will want to be taking notes and writing up your essays on your computer. For security and portability reasons it’s best to invest in a laptop. Then, you can take it home during the holidays as well as along to lectures. It really is the college essential that you can’t do without.

Pictures From Home: Obviously, you’ll have pics of your family on your phone and computer. But, it is always nice to have paper copies, as well. Get some prints of your favorite images done, so when homesickness hits, you can glance over and remember that you’ll be back with them soon. You can display them in a frame or with mini pegs on a string for a cute boho look.

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^^^ Kind of like this!

A Scented Candle: Lastly, just because you are a student does not mean that you can’t have a little luxury in your life. Why not treat yourself to a nice scented candle. Not only will this relax you when you have a test or a deadline to study for, but it will also stop you from having to smell the scents of everyone else’s cooking in your accommodation. Which can be a total godsend!

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And don’t forget coffee or tea for binge studying sessions!

Apr13

4 Products That Are All You Need To Clean Your Home

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4 Products That Are All You Need To Clean Your Home

Walk down any grocery store aisle designated for cleaning products and you will see an array so vast it’s impossible to know where to begin as try to tackle your spring cleaning. Do you want to degrease? Descale? De…whatevertheotheroneis? It just goes on and on; every single product promising to make your home better. Shinier. Sparklier.

The idea that you can skip this entire aisle and reduce your cleaning products and tools into four items might sound outlandish. How can it be possible to clean an entire house with just four products? If that’s the case, then why do all the other ones exist? The main reason is because the four you need can’t be trademarked. They can’t be profited from. So there’s pretty much no reason for companies to produce them and market them as aggressively as they do their own concoctions; not when you could buy generic versions of the big four for a fraction of the price.

Oh – did that not get mentioned? Yes, these products are nice and cheap – so it’s probably time to tell you what they are:

Star of Every Show: Bicarbonate of Soda (AKA Baking Powder)

Bicarb is the Holy Grail of cleaning products. It can be used for so many purposes that you’ll find yourself panicking when you don’t have a scoop of it on hand and are faced with a room that needs cleaning.

Its uses include (but are definitely not limited to):

  • Removing grease and food stains from pans, ovens, whatever – it’s incredibly abrasive, though, so use with caution.
  • Surface cleaning, when dissolved in water and used as a solution.
  • Deodorizing. Sprinkle some bicarb onto fabric, carpet, or upholstery, leave it for a few hours and then vacuum away – the bicarb will take the bad smell with it.

Acid Speaking: White Vinegar

White vinegar doesn’t taste great so it’s unlikely that you’ll find it in your cupboard, but it’s worth investing in as a cleaning product alone. Check out its uses:

  • White vinegar cleans glass and mirrors better than any other product known to man. Ever.
  • It’s also antibacterial in nature, so use it in the kitchen for both shine and efficacy.

Clothed Wonder: Microfiber Cloths

If the pros at Saltaire House Cleaning and even Martha Stewart speak well of microfiber, you know that you’re onto a winner. Microfiber is a revolutionary cloth fiber structure that traps and whisks away dirt in a way conventional cloths just can’t. The best thing about it is that you don’t need to use a product with it – plain old water will produce the same effects.

Bleach Bliss: Hydrogen Peroxide

While hydrogen peroxide is best known for hair bleaching, it has many uses around the home. The one that it’s best at is bleaching all of those white items in your home that have a tendency to turn gray, such as:

  • Bathroom and kitchen tile grout
  • Tiles
  • Shower curtains covered in soap scum

Use it heavily diluted and always build up the strength as you go, rather than going full throttle out of the gate. You’ll be amazed at how a little of this product goes a long way.

Ready, get set, save money, and spring clean!

Featured Image By: Congerdesign

Apr12

The Ultimate Guide To Appliance Maintenance

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Home appliances can cost a lot of money. If you are on a budget, then it can be a major blow to have to replace or repair one of your frequently used appliances. By taking good care of the appliances that you already have, you can extend their lifespan and avoid having to pay out for new ones. Here are some top tips for keeping your home appliances in good working order for the year:

Refrigerator Maintenance: Almost every home has a refrigerator in it, and you’d be pretty stuck without it, so it is a good idea to keep it well maintained. A good refrigerator can last you up to twenty years if you look after it properly, and you don’t need to do much maintenance on them. The coolant inside the fridge will never need replacing, you just simply need to vacuum the coils on the back of the fridge. A lot of new models these days come with a dust cover to stop anything from getting into the back, so you won’t need to do much maintenance at all.

Be on the lookout for water build up in the tray at the bottom of the fridge, which can cause mold. This can be easily stopped by emptying and cleaning out the tray once in awhile. If your fridge does end up breaking, it is cheaper to get it repaired than to buy a new one. Click here to find repair services in your area. But, if you do end up getting a new fridge, then you need to make sure that you properly prepare it before using it. It needs to be left for twenty four hours before being switched on otherwise the coolant will not settle properly.

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HVAC Maintenance: It is so important to get your HCAC system checked out by a professional twice a year. Once before the weather begins to heat up as well as when winter is on the horizon. They will be able to give you the all clear or fix any issues that are malfunctioning. HVAC systems that are not working properly can bring your family at risk should a gas leak occur. You can learn more about what to do in this situation so you can seek help out immediately.

Stove Maintenance: There are many  different types of stoves, and most of them tend to be electric but a lot of people are opting for gas these days. If you want to make your stove last, then you need to give it proper, regular cleaning. Your oven may have a self cleaning option but this will use a lot of electricity and are not always as effective as putting some serious elbow grease into your cleaning. Cleaning it just after using is the best way to maintain your oven.

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Spick and span!

Washing Machine Maintenance: An older washing machine that is not properly looked after can be prone to leaks. This can be very damaging to your home and leave you with an expensive bill. Luckily, Washing Machine Repair services can help to ensure that this doesn’t happen. Most leaks come from the pipe in the back of the machine, so it is best to use a threaded pipe. Avoid over tightening it because this can cause the washer to crack and the washing machine to leak.

Putting too many clothes in at once will also damage the motor in your machine, and putting too much detergent in can cause clogging. Make sure that you measure the correct amount each time to keep your machine running longer. And, if you live in an area with hard water, then it is worth running some vinegar through the machine every so often to stop limescale from building up.

And if you’re taking care of your washing machine, don’t forget your tumble dryer either. It’s a good idea to get a professional to handle your dryer vent cleaning at the same time, and in that way, all your laundry items are in the best condition.

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Cleanliness is godliness!

Apr11

The Countdown To Summer – Look Fab on Your Next Vacation!

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The Countdown To Summer – Look Fab on Your Next Vacation!

A vacation is a chance to get away from it all – a week or two of fun, sunshine, and great food. When it comes to your annual trip, it’s nice to know that you look your best and are feeling as confident as possible. Not only will you look great in your pictures but you won’t be held back by insecurity. Here are a few things that you can do on the run up to your vacation to ensure that you look the best ever this summer:

Figure: Getting your body into shape is a great way to give you confidence. Eating right and exercising will not only sculpt your figure and allow your clothes to fit better, but you’ll feel fitter and healthier too. If your vacation is going to involve a lot of walking, then this is especially good, because you don’t want to be struggling and lagging behind when your fitness isn’t up to scratch. Focus on a clean, balanced diet. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein from lean meat and/or non- meat sources should all give your body everything it needs.

For exercise you could hit the gym or find an activity that you enjoy that requires a lot of movement. Whether it’s running, swimming, a sport, or just working out at home – anything that gets your body moving will tone muscles, burn calories, work your cardiovascular system, and shape your physique so anything goes!

If you find you have stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to diet or exercise, liposuction could be an option. This isn’t a weight loss technique, though, it’s generally performed on people who are already a healthy weight who want to shape their body rather than decrease in mass. There is nothing wrong with considering plastic surgery to improve yourself but you just need to be so careful about who is performing the surgery. Seek recommendations from friends and family and look into several different options after searching “Best Liposuction Surgeon Houston” (or your local area). It can be very helpful to schedule consultations with a few different surgeons so you find the best fit for yourself and your needs.

Teeth: Want a gorgeous set of pearly white teeth to set off your holiday tan? Teeth whitening trays from the dentist take around six weeks or you can have laser teeth whitening in around an hour. Both of these treatments can lift the color of the teeth many shades and have a dramatic effect on the way you look and smile!

Hair: As the saying goes, ‘your hair is the ballgown you never take off’. Shiny, happy hair is the best accessory that you can own. In the weeks and months leading up to your vacation, you could give it some extra TLC. Use deep conditioning masks and oils to replenish and repair dry or damaged hair. Visit a hairdresser to have the split ends removed and have a fresh new color applied. It’s a fantastic way to give you confidence. If there are going to be nights during your trip where you want to dress up and look your best, clip in extensions are also a good option. It might be a little warm to wear them during the day, but they can add instant glamour for an evening outing. They add both length and thickness and look great either straight, curled, or in an updo.

Hair Removal: No one wants to deal with stubble or constant shaving while they’re away. Since holiday clothes and swimwear tends to show a lot of flesh, chances are you want to be as smooth as possible – for as long as possible! Going to the salon for a waxing treatment before you jet off will leave you hair-free for a number of weeks. For a longer lasting alternative, electrolysis and laser hair removal are effective.

Shellac Nails: Unlike regular nail polish, Shellac lasts for around two weeks. Meaning you get a chip-free manicure without the hassle of having to repaint your nails while you’re away. Most salons offer this and it’s cheaper than gel or acrylic nails.

Ready, get set, get pampered, and enjoy your vaca!

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Apr10

Things To Fix Ahead of Summer

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Things To Fix Ahead of Summer

Summer is such an amazing season. The weather gets warmer, people get happier, things are generally a lot more relaxing and laid back. There’s not a lot to grumble about – unless you haven’t made the preparations to enjoy this time of the year as much as you could have done. The more dormant months that make up winter into spring are the ones that need to be utilized in order to get everything ready and raring to go to make this year a summer to remember!

In The Garden: There’s a lot in the back yard that we put to good use in the summer months. Things like barbecues, furniture, and the garden in general all need a good seeing to before the warmer weather hits. Ideally, barbecues should be stored inside a place like a shed or garden room in order to prevent rusting or at the least have a cover on them to protect them from the colder weather that the winter months throws at them.

If you haven’t done this, now is the time to get out the wire brushes and go to town on cleaning it down and making it safe for further use. Furniture, especially if wooden, needs to have a lick of weatherproof paint to keep it in excellent condition for the next couple of months. While plants and grass tend to get out of control once the sun starts to beat down on them, there is a time when they are dormant and more manageable. Getting on top of the garden before the garden gets on top of you is definitely the way to go!

Now is also a great time to start planning and budgeting for any projects you would like to complete in your garden. Perhaps you would like to improve your landscaping or even install a bocce ball court. You could also start researching a fixture like garden rooms. They can be transformed into an area for entertainment, a home gym, or simply having a dry place to watch the rain and snow fall.

In The House: We all know that summer, in the majority of cases, means warmer weather. This means that we need to make plans for getting ourselves cooler and back to a normal body temperature again. It is so easy to overheat without realizing it, and the chances of dehydrating yourself are greater during this period of the year. If you know that your air conditioning was giving up the ghost at the end of last year, consider getting an ac repair service done to get it back to good working order. Ensure that everything that keeps things cool is working, like your fridge and freezer. The last thing you want is for either of these things to fail in weather that the food is more likely to turn bad in. And it would be a shame for all of those delicious popsicles to melt into a sticky juice!

In The Car: Unsurprisingly, most car failures happen in extreme weathers of either hot or cold. Making sure that you are carrying a spare bottle of water around with you, should your car start to overheat, can be a lifesaver if you’re stuck out on the road without a service station nearby. Make sure that you pack extra snacks and water for yourself, too, just in case the worst happens. The last thing that you want is to be stranded with your tummy rumbling – especially in the heat! #myworstnightmare

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Apr7

Are You Looking After Your Skin The Way You Should?

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Are You Looking After Your Skin The Way You Should?

As the largest organ in the body, our skin’s health is something that we should always take seriously. When we look after our skin, not only do we avoid a range of diseases and disorders but it also looks more beautiful, too- which is not a bad thing! Nice skin can improve confidence and self-esteem and is something that will always be considered an attractive asset. Are you looking after your skin the way that you should? Here are some things to bear in mind:

Cut Back On (Or Quit!) Your Vices:

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs all have a huge impact on the skin. Using these toxic chemicals will make you more prone to age damage, cause the skin to become dehydrated, and even give it a sallow appearance. Not only are these vices horrendous for the body but they’re not good news for the way you look, either. If you’re suffering from addiction, speak to your GP who can advise you on what to do next. If not, cut back on the things that you know are bad for you.

Another habit people have is cooking themselves in the sun in the name of beauty – but that tan will fade. However, the damage it leaves behind won’t! Clinics these days have great treatments to combat the signs of aging, Botox for example from companies like http://kitagawadermatology.com/botox can help to blur fine lines and wrinkles. Botox is a great tool for an instant glow up on your face and it is so important to go to someone reputable for it. This is especially true if you’re going in for a more specialised treatment. It’s now possible for example, to go to a dentist for Botox injections and other oral treatments, but it’s important to be safe. To find a trusted practice, you should search online for a “dentist that does botox near me“ to find a reputable clinic in your area. But of course, keeping your skin youthful for as long as possible is your best bet. So start looking after your skin today, your future self will thank you!

Exfoliate The Right Way:

If you’re regularly exfoliating your skin, that’s great news. It can remove dead skin cells which make the skin look dull and also stimulate the skin to create more collagen. However exfoliating should always be gentle. If your face feels raw, tight, or sore afterwards, you’re either going too hard or using the wrong product. Never use a body exfoliater on your face, the grains are far too large and can cause damage. On the flip side, try to avoid ‘microbeads’, too. While these work well for gently exfoliating the skin, they’re awful for the environment and water companies struggle with removing them from the water. Cleansing brushes are also a good option as they clean deep down into the pores and also remove flakes and dead skin, too. These can be used with your regular facial wash. Again use gentle motions and be very careful not to scrub too hard which will damage and irritate the skin.

Eat The Right Foods:

A well as looking after your skin on the outside, you also need to nourish it from the inside, too. A healthy diet will provide your body with all of the vitamins and minerals that you need to keep your skin at its best. If you lack in anything, it will be quick to show in your skin. Fresh produce, healthy fats (such as avocados and fish), and whole grains will all boost your skin’s health. Hydration is important, too. Eating fruits and veggies with a high water content and drinking plenty of water will all be beneficial for your skin.

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Apr7

What’s Giving You A Headache?

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If you look down a list of the symptoms for pretty much any illness in the world, you’ll see “headache” listed as one of the symptoms. From the mundane through to the catastrophic, it seems that where there’s an illness there’s an associated headache with it. Then there’s the fact that headaches themselves can be idiopathic, occurring for no other reason than you’re a human being with a head – and sometimes, they just hurt because they feel like it. It’s actually considered fairly standard to suffer from a headache every day, especially the muscular, nagging tension headaches that we’re all so familiar with.

However, if you have a headache outside of the “norms”, how do you go about figuring out the cause? Or even if there is a cause? While no means exhaustive, below are some of the reasons why you might be experiencing a persistent and nagging headache. Some are for simple reasons, while others are more of a cause for concern. Have a glance over them and remember to always speak to your doctor if you have headaches that are concerning you. It’s almost certainly nothing to be worried about, so don’t panic, just be proactive about scheduling an appointment.

Dehydration: It seems that a glass of water is the cure for all illnesses these days, but that’s largely because… a glass of water can cure all illnesses. Water is fundamental for a human body that’s made up of 80% water, so if you’re not drinking enough, then it’s a cause for concern. Dehydration is speculated to be a primary cause of all headaches that don’t have an underlying condition. So your first step at the sign of throbbing temples should be to drink a few glasses of water and increase your intake of water-rich vegetables.

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H2O!!

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Carbon monoxide is a stealth killer. The symptoms begin slowly and with no detectable cause, as the gas is odorless and undetectable without special monitoring equipment. If your headache is always at its worst when you’re at home, then it’s worth considering this as a cause. Always make sure that your gas supply is properly maintained by a plumbing service that you trust and ensure that you have carbon monoxide detectors both fitted and working at all times. It’s one to take seriously because carbon monoxide kills around 500 people per year. (Yikes)

Medication/Supplement Side Effects: If you take any medication or supplements on a regular basis and are experiencing headaches, then you should suspect them as the cause. Even the most benign of over-the-counter supplements can cause head pain, while prescribed medications are even more likely to be the culprit. This is especially true if your headaches have only started after beginning a new medication. Talk to your doctor to rule medication in or out. If it’s found to be an issue, there are usually alternatives that you can try to keep your headaches at bay.

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Apr6

Smile With Confidence

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Smile With Confidence

Are you one of those people who feels too shy to smile with an all out toothy grin? Do you try to hide your teeth behind your own lips out of embarrassment for how they look? There’s something particularly heartbreaking about a person who doesn’t feel able to show the most basic of emotions because of self-consciousness about the state of their teeth. But all is not lost – if your teeth makes you shy, give some of these things a go:

Embrace Imperfections: If you think your teeth are too big, too crooked, or your smile is too gummy, it can be really difficult to grin with abandon. But we are our own worst critics – what we see in the mirror is almost a caricature of ourselves, with bright spotlights focused in on the aspects of our image that make us feel self-conscious. What everyone else sees is an overall picture. They don’t focus in on the spot on our chin or the slightly wonky front tooth like we do.

If the imperfection is having a tremendous impact on your self-confidence, it could be worth speaking to an orthodontist about restorative work. Now, you can straighten teeth with Invisalign so you don’t have to worry about a mouthful of metal. Invisalign is offered as a treatment by most orthodontic practices, so simply search something like “tandreglering göteborg” (Orthodontics Gothenburg) to find an orthodontist near you. If it makes you feel better about smiling, then it’s totally worth it.

Go Bright White: Everywhere we seem to look in the media there are women with huge, bright smiles and pearly white teeth, and it can be difficult not to compare ourselves to them. But those smiles are completely available to everyone with the use of veneers or even home teeth whitening kits, depending on how permanent you want the change and how much cash you have to throw at it. Some women swear by just rubbing baking soda on their teeth regularly to remove staining caused by coffee, wine, or smoking.

Floss: There is nothing more reassuring than knowing you have dental floss in your handbag, especially when you’re going out for a meal. Not being sure if everyone can see the food stuck between your teeth is a surefire way to put you off smiling. When you’re feeling self-conscious, nip off to the restrooms and give yourself a quick tooth checkup. The handbag floss is a lifesaver, especially when you have a huge piece of lettuce lodged between your two front teeth!!!

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I definitely need to floss more -___-

If In Doubt, It’s All About The Lippy: Certain colored lipsticks have an amazing ability to either detract from teeth or to make them seem far brighter and whiter. If you choose a lippy with a more blue-based formula, rather than orange reds, they detract from any yellowness in teeth. In a way which seems more like magic, the blue forces the eye to balance the two colors out, whereas orange colors flag them up like a beacon. According to Elle magazine, MAC Ruby-Woo is the ultimate tooth-flattering lip shade. And it’s a beautiful color and consistency to boot. A must buy!

The key to smiling with confidence is realizing that nobody notices your imperfections quite like you do. But there are also ways to diminish things which you deem to be problem areas, like staining or dull teeth. The most important thing to remember is to hold your head up high, and feel fabulous in who you are. A smile is worth a thousand words, after all.

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Mar30

Spring Clean Your Life!

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Spring Clean Your Life!

Spring has well and truly sprung, and there is now no time like the present to get the spring cleaning done. Don’t worry – you don’t have to reach for the mop and bucket just yet. It’s more in the sense of clearing out your wardrobe, makeup, and even your lifestyle to make way for bigger and better things.

Clothes: Quite a few of us are holding on to clothing items that we no longer need – either due to nostalgia, wanting to fit into them at some point in the future, or pure laziness for not clearing them out. It’s a vicious cycle that we often find ourselves in, but you will benefit so much more for having more of a bullet-style wardrobe than having clothes hanging around for the sake of it. They would be much better suited on another person or going to a better cause. Have a look through and sort out your wardrobe. If you have been holding onto something longer than a year without wearing it (taking into consideration season changes, which can affect how often you wear a certain item), you don’t need it cluttering your storage space.

Offer unwanted clothing around to your friends, take them to a charity shop, list them on a site like eBay, or give to a school or community project. There are a whole host of places that will take your clothes from you with no questions asked and no extra strain upon yourself. This shouldn’t leave you short of things to wear, but it’s a good excuse to get shopping for more updated items to line your wardrobe with. There are online clothing boutiques  available for you to get your staples from, and it’s never been easier to order from the internet. It gives you more choice than going into a store and saves on fuel, too.

Hair: This is more about going over the products that you have related to your hair and thinking about whether you need to replace, replenish, or reuse what you’ve already got. Hairbrushes need a thorough clean out of all of the build up of loose hairs that accumulate within them, but this should be done more than yearly for hygiene’s sake. It also provides a great time to rid yourself of any bottles of shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, and all other products which you’ve gotten to the bottom of but still are clinging on to with the hope that you can squeeze one more use out of them. It’s time to throw them away!

On the back of bottles there is usually a time span for the amount of life that they are meant to have once opened (e.g. 12 months, 24 months for the most common examples), but if you’re at the end of the bottle and you’ve been hoarding it for a long time, it only makes sense to throw it away and buy a new one. If your brush is missing bristles, your comb has a few teeth missing, and shower scruffies are reaching their straggly last days, it’s time to replace these, too – for the benefit of your hair and body over anything else.

Makeup: Makeup should regularly be sifted through and sorted out, but a spring clean gives a great opportunity for you to remember to do so. This goes for the things that you use to apply the makeup with, too – brushes should be cleaned with designated shampoo or a mild baby shampoo if you don’t have the proper stuff – it does the same trick. Go through everything thoroughly, and if it’s looking a bit gooey, cakey, doesn’t glide on correctly, or isn’t holding the same pigmentation as it was when you first bought it, it’s time for it to move on to a better life … in the bin. This is more for your health and safety than anything else; there have been a lot of skin conditions which have been attributed to wearing makeup that has gone far past its best-by date.

Friends: You shouldn’t have to wait until the spring to rid yourself of any toxic friends or family members that you may have, but it sure does get you thinking about it. Those who are in your life only to give you a hard time or bring you down aren’t worth keeping – no matter how long they’ve been a part of it. You want to surround yourself with people who don’t necessarily have the same interests as you (as that would be boring and leave little to no time for debate and reasoning), but have the same moral principles as you and the same vision for their life. Seek out the friends who can keep secrets and not use them for gossip, those who are kind, hard-working, and motivated without stepping up and over people to get to their place on the career ladder. Think about what you look for in a friend and hold the people you surround yourself with to those standards.

Your Environment: There are certain things around you in your home which will need a fair bit of TLC and a spruce-up, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be all about keeping it clean. Simply decluttering your bedroom can have a massive effect on how you lead your life and your mood when you first get up in the morning. This can then impact how your day goes. Choosing new bed sheets, picking new ornaments and pictures to be hung, and even moving furniture around your bedroom can be a great take on the spring clean – and a better way to get you feeling focused, motivated, and ready to take on the months that lie ahead. Spacing it out so that your room has more of an open, airy feel is akin to the freshness that this season brings, rather than the cozy and muted winter that we have just come out of.

Isn’t this version of spring cleaning loads better than actual cleaning?!

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Mar24

Creep

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Creep

Okay, let’s all be honest here. We’ve all social media creeped before. Whether it’s on your ex’s new girlfriend or one of your coworkers, social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have given us free range to snoop to our heart’s content. My girlfriends and I have had many a conversation about our in depth creeping sessions and it always provides us with a laugh fest or heart wrenching girl talks about our findings. But what happens when you feel a little too creeped out by someone’s Facebook creeping?

So, on Wednesday my dad and I went to Dairy Queen to get an ice cream cake for my mom’s birthday. The same Dairy Queen that my best friend worked at well over a year ago. It’s not somewhere that I actively frequent except for the handful of times that I’ve stopped in to see her or went with her to pick up her paychecks. And by a handful of times, I mean like three. My dad and I chose the cake that we wanted and probably exchanged a total of twenty words with the employee who was helping us.

Frankly, I was not trying to socialize with anyone because I was totally bumming it that day. Leggings, hoodie, no makeup, and a beanie was my outfit of choice. All I wanted was to get the cake and go and within five minutes we were in and out. BUT, despite my disheveled outer appearance, I could feel the employee looking at me just a little too closely for my liking. Especially since I was basically in my pajamas. Whatever. We left and I didn’t think anything of it until twenty minutes ago.

Today while I was hanging out, I saw that I had a notification from Facebook messenger and it was a message request. Normally, I don’t look through those but I knew the red message circle wouldn’t disappear if I didn’t so I took a peek. And, guess who it was from? None other than the Dairy Queen employee from two days ago with a message reading “I hope you enjoyed the cake. Facebook creeping at its finest.” Ugh. What?

Don’t get me wrong. I am well aware that I am an easily recognizable person. With bright red hair, pasty pale skin, and five nose piercings it’s hard not to be. But really? You’re going to use the five words that I exchanged with you at your place of employment as an excuse to hunt me down on Facebook and shoot me a message? That’s just so unprofessional, inappropriate, and (to be frank) weird in my opinion.

Believe me. I am used to the odd messages, emails, and comments. And I get that I am recognizable enough and somewhat relevant enough on social media to get unwanted attention in my inboxes. But, I don’t know. There was something about this experience that made me feel weird because the person is in such close proximity to me and because our exchange was so incredibly brief.

I’ve never had anyone actively try and find me on social media like that and I didn’t like it. Am I looking too much into this? Probably. But I still have such an initial grimy feeling that I just had to blog it out. I am not trying to put anyone “on blast”, I’m just trying to not feel weird about this! Is it ever appropriate to try and find someone you met while on the job? How would you react to this situation? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

(And, as always, I have no rights to this video, song, or featured image photo!)