Tag Archives: comfort

Apr20

What To Do Before A Long Tattoo Session

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What To Do Before A Long Tattoo Session

Hello!! This past Wednesday, I enjoyed a grueling nine hour long tattoo session at my friend’s studio called Vivid Visions. My artist got four huge pieces done during my tap out session and we are still not done! We’ll be adding the rest of the odds and ends towards the end of the month. I often get asked two questions about these appointments because it is the only way I get tattooed. One) How? Answer: Very high pain tolerance lol. Two) How do you prepare for it? It’s actually quite simple, so check it out:

Sleep Well:

A tap out session isn’t a sprint, it’s a full on marathon. Yes, the tattoo artist is doing literally all of the work. However, it’s your job to make it as easy as possible for them to do what needs done. This all starts with a good night’s sleep. Think about how miserable it feels when you aren’t well rested and have a ton to do that day. That is SO not what you want to be feeling during a tap out. You want to feel strong and alert so try to get at least eight hours before your big appointment and take it easy during the time leading up to it.

Eat, Eat, Eat:

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to EAT on your tap out day. Your body is essentially about to be injured for an extended period of time and you need that fuel to get you through it. Not eating can lead to shakes, dizziness, weakness, and fainting and no one wants that. Be sure to start your day with a balanced meal, of course, but don’t forget mid session snacks either because you will definitely need them. My favorite snack during a tap out is nuts or trail mix because it’s an immediate protein boost. They pulled through in the clutch on Wednesday!

Hydrate A LOT:

Although I don’t mind an occasional Diet Coke when getting tattooed, I primarily make sure to drink a ton of water. It promotes healing, skin buoyancy, and can help soothe any nerves. I am one of those people that feels chronically thirsty during tattoo sessions so I always bring several bottles of water with me. I also never drink coffee before an appointment unless it’s absolutely necessary. Lots of caffeine comes with the jitters and I don’t like experiencing a midday crash when I’m getting tattooed.

Comfort Is Key:

Being tattooed is obviously an uncomfortable situation and it’s up to you to deal with it so your artist can work. Be sure to dress for comfort and the area being tattooed. You’re not going to want to wear jeans if you’re getting your legs tattooed lol! Other items that might be good to bring include a hoodie if it’s chilly in the shop or a pillow to place around your body as needed. You could even bring something that gives you comfort like a stuffed animal. Whatever gets you through. And don’t forget a phone charger!!

By doing the above before every session, I am able to endure eight plus hours of being tattooed. I have not tapped out once yet and I don’t plan on it any time soon!

What are some of your tattoo session tips? Do you have a go to tattoo artist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct9

Cozy Decor Details For Your Home

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Cozy Decor Details For Your Home

Ever walked into a space and instantly felt like snuggling up with a hot coffee and a good book? That, my friends, is the magic of cozy decor. And the great news? You don’t need to remodel your entire living space or spend a small fortune to get that oh-so-comfy vibe. With just a few touches here and there, you can transform your space into a snug paradise:

Snugly tone Veneer:

It’s hard to picture a stone veneer being cozy but prepare to be pleasantly surprised! There’s something incredibly comforting about the ruggedness of stone, and veneer brings that warmth without overwhelming a space. Whether you’re dressing up a fireplace or creating an accent wall, stone veneer introduces a texture that’s both rustic and inviting.

Chunky Knit Throws:

You’ve probably seen these draped over couches in every dreamy Pinterest living room picture. Chunky knit throws aren’t just trendy; they’re the embodiment of cozy. Just looking at one makes me want to wrap myself in it like a burrito!

Dimmable Lights:

Nothing kills the cozy decor vibe faster than harsh, bright lights. Opt for dimmable lights or, better yet, a few strategically placed table or floor lamps with soft white bulbs. The gentle glow creates a calming atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a long day.

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Oversized Pillows:

If your couch or bed doesn’t resemble a marshmallowy cloud, you’re doing it wrong! Just kidding, but seriously, oversized pillows are where it’s at. They’re perfect for propping yourself up with a book or creating a makeshift bed for a movie night on the floor.

Candles, Candles, Candles:

No cozy list is complete without mentioning candles. Whether you’re into woodsy scents or prefer the smell of fresh linen, there’s a candle out there that will make your space feel like a warm embrace. Just remember to blow them out before snoozing!

Book Nooks:

Even if you aren’t an avid reader, having a designated nook stocked with books (or even a few pretty magazines) screams comfort. Add a soft chair, a plush blanket, and maybe a small table for that cup of tea, and you’re golden.

Wooden Elements:

From wooden beams to wooden trays and coffee tables, there’s an undeniable warmth that wood brings to any space. It pairs wonderfully with other cozy elements, adding depth and a touch of nature indoors.

Rugs Galore:

Cold feet? Not in a cozy home! Layer rugs or choose an ultra-plush one. Whether it’s a fluffy sheepskin rug by your bed or a Persian rug in the living room, they instantly warm up a space — both visually and literally.

Indoor Plants:

A plant or two (or ten) can breathe life into your home. They purify the air, add a touch of green, and studies show they can even improve your mood. If you often forget to water, don’t worry; there’s a variety of low-maintenance plants like snake plants or ZZ plants that thrive on neglect.

There you have it – your very own cheat sheet to achieving peak coziness in your home this winter, so what are you waiting for? Make coziness happen!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug11

Creating A Home That Fosters Healthy Habits

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Creating A Home That Fosters Healthy Habits

Your home is a sanctuary. It is meant to be your retreat from the world, the perfect space to just really let go and be yourself. It’s almost enchanting in a way. Having a space to call your own, a space that will forever be comfortable. But with that said, have you ever considered the health aspects of your home?

It’s so important to have a home that helps you foster healthy habits. Sure, while even when you’re outside of your home, you should be embracing a healthy lifestyle, it should be especially pushed at home. It’s really about making your home work for you. How can you do this? Keep reading to find out more:

It’s All About Creating a Healthy Environment:

This goes for physically and mentally, and if you’d like, spiritually too. Creating an environment that supports healthy living is a multifaceted undertaking that includes consideration of various aspects of one’s physical, emotional, and mental health. Just think about it, a healthy home includes a safe and clean physical environment, as well as good nutrition and regular exercise.

A healthy environment also includes positive noise, such as calming music or natural sounds that can help alleviate negative stress and anxiety. In addition, keeping one’s space uncluttered can reduce stress and promote focus by eliminating the visual reminders of unfinished tasks that tend to linger in our minds. But it’s the whole dynamic too. Such as the house being safe, the house having few distractions, and the relationships that everyone has under this roof. A healthy environment is more than the food that’s in your home; it’s more than the best lead water filter; it’s about having peace. It’s about peace within the home and everyone is happy, safe, and nurtured together under this roof.

Consider Your Lifestyle:

In order to create a home that fosters healthy habits, you need to keep in mind what type of lifestyle you have. Do you have a lifestyle that is healthy overall? Or do you think that once your home is on the healthier side, it could change you? At the end of the day, it’s going to be about your state of mind and how you perceive health. While your home will help create a healthy lifestyle, it’s mostly going to be about how you’re already living your life and the current health-related choices you’re currently making. A change in your home isn’t going to change your lifestyle; it essentially needs to be the other way around.

Focus on Creating a Beautiful Yet Comfortable Space:

When most people think of healthy habits, they think about going to the gym and eating healthier foods. While these are great and important, home design can also play a role in well-being. Beautiful spaces can help to elicit positive emotions and reduce stress levels. They also promote productivity and encourage relaxation and a feeling of accomplishment. To create a beautiful space, you can use art, plants, shelves, rugs, and more. You can even turn a corner of the room into a personal nook by adding a chair, some knick-knacks, and a plant.

The general comfort of the space is going to play a big role in all of this too. One of the most effective ways to create a cozy space is to surround yourself with the things you love. This can include things like books, photographs, or even sports memorabilia. In addition, displaying your favorite art pieces in your home can act as an inspiration and help you stay connected to your passions.

Don’t Forget Healthy Eating:

This is simple but, at the same time, fairly difficult. In order to focus on healthy habits, it’s best to cut out junk food and snacks. Take a look at your pantry, your freezer, and the fridge. Is it chaotic? Is it filled with sugary foods? If you can, try to focus on slowly removing the junk and replace it with healthier foods.

Healthier living starts with you and your first steps can be in your own home!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jan7

Add Luxury To Your Home With These Improvements

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Add Luxury To Your Home With These Improvements

Home is where we spend most of the time in our lives and at some point, you have to think about how much you enjoy that time. There’s nothing wrong with loving your home or wanting more from your home – which is why people put a lot of money into renovations and remodels. It’s important to consider how much your home impacts how you feel on a daily basis. You want the place you spend the majority of your life to be a happy place, something that makes you proud, and somewhere you can relax and unwind. Making small improvements to add luxurious touches to your home will freshen your place up as well as increase your home’s value. Let’s look at a few ways to begin this process:

Start with the bathroom:

If there’s one place in your home that should offer a lot of comfort, it’s your bathroom. Newly done bathrooms have a lot fewer issues with dampness and leakage, so it’s one less thing to worry about. Luxury is important everywhere, but your bathroom is the first place you should start – unless your bedroom is in dire need of an update. Take a look into bathroom, kitchen, and home remodeling services if you want to learn a bit more about what you can do. Great places to start include tile flooring, updated fixtures, and fresh paint.

Your sleeping arrangement:

Your bedroom is another place that needs heavy focus because life is going to be a daily struggle if you aren’t sleeping well. Even if you’re used to it, a lack of sleep can contribute to heightened stress and multiple health conditions. Invest in a high-quality mattress and bed to make sure you’re getting the full amount of sleep you need each night. It might not seem like it, but a new bed alone can make a huge difference. You’ll be looking forward to sleeping each and every night – the only problem you’ll have is getting out of bed in the morning!

Repainting:

The paint you choose for your home can do a lot for the overall atmosphere that you want to create in each room. Opt for soft tones in rooms that are meant for relaxation and bright shades for rooms to entertain like the kitchen and living room. Old coats of paint aren’t going to leave your home feeling luxurious, and while comfort doesn’t come into it here – how you view your home does affect how you feel while you’re there.

Spend the remaining months of winter in a cocoon of comfort and all of the lux vibes with the simple improvements above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct7

So Luxe: Hotel Vibes In Your Own Home

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So Luxe: Hotel Vibes In Your Own Home

There are a lot of reasons why you might want to make your home look more like a hotel. Hotels have this feeling of luxury and comfort, which is likely to be something that you would appreciate in your home too. So if you’re wondering how to make this a reality for your home, how are you going to achieve that? Let’s find out:

Deep Clean All Surfaces:

One thing that hotels do a lot is thoroughly deep clean every surface that you can see, as well as those you can’t. This requires hard work and constant diligence, but it is the kind of thing that you should think about doing if you are going to make your home more hotel-like. There are many surfaces that you need to think about here, including all of the counters and tabletops, and these should definitely be cleaned on a regular basis if possible. You should also make sure to get some professional carpet cleaning carried out occasionally and consider doing the same for all the upholstery too.

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Upgrade Your Lighting:

For your home to be more like a hotel, you will want to opt for show-stopping lighting which is at once sophisticated and elegant, as that is going to produce the right vibe every time. You should also consider some soft and gentle lighting for focal areas in rooms, as you might find in hotel rooms. This lends a certain calmness to rooms that are all about relaxing. Good lighting can really make a world of difference.

Use Symmetry:

If you look at the room layouts of many of the best hotels, you will notice that there is often a definite symmetry to them. This doesn’t have to be an absolute rule all of the time. However, if you do make some use of symmetry in a clever way, you are going to find that your home looks a lot more like a hotel and much more interesting and stylish for it too.

There is also something to be said for a little tasteful asymmetry, and if you can marry these two together in the right way you might be surprised at how much it can work. You can achieve both of these ends by simply moving furniture around or remodeling a room if you are keen to make a huge difference.

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^^^ Pexels Image

Be Wary Of Clutter:

A hotel would not have any clutter whatsoever so it might be time for an overhaul of unneeded items in your home. This is especially great to do during changes in the season to give your home a breath of freshness. Make use of clever storage options for things that can’t be parted with and donate and recycle the rest. And, do try to keep the clutter from returning!

The Bed:

Finally, remember that the most important thing of all for a hotel is the bed. The more comfortable and luxurious this is, the better. Treat yourself to a good quality bed frame and mattress. Don’t forget some great linen, throw pillows, and plush blankets too. This alone is going to make your home a lot more luxurious in no time at all.

Who needs a five star hotel when you can have a five star home, instead? No room key required!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul29

Make Your Home More Comfortable With These Improvements

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Make Your Home More Comfortable With These Improvements

After a while, your home could use a little upgrade in the comfort department. As time goes on things get old and need repair or something new comes out that you know you have to have. If you feel your home needs a boost in comfort, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Get a New Couch:

Couches are the ultimate in comfort. You are going to want to sit on them, sleep on them, lay on them, and have guests stay on them. After a while, they can lose their high level of comfort. Do yourself a favor and get a new couch.

You can visit stores like Ashley Home Furniture or any other affordable furniture store and find an amazing couch that is fluffy, soft, and reclines. Newer couches come with zero gravity reclining to take the pressure off of your back and make you feel as relaxed as possible.

Get Central Air and Heating:

A great way to up the comfort level of your home is to get central air and heating. This eliminates having to have wall or window units that only heat and cool certain rooms. With a central air system, you can evenly heat and cool your entire home.

A reputable company like Eggert Cooling and Heating knows exactly what your home needs to be at the perfect temperature at all times. It’s affordable and one of the best things you can do for your home.

Repaint Your Rooms:

Changing up the color of your rooms can really set a comfortable mood. Choosing soothing colors matched with the right color furniture will put you at ease while you are watching TV, going to sleep, or sitting in your favorite spot to read or relax.

Visit your local paint store and choose colors that speak to you and are universally regarded as soothing like some grays, browns, or blues. Let all parts of your home set the tone that will make you and your guests feel nice and cozy.

Improve Your Lighting:

When you can set the room with the right lighting, comfort will abound. The first thing to do is put your lights on dimmers. Dimmers will give you full control over the strength of the light and you can set it to be at the perfect level so you will feel chill at all times. Next, pick the right kind of lighting for your room. Some people enjoy indirect recessed lighting, while others choose to work with lamps or track lighting. Whatever your choice, the right lighting will set the right mood.

There are several other things you can do from blankets to carpeting and window treatments that will help set a great vibe in your home. As you improve upon one thing, you will discover something else that you can do and before long your entire home will be the epitome of comfort!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep22

Must Haves For Your Bedroom

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Must Haves For Your Bedroom

After another long year in the pandemic lifestyle, it’s safe to say that everyone is going to want to hibernate this winter. And, where better to retreat than to your bedroom? Your bedroom should be your ultimate safe haven where you are cocooned in comfort and free to relax and be your best self. For the best in comfy cozy, consider the following in your bedroom:

Plush Bedding:

The best place to start in the bedroom is, of course, with the bed! After shopping for quality bedroom furniture for sale like your mattress and bed frame, it is time to dress the bed with comfortable and soft bedding. You can’t go wrong with light cotton sheets in the summer but during the winter, its best to adorn your bed with warm and toasty flannel or fleece.

Don’t forget comfy pillows both for sleeping and decoration. You might even want to consider a statement piece like a velvet headboard for an over the top luxury feel. That will make your queen sized bed truly fit for royalty!

Items That Sooth:

One of the first things that I bought for my bedroom in my apartment was a Himalayan Salt Lamp and I just love it! It provides the perfect glow to help you relax or set the mood for a scary movie night. Fairy lights or even sphere lights that look like the moon are also great options.

Your bedroom should have items that comfort rather than stimulate you and this can come in all shapes and forms. Think sound machines, your favorite plushie, or a photo album with pictures of your family. The bedroom is where people tend to go when they want to spend some peaceful time with themselves so save your bold pieces like loud artwork or unique patterns for the living room, instead.

Book Nook:

I don’t know about all of you, but reading before bed is one of my favorite parts of my nighttime routine. If you feel similarly, why not create a book nook in your bedroom? Stock a small bookshelf with your favorites or must reads from the library so you always have some reading material handy. A chaise lounge by a window would also be a nice touch. Cue the rain (outdoors or on a sound machine) for the ultimate reading space.

Create Calmness:

Testing out lavender or chamomile products before going to bed is always a good idea! You can sip on chamomile tea while taking a nice hot bath and crawl into bed with a cozy robe and a magazine. Or, how about some lavender scented lotion and pillow spray to help you drift off into the land of nod? Pampering yourself can be so soothing and will help put you in the right state of mind for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Think calm, soft, and soothing and you will have a bedroom fit for the royalty that you are for the most relaxing winter ever!

Aug18

Planning The Most Amazing Road Trip

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Planning The Most Amazing Road Trip

Gaining the chance to plan an amazing road trip is an opportunity that should not be missed. Road trips offer an experience like no other kind of travel or vacation. Figuring out how to organize a memorable road trip doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might expect, as there are several simple tips and tricks that you can make the most of to ensure you and your passengers can enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then read on to uncover some of the most important planning recommendations that you can utilize today to plan the best road trip ever:

Choose The Right Vehicle:

Choosing the right vehicle should be your first priority when heading out on a road trip. If you want to experience ultimate comfort throughout your trip, then you’ll likely prefer a camper of some kind, since these are well equipped with living quarters, hygiene facilities, and more. For those who are aiming to camp outdoors and need space for equipment, a 4×4 SUV truck is going to be the best bet – you’ll have enough storage space to pack up everything you need, whilst having the off road capabilities to travel to hard-to-reach spots.

If you want to live life on the wild side and experience your road trip in a totally different manner, finding a local KTM dealers garage will give you the chance to ride on the back of a top quality motorcycle. Obviously you’ll be exposed to the elements on a motorbike and this could be a blessing or a curse depending on the weather!

If you’re opting for using your own car, make sure you get any major repairs taken care of with time to spare. Don’t forget to get your oil changed and tires rotated too! You can get your car looking brand new again with Car Detailing Brisbane so you can ride in style during your trip.

Pick Your Destination:

Going on a road trip allows you and your friends to make a ton of memories and create an unforgettable experience. It doesn’t necessarily matter where you go, it’s what you make of the entire adventure. However, if you really want to turn your road trip into a success, you may want to choose Europe as your destination. Not only are there so many beautiful sights to see, but you will also discover so many incredible group tours to Europe. From visiting Big Ben in London, to The Eiffel Tower in Paris, you can plan your ultimate road trip around your planned sightseeing tours.

Pack Your Bags Properly:

Throwing in a couple of pairs of underwear and some trail mix to see you through until the end of your road trip is one of the worst mistakes that you can make. Start off by packing your clothing, considering all situations such as exploration, swimming, sleeping, and even dramatic weather changes – you don’t want to find yourself stuck in a surprise heatwave with nothing but jumpers and sweatpants to wear.

Next, think about what food you can pack inside your vehicle because you need to have enough food to last your entire trip with a couple of days backed up for safety. Find foods with a long shelf life that don’t need to be stored in a fridge or freezer and be sure to bring some cooking equipment with you even if it’s just a saucepan to hold over an open fire! Don’t forget to bring some form of first aid kit to tend to any wounds or illnesses that you might encounter during your road trip. Something as simple as a migraine could halt your journey if you don’t have immediate access to pain relief.

Summer is not over yet and now is the perfect time to head out on an adventure with your family or friends!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul4

Sarah’s Sanity Update

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Sarah’s Sanity Update

Whatsup everyone and Happy Fourth Of July to those that celebrate! So this past week I finally met with a new psychiatrist after I had a disappointing falling out with my old pill pusher of seven years. Long story short, my final appointment with her resulted in me walking out and her never refilling my prescriptions. This ended up being a major shit show because I desperately needed my sleeping pills and antidepressants refilled because my prescription was almost gone. I only had about two days worth of medicine at the time and then I was donezo until I could get someone to fill my prescription. Multiple phone calls were made to my old psychiatrist’s office but she never followed through and at that point I was fresh out of my pills. I’ve been on a very high dose of Trazodone for years because I literally can’t sleep without it and I’ve been on Effexor for close to a year for depression and anxiety. And because my doctor was an asshole, I was without my medicine for almost an entire week….It was legitimately the worst time of my life.

I think people think that I’m exaggerating when I say that I can’t sleep without my pills – but I can’t sleep without my pills. In the five days that I was without my Trazodone I probably slept a total of twelve hours or less. It’s that bad. Some nights I was up all night, other nights I was lucky to catch two hours of sleep. It was just so hard because on top of being completely exhausted from little to no sleep, I was starting to feel the effects of medication withdrawal as well. I went from taking my pills every day for years to stopping them completely without weening myself off. This resulted in flu like symptoms and I was basically in zombie mode for five days. It was honestly pretty scary. I felt like a shell of myself. I was so weak and so fucking tired. I looked like a straight up junkie – my eyes looked hollowed out from the dark circles that appeared from lack of sleep and I had no appetite so I was barely eating which made me look very frail and paler than usual. I was a hot, hot mess. Thankfully on day six of no meds, the emergency psychiatrist on call at a local hospital looked through my files and felt comfortable refilling my prescriptions. She was seriously an angel and that first night of being able to sleep again was the most amazing thing in the entire world.

That paragraph doesn’t even begin to describe the physical turmoil and mental exhaustion that my sleepless nights resulted in thanks to my ex-psychiatrist. So when I met with my new one this week and told her about what happened she was extremely sympathetic and began asking me more questions about my sleeping habits. She then diagnosed me with insomnia which was never brought up with my old doctor. I’ve always known that my sleeping problems were more severe than just the occasional sleepless night. Sometimes I can’t sleep even when I do take my medicine, which is enough Trazodone to knock out a horse. It was very comforting to have my issue diagnosed with an actual name. I never really brought up the “I word” with my old psychiatrist because I figured that after seven years she would have diagnosed me by now. So being seen by someone with a fresh pair of eyes who was able to address the problem within fifteen minutes of meeting me felt awesome. This brings me immense relief because now I know that no matter what psychiatrist I end up at in the next few years I’ll never have to argue to keep my dose of sleeping pills high or have to explain myself about it.

I definitely feel a lot better after meeting with my new psychiatrist and feel very comforted in knowing that I have this new diagnosis in my file now. I really liked my new doctor and am looking forward to my next appointment with her! I hope that all of you are having a fabulous day so far! Are you celebrating the Fourth Of July? Are you up to anything fun this weekend? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah