Tag Archives: cold

Monday Update: Fall Fun Edition

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Monday Update: Fall Fun Edition

Hello everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. The fall season is officially among us and I, for one, could not be happier. Actually, that’s a lie, I could be happier BECAUSE IT’S BEEN NINETY DEGREES IN OHIO FOR THE PAST WEEK!!!! All of you know by now that I live for the fall and this heat wave is simply unacceptable. So now instead of participating in all of my favorite fall activities listed below, I will simply have to daydream about it until it cools down to autumnal temperatures. Let’s discuss some of my fave fall outings:

  1. Apple Picking: There are TONS of gorgeous orchards in Ohio filled with trees that are spilling over with crisp, fresh apples. I love going to orchards with my family, friends, or on a date and then making something delicious afterwards with the bounty like an apple pie or crisp. So fun and so yum.
  2. Haunted Houses: Ohio also has quite a few haunted houses that I’m always keen on visiting. Being a horror junkie, going to a haunted house during a chilly, pitch black fall night is one of my favorite things to do. I went to the Factory Of Terror last year and would love to go there again and definitely would like to make it to the 7 Floors Of Hell, too!
  3. Fall Cooking: Lil Red loves to cook all of the vegetarian delights, but I especially love making (and eating) fall comfort food. Soups, stews, breads, and huge dishes of mac n’ cheese are just a few of my go to meals. And the fall sweets aren’t so bad, either! Cinnamon rolls, pies, crisps, and cobblers?! Yes, please. Fall food is so hearty, rich, and flavorful, and it makes sitting down for every meal such a joy.
  4. Fall Shopping: This list of fall favorites wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t talk shopping at least a little bit! Can you say boots and peacoats?! I LOVE IT!! I’m pretty well flush for fall clothing, considering it makes up about 75% of my wardrobe but that never seems to stop me from buying all the booties and oversized sweaters. It’s a curse!
  5. Perfect Weather: Although the heat in Ohio is destroying my favored fall weather, I live for the mid 50s and 60s temps that fall usually brings. I love being that slightest bit chilly. The bite that the fall air blows around, which reddens the cheeks and leaves your hands tucked in your pockets is always what I prefer to scorching summers. One of my favorite things to do during a brisk fall day is throwing on a thick sweater and combat boots and exploring one of the many beautiful Metro Parks in Ohio.

Here’s to hoping that the weather in my neck of the woods makes a drastic change so that I can start enjoying some of my fall favorites soon!

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Fall Fun Edition! What are some of your favorite fall activities? What is your favorite season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Recipe

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Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Recipe

Hi everyone and happy Monday! Today’s post for my Falling For Fall guest bloggers series is a delicious Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Recipe by the darling Elle from Make It Blaine. Please be sure to check out her page and give it all the lovin! A huge steaming mug of hot chocolate is a fall favorite for many so let’s get to Elle’s recipe so that you can make some of your own the next time you get the autumn evening chills:

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Recipe

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (or however much you want)
  • 2-3 cinnamon sticks or cinnamon bark
  • whipped cream (optional)

First, pour your milk into a pot to heat on the stove and stir on low heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir in your cocoa powder until it’s completely dissolved. Next, pop in your cinnamon sticks and let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes. Take out the cinnamon sticks and pour into a mug (A cute one, if possible!).

Now it’s time for toppings! I personally like whipped cream with cocoa powder or cinnamon sprinkled on top but you can add whatever you want. I also like to make my own whipped cream by whisking whipping cream because then it doesn’t melt and tastes way better! Adorable mugs in autumnal colors doesn’t hurt and, last but not least, a straw to sip through.

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I hope you enjoyed reading!

-Elle xoxo

Thank you so much to Elle for teaching us her favorite fall hot chocolate recipe! Freaking yummm. What is your favorite fall beverage? What is your favorite fall flavor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bringing The Great Indoors, Outdoors: 4 Steps To Consider

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Bringing The Great Indoors, Outdoors: 4 Steps To Consider

People love to spend time outside, which is why enjoying the Great Outdoors is a modern design trend. Even with the fall and winter months approaching, homeowners want to extend the outdoor season as long as possible. But did you know that you can extend your time outdoors the whole year round? These design tips are ready-made for spending time on the patio. There is nothing better to take the edge off after a stressful day!

Here are the four things to think about if you are a lover of nature and interior design:

Invest In A Comfy Furniture Set: The first port of call is the furniture. Simply put, you can’t relax outside if there is nowhere to chill. However, any old pieces won’t do because they have to be durable enough for the cooler temperatures. With this in mind, think about opting for deep seating with a fabric finish. That way, the furniture will be cozy and comfy, but it will also be sturdy enough to deal with the worsening weather. If you want a modern twist, even contemporary living room furniture is usable outdoors. As long as there is space, a Giotto Marsala fabric chair from Sun Pan is a great alternative. And finally, furniture covers are a must, as well – especially if your area gets a lot of rain or snow.

Transition To Autumn Textures: Throw pillows and blankets have a big role to play in the development because they accessorize and add warmth. Not only is it important to offset the style, but it is vital to add a sense of functionality. To do this, think about using throws which exploit autumn and winter textures. For example, wool or fleece is a far better option than cotton or polyester. Not only is it warmer, but it also blends in with the furniture fabrics, as well as the natural outdoor textures. Also, a floor rug with a thick thread count is another chic option.

Crank Up The Heat: Covering up is always a good way to stay warm when the mercury drops outside. Still, it is not a foolproof plan, and it won’t work all of the time, especially when the weather gets terrible. If you want to spend time in the Great Outdoors, you will need a backup plan such as a space heater. Of course, the heater blasts out hot air, but it also takes up minimal space. And, it is sleek enough to keep in the corner so it will be out of the way of the other features. If you want something different, an outside fire pit is also a really cool alternative.

Let There Be Light: Last but not least, you need to be able to see. If you can’t, there is no reason to be sitting outside in the pitch black. The key to relaxing is taking the edge off, and it isn’t possible when there is zero light. You don’t want to add too much because it will ruin the ambiance, though. This is where fairy lights come into play. Not only are they dim, but they are textured and easy to fit on the gazebo ceiling or wrap around a beam. Not to mention that you can get them in a variety of adorable styles and colors!

For those who want to spend time outside even as the temperature drops, these tips for an indoors inspired outdoors are the way to go!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Sick :(

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Sick :(

Hi everyone and TGIF! Lil Red has come down with a really unfortunate summer cold this past week and, rest assured, I am absolutely miserable. Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me this weekend because I need to get some rest and I also have a lot to catch up on from my sick days. But please tune in for next week’s Monday Update, because I will be announcing the lineup for my Falling For Fall guest bloggers series, which premieres on the 29th!

How do you beat a summer cold? What are some of your home remedies for when you’re feeling unwell? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Real Reasons Why You Sneeze So Much!

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The Real Reasons Why You Sneeze So Much!

Allergies at any time of the year can be frustrating. Having a stuffy or blocked nose gets in the way of enjoying the summer months and it makes people really miserable. Of course, we can take basic medication to solve the problem, like antihistamines, but is it really getting to the root of the problem? It seems that more and more of us are suffering from allergies now, so here are some common causes in the modern world:

A Gluten Allergy: There are so many more people diagnosed as celiac now than ever before. This could be because there are more issues in the processing of food but also the fact that our immune systems are sufficiently weaker now than they were 100 years ago. We are now used to having a whole manner of processed food, but it’s not necessarily something our bodies can process. There are an increasing number of people who are now being diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity. And if you feel a bit sluggish it could be a sign. But you also may even have a very runny nose.

Toxins In The Air: More people on the planet means more dirt, dust particles, and waste. There can be so many toxins in the air at any one time, from cigarette smoke to hazardous fumes to mold and mildew in your home. With that in mind, we are being exposed to a dangerous level of chemicals on a daily basis! To minimize the amount of bad air in our homes, we can use air purifiers and air cleaners. Companies like Farnen & Dermer specialize in whole-home air cleaners, which work more effectively than an air purifier, which is suitable for a smaller area. Even something like mold, which is predominately invisible to the naked eye, if left untreated, can really develop into a long-term health problem.

Medications: So many people are being prescribed antibiotics for an infection, and a common ingredient in many antibiotics is penicillin, which can cause serious reactions such as anaphylactic shock. If you ever experience a serious allergy due to a medication, you need to contact your doctor immediately or call the emergency services if it is a potentially life-threatening reaction. Some other common drugs that may cause an allergic reaction include aspirin, medication for autoimmune diseases, corticosteroid lotions or creams, and products containing bee pollen.

It’s important to remember that an allergic reaction can be a symptom of an issue with your immune system. For issues such as a gluten sensitivity, the problem can be solved by avoiding gluten and gluten-containing foods. If your immune system isn’t fighting at full strength, it may mean that you are constantly fighting allergies and getting more than your fair share of colds. To determine what you may have an allergy to in common, everyday circumstances, you should avoid the suspected substance for around 30 days to really be sure. And for many of us, a lack of vitamin D is the reason why we cannot fight infections as well. So make sure to take a good vitamin D supplement, too. Ahhchooo!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Constant Blocked Nose? Here’s What Could Be Causing It

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Constant Blocked Nose? Here’s What Could Be Causing It

All of us know how annoying it is to have a blocked nose. Typically, we experience them when we’re sick and have a cold or the flu. They cause our whole heads to feel blocked up and it’s hard to breathe, which makes sleeping a real task. But, for a lot of people, blocked noses don’t stop at colds. There are loads of people that go to sleep with a stuffy nose every night and wake up with the same problem each morning. The question is, why? What’s causing your blocked nose if it’s not a cold or flu virus? Let’s take a look:

Airborne Allergens:

Perhaps the biggest cause of a chronically blocked noses is having an allergic reaction to something in the air. There are loads of different airborne allergens around that can cause this and most are extremely common. As it says in this blog post, there are lots of things lurking in your home that could be making you ill. Airborne allergens are just one example. If you have a pet, then they could give off allergens that you breathe in and have a  reaction to, causing your nose to block. Another extremely common allergen is dust. Where there’s dust, there are dust mites, which create airborne allergens that seriously block up your nose. In fact, if you don’t have any pets and you keep waking up throughout the year with a blocked nose, it’s probably due to a dust allergy.

Nasal Polyps:

Did you know that there’s a thing that can grow inside of your nose and cause congestion? It’s true, and they’re called nasal polyps. There’s no need to be too alarmed, these growths are benign, and you probably won’t even notice that they’re there. Essentially, they’re just lumps of tissue that swell up and grow inside of your nose, causing a constant blockage. You might be able to notice them if you shine a light up your nose and look in the mirror (if you’re ever feeling extremely bored). They’re typically caused by other problems in the nose. If you’ve had a really severe cold, sinus infection, or even allergic rhinitis, then this could cause a polyp to grow that keeps your nose blocked even when the previous problems are solved.

Deviated Septum:

You know that little hard thing that separates each nostril in your nose? It’s called your septum, and it can be the cause of your blocked nose. Most of us are lucky enough to be born with a normal and straight septum. Others are born with a deviated one that causes your nostrils to be different sizes. As a result, one nostril can be so small that it’s always blocked. Deviated septums can also occur after physical injuries to the nose. #ouch

If you have a blocked nose all year round, then it’s most likely down to one of these three problems. Try and remove any airborne allergens from your room or take antihistamines to see if that helps your blocked nose. If it does, the problem was probably allergy related. If not, it’s probably one of the other two things and you might want to get it checked out so that you can breathe easy!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Why Does My Shower Take Forever To Heat Up?

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Why Does My Shower Take Forever To Heat Up?

If you’re like most people, you probably set your alarm to leave just enough time to get up, have a quick but warm shower, get dressed, and then out the door and on your way to work. If you have days where you have to spend ages waiting for your shower to heat up, you’ll know how annoying this can be. Here are the most common reasons for your water taking forever to heat up:

Your Shower’s Far Away From your Water Heater: Most homes have a single heater, with a network of piping that takes the heated water to various fixtures around the house. Depending on the size of your home, hot water may have a long way to go before it comes out of your shower head. Remember that plumbing doesn’t travel in a straight line, so if there is 50 feet of distance between the heater and a fixture, it’s typical for 60 to 70 feet of piping to connect the two. If this is the issue, then unfortunately you’re pretty screwed. The only way to get around it would require a large and expensive bit of renovation that simply isn’t worth it.

Your Pipes Drain Heat from the Water: The colder the pipes are, and the denser the material, the more heat they’ll draw from the material, slowing down the time it takes for the water to heat up to a comfortable temperature. When they’re not being used, the pipes leading from the heater to the shower become cold, especially if they’re exposed at any point in your home. Furthermore, heavier piping, made of materials like copper, can retain more heat than commonly used materials such as CPVC. This, the outside pressure, and whether the pipes are insulated or not, can all have a major effect on how long your water takes to get hot. If you think that this is the issue, consider wrapping your pipes with heat tape or a similar insulating material.

If you suspect that your lack of hot water is an issue with the pipes that insulation can’t fix, it is much better to use emergency plumbing services as opposed to trying the DIY route. Making a repair without the proper skill set can result in an even more costly problem.

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Public Domain Pictures

Flow Rate is Too Low: The lower the flow rate on your shower head, or any other fixture for that matter, the longer it will take for the water to warm up. Flow rate, as you’ve probably guessed, refers to the amount of water that can pass through the shower head at any given time. This is measured in GPM, which stands for gallons per minute. When your shower has a low flow rate, it will take longer for it to force out any leftover, cold water that’s left sitting in the pipes. Unless your shower head was installed in the nineties, you probably have a flow rate of around 2.5 GPM, but newer ones can be even lower. If you find that your shower head is a low-flow model, you may be able to fix the issue by getting a high flow shower head. Just remember that this is going to be less conservative with your water, meaning that you’ll have higher bills and a less eco-friendly morning routine.

If you’re sick of getting hypothermia just to leave the house on time, we hope this post has been a big help! 🙂

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Don’t Have A Snow-Mare!

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Don’t Have A Snow-Mare!

Experiencing some snow during February is common. The weather is still rather frosty, leaving us vulnerable for a snowstorm. But a lot of people aren’t prepared for when it hits. Here’s how to prepare for a snowstorm, so you don’t end up having a snow-mare!

Get a Good Shovel to Remove the Snow: When a snowstorm hits, it can cause your garden to be full of the thick snow. And as you might know, if it’s not removed quickly, it could end up ruining your plants. Get a good shovel which you can keep in your shed. That way, when the snow arrives, you can quickly get it out and start removing the white snow from your garden before it turns into ice. A shovel or snowblower will come in handy to remove snow from your paths and driveway, too. And make sure you get one which has been designed to deal with snow so that it doesn’t end up frozen while you are trying to remove the snow from problem areas.

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Brr!

Find a Good Company to Deal With the Path: As much as you can attempt to move the snow yourself, it can sometimes be easier to call a professional to do it for you. A company can quickly remove the snow from your sidewalk and drive, and they can also clear your road so that you can drive safely to work. It can be a godsend if your roads are quite hilly. Before the snow arrives, make sure you write down the name and number of a company similar to General Services Corporation who will come out to your home after a snowstorm. That way, you can ring them quickly if the bad weather does arrive soon.

Ensure You Have a Scraper and Defroster For Your Car: One of the worst things about snow is that it can make transportation a nightmare. For one thing, it’s more dangerous to hit the roads when there is snow around, as you might struggle to steer properly and might slide out of your lane. And not only this, but it can take forever in the morning to clear it. Hence the late mornings and apologies to your boss. To ensure that you get a clear windshield sooner rather than later when snow hits, you need to have the tools ready to deal with the window. You should get an ice scraper which will allow you to scrape any snow and ice away. And a defroster is also fantastic to get rid of any ice sitting on your car. In fact, it can make it much easier to scrape it once you have used the handy stuff on your vehicle.

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Yikes!

And make sure you prepare yourself for a snow storm. You need a good waterproof coat which will keep you warm and dry in the event of snow. Get gloves for your hands when scraping the car, and a warm scarf to protect your skin from the harsh weather!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Making Sure Our Loved Ones Are Kept Safe and Warm This Winter

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Making Sure Our Loved Ones Are Kept Safe and Warm This Winter

Winter can be tough on all of us. There are driveways to shovel, cars to be de-iced, long hours just trying to get warm after an excursion into the outdoors. These are the problems that all of face during the chilly season, but not all of us are able to stay ahead of winter’s pesky cold. Older people in particular may find it more difficult to fend off winter’s bite, be it through lack of finances or energy. That’s why it’s our duty to help out and make sure they have everything they need to stay warm. This doesn’t have to be a massive, time consuming task: just keep them in mind when the weather gets particularly cold and make yourself available to help out should it be needed.

Warm Clothing: There’s no better way to prevent the onset of a cold than to dress properly. Elderly people are less likely to be aware of a change in the weather, and may not fully realize that they should be wearing more or better clothing than they are. If you have the ability to do so, buy a couple of extra warm fleeces and thermals and take them round to your elderly relatives. You can also make make sure that they have enough warm bedding to make it through the night without getting chilly, such as additional blankets. If they don’t have one already, a hot water bottle is the perfect cost effective way to make sure that they’re OK.

House Check: Depending on the size of the home, it might not be so straightforward to ensure that it’s always kept warm. A lot of older people also don’t like to use their heating because of the high costs that some systems can attract. To begin with, you can go to the home and do an inventory, of sorts, to make sure that they’re set up to have a warm house. This means checking that the furnace ignitor is in working order, that there are no obvious open drafty areas letting cold air into the house, and that the pipes that feed heat throughout the home are in good condition. If they’re worried about the cost of heating the home, you can suggest reducing the heat to some unused rooms in the house, which will lower the bills. Also, keeping an eye on the outside of the property to make sure it’s not slippery could be a huge help.

Out and About: It sometimes happens that older people spend longer than usual outside in the cold weather than they should. This is especially damaging even if they’re properly dressed, because there are still risks of being outside for long periods of time. You can help by offering to drive them to and from the shops or accompanying them when they go out. When you think it’s likely that they’re getting cold, suggest popping into a coffee shop to get warm.

Remember, the cold can be devastating to vulnerable people but by helping out a little bit, we can reduce the hardships that come during the winter months.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Slash The Cost Of Your Heating Bill This Winter

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Slash The Cost Of Your Heating Bill This Winter

Winter definitely has it’s plus points. Cozy evenings in, beautiful snow, and delicious hot drinks. But once Christmas is over, the novelty of winter begins to wear off, and by this point, most of us are getting fed up with it! One of the worst parts is the cost of heating our homes, and over the winter months fuel bills can really mount up. Thankfully there are ways to make it a little less expensive. Here’s how:

Switch to a Tankless Water Heater: We all love a long soak in a hot bath over the winter months. But the cost of heating that water can cost a bundle. One way that you can slash costs is by switching to a tankless water heater. This is a system that uses no pilot light, and in many cases can cut bills by half. If your property still uses an old tank heater, you’ll know the frustration of running out of hot water and having to wait around for it to re-heat. With this, water is heated on demand giving you an unlimited supply so there’s no running out, or wasting money by heating water unnecessarily.

Invest in Smart Home Heating: Smart home heating gives you total control over your heating. With this, your thermostat is controlled through your smartphone making it easy to turn on and off at the touch of a button. No going out and worrying you’ve left the heating on. No having to get out of bed in the freezing cold, just use your smartphone in the morning and give the home a few minutes to heat up. There are add-ons which allow you to control the heat in different rooms, too, which can also save on money as you do not have to heat the whole house to feel the warmth in one room.

Buy a Log Burner: Wood burning stoves have a wonderful rustic charm. And while you will have to pay for the installation, the running costs afterward are very low. Firewood is less expensive than traditional central heating, and if you’re able to cut your own wood then you get heat essentially for free! Warming your toes in front of a gorgeous crackling fire truly gives the perfect ski lodge atmosphere. It almost makes the bitter winter weather seem worth it.

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Warm and toasty!

Wrap Up Warm: Rather than having your heating set to maximum, you could set it lower which will cost less money. And to keep warm, wrap up in cozy pajamas and throws. You can buy huge soft throws from places like eBay for around twenty-five dollars which are perfect for snuggling up with on the sofa. After the upfront cost, keeping warm this way will cost significantly less than putting the heating up full blast every night. Fleece pajamas and thick terry toweling dressing gowns will also keep you snug and warm. Although it’s not the most ideal way to save some cash, it is one that I am familiar with considering that’s how my dad manages the heating bills! Lol.-___-

Featured Image By: Pexels