Tag Archives: enjoy

Mar23

Passing Time In Self-Isolation

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Passing Time In Self-Isolation

Hi everyone! I hope that all of you are managing to stay healthy and safe during this crazy time. I also hope that you’re staying sane after hearing coronavirus related news all day every day because that can be a bit much, too. As more businesses, schools, and gathering places close and events are cancelled, it’s easy to feel trapped. And, if you are practicing self-isolation you might be running out of things to do to keep occupied which just adds to the panic. So, allow me to come in with a few suggestions:

Read A Book:

This is such an obvious idea but you’d be amazed at all of the posts I see on Facebook asking for binge worthy show suggestions as opposed to an un-put-downable book. Crack open that novel you’ve been holding off on reading for ages, sit back, relax, and read. And I mean really read, which means more than just one chapter! A few weeks back, I borrowed Doctor Sleep by Stephen King from the library and am hoping to finish that during my free time.

Work On A Puzzle:

I happen to really enjoy a good jigsaw puzzle and, while everything is so up in the air, it is a great way to kill an afternoon. Although I still have to go to work, I plan on limiting seeing my clients just in their home instead of in the community so I definitely see a lot of puzzles in my future. You are not limited to jigsaw puzzles, though! Try a word search, crossword, jumbles, Sudoku, or Mahjong to fill up some free time.

Binge Watch A Little:

Lol, it would be cruel and unusual to not put this suggestion on the list but try not to go overboard with it. Limit yourself to one to two episodes a day so your brain doesn’t turn into complete mush. That’s not to say you can’t treat yourself to an America’s Next Top Model bingeathon (God knows I have!), but don’t make that the norm while outside activities are so limited.

Spring Clean:

If now isn’t the perfect time to spring clean, then I genuinely don’t know when it would be. Set aside some time during the day to tackle at least one room or area of your home or apartment. Disinfect, dust, sweep, and Swiffer until your place is sparkling. Don’t forget to really clean things like light switches, door knobs, handles, and the toilet flusher!

Games Galore:

While in self-isolation, my boyfriend and I have grown very partial to video games, particularly Rock Band. We have such a blast playing the different songs, talking about music, and honing in on our skill. We both play on hard on the guitar… But I don’t mean to brag. 😉 My beau and I have also been playing Little Big Planet, Unraveled, Mario Party, and Super Smash Bros. to help pass the time. We both highly recommend Unraveled and, although it has long since been beaten, we always enjoy playing it again from time to time.

If video games aren’t your thing, then board or card games work just as well. I, myself, love Scrabble and Sequence and I never say no to a good game of Monopoly. One of my clients enjoys playing Poker and I have gotten pretty into that, too. Games are such a fun way to pass the time and reconnect since going out to dinner is not an option right now.

From the ideas above to cooking an amazing meal or even starting a blog, I hope these suggestions come in handy when you feel the boredom of self-isolation sinking in. Enjoy!

How have you been spending your free time amid the coronavirus panic? What is a book, movie, show, or game suggestion that you recommend? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar19

Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask Edition

Hello! Every once in a while I like to treat myself to a new face mask to indulge in during my weekly night of pampering. I never spend too much money on them and, whether I liked the mask or not, I still tried something new and I love testing out different skin care products. At Five Below, they have a wonderful selection of Freeman face masks and I believe I paid four dollars for one of them. You definitely can’t beat that and I ended up purchasing a Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask. Read on to find out more:

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I have never been too keen on gel face masks unless they are to be applied before going to bed. But, the Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask just seemed way too refreshing to pass up. Not only will something like that feel good after a hot summer day but it will also help soothe my dry skin, compliments of surviving another Ohio winter. So, into the cart it went and I was looking forward to giving it a try.

First of all, this mask smelled amazing. It smelled exactly like the Watermelon Lip Smackers and it instantly perked me up when I took a whiff before my morning shower. The mask also felt cool to the touch immediately once it was squeezed on my hand and, as I applied it on my face and neck I was invigorated by the tingling, cooling sensation that I felt on my skin.

After washing it off in the shower, my skin definitely felt smoother and not as tight in the patches that are experiencing dryness. I was surprised at how well this face mask worked and I daresay that I like it better than the Freeman clay masks that I have tried. This mask didn’t promise miracles on its packaging but everything that it did have was 150% accurate and I can’t wait to use it again!

What is your favorite face mask? How about your favorite Freeman face mask? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar14

Groovy Movies: Five Below Edition

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Groovy Movies: Five Below Edition

Hello! I am an avid movie lover and my favorite date nights with my boyfriend are when we go out to see something in theaters. But, I also love movie nights in where we throw on a DVD or a Netflix original. So, needless to say, discount DVD bins are my weakness! If I find a movie that I like for five bucks or under, I almost always buy it. I consider an evening of entertainment well worth the purchase, which justified snagging these two flicks during a trip to Five Below with a client:

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I was so tickled to find Elf and The Theory Of Everything at Five Below because Elf is my absolute favorite Christmas movies and The Theory Of Everything is one of my favorite movies in general. Every year for Christmas, my family ends up watching Elf one time at the very least and, now that I’m moved out, I no longer have my own copy. Son of a nutcracker! So, obviously, I needed this to bring me some holiday cheer for Christmas In July and many Christmases to come.

If you have seen The Theory Of Everything, then I am sure you can understand why I needed to purchase it. Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking was easily one of the best performances of the decade and I was completely mesmerized the first time I saw it. And I still am. And I never won’t be.

2014 was an excellent year for films because it gave me two of my favorite movies: The Theory Of Everything and The Imitation Game starring the incomparable Benedict Cumberbatch as mathematician, Alan Turing. The Imitation Game is an amazing true story and definitely the next one on my “must buy” list!

What is your favorite movie? Who are your favorite movie stars? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar12

March 2020 Funky Time Jams

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March 2020 Funky Time Jams

Howdy! One of my clients at work absolutely loves oldies style music. This has definitely opened a whole new genre to me and I am actually pretty obsessed. I find myself humming the catchy, poppy tunes constantly and feel like I always have an earworm in my head of songs from the 1950s. Before, I was a-okay with just hearing this music for fifteen hours of my work week but I’ll be goddamned if I say that I’m not listening to it all the time now! Especially some of the following:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos!

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love music of all kinds. I dabble in all genres and I always enjoy hearing things that I haven’t heard before. But, after being exposed to this golden era of music, I can honestly understand why people say “they don’t make music like this anymore” because it’s one hundred and fifty percent true.

I just love the talent behind all of these short and sweet songs. The big band instrumentals, the amazing vocals, and the way I want to get up and dance to each song is something that I don’t hear or feel on the radio today. Hearing modern remakes of all of these classics would be cool but nothing will ever beat the real thing.

I feel like I’m traveling back in time when I listen to the oldies and from now on you can find me posted up at The Hop! 😀

What are some of your favorite oldies? What genres of music have you been exploring? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar11

Five Rules For The Perfect Game Night

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Five Rules For The Perfect Game Night

If there is one thing that you should be doing at least once a month, it’s hosting a game night. You can switch off with your friends so that you all take turns, but you have to host at least once every single month so that you can enjoy an evening with your friends on your terms. Some people like to make game night an evening thing, with a game of cards and takeout. Others like to make games night one of board game and chips ‘n’ dip.

No matter how you do it, game night needs to be something you’re all going to enjoy and you need to plan it to perfection for that to happen. Game night is all about your friendships, laughter, camaraderie, and total enjoyment of each other’s company. If it’s your turn to host game night, try adhering to the following rules:

Enough Space:

The first thing that you need for game night to go smoothly is the right space. You need enough room for all of you to sit down and if you want to have Pictionary, you need room to be able to get up and draw! Charades requires some moving space, so clear the floor of a room and throw around some beanbags for seating.

Games:

Games night requires games. Break out the board games, pens, and paper for writing things down and a good Word Unscrambler. You need to be able to choose five or six games to play with friends to make your night a successful one.

Snacks & Drinks:

Whether you decide to have your game night outside or inside, you need food and drinks to keep the night flowing. You can choose to make a meal for people to pick at, like a vat of chili and a basket of hot dogs to add, or you can go with the chips ‘n’ dip route. It’s entirely up to you which way you do it. Add drinks – cold and hot, soft and alcoholic – it’s good to have options!

Music:

You need a good playlist for music in the background. You should consider a karaoke machine for when things get a little silly later in the night. You need to think about ensuring that the playlist is a palatable one for all, and keep it low for background music and not blasting through the night.

Prizes:

Not many people do this for game night, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t! You need to think about offering a prize pot for your winners, and you can make it cheap. You can put together prizes from the local dollar stores or you can have a prize pot of cash for the overall winner of the night. If everyone puts in ten dollars, you could have a great prize pot at the end of the night.

Games night: It comes with rules and it’s going to be great!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar11

Pampering Party: My Perfect Night Off

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Pampering Party: My Perfect Night Off

Hellooo! I lead a pretty busy life. Between running two businesses, my boyfriend, and going here, there, and everywhere for work it’s important to me to still make time to take care of myself. That’s why, without fail, I always look forward to my Tuesday nights. Of course, I don’t love not seeing my MAN but I never say no to an opportunity to soak in the tub!

Tuesday is my busiest day of my already busy week. I see three out of my four clients and am normally gone for anywhere between ten to twelve hours. So, trust and believe that as soon as I come tiredly stumbling into my apartment around eight in the evening that bath water is on within thirty seconds. And, the best part?! I got a new hot water tank in my apartment so no more lukewarm baths for me. 😀

This past week, I got to enjoy my first bath in a month of Sundays that didn’t turn into ice water five minutes later. It. Was. Magnificent. During my soak, I am able to shave, decompress, and get myself relaxed enough for sleep after a long day of going nonstop. And, then, I put on some lotion, dress in my comfiest pajamas, and tuck in with a good book or Netflix show before bed.

Although this is a pretty basic way to spend an evening, there is seriously nothing better to me. I love being able to do something nice for myself after doing for others all day and it just hits the spot every time. Working in an evening just for me is one of the best things that I can do for myself and I encourage all of you to try and do the same!

What is your perfect night off like? How do you pamper yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar8

Brunch Warriors ASSEMBLE!

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Brunch Warriors ASSEMBLE!

Hi! If you’re anything like me, then you never say no to a good brunch. Despite almost always being slightly hungover, I revel in a boozy Sunday brunch complete with hearty breakfast food and fifteen mimosas. Well… more like two mimosas but I definitely think I could polish off fifteen of the most delicious mimosa mash up I’ve ever heard of…

Allow me to introduce you to the Lemonade Mimosa. Yes, you heard it correctly. A mouthwatering sweet/tart combination that I just had to read on about when someone posted the recipe on Facebook. And, let me be the first to tell you, the following recipe that can be found on Delish.com sounds… Delish! Take a look and be sure to visit Delish for more food and drink inspiration to spice up your meals!

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp. lemon zest
  • 1/2 c. sugar
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced, plus a wedge for rimming
  • 1 bottle champagne
  • 2 c. lemonade or pink lemonade

Directions:

  1. In a shallow dish, mix lemon zest and sugar.
  2. Rim champagne flutes with a lemon wedge and dip in sugar mixture.
  3. Place one slice of lemon inside each champagne flute, bending if needed.
  4. Fill flute halfway with champagne and top with lemonade. Serve.

 

When the weather begins warming up, I need a drink that is crisp and refreshing which is why I usually favor the Moscow Mule. So, what could possibly be better than ice cold lemonade and champagne during a muggy summer morning? The answer is nothing, of course!

Treat your friends to a Sunday morning summer brunch, follow more simple and tasty recipes by Lena Abraham, and you’ll be the hostess with the mostess by the time the second round of Lemonade Mimosas starts being poured!

What is your favorite mimosa flavor? (I love mango!) How do you do Sunday brunch? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah