Tag Archives: family

Happy Haulidays: Husband’s Family Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Husband’s Family Edition

Hello! Due to the high rates of COVID in Ohio, Johnny and I have had to have late Christmas celebrations with our families. This is why you haven’t seen any OOTDs or Hauliday posts recently but keep your eyes peeled because they are still going to happen! This past week, we celebrated with Johnny’s family and one of his aunts who is just wonderful and it was such a great time.

Living during a pandemic is insanely difficult but especially during the holidays as Johnny and I want to protect our vulnerable populations as much as we can. We haven’t seen his family as much as we would like so it was so nice to be able to share a meal, catch up, and open presents. Johnny’s family so generously gifted me with the following:

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Hanging out with Johnny’s family after so much time apart was the best gift of all, of course, but I am so appreciative of everything that they treated us to. I love my cobweb earrings the best of all and I am tickled by the gift from Johnny’s dad of the flashlight/screw driver/whistle/everything else lol. It is such a dad gift and I am obsessed – even if I don’t quite know how to use it. 😀

I am also very touched by the ornament from his mom made for caregivers, although we all had a laugh about how we couldn’t read the sweet sentiments that were on it. Johnny and I have been diligently working through our holiday chocolate – my favorite being the chocolate covered chips. I have never tried one before and it is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. I could seriously eat twenty bags of them!

The piece de resistance of our holiday haul had to be the new air fryer for the both of us. We meant to buy a new one after we got married as ours was on the fritz but we just never got around to it. It finally went kaput a few months ago so we were thrilled with the new appliance. We have been air frying literally everything and have missed it so much. The novelty of air fried food never wears off. 🙂

Although we didn’t keep up with our Miller family tradition of watching Christmas Vacation together, it was still an amazing celebration. I am so thankful to have two beautiful families to join in the holidays with and have my fingers crossed that we can celebrate next Christmas on time altogether! ❤

How did you celebrate the holidays this year? What is your favorite gift in your holiday haul? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

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Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

Raising a child with healthy teeth is no easy feat. There are so many different things that can go wrong and cause problems in their mouth, but there are also plenty of ways to prevent them from happening in the first place. Here are some great tips for raising your kids with healthier teeth to keep their smile bright and healthy:

Make an Appointment with Your Pediatric Dentist:

Having your child checked by a specialist regularly is essential to maintaining their oral health. In addition, a pediatric dentist will be able to provide you with tips and tricks on how to keep your child’s teeth healthy, as well as advice on diet and general hygiene.

Regular dental checkups are essential for young children, who may not properly brush their teeth yet. In addition, early diagnosis of any problems can help prevent them from becoming more severe down the road. For exceptional dental services tailored for children visit https://www.smilemesa.com/ and be sure your child’s needs are taken care of.

Incorporate Healthy Fats To Their Diet:

Kids need healthy fats for their overall health and development, including oral health. Omega-rich foods like salmon, avocado, nuts, and seeds are all great options to provide your child with the nutrients they need. Finally, make sure your pediatric dentist knows about any dietary restrictions or allergies your child has so they can provide appropriate dental care.

Give Them Plenty of Water:

Offer your children water instead of juice and pop. Water is the best option for keeping their teeth healthy and strong. It also provides these benefits:

  • Maintains regularity and prevents constipation
  • Prevents kidney stones
  • Boosts energy levels without caffeine or sugar crashes
  • Hydrates skin from the inside out
  • Cools the body down on a hot day
  • Helps with headaches and migraines

Supply Magnesium for Their Needs:

Magnesium is a mineral found in many dark green leafy veggies and beans. It also comes with whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Magnesium helps kids maintain healthy teeth as it boosts the growth of tissues, bones, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels found inside the mouth. A lack of magnesium can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems. When looking for a good source of magnesium, go for food sources instead of supplements, as they usually have more nutrients that are beneficial to overall health.

In addition, kids need about 80 mg/day of magnesium, which is easily achievable by including magnesium-rich foods in their diets regularly. Some good sources of magnesium include:

  • Spinach
  • Swiss chard
  • Beet greens
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts

By following the simple tips listed in this article, you can help your child have healthy teeth and avoid common dental problems.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Preparing Your Backyard For Parties

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Preparing Your Backyard For Parties

After being tucked away from the cold this winter, it’s only natural to be daydreaming about warm weather, outdoor activities, and parties hosted from your own backyard. Not only are outdoor get togethers a lot of fun but they are much safer from a COVID perspective too. If you have hosting an outdoor gathering on the mind, think about the following as you make your preparations:

Set The Space:

If you don’t already have a patio in the backyard for lawn furniture, this could be a great project to undertake. Stone or terracotta tiles set in a pleasing arrangement can provide the perfect space to set up an outdoor dining arrangement for your cookouts. If you’re not keen on doing this yourself, there are sure to be lots of local professionals who can make this happen. Getting the driveway interlocking services will greatly elevate the curb appeal. It’s a win/win situation!

Outdoor Activities:

Enjoying the great outdoors with your friends is a good way to get active so take advantage of it! Badminton, volleyball, cornhole, croquet, and bocce ball are all sure to be a hit. Hosting tournaments for some friendly competition will definitely get you moving! If you and your guests have green thumbs, you could have a literal garden party and plant flowers or veggies together. Don’t forget the lemonade and finger food to snack on.

Add A Fire Pit:

Your new patio will also be a nice space to set up a fire pit for an evening get together. Roasting marshmallows and hot dogs while the sun sets is always fun and will provide a touch of warmth during those chilly summer nights. A fire pit can also serve you well in the wintertime too to sip hot chocolate and munch gingerbread cookies around.

Keep Pests At Bay:

There is nothing worse than getting bit up by mosquitos during an outdoor gathering so a supply of citronella candles will go a long way. You also might want to consider calling in local experts if you have a lot of burrow holes on your lawn. You don’t want anyone tripping and spraining an ankle during your volleyball tournament!

Spring and summer activities are not as far off as we might think! Put your daydreaming of fun in the sun to good use by preparing your backyard soon.

Safe & Sound – Let’s Talk Home Security

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Safe & Sound – Let’s Talk Home Security

The safety and security of your home should always be at the forefront of your mind for yourselves, family, and pets. With so many amazing options out there, it never hurts to shop around for ways to better improve your home security. You can start with some of the following:

Doors & Windows:

The doors and windows of your home are an excellent place to start, especially if they are a bit worse for the wear. A flimsy front door or obviously broken windows are as good as inviting unwanted guests into your home. Steel doors are sturdy and affordable for homeowners. Not to mention that new and improved doors and windows will give an instant makeover to your home’s exterior to boost its curb appeal significantly.

Get To Know Your Neighbors:

Having neighbors is, of course, great for friendship, cookouts, and get togethers. It’s also nice to have an extra set of eyes on your home if you’re not there. Let your neighbors know if you are going on vacation or a weekend getaway so they can check in on your place while you’re gone. And, as always, you will want to post on social media about your adventures but that puts a big neon sign on your house saying that you’re not home.

Lighting/Landscaping:

A poorly lit home exterior as well as lots of shrubbery or trees on your property are all things that potential burglars look for when scouting houses. To remedy this, consider motion activated lights around your property. If you like the privacy that your current landscaping brings, you could think about getting a fence or gate installed for an added layer of protection.

Security Systems:

You can’t talk about boosting your home security without mentioning security systems, of course. From cameras for your doorbell or by the front door to security alarms, they are all worth discussing with a local security company. A lot of these systems can be accessed and controlled by your smartphone too making it much more convenient.

With the holiday season upon us, we will all be out and about more. Consider your home security so you can celebrate with family and friends worry free.

Don’t Wait To Fix These Home Problems

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Don’t Wait To Fix These Home Problems

There are some problems in the home that are things you can hold off on like installing new flooring, replacing old furniture, and the like. While remodeling is fun, it’s something that you can postpone until a more appropriate time or a bigger budget. However, there are some problems that can happen in your home that shouldn’t wait to be fixed, like these examples:

Pest Issues:

Problems with pests both inside and out should always be tended to immediately because quick action will prevent the problem from getting worse. And, holding off can cause the situation to spiral out of control rapidly from a health and safety perspective for you and your family. If you’re having an issue with bugs, mice, or other critters call in a local expert to help deal with the infestation in the most humane way possible.

Leaks:

Similarly to pest problems, a leak in the roof or a pipe is something that can get out of hand quickly. It is a money drainer considering the heat, cold, or water that the house is losing, not to mention the cost of fixing the water damaged areas. Unless you are handy, this is also something that should be dealt with by local experts for a fast and effective way to fix the problem.

Appliance Repair:

Appliances are something that we all take for granted until they stop working. We never truly know how lucky we are for a dishwasher or a washer and dryer until you’re spending evenings washing dishes by hand or at the laundromat. It is important to schedule timely dishwasher repair services before it disrupts life routine. If any of your appliances appear to be on the fritz, schedule a repair appointment today to continue on with convenience and safety.

Windows & Doors:

If your windows or doors leave your home feeling drafty, it’s time to look at an upgrade. Can you imagine your savings in heating and air conditioning once these fixtures are more secure? It can also help prevent illness from the weather being let in. Not only will it keep the cold and warmth inside more effectively, but it will also double as a way to boost your home security, making it a win/win situation.

If you are having any issues with the problems above, it’s important to get on top of them before they cause even more headache. And, as always, if you are unsure of anything, then leave it to the professionals!

Warm Up With These Indoor Winter Activities

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Warm Up With These Indoor Winter Activities

Hello! I love the way the snow makes everything look like a holiday greeting card… and that’s about it lol. Driving in it is for the birds and as someone who is constantly cold, I can do without the extra dose of brrrrrr. So, needless to say, I like to enjoy my winter activities from the great indoors! If you feel similarly, try out these ideas all from the comfort of being wrapped in your favorite blanket:

Present Wrapping Party:

I absolutely LOVE shopping for holiday gifts but wrapping them? Not so much! Of course, it is a necessary evil and making it more fun can make it, dare I say, pleasant? Invite your friends over for a present wrapping marathon complete with hot cocoa and holiday movies. You can even have a gift swap at the end as a little reward for a job well done.

All Aboard:

In my neck of the woods, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers all kinds of fun winter activities and you can peep the falling snow without being stuck in it! For the little ones, they offer the Polar Express and for adults, there tends to be a beer or wine tasting event as you ride the train. If there is something similar in your area, it could be a fun way to shake things up for a unique winter memory.

Craft Competitions:

There are so many winter baubles and trinkets that you can craft and you can up the ante by turning it into a competition. How about a gingerbread house bake off? Creating your own candles with festive scents? Or decorating ornaments for your tree or mantel? The prize could simply be bragging rights or a small gift to commemorate their victory.

Santa Hat Movie Viewing:

If you’re looking for a boozy time with friends or drinking a lot of hot chocolate, then have I got a game for you! Whether it’s a holiday movie or not, put a Santa hat on the corner of the TV and when any character ends up “wearing” it, take a drink. I promise that it will make the Hallmark movie marathon way more bearable! 😀

Winter Game Night:

Game nights are always fun and, this time, you can put a holiday twist on it. Try charades with famous holiday movie scenes to act out. Or, go around in a circle and each person will have to say the next word of a Christmas carol. Pin the ornaments on the tree? A holiday edition of Never Have I Ever? You could even make a photo booth set up for goofy holiday pictures… The possibilities are endless! Don’t forget a hot chocolate bar or trail mix station for your guests!

Don’t let it snow on your parade with the ideas above and stay comfy cozy all while achieving the ultimate holiday spirit! 😀

PS: Spread the joy by putting a “buy in” to each event you host by having your guests bring a canned good to donate to a local shelter. ❤

What is your favorite winter activity? What puts you in the holiday spirit? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Faux Fur Fabulous OOTD Bonus Pictures

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Faux Fur Fabulous OOTD Bonus Pictures

Hello everyone and welcome to some bonus pictures from my Faux Fur Fabulous OOTD! These pictures were taken when Johnny and I celebrated our six month wedding anniversary and it was such a wonderful day. Take a look at my bonus shots including one hilarious blooper and let’s discuss what we did to make our day special:

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Can you guess which one the blooper is lol?! Like any good blog husband, Johnny takes So. Many. Pictures. in rapid fire succession and this includes the dismounts, awkward shots, and pictures that I didn’t even know he was taking!

To start off our day, Johnny and I met up with my parents and our niece in downtown Cuyahoga Falls for a puppy parade. While we got the time wrong on the parade itself (whomp whomp), we still got to see tons of dogs dressed up in their holiday best. We had so much fun pet watching and petting all of these adorable pups and it was truly dog heaven.

In the indoor area set up, the pooches could get their picture taken with Santa and owners could shop with local vendors for stocking stuffers for their pets. Our niece was able to meet Santa and by that I mean she just stood there in stunned silence haha. She eventually warmed up enough to give him a high five, though! 🙂

After the outing with our family, Johnny and I enjoyed a big lunch at Barrio where you can build your own tacos. Barrio is one of my favorite eateries and they have the best margaritas I have ever had. We got tacos for now and tacos for later and I am already itching to go back. 😀

When we were done eating, we checked out Off The Wagon and got a new board game to add to our vast collection. Then, we went to the Zephyr for a drink before heading home. Once we were back at the home front, an evening of video games and music commenced and it was an absolute blast. If our half year wedding anniversary was this good, I can’t imagine what our full year anniversary will be like!

No matter the occasion, Johnny and I always have the best time together and our date day was no exception. He is the best husband ever! ❤

What is your favorite restaurant? How does your community celebrate the holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Thinking Of Getting A Dog? Here’s How To Make The Adoption More Practical

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Thinking Of Getting A Dog? Here’s How To Make The Adoption More Practical

Are you thinking about adopting a pet into your family? Perhaps you’ve had your eyes set on getting a dog for a long time or maybe your children are interested in helping to adopt a dog. Whatever the case is, bringing a dog into your family can be surprisingly difficult, time-consuming, and also impractical depending on where and how you live. So in this post, we’re going to be discussing a few tips to help you make adopting a dog much easier”

Are you ready to train your dog?

First, remember that you need to commit a lot of time to puppy training and other training tasks if you want your dog to behave and learn from you. If you don’t think that you have enough time for something like that, then it’s usually best to consider a different kind of hobby. Raising a dog and providing for it can be really hard, especially if you can’t provide them with attention on a regular basis.

Do some research on various dog breeds:

You may also want to do a little research on various dog breeds to help you choose which one to pick from. Dog breeds vary a lot in their personalities and also their physical looks. This is especially important if you want a dog that stays smaller or grows up to be a big boy or girl.

Is your home suitable for a dog?

You’ll also want to start preparing your home for a dog, especially if they’re rather big. Dogs can easily knock things over and you really don’t want them to be running around when you have a lot of things on the floor. Clean up your home and make sure you’ve installed various kinds of devices to hide cables and to keep your dog safe from harm.

Get to know your local vet ASAP:

Every pet owner has a duty to get to know their local vet. This is an important step in keeping your dog as healthy as it can be. Your vet will be able to provide you with ample information for recommended foods, keeping their shots up to date, and training tips too.

Do you have enough space in your home for a dog?

Finally, don’t forget that you need to prepare enough space in your home for your dog. You need to think about where your dog should sleep at night, but you also need to consider that your dogs need a bit of space to roam around. If you don’t have a large open area in your home or even access to a local park for your dog to explore, then you might want to reconsider adopting a dog. Just remember that it’s a lot of work and takes more space and sacrifice than you might imagine.

Dogs are a forever part of your family so consider all of the above before you sign the adoption papers!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Where To Start When Planning A Home Renovation

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Where To Start When Planning A Home Renovation

Whether you’re planning on prepping your home for winter or updating your home to make it bigger and more comfortable for you and your family, you know you can’t just pull out a drill and get started. A home renovation is a substantial project that demands plenty of care and planning. If you don’t know every step of the process, you might end up realizing that it won’t work right now. So, before you pull on your safety goggles, here is some advice for where to start when planning a renovation at home:

Decide Which Room Is Most Important:

Before you do anything, you should get an idea about which room requires the most attention. Many people begin with the room they use the most, which research shows is the kitchen, but this can also cause disruptions that make it impossible to use the room at all.

Other common rooms to start in are the living room, bathroom, and your bedroom, especially as you can usually make adjustments to the living situation while they are under renovation. A bathroom remodel with pros like mattbakercontracting.com (or a similar company in your local area) can be far more budget friendly than a kitchen remodel and is always appealing to potential buyers if you put your home on the market. However, you might consider these rooms perfect already, so it’s best to focus on anywhere that isn’t up to the same standard.

If you are already satisfied with the major components of your home, you could turn unused space into living areas. This is an incredibly common renovation for those that have an attic or basement and is an appealing one. A renovation to these spaces will not only boost your property value but allow you the freedom to turn these areas into whatever you please. It could be a home office, an entertainment room, or a guest room. If you would like to renovate your attic or basement, hold a family meeting to decide the best use of your new space.

Consider the Total Cost (And How You’ll Pay):

It’s no secret that a home renovation costs a lot of money, especially if you want it done right the first time. So, consider how much it will cost and how you will pay for it before you get on the phone with contractors or materials suppliers. Don’t forget to factor in additional costs as well like if you need to stay in a hotel while the renovation is completed or you need to make use of storage units and dumpster rentals. Dumpsters are a must for any home renovation so be sure to enter a search for “denver dumpster” (or your local area) to schedule your rental. It will help the clean up process so much!

Anyone who has done a renovation before will tell you that it will always cost more than your budget, so make allowances for this. Once you have decided which room needs the renovation the most, you can get an inspector to visit and check for any issues so you can budget accurately.

When your budget is established, consider the different ways to pay for the work, whether you want to take out a loan or pay everything upfront.

Decide Between DIY or Contractors:

The final step is to consider whether you will do it yourself or bring in professional contractors. Although DIY can save money in the short term, it could cost you more later as inexperienced DIYers can make mistakes that require repairs. There are also some parts of the home where contractors are essential. If you’re working with electricity, gas, or water, professional services like Panda Kitchen & Bath Expo are more reliable than attempting the work yourself.

It’s best to do your research and decide what jobs are feasible to complete yourself and what you will need a professional to assist with. Upgrading your living spaces can be a huge task, and one you may not be able to do completely solo. It takes a lot of time and dedication to take on a renovation, and when you employ contractors like those at ClearcutBuilders, this can take a significant amount of stress off managing every detail yourself. These professionals will also have experience and expertise in certain jobs that require access to resources and tools, ensuring a smoother project outcome.

A home renovation is a fantastic way to make your home safer and accommodate a growing family. It can take a lot of time and hard work, but as long as you remember these important factors, you will have no trouble planning a renovation that you will love.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Flight Of Fancy OOTD Bonus Pictures

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Flight Of Fancy OOTD Bonus Pictures

Hello everyone and welcome to some bonus pictures from yesterday’s Flight Of Fancy OOTD! That Saturday was such a fun day of playing model with my husband, having a libation at our favorite bar, and enjoying a community holiday activity with my family. It was the perfect day immersed in holiday spirit and I loved every minute of it! Let’s get to it:

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Over the past several years, downtown Cuyahoga Falls has transformed itself into a happening little place. Prior to the renovations, this area had more closed down shops and restaurants than open. Now, every storefront is practically filled with unique eateries, boutiques, and novelty shops. Not to mention all of the amazing holiday activities and festivals that are hosted there throughout the year.

This past Saturday, downtown Cuyahoga Falls opened up its outdoor skating rink and had a Santa parade, fireworks, and tree lighting ceremony to celebrate. Johnny and I met up with my parents and niece for the festivities and had an absolute blast. Our niece got to see her TT skate for the first time and she also got to see Santa riding on a firetruck through the streets.

Not only was the area beautifully decorated for the holidays but it was also snowing which made for a scene fresh out of a Hallmark movie. There was music playing, people dancing in the streets, and an indoor area to warm up, sip hot chocolate, and have the little ones write their letters to Santa. So much fun! 😀

A wonderful time was had by all this past weekend and I am so appreciative to my hometown for hosting such awesome events to bring the community together. ❤

How does your neck of the woods get in the holiday spirit? Is there a similar area to downtown Cuyahoga Falls where you live? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah