Tag Archives: essentials

Jan16

Chewy Haul

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Chewy Haul

Hello! For Christmas, Johnny’s aunt gifted Mel and Penelope with a Chewy gift card for all of their supplies. It was so thoughtful! With the gift card, I was able to stock up on all of their necessities as well as some new toys and old favorites. As per usual, though, the bunnies are much more interested in playing with the Chewy boxes than anything else lol. Check out what these spoiled pets got as a late Christmas gift:

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The Chewy gift card was, honestly, one of the best gifts of my holiday haul because all of the products seen above were things that were going to need to be bought anyways. While I did spend a little of my own money, the gift card covered almost everything and most of these purchases will last us until March, at least. If that seems quick to you, remember that two bunnies means double everything! Also their favorite activity is to dump their food dish out which is equal parts adorable and annoying lol.

The most important purchases from this haul were definitely their pellet food and bedding. The past four times I have placed an order with Chewy, their food has been unavailable. Then, once my order has been placed, I get an email saying their pellet food is back in stock *eye roll*. Since their food was available during this order, I decided to go big and get three bags to avoid this in the future. I also decided to get two bags of their bedding since I also use it to fill their litter boxes. The bunny litter that I was using was pricey AF and even if I have to change their litter bedding more often, it is still less expensive in the long run.

One final essential from this order was their Timothy hay and then it was onto the toys! The Kaytee Play n’ Chew hideout is one of their favorites and they love to destroy it. Thankfully, it takes them a while to do so and since they are still working on the one they have, this will serve as a backup. The Rosewood play and chew balls are also a Mel and Penelope fave and they can chew through the rope and thin wood ones in a matter of minutes. I also wanted to give them some new options like the Timothy hay lollipops and the hourglass and piece of cake chew toys. The hourglass has been hit or miss so far but they made quick work of one of the lollipops. 😀

Mel and Pen were cool with their mom spending their gift card for them and as far as I know, they are happy with what I picked out! And I am too. 😀

Where do you get your pet supplies from? What is your pet’s favorite toy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Nov18

Essentials To Boost 2023 For Your Children

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Essentials To Boost 2023 For Your Children

2023 is on the horizon, and there are a lot of factors that you need to think about when it comes time to try to improve the year for your children. There are loads of things that you can do in the family that will help to make the coming year better and more exciting for your kids, and it’s important to think about the different ways in which you are able to do this.

Being the head of the family these days comes with its fair share of struggles and challenges, and the more you can do to deal with these effectively, the better it will be long-term. There are plenty of things that you have to think about that are going to play a big role in this, and being able to boost the coming year for your kids can play a huge role in making family life better. These are some of the key essentials that you can use to help you achieve this:

Extend the home:

Making positive changes to your property is something that plays a massive role in allowing you to improve the year for your children, as well as giving them more space and comfort. There are a lot of ways in which you can extend your home more effectively, and this is even something you can discuss with your kids in advance as well. Maybe you could turn the attic into a reading nook? Or, perhaps, finish the basement and turn it into the ultimate game room!

Look after finances better:

As a modern family, there are a lot of responsibilities and considerations to make, and one of the biggest things you need to get right as a parent is to make sure you manage money better. With the cost of living crisis beginning, it is essential for a lot of families to look for ways of being able to tighten their purse strings. The more you can do to help you look after your money, and ensure the family is more financially comfortable, the better. There are a lot of different ways in which you can achieve this like focusing on cutting costs, saving money little by little, and making better financial decisions.

Improve family health:

Working on improving family health is absolutely vital and you can do a lot to make sure 2023 gets off on the right track for the family, health-wise. One of the key things that can help you when it comes to achieving this is to swap your family’s diet for something healthier and more nutritious. It is also important to think about some of the best ways of being able to create a healthy family dynamic. This means you need to think about boosting mental health and well-being, and this is something that plays a massive role in helping you work on boosting your family health.

Plan more activities:

One of the best ways of making the most of 2023 is to plan more activities. How about visiting some adventure centres? Weekly family hikes? Cooking a meal all together? Being able to enjoy multiple different activities and keep your children active and engaged gives the opportunity to bond and have lots of fun too!

2023 will be here before we know it and you can make it the best year yet for your family! Spend time together, make improvements where you can, and continue to move forward as a strong family unit.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep28

4 Considerations When Looking After Elderly Parents

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4 Considerations When Looking After Elderly Parents

It can be a difficult task to take care of your retired parents, but with careful planning and execution, it doesn’t have to be. There are four essential things that you need to consider when looking after them: their health, finances, living situation, and their social life. In this blog post, we will go over each of these considerations in detail and provide you with advice on how to manage them best:

Their health:

As your parents age, their health will inevitably decline. It’s important to be proactive about their health and get regular checkups with their doctor. You should also create a list of their medications as well as hospitals and doctors that their insurance covers and keep it in a safe place. In case of an emergency, you or another family member can quickly reference this list and ensure that your parents are getting the care they need.

Their finances:

One of the most challenging conversations with elderly parents is about their financial situation. It can be hard to broach the topic, especially if they are reluctant to discuss it. However, it is vital to be aware of their financial situation for two reasons: 1) you need to know if they can support themselves and 2) you need to be on the lookout for signs of financial elder abuse.

If your parents are struggling financially, they have several options. For example, they may be eligible for government benefits or charity assistance. If they own their home, they may also be able to downsize or take out a reverse mortgage. Unfortunately, as far as financial elder abuse goes, this sadly is an all too real problem and can take form in many ways, so be sure to keep an eye on professionals dealing with your parent’s finances.

Their living situation:

Another important consideration is your parents’ living situation. If they can live independently, that’s great! But if they need some assistance, you’ll need to consider that. If they live in a retirement community, staff who can help with transportation or meals may be there. If they live in their own home, you’ll need to decide if it’s feasible for them to continue doing so. If not, you may need to help them find a new place to live.

Whatever their living situation, you’ll also need to consider how accessible it is. Can they get around safely? Do they have everything they need? Is it safe for them to be there? These are all critical things to consider when looking after your retired parents.

Their social life:

Finally, you’ll need to think about your parents’ social life. As people age, they often become more isolated and lose touch with their friends. Having a good support network and staying connected to the outside world will be especially beneficial to their mental health. There are a few ways you can do this:

  • Encourage them to join social clubs or groups
  • Make sure they see their friends regularly
  • Take them out for outings and activities

These are four essential considerations when looking after your retired parents or loved ones. If you can address these areas, you’ll be doing a great job of taking care of them!

Featured Image By: Andrea Piacquadio

Jul16

Baby Shower Gift Ideas

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Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Hello!! My sister and brother-in-law will soon be welcoming another sweet little girl into their family and I am so excited!! Their oldest daughter, Valerie, is my BFF and I know that she will be the best big sister. Because they already have SO many clothes, toys, and essentials from when Val was born, Johnny and I were stumped on what to gift them for their newest addition. So, I decided to come up with a list of ideas if any of you are in a similar situation or the expecting family doesn’t have a registry. Let’s get to it:

Gift Cards:

This is the route that Johnny and I took for my sister and brother-in-law and we bought several gift cards for gas stations, Target, and a Visa gift card. Some people say gift cards as a present are thoughtless and I say: FALSE. Gift cards are great because the parents can buy the things that they know they need and won’t have to deal with the hassle of returning unwanted items. Visa gift cards are awesome because the giftee won’t be limited to what store to purchase at. Gas and grocery cards are also sure to be welcome since everything is so freaking expensive now!

Essentials:

I originally asked my sister if we could buy her a supply of wipes, formula, and diapers but she told me she was well stocked already. However, this is another gift that would be sure to please – just make sure you ask what their preferred brands are! A stock pile of baby necessities will help your giftee save money as well as *hopefully* eliminate some late night runs to the store when the last diaper is gone.

Various Clothes Sizes:

Expecting parents are sure to get a ton of clothes in newborn sizes but not be able to use them all with a constantly growing infant. You can help this situation by purchasing clothes in a multitude of sizes from six to nine months and up. Once again, this will save an errand for going to the store and exchanging sizes or finding a new item all together.

Just Ask:

If the person you are purchasing for doesn’t have a gift registry, just ask them! This is what I did with my sister and all she told me was that she needed a new changing pad. I wasn’t satisfied with just this, though, and purchased gift cards as well. Being able to get someone exactly what they need is a wonderful thing so there is no harm in asking about it.

Nursery Gifts:

If you are looking for something more personal to gift, then you can always go the homemade route to help decorate the nursery. You could paint some sweet baby animals, crochet a stuffed toy, or even knit a little sweater or hat. Not only will it be appreciated now but it will be an amazing keepsake for later! If you are not crafty, you can enlist the help of local artists for the task.

Welcoming a new baby is such an exciting thing for all parties involved and you can shake the stress of the perfect gift with the ideas above!

Do you have a new addition coming to your family soon? What do you like to gift for baby showers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May9

What’s In My Skate Bag?

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What’s In My Skate Bag?

Hello!! As most of you know, I am an avid ice skater and love hitting the rink as often as I can for a lesson with my childhood coach. When I was younger, I can remember how all of the skaters at the rink had the coolest skate bags on wheels to tote their belongings back and forth. Myself, on the other hand, opted for a Betsey Johnson travel bag and I have been using it for close to two decades… Until now, that is!

I had been long overdue for a much needed upgrade and Elite Sports delivered with this gorgeous new sports bag. What do I keep inside it? Let’s find out:

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^^^ You can shop my new bag in a variety of colors here!

My Practice Necessities:

  • Skates (Of course!)
  • A rag to dry my skates after practice
  • Hard guards for walking off ice
  • My favorite travel mug
  • A snack to eat on the way to the rink

When I go skating, it is typically after work because I hate getting up for early Saturday morning sessions. This means that I need to have a good snack and my travel mug handy to keep my energy up because I’ll have a late dinner afterwards. My “Making A Difference” mug was a surprise gift from the Ohio Department Of Developmental Disabilities and I take it everywhere. It works like a dream and I never have to worry about my hot drinks cooling down or cool drinks warming up lol.

My go to snack on the way to skating are the Belvita breakfast bars. I freaking LOVE these things and I’ll often have one before going to work too. My favorite are the soft baked bars – especially the ones with dark chocolate in it – YUM! It almost makes me feel guilty eating them because they taste like dessert but they provide me with the boost I need for a great skate.

As I mentioned before, it took me the better part of almost twenty years since I upgraded my skate bag and my wipe down rag still hasn’t changed. What can I say, I am a woman of habit! I got what was once a nice towel from the Skater’s Edge (A skate shop in Ohio) from a competition forever ago and it hasn’t left my possession since. Call it nostalgia or whatever you will for holding onto something for so long but it still wipes my skates dry all the same. 😀

Like a majority of the necessities in my skate bag, my hard guards were bought when I got my first pair of skates lol. Hey, if it’s not broken… These are a must have for skaters to protect their blades for pre and post practice as well as all of those bathroom breaks from guzzling water throughout the session!

And, finally, I don’t get to use my new(ish) skates as often as I would like, especially with the craziness of just moving apartments. However, when I do get the chance to get back on the ice, it’s like I never left. I can’t wait for my next practice to break out my new Elite Sports bag! 😀

How long do you tend to hold onto things for? What is in your work out bag? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May5

Don’t Forget These Essentials For Your First Day At Work

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Don’t Forget These Essentials For Your First Day At Work

Is there anything more exciting yet nerve racking than starting a new job? It is important to start as you mean to go on, so having a good first day is crucial for your confidence and the impression you create on others. The last thing you want to do is get to your job and realize that you have forgotten something important. With that in mind, read on to discover the essentials you need for your new job.

Office stationery:

It is highly likely that your office will have its own supplies, but there is no harm in coming prepared. It means you won’t have to ask anyone to point you in the direction of a stapler or some pens. It is a good idea to buy a container so that you can keep all of your stationery organized on your desk. There is no need to go all out and spend too much when starting your new job, but a few basic essentials will come in handy.

Business backpack:

Of course, you are going to need a stylish bag to keep all of your belongings in. A smart business backpack is a good choice. You will have more than enough space for all of your essentials, and different compartments so that you can keep things organized.

Water bottle:

Keeping hydrated throughout the day is so important. If you are lacking hydration, your brain won’t be able to focus properly, and this will result in a sub-par performance on your first day. By having a filled water bottle on your desk, you will instinctively drink without even thinking about it.

Deodorant:

Your first day is bound to be a bit stressful and nerve racking. When feeling stressed, the body responds by sweating. The last thing you want to do is feel uncomfortable and sticky all day long. Take some deodorant in your bag with you.

Hand sanitizer:

We have all had to have at least one Covid test over the past couple of years. Keeping safe and healthy is important, so it makes sense to put some antibacterial hand gel in your bag too.

Lunch:

It is always a good idea to take lunch with you on your first day. You don’t know how your breaks are going to be split up during the day, and you may not have anywhere to buy lunch nearby. Of course, if you do, and your co-workers invite you for lunch, do take them up on it so you can get to know everyone.

Come prepared with these essentials on your first day of work for one less thing to stress about!

Featured Image By: Freestockphotos

Apr11

Make Moving Easier With These Tips

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Make Moving Easier With These Tips

Are you moving house soon? If so, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to manage it! Moving can seem like a daunting task, but it can be a lot easier with a bit of organization and preparation than you think. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on making your move as smooth and stress free as possible. Let’s get started:

Organize and Declutter:

One of the first things you should do when preparing to move is to have a good declutter. This will make packing easier, but it will also save you money on moving costs. If you don’t need it, get rid of it! Have a garage sale, donate items to charity, or sell them online. This will also allow you to get rid of any unwanted furniture or appliances that you don’t want to take with you.

Start Packing Early:

Don’t leave packing until the last minute! Instead, start packing up non-essential items a few weeks in advance. This will make the process a lot less daunting and will help to keep you organized. Make sure to label all of your boxes to know where everything is going.

Hire a Professional Moving Company:

If you want to make your move as easy as possible, hire a professional moving company. They will handle all of the heavy lifting and transport your belongings safely to your new home. This will take a lot of the stress out of moving.

Use a Portable Moving Container:

If you’re not hiring a professional moving company, you may consider using a portable moving container. This is an excellent option if you’re on a budget or have a lot of belongings. You can pack up your container at your own pace and then deliver it to your new home.

Pack Your Essentials Separately:

When you’re packing for your move, pack a separate bag or box of essential items that you will need on the first day in your new home. This should include toiletries, clothes, bedding, and kitchen supplies. This will make it easier to find everything you need when you first arrive at your new house.

Notify Important Contacts Of Your Move In Advance:

Notify your bank, doctor, and other important contacts of your move in advance. This will ensure that you don’t have any disruptions to your service.

Change Your Address:

Don’t forget to change your address at the post office! You can do this online or in person so you can continue to receive your mail at your new address.

Packing Hacks:

  • Use old newspapers or bubble wrap to protect your belongings when packing.
  • Put heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.
  • Fill up any empty spaces in your boxes with clothes or towels to prevent them from moving around during transport.

Following these tips will help to make your move as easy and painless as possible. Moving house doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With a bit of planning and preparation, it can be a breeze! Happy moving!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar16

Getting The Basics Right With Your Business Website

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Getting The Basics Right With Your Business Website

When you’re trying to make a startup work, few elements of the process are as important as running a functional website. It’s close to impossible to have a fully offline startup these days and it’s hard to know why anyone would want to. However, if you don’t manage the website properly, you’ll be pretty close to invisible online so it’s important to devote time and effort to your digital presence.

Of course, it won’t be a shock to anyone that the website is important. There’s a wealth of tools out there that can be used to make your website stand out more, to display information about your global reach, and to showcase your business down to the finest detail. It’s easy to get bogged down in all the little tricks and gimmicks that take your website up a level. What a lot of startup entrepreneurs seem to forget is that all of this counts for very little if you don’t get the basics right. Follow the tips below to understand better what the way forward is:

Get the domain name right:

Sometimes, you can navigate to a business website without even looking it up – because you know what it’s going to be. That’s the power of having a unique name and owning the domain that attaches to it. It’s no exaggeration to suggest that it’s worth changing your business name (after all, it’s a startup) if that’s what it will take to get an appropriate URL. Bear in mind that the domain should be memorable, succinct, and clear. If it’s a really long name or there are hyphens in it, people are liable to leave it alone and look for something else.

See the value of the right hosting:

Your website is your shopfront on the internet so it’s important to make sure it is in working order, that it looks right, and that downtime is kept to a minimum. Managed hosting from the likes of www.nestify.io is a worthwhile investment, because they will ensure that your site is functioning as it should, warning you of any cyberattacks, and keeping the site online. Proactive hosting like this will identify and remedy issues before you (or worse, a customer) have even noticed there’s a problem. Knowing that the hosting is handled allows you to focus on what you’re best at.

Set out your mission statement front and center:

It’s not uncommon to see websites that feature flashy graphics, dynamic text, and all sorts of tricks. These sites can be visually impressive. Indeed, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of wizardry, but bear in mind that you need to be setting out what the website and your business is all about. A strong mission statement should be among the first things your potential customers see. It’s also a handy place to put some of your SEO features and keywords, which will help the search engines find you – which is what you need to grow your business.

While the basics of running a successful website may seem boring, it is the best place to start. Having a strong base will provide you with opportunities for bigger and better things to come!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb15

Travel Essentials To Secure Before Your Vacation

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Travel Essentials To Secure Before Your Vacation

When it comes to a big vacation, every detail is important. You want to relax while away, not stress about items forgotten or if you failed to turn the kitchen light off! Every travel detail will start with research before you leave for your trip. Your findings will reveal plenty of travel essentials, but some of them are optional. However, these items will be valuable and irreplaceable parts of your travel bag, making it necessary to focus on getting them:

Flight Details and Travel Requirements:

Every person will start their travel adventures with one task: getting to the destination. However, most national governments won’t let you inside their countries that easily. There will be plenty of travel requirements such as visas, passports, personal identification cards, and legal documents. For example, if you have an itinerary for your Jiufen day tour, you can print it or have it ready on your mobile phone.

You must identify all the legal travel requirements you need months before your target date if you plan to visit a country for vacation. Fortunately, the internet provides travel guides to boost tourism in many locations. Identifying those travel essentials allows you to secure them ahead of your target date. Without them, traveling will not be possible. Try to place them in your carry-on bag for easy access whenever you have to present them in international customs.

Cash & Then Some:

There are two ways to approach your travel budget. The first option involves dedicating funds for travel, even if you don’t have a plan yet. This financial strategy will allow you to identify a closer travel date when you start planning. Even if it’s just fifty bucks per paycheck, adding to a travel fund for a year can give you a nice vacation.

Your second option will require you to adjust your monthly budget for travel expenses, which means reducing other essentials like shopping, groceries, and food allocations. Your local bank account might carry huge fees when you withdraw funds in international locations. You wouldn’t want that unnecessary expense and don’t forget to notify your credit card company that you’re traveling.

Clothing and Toiletries:

Most people travel to another country to experience different things. Other cultures and tourist sites are on top of the list, but the weather might also be a factor in your decision. People living in tropical countries might want to experience winter, summer, spring, and autumn. It can also happen vice versa for people used to living in temperate climates. As a result, the clothing style might have to adjust. Travelers must never underestimate extreme cold or heat so do be sure to pack accordingly.

Toiletries also play a significant role in keeping the weather from becoming intolerable. Sunscreen, moisturizer, and lotion prevent harsh environments from ruining your skin. Don’t forget that travel sizes are required for boarding a plane. If these mini sizes won’t sustain you for your trip, hit up a store at your location to buy the products you need – this will also save you space in your travel bag.

There are countless more travel essentials, but it depends on every traveler’s needs or preferences. If you have allergies or medical issues, carrying your medicine with you will be necessary. Electronic devices can help you navigate through unfamiliar lands, as long as you are okay with purchasing roaming data. The keys are to plan, budget, and plan some more for your big trip!

Jan12

Walmart Gift Card Haul

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Walmart Gift Card Haul

Hello! Johnny’s mom and dad were kind enough to gift me with a Walmart gift card for Christmas. And, let me tell you, I have never felt more like an adult than during my online shopping haul to use it. I spent my gift card on apartment essentials and while it wasn’t the most fun thing in the world, all of these things will be handy to have around:

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For home essentials, you can’t go wrong with any of these purchases. Johnny and I are always in need of Drano, trash bags, electric toothbrush heads, and filters for our Brita pitcher. I rarely do shopping at Walmart so I figured that buying these must haves was the way to go to make the most of my gift card. It will also mean less stuff to buy when I do my next curbside pickup at Giant Eagle. Not only did I get all of the above, but I also got some fluorescent lights that have been burnt out in my kitchen for literal months. Whoops!

Was this the most exciting haul in the world? Not necessarily. But, will it be much needed around the apartment? Totally. It was nice to be able to make such good use of the gift from Johnny’s parents. Thanks again! ❤

What are some of your home essentials? What makes you feel like an adult? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah