Tag Archives: fresh

May20

How To Spruce Up The Exterior Of Your Home

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How To Spruce Up The Exterior Of Your Home

Your home’s exterior can have a huge impact on its overall aesthetic, as it’s the first thing that you or your guests see when arriving at your property. If your home’s exterior is drab and dreary, then it may give off the false impression that the inside of your property is unkempt too – even if your home’s interior is as pristine as can be! Fortunately, figuring out how to spruce up your home’s exterior doesn’t have to be as tricky as you might imagine, because there are several simple steps that you can follow to transform it in no time at all:

Revamp Your Windows:

Revamping your windows is an ideal way to spruce up your home’s exterior, as they contribute massively towards the overall aesthetic of your property. Choosing to use old and damaged windows that boast one single pane will detract from the look of your home while also impacting on your energy efficiency too, so it’s best to think about upgrading your windows to double or even triple glazing in an attractive style so that you can boost your curb appeal like never before.

Windows come in so many shapes, sizes, and styles, so you can find an alternative to better suit your property. Finding top quality specialty and custom window installation can put your mind at ease, so make sure you seek out a reputable provider that has lots of positive reviews so that you can put your faith in their products and services. If you don’t have the funds to invest in a whole new set of windows for your home then do not fret! You might be able to get away with a deep clean and a quick lick of paint on any surrounding wood just to help inject a little life into your aging windows.

Gain Control Over Your Garden:

If your front garden is overgrown and unruly, then this could be detracting noticeably from your property’s exterior. Overgrown grass, low hanging trees, and weeds sprouting up between your paving stones can be an eyesore so it’s vital that you gain control over your garden if you want your home to really flourish.

Mow your front lawn regularly and add some pops of color in the form of a few potted plants or even a variety of hanging baskets that boast an array of beautiful flowers to brighten things up. Stay on top of weeding and reward your hard work with some cute lawn decorations to add some fun, quirky touches.

Pressure Wash Brickwork & Paving:

Last but not least, if you want to spruce up your home’s exterior and encourage your property to look as fresh and vibrant as possible, then pressure washing your brickwork and paving will help to achieve total revitalization. Over time your exterior walls and any paving or driveways that sit outside your home can fall victim to wear and tear, whether this means staining, discoloration, or any other unsightly issue that can make your home seem drab.

Investing in a pressure washer or hiring a professional is an option that you should consider exploring, as it’s such an affordable and fast way to transform your home’s exterior without the need for any skills. Just make sure you don’t pressure wash any surfaces which aren’t strong enough to take the power, as you may accidentally blast away the surface layer or even break straight through if the material is particularly weak (such as rotting wood on old decking).

Spring cleaning is out and summer projects are in. Take advantage of the beautiful weather with some outdoor chores – starting with your home’s exterior!

Featured Image By: Pexels

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Apr11

Spring Cleaning Check List

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Spring Cleaning Check List

Even though it’s still chilly out, it is most definitely spring time! While the rain and cold keeps you bundled up at home waiting for sunshine and flowers, it will give you ample time to complete your spring cleaning. Is it the most fun thing to do? Not really! But, there is nothing more refreshing than a newly cleaned house to relax in. Don’t forget these tasks as you make your house sparkle:

Do A Walk Through:

Before starting a deep clean, it’s best to perform a walk through of the house to see what needs your attention the most. You will probably find that certain rooms need more care than others or see that appliances aren’t functioning properly when you take a closer look. You might be DIYing your spring cleaning, but fast appliance repair technicians Miami will be necessary to get everything working as it should.

Your walk through is a good time to do any decluttering, clear items off of the floor, and make space on your shelves to dust. Prior to starting any cleaning, decluttering is key because why clean more stuff than you have to? Spring cleaning is all about making your home feel more spacious and open so clearing clutter is the ideal first step.

Start From The Bottom:

It is usually preferred to start cleaning from your floors and work your way up from there. A pass of your vacuum on your carpets and rugs will work just fine. But, if you have tiles, laminate, or hardwood flooring, a Swiffer WetJet will be your new best friend. The WetJet will help pick up all of the crumbs, hair, etc. from your non-carpeted areas and, honestly, makes cleaning kind of fun! If you plan on working in sessions instead of doing one massive cleaning day, it will be the perfect time for a break once your floors are nice and clean.

PS: If you have higher areas in your home to dust (IE: windows, chandeliers and other light fixtures), do that before cleaning the floors so you can sweep up any dust that has fallen afterwards.

Work Your Way Up:

The next step in spring cleaning includes everything that isn’t the floor! This includes cleaning your appliances, dusting shelves and tables, the dreaded cleaning of the bathroom, tidying up your yard, and even your car. If you have decluttered beforehand, your chores will be much easier and, as mentioned before, take some breaks. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be done in one day and you’ll get better results if you’re focusing your attention on one area at a time.

Before venturing off to other sections in your home, make sure you have all of your cleaning products ready to go. Different appliances, furniture, and surfaces all require different products so make a list and grab what you need at the store beforehand.

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate:

If you have a partner, children, or friends to help the cleaning process, then delegate different chores as needed. You will be amazed at how quickly you get done once everyone has a task of their own to complete. If you are living alone, a cleaning check list will work wonders to keep you on track. Break the cleaning up into smaller pieces by writing down which room or chore you want to tackle each day. You will be glad you did and it will feel so good to cross each task off of your list!

Fresh and light is the name of the game when it comes to spring cleaning. Lift your curtains and blinds and let that glorious sunlight bounce all around your freshly cleaned space!

Mar23

fresh Sugar Recovery Lip Mask Review

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fresh Sugar Recovery Lip Mask Review

Howdy everyone! Today, we are going to be reviewing the Sugar Recovery Lip Mask by fresh. This was a freebie during my last Sephora Haul and I was excited to try it because my lips always feel like they are in a permanent state of chapped. I love me a lip mask and I think that I talked this one up so much in my head that I ended up disappointed in the results. Let’s discuss:

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One of the last lip masks that I used was by LANEIGE and I absolutely loved it. The berry scent was delightful and I was amazed by how soft and plump my lips were the next morning. The fresh mask was unscented, which is fine, and it applied so nicely. Its texture was rich and creamy and a little of it went a long way. After putting it on, I felt confident that I would see and feel excellent results the next morning.

Sadly, that wasn’t the case. Upon awakening and examining my lips in the mirror, I saw no difference whatsoever. In fact, they felt dryer than they had before using it! Prior to trying this lip mask out, I have been using a plain old chapstick that Johnny’s mom gave me before I go to bed. It is literally the best chapstick that I have ever used so I was expecting similar results from a high end brand of product. This just goes to show you that plain old drugstore skin care can work as well, if not better, than a more expensive brand.

While I plan on finishing this trial sized jar of lip mask, it is one that I won’t be getting again. It is also a product that you all can skip on. So bummed that I spent my Sephora Beauty Insider points on it!

What is your go to brand for skin care? What is your favorite chapstick? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb17

Mini Makeover: Laundry Room Edition

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Mini Makeover: Laundry Room Edition

It is not uncommon to hear someone say that doing laundry is their least favorite chore. I, personally, love doing laundry and there is nothing better to me than putting on clothes that are still warm from the dryer. If this doesn’t sound like you at all, however, then maybe giving your laundry room a Mini Makeover will help encourage a newfound love or, at least a little less disdain, for your least favorite chore. Consider the following and turn your laundry room into a space that feels as light and clean as all of your freshly washed clothes:

Tend To Repairs:

If doing laundry is a major eyeroll for you because you might need washer or dryer repairs, then that is the first thing that will need your attention. You can’t do a job well without the right tools and not only are appliances that don’t work properly potentially dangerous but they will be an even more expensive problem if you let getting it fixed go for too long. The most important part of a laundry room is, of course, a functional washer and dryer so any redecorating can wait until repairs are taken care of.

Use Storage Wisely:

Perhaps your dislike for laundry comes from a cluttered laundry room and this is nothing a good clean won’t fix. Find homes for everything in there that doesn’t have to do with laundry or cleaning. Laundry rooms are, usually, not particularly spacious so you want to use the limited storage available in there wisely. This way, you are not playing stacking Tetris every time you need to get the detergent down and, once decluttered, the room will feel a lot less claustrophobic.

Don’t forget that shelving doesn’t just have to be placed smack dab in the middle of the wall. You could install shelves floor to ceiling to help with your storage situation so the room stays more organized.

Fresh & Clean:

What do you associate with nice, freshly washed clothes? Is it a certain color like eggshell white or pale blue? How about fields of flowers or freshly fallen rain? Maybe it’s a certain soft texture? Whatever you associate fresh and clean with, incorporate it into your laundry room’s decor. This could be improving the lighting in there if it’s dim, repainting, incorporating a floral motif, or even adding a plush rug or installing carpet in the room.

You want your laundry room to look and feel as clean as your clothes are about to be and, with a room so lovely, you won’t want dirty laundry piling up in it! Thus, encouraging you to complete the chore in a timely manner. It’s a win/win and soon your laundry room might just be your favorite or less least favorite place in the house to be!

Featured Image By: Pexels

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

May14

Things To Do After The Attic Renovation

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Things To Do After The Attic Renovation

Attic renovations are now one of the most common. Whether you intend to use your attic as a bedroom or a place to chill out, chances are that you’ll go down all the usual routes, including contracting builders and seeking permissions. You’ll also need to ensure the flooring can support this change and that you have proper insulation. Within a few weeks, though, you could have a seemingly functional room in your hands.

Sadly, many home owners convert their attics only to find that they never spend any time there. That can lead to a lot of wasted time and effort, not to mention wasting a fair amount of cash. And, more often than not, neglect here is down to the fact that we give up on our renovations too soon. Instead of expecting a space you love straight after renovation, then, consider the following crucial steps you should take after your attic conversion.

Take care of your roofing:

First, consider roofing. Failure to do so could leave your conversion cold and damp in no time. Metal roofing could even increase noise levels. If you can’t seem to settle, then, seek a roof inspection. If your clanging metal roof is keeping you up or keeping you cold at night, consider options for ensuring that metal roofs and high winds don’t cause any more problems. And, of course, make sure there are no leaks which stand to waste the money you spent on your renovation in the first place. The faster you act, the quicker your renovation can, at last, become the living space you desire.

Remember that the roofing and flooring are the most important parts of your attic transformation. While it is always a great thing to be able to cut costs with DIY, these are tasks to leave to the professionals to ensure everyone’s safety once the renovation is complete. Start by searching online, getting recommendations from friends, or checking out this Aurora roofing company in Colorado if you’re in the area for optimum success.

Find ways to add light:

Once your renovation is complete, you might find that your attic space is pretty dark. No one likes to spend time in a dark room so this alone could leave you unsatisfied. Make sure it doesn’t by considering ways to add more light afterwards. Painting with bright colors is always a good bet, as are mirrors and well-placed lights. When you install these after your attic renovation, it will be a part of the house that you enjoy at last.

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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/777785798121645027/

Think about keeping it fresh:

Even after completing roof repairs, you may notice your conversion getting stuffy and damp. In many ways, this is impossible to avoid here. But, there is action you can take. A shop bought dehumidifier is a sure way to keep that air fresh, for instance. Even installing a ceiling fan could bring that breath of fresh air you need to make the room more pleasant to use.

Whatever you do, don’t give up on your attic renovation the moment it’s complete. As you can see, this is an ongoing addition which can take adjustments to get right. You just have to keep going until it becomes as much a part of your home as any other room!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Mar15

Refresh The Parts Of Your Home That Fade First

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Refresh The Parts Of Your Home That Fade First

It’s a sad feeling when the home you once loved and cherished is fading away, but it will no doubt get to the point sooner or later. New home or not, the general wear and tear that it faces will lead you to want something more. You might even consider moving homes to something a bit more modern but, even then, the cracks will begin to show eventually, and it could be one of the biggest regrets of your life. Because we know how easy it is to think that a new home will be one without problems but, in fact, they can sometimes have more!

So, when you do feel like your home is beginning to fade, you need to think about how you can perk it back up again and make it look like a million dollars. It’s easy enough to bring an aging home back to life, you just have to think about the parts of your home that are fading first and what you’re going to be able to do about it. Luckily for you, we’re on hand to help and we think these top tips will bring a fading home back to life.

The Windows & Doors:

If you think about how often you mess with all of the windows and doors in your home, it should come as no surprise to you that they’re going to be one of the first things that fades away. It’s so easy for them to become chipped or damaged, especially the fragile paint that you’ll usually find surrounding your windows. Vinyl windows are the best thing that you can bring into your home and they’re going to look so good compared to your old ones if you feel like they’re wasting away. Plus, having new windows and frames installed is only going to improve the green side of your home, meaning you might just notice those bills dropping a bit more than you thought!

The Interior Decor:

The interior decor is going to be something you hold very close to your heart. You have your own style and we’re not about to try and change that. But, we do think that it’s so important that you take some time to update it yearly. Wallpaper may last two years or so, but after that it just becomes outdated. And if you inspect it closely enough, you will notice the wear and tear. So keeping it fresh every single year is a must and you have to admit that redecorating isn’t that expensive and is so fun once you get into it. You’ll often find that fresh decor is all you’re going to need to spruce your home up.

The Vibe:

The vibe of your home was probably something electric when you first started out. You had so much going on, so much happiness, and there just would have been a buzz about it. But, now, things can easily change when you realize how hard owning a home is and how the novelty wears off after a few months. But, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t host monthly gatherings to keep a good vibe going in your home. As long as you surround it with fun, you will feel great!

With spring just around the corner, give your home a little makeover and watch it come back to life in full bloom.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Aug25

Face Mask Festivities: Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to a new edition of Face Mask Festivities! Today, we are going to be discussing a mask that I got to test out, compliments of a freebie sample from Sephora. The brand is called Fresh and it is their Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask. This single use packet was a nice way to see if this product or something similar would be something that I would like to use in the future. But, sadly, it was not. So, take a look at some pics and let’s get to it:

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^^^ As you can see from the color of this mask, it went on clear. So, a picture of the mask on wasn’t going to do much good!

If you read the back of the packet where it describes the Fresh mask, you can see that this product wasn’t meant to do much but hydrate the skin. That’s all very well, but I prefer for my masks to have a more detoxifying element to it, because I have plenty of moisturizers and my Vitamin E face mask from The Body Shop to hydrate my face for me. Sticking to these products, instead of buying a face mask, is a cheaper and just as effective way to keep my skin supple and moisturized without adding an additional step to my skin care routine.

Despite the above opinions, I will say that this Fresh mask felt awesome when it was on. It was very invigorating and it made my skin tingle, which was a lot of fun. But, the Black Tea mask was scent and color free which took away some of the enjoyment out of slathering on a face mask after a long day.

Final Verdict: You could live without this mask.

What is your favorite face mask to use? What has been a mask that you’ve used that you’re not crazy about? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov22

Elf Touch Of Pink Lipstick

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Elf Touch Of Pink Lipstick

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! Last week, my sister asked if she could borrow one of my lipsticks and I found a shade that I had totally forgotten to write about in my collection. This Touch Of Pink lipstick actually came with my Nude Rose Gold Palette that I had wrote about a while back ago, so that was a great deal.

BUT WAIT!

I thought you only wore red lipstick!

Good call! Of course, I prefer my bright red lipstick any day of the week. BUT, if I’m in a rush or just don’t feel like painting on my red pout, I normally opt for a nude shade, instead. Nude lipsticks are great when you’re on the go, because any application mistakes aren’t as noticeable – while reds are glaringly obvious! So now that we have this settled, take a look at Elf’s Touch Of Pink lipstick and let’s discuss:

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Whomever named this lipstick really hit the nail on the head, because from the swatch seen above, there really is just a Touch Of Pink in this shade. To me, the color looks more dusty peach, with just the slightest pinch of rose added in for a fresh new take on a nude lip. You will never ever catch me in a Barbie shade pink lip, but I can definitely handle the slightest rosey coloring in this Elf lipstick, for sure!

This lipstick is always a safe bet for work, but for play – best believe that it’s still all about the red lip for yours truly! What is your go to shade of lipstick? Which brand has the best lippie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah