Tag Archives: friends

May2

Relationship Survival Tips For Moving In Together

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Relationship Survival Tips For Moving In Together

So, you’ve been together for a few years, know each other inside and out, and have decided to move in together. You are both very much in love with one another, so this is going to be a walk in the park, right? Well, unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. In fact, some couples find that moving in together can be a huge strain on their relationship, even if they have been seeing each other for years.

But you shouldn’t let that put you off of moving in together, because there are certain things that you can do that can help ease the strain. Here are some tips that will make the move go as smoothly as possible:

Look For A New Place:

You will have to decide whether you move into one of your own flats or if you choose to look for a completely new place altogether. Sometimes, it makes more financial sense for your partner to move in with you or for you to move into their apartment. However, if you can afford to, you should think about looking for a new place where you can both make a fresh start together. That way, you can both start from scratch again, and one of you won’t feel like you are trying to settle into someone else’s home, which can sometimes be uncomfortable.

Buy A Mattress Together:

When it comes to buying new furniture for your shared place, it’s often not necessary for you to do it together. However, you should always go mattress shopping together so that you find one that suits the both of you. That’s because mattresses come in all different styles and are made with different materials. Some types might not be suited to your body and could cause you to develop back and neck pain. So, shop for a mattress together so that you both have the chance to find one that suits you both.

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Respect Each Other’s Decor Choices:

If you decide to redecorate your new place, you will need to respect each other’s interior design and decor choices. If you both have similar tastes, then this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. However, if you have contrasting styles, you should both be prepared to make sacrifices. For instance, your partner might not like a rug that you had in your old flat, so you will be better off buying a new one that you both like rather than bringing your old one with you.

Make Time For Yourself:

Just because you live together now, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend all of your time together. In fact, that could get quite suffocating, and could easily add to some tension and resentment. So, be sure that both of you make time for yourself. You can, for example, spend one night a week out with your friends. This gives you both some breathing space and won’t make it feel like you are on top of each other all of the time.

Moving in with your significant other is an exciting time. Make sure that you don’t let minor frustrations take away from that!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr23

Gift Giving Advice To Help You “Wow” Your Partner

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Gift Giving Advice To Help You “Wow” Your Partner

If there’s a big occasion coming up for your partner, then you might be worrying about what to get for them. Shopping for gifts can be a stressful experience. However, there are lots of different ways in which you can treat your other half without buying anything in the shops. A gift is simply supposed to show that you care about someone, after all.

Obviously, you don’t have to stick to any individual idea; if you’re really pampering your significant other on this big occasion, then you could treat them to a combination of the things mentioned in this article (or other ideas you might already have). The following advice will give you some inspiration as to different gifts that could “wow” your partner:

Get them a personalized gift:

You can’t beat a personalized gift. Whether it’s your partner’s birthday or you’re just planning ahead for Christmas, a custom-made gift is appropriate for any occasion. It tops anything that you could buy in a store because it’s one-of-a-kind. It’s something that you created especially for your significant other. You could give them a memory book, for example. The book could contain photographs, concert tickets, and any other physical reminders of the time that you’ve shared together. A personalized gift is a special present that’ll definitely impress your partner.

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Photo albums are great, too!

Spend a romantic day together:

If you can’t find anything in the stores to buy for your partner, then maybe you could spend a romantic day together. In fact, that’s probably a better present than anything you could find in the stores. If you’re a guy, then you might want to check out this sheer underwear for men to give your significant other a real treat once you get home. Woo wee!

You want to get the right balance of fun and sentimentality on your romantic day together. The important thing is that you enjoy each other’s company and make some new memories. That’s the best gift you can give to your partner, after all. If you treat them to a day that they’ll never forget, then that’s a permanent present.

Bake them a cake:

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or even Christmas, you can’t beat a cake on a special occasion. Everybody loves cake. And if they don’t, then you could bake them some other special treat. Food of some kind is usually a winner in most people’s books when it comes to great gifts. There are tons of options such as DIY cake, cupcakes, or even home made chocolate! The point is, that this is usually a winning “recipe” when it comes to gift-giving.

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Yum!

Whatever gift you end up getting for your significant other, remember that the key to success is thoughtfulness. You don’t have to spend a fortune. You just have to make it clear that you really thought about what you were buying for them. You know them best, at the end of the day, so a simple gift that suits their interests is usually the best way to go.

Apr23

How To Prepare Your Home For Guests

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How To Prepare Your Home For Guests

If you’re having friends or family staying at your house for a while, then you’re going to want to make sure that your home is in tip-top condition for when they arrive. As the host, this is your job, so it’s essential that you do all that you can to make your home a comfortable and welcoming space, so that your guests can have the best time possible on their trip. This often seems like a daunting task, but try not to get too overwhelmed. As difficult as it may seem, preparations for your guests can be split into four simple steps:

  1. Clean And Tidy Everywhere

If your house is dirty and untidy, then your guests aren’t going to feel comfortable staying there. Because of this, it’s vital that you get all of of your cleaning supplies together and tackle every single room in the house. You need to make sure to vacuum every room, wipe down all of the surfaces, clean the mirrors, and tidy away any clutter. Your house doesn’t need to look like a show home, but your guests shouldn’t have to step over junk as they walk around.

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Cleaning is not fun but it must be done!

  1. Sort Out Their Space

If you’re having guests staying with you, then you need to find somewhere for them to sleep. If you’ve got a spare room, you could turn this into a guest bedroom with the help of an interior design company, like World of Renovation. If you don’t, then you should consider alternative sleeping arrangements, like sofa beds and blow up mattresses. You might even want to consider giving up your own bedroom for your guests and taking the sofa yourself.

  1. Stock Up The Fridge

The last thing that you want is for your guests to go hungry while they’re staying with you, so make sure that your fridge and cupboards are stocked with plenty of snacks and other foods for when it’s meal time. You might want to go shopping with them when they arrive so that they can help you pick out some of their favorite things, but if you’d rather get it done beforehand, then make sure to ask about any allergies or dietary restrictions.

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 Talk about well stocked!

  1. Remember The Little Touches

Things like tidying your house and giving your guests somewhere to sleep are obvious, and because of this, it’s usually the little touches that mean the most and help your guests to feel welcome. Things like putting together a welcome pack of fancy toiletries can really make your guests smile and show them that you care. You could also make sure to buy their favorite foods and drinks, place some light reading near their bed, and put out a vase of flowers in their room. You don’t have to go overboard, because the smallest things can often bring a lot of joy.

Preparing your home for house guests might seem like a difficult and long-winded task, but it’s honestly not as daunting as you might think. All you need to do is follow the four simple steps above, and then you’ll be ready to welcome your guests with open arms and enjoy your time with them.

Apr13

Mastering The Art Of Giving A Thoughtful Gift

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Gift buying can be very stressful, whether it’s for birthdays, Christmas, Easter, or the other hundreds of events that seem to take place each year. It’s not that you don’t want to give gifts to the people you love – it’s that choosing gifts for so many different occasions and so many different people can be exhausting and overwhelming. You don’t want to disappoint anybody, but it can often be hard to think of any good ideas. Obviously, your loved ones will say it’s the thought that counts, but that’s the problem – there are no “thoughts” in your head. Until you read this article, of course!

A day out:

One of the best gifts that you can give to a loved one is a day out together. Spending time together is a gift in itself, as cheesy as that might sound. Obviously, you shouldn’t say “I am the present” because that might seem a little as if you forgot to buy a present for the person in question (Plus, you don’t want to sound bigheaded!). But, a day out is certainly one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give somebody if you do it correctly. Think about that person’s favorite place in the world and take them there. If their favorite place is too far away – like a vacation destination in Europe, for example, fear not! Assemble a care package of gifts europe themed and it will spoil them with mementos and a reminder of their happy place.

A personalized gift:

Adding a customized touch to a present tells the person that you made or bought this thing especially for them. This will definitely make an impact on the person for whom you buy the gift, because it lets them know that you put some thought into the present. You could view here if you wanted to get a custom phone case for a friend. You could get a photo of the pair of you printed on it. You could even create a personalized piece of artwork for someone if you have creative ability. Of course, think about what they might like but think outside of the box too! A proud pet parent would love a Dog Mug with their four-legged friend’s picture on it. An exercise enthusiast could get great use out of a personalized duffle bag. As we’ve discussed throughout this article, a gift doesn’t have to be expensive – it just has to be thoughtful. A customized present definitely shows that you’ve put thought into it.

Food (candy and other treats usually work best):

If you’re really panicking about birthdays that are just around the corner, then food is always a safe bet. Everybody loves food of some kind, so just think about the preferences of the person in question and go wild. Whether it’s a Christmas gift, birthday gift, or even a baby shower gift, food is the type of present that works for any occasion you can imagine. Obviously, you’ll need to make sure it’s presented nicely; get some gift wrap, a bow, and perhaps a nice plate (depending on what it is, of course).

Food is a simple gift, but it’s one that is guaranteed to succeed if you know the person well. Of course, it should be an exciting piece of food – a few apples might not be very exciting unless they’re a fruit fanatic. If they’re a fan of sweet treats, however, then those always make the perfect gift. You could even bake your own treats for the person in question. The homemade touch adds some personal flavor to the gift. As mentioned in the previous point, personalized gifts are always very well received.

Drink related gifts also tend to be very well received. Perhaps you could do a smoothie kit with a blender and recipe book? Or maybe your giftee appreciates a drink or two over the weekend. If so, you could check out the Bourbon Boujee Buddy Bottle Bundle or a similar package gift with their favorite alcoholic beverage. The beauty of food and drink presents is that they are sure to be used and your giftee will think of you when they do so.

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Yummm!

A nostalgic gift:

If you really want to tug at somebody’s heartstrings, then you should opt for the nostalgic angle when you buy them a present. Show them that you not only remember the recent good times you’ve shared together but the good times you’ve shared over the years. Perhaps one of your parents has a birthday coming up. You could buy them a copy of a board game that you used to play together when you were little. Maybe it was lost somewhere along the line, so it’ll be a sweet gesture to give your parents a new version. Or maybe you could find some old photographs of you and your childhood friend – reminding them that you’ve always been close friends and you always will be.

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Board games provide hours of fun, too!

Concert tickets:

As you’ve probably gathered by now, the most thoughtful gifts are ones that show you know or care about the person in question. That’s why a concert ticket to see their favorite artist is such a great idea. It combines a few of the things we’ve discussed already. It could be a fun evening out for you and your buddy, but it’s also a thoughtful gift because it shows that you know them well. Plus, the joy of seeing their favorite musician will be a great gift in itself.

Gift buying can be stressful with all of the occasions to present presents for throughout the year. But if you put some thought into it, you’ll be just fine!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr11

5 Thoughtful Gift Ideas For Your Special Someone

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5 Thoughtful Gift Ideas For Your Special Someone

When it comes to buying gifts, some of us leave it to the last minute due to our busy lives. But, sometimes, we really feel the need to show we care – particularly if this is for a loved one, like a partner. If you are struggling to show that person who is special in your life that you care, check out the five suggestions below that are suitable for any budget and will have the special person in your life bursting with joy:

Memory Book:

Treasured memories are special, and keeping those memories alive and safe can be hard, which is why keeping them in something like a memory book is a great idea. Moreover, it can be an incredibly thoughtful and loving gift to give to a partner for any occasion.

There are few things that are nicer to receive than a collage of treasured memories, because not only does it show that these moments are meaningful to you, but it gives you both a chance to reminisce. In addition to photographs, make sure you keep old tickets, receipts, or packing from magical moments and keep them all together in a safe place until you go ahead and make your scrapbook. Another nice touch, is to include a few written stores that describe a fond memory or feeling you felt in that particular moment. Everyone likes to feel special and significant; this is a very cheap yet effective way to achieve that.

The Gift Of Knowledge:

Is your S/O interested in their family tree? How about doing a search at https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/census/1920-records for more info on the past of their beloved family members. Play historian and put your findings together on a PowerPoint or leather bound scrapbook. This is such a thoughtful gift and the facts you find might surprise the both of you!

Diamonds:

A diamond is a classic way of showing that you care. Traditionally, a partner buys a diamond ring to get engaged and are given as a 60th wedding anniversary gift. A set of diamond earrings are often the dream gift for most girls! Diamonds are a natural product with varying degrees of quality and they come in all different shapes and sizes. It can be a daunting task to know how to choose the right diamond, so make sure that you do your research. You will want to buy from a reputable dealer when shopping diamond engagement rings Toronto that can provide advice rather than salesmanship. In doing these two things, you should be able to find the perfect gift for your special someone!

A Trip:

Arranging a trip away doesn’t have to break the bank. With many airlines having frequent sales, there are many budget flights available to your dream places. Surprise that person who means a lot to you with a long weekend away. Check out places on Airbnb or Accommodation on search engine websites to find some great deals.

A Special Playlist:

With many music streaming applications out there, there is no need to rush out and buy a MP3 player to make a playlist. Head over to something like Spotify or Amazon Music and put together a playlist of songs that mean something to you both. Make sure that you include a range of songs; happy, sad, and that song that makes you both dance like crazy in your car!

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Playlists are a cheap and sweet way to go!

A special occasion isn’t needed to shower your special someone with love. Take the above ideas to heart and surprise your S/O with something sweet!

Apr9

Last Minute Gifts When You’re In A Bind

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Last Minute Gifts When You’re In A Bind

When life gets ahead of us thanks to a whirlwind schedule, gift purchasing can seem like the last thing on your mind. But, alas, birthdays and holidays still come and go, and gift buying is a necessary part of it. Whether you’re picking something up from a store or online shopping, last minute gift shopping isn’t always a bad thing – as long as you don’t make it glaringly obvious that you did, that is. Check out these tips for when you need to do the last minute gift hustle for your next get together:

Something Fast:

The first option to consider is one which is in place entirely for its speed. Amazon Prime Same Day delivery has started to cover a very wide range of products recently, opening the doors for those with phobias of the outside world to buy things without venturing out. And the best part of these services, is that you will often get your hands on the goods within hours of ordering them. This is perfect for when you have a bit of time at home before you need to present your gift. Of course, when it comes to Amazon, you can often choose to have items gift wrapped, too.

Something Personal:

There are plenty of personal gifts out there which you can give to someone and they will cherish it for a long time. That piece of jewelry or furniture they keep glancing at, for example, could be a great gift, and you don’t have to go and buy it. The odds are that you will own a good range of different items which could inherit heirloom status. Being passed down or across generations, items like these could stay with people you love for hundreds of years, and could even find themselves in the hands of great people down the line.

Avoiding The Physical:

When you’re in a rush, giving something physical may be a mistake. If they live too far away for you to visit, you will have to use the postal service to get their gift to them, and this could be a problem if you’re not careful. Avoiding this is simple, leaving you with loads of great options. For example, subscription services like Spotify, are becoming extremely popular. Giving you access to hundreds of gifts, looking down the digital route can be a great way to avoid missing the big day.

Professional Services:

Companies that are willing to bend over backwards to make you happy can be found everywhere. Professional services, like chocolate making and flower arrangement, are great when you’re looking for gifts for people you love. Companies like Camelback Flowershop have the skills and resources to be able to take and prepare custom orders to be delivered on the same day. Of course, this is based on location, and you will have to find a business close to you. Once you do, though, you will be able to start turning birthdays you miss or forget about into something very special. This sort of gift can be touching when you have it arrive for you.

Something Homemade:

Basing a gift on your hobbies is often a simple matter of putting yourself to work, and will only take a bit of effort once you get into it. Drawing, cooking, singing, and crafts are but a few examples of the choices you have here, giving you a huge range of different gift ideas to choose from. This is something that you will have to dedicate a lot of time to in the short window you have between remembering a birthday and seeing the person who is having it if you want to get it done in time. This will be hard to manage if you have a busy schedule to contend with, but the reaction of your loved one will be so worth it!

Printable Gifts:

If you own a printer, you have the makings for tons of easy gifts which most people will never try. Buying tickets to a musical performance, for example, will often give you the ability to print off the documents from home, rather than having to wait for them to come in the post. Using this sort of gift will give you the chance to choose something personal and well thought out, without having to have the time to spend on making it happen.

Last minute gift shopping can be totally stressful, so use this guide and breeze through your next occasion with ease!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Apr8

Happy Birthday, Sister!!

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Happy Birthday, Sister!!

Hello everyone and happy Sunday! Today is a wonderful, amazing, happy day because it is my beautiful big sister, Kristen’s, 26th birthday!! Kristen is literally my favorite person on the planet. She is so kind, so sweet, so funny, and so talented and I am lucky enough to be able to call her my sister and best friend. If it were up to me, and probably not to her, we would be doing everything together. So, needless to say, every minute that I get with her is very special.

I have so many fond memories with my sister. From her being my concert partner in crime to family vacations and movies and shopping, if it’s with her, then I enjoy it completely. Even just grabbing our favorite of Taco Bell and watching Netflix makes me beyond happy. Kristen is one of a kind and it makes me proud to brag about how cool she is constantly to anyone that will listen.

My best friend, my sister, and my literal everything turns 26 today. I’ve had 23 years with her and I can’t wait for a million more. Happy birthday, Kristen! ❤

sis1sis

Apr1

Nourishing Your Friendships

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Nourishing Your Friendships

How often do you sit on the sofa with your partner barely a foot away from each other, chatting with other people on social media? How often do you go out for lunch with a friend or to their house, to both spend time checking your emails or scrolling through feeds? If the answer is “all of the time”, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most of us are now spending time communicating or sharing with people online when we are in the company of others. We’re glued to our phones most of the time, and we often give it more attention than the people around us.

Social media is wonderful. Used correctly it’s a great way to nourish your friendships and maintain contact with people that live far away. But, many of us are guilty of paying more attention to these screens and communications than we are our real lives. Our real-world relationships are suffering because we struggle to give the real world and the people in it our full attention.

This kind of neglect can lead to the breakdown of friendships, divorce, and ultimately extreme loneliness. These friendships and relationships are important. These are the people that are there when you need them. That offer you a shoulder to cry on or important advice. That pick you up when you are down and give you a confidence boost.

While these friends and lovers might always be there when you need them, without nourishing the friendship by giving it your attention, time, and love, it won’t always be the same. For a lasting friendship that never falters or declines, you need to put some work into it. Here are some great ways to do just that:

Give Them Your Time:

Best friends are often the ones that you don’t need to see every week for things to stay the same. Even after a bit of a break, you snap back into your old ways, sharing jokes and giggles like you’ve never been apart. You can call them in the middle of the night even if you haven’t seen them for a month. But, you do still need to give them some time. Eventually, it will have been too long. Try to meet regularly, even if it’s just for a quick coffee. Show them that you want to make an effort to see them, even when you are busy, and they’ll do the same for you.

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#BFFs

Leave Your Phone at Home:

There’s nothing worse than being out with a friend to see them constantly on their phone. You feel like going out was a waste of time, and you’d have got more of their attention if you were both at home chatting online. So, don’t make this mistake yourself. Have a rule with your friends that when you are together, the phones stay behind. So what if you don’t share a photo of your dinner with all of your Instagram followers? You’ll really share it with your friends, instead.

Listen:

The key to all relationships is listening to each other. This is another thing that’s easier to do when you’ve put your phones and devices down. To show you are listening to everyday conversations, remember what they’ve told you and ask about it in the future. Don’t make them tell you the same thing twice because you weren’t paying attention the first time.

Give Gifts:

Everyone loves to receive a gift, but as we get older, we often buy them less. Many of our friends probably only get a birthday text or Facebook message. Now and then, get them something just because you want to. It could be a membership to the Flower of the Month Club or a nice meal out. Think about it, though. Don’t just buy something for the sake of it. Get them something that they will genuinely love.

Try New Things Together:

One reason that relationships start to fade is due to a lack of shared interests. Think about yourself ten years ago – are your interests still the same? Probably not, we change and develop all of the time, just as the world changes around us. Your best friend from ten years ago will also have different interests, and they may not be the same as yours. To maintain this friendship, it’s important to do two things. First, show an interest in the things that they love. Even if it’s not your cup of tea, ask them questions and give it a go for yourself or at least make it clear that it’s something that you are willing to talk about.

Then, you need to try new things together. Think outside of the box and try something that neither of you has ever considered. This will mean that you’ve always got something new in common, even if it’s a disaster.

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#selfie!

Know When to Let Go:

However essential friendships are, it’s also as important to know when to let go. To stop wasting your time and effort on those people that never give back, that only bring negativity into your life, and that leaves you feeling worse than you did before you spoke. Letting go of these negative relationships can help you to feel more positive and give you more free time to spend with the people that are willing to give back.

Good friends listen, they are honest, they make you laugh, and they are there whenever you need them. To have friends like this, it’s essential that you learn how to be one yourself.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Mar7

Date Ideas For When Spring Has Sprung

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Date Ideas For When Spring Has Sprung

Spring is a time for new starts and bidding goodbye to the horrible winter months. Finally, it’s time for long, flowy dresses, and making the most of springtime with your SO. What are the ways to make the most of this wonderful weather, and all of the exciting events coming up? It’s time to take the initiative with your social calendar, so let’s give you some ideas for quality couple time:

Go On A Picnic:

This really is the first port of call. You’ve got to get out and enjoy the lovely weather, especially if it might turn into April showers. Having an outdoor picnic gives you the opportunity to kick back, relax, and have some quality time with your other half. It’s also great in spring before the summer months come by, and with it, all of the annoying summer insects.

Picnics are so fun because you can plan a menu to make or get takeout from your favorite restaurant. I had a friend who would get takeout from her and her partner’s go to places, they would eat outdoors, and enjoy a walk afterwards. Perhaps you’ll have sammies on an afternoon outing or something more decadent for an evening meal. A candlelit Indian meal outdoors is as simple as entering a search for “indian restaurant cambridge uk” (or your local area). However you go about it, picnics are a great date!

A Sporting Event:

While you might consider sports to be the height of tedium, you will earn extra brownie points with your boo if you present them with some sports tickets to their favorite event. And besides, if you go and experience a baseball game on a mild spring evening, you don’t even have to pay attention to the game to enjoy the ambiance.

A Romantic Night Time Meal:

Either head to your local restaurant and book a table outside or go for a wonderful romantic rooftop dining experience. Enjoying the spring months while sipping on a glass of Chardonnay with your favorite pizza is one of life’s little pleasures. And it’s even better when you’ve got your significant other to share it with. If you are in the mood to shake things up, go to a restaurant that specializes in cuisine that you have never tried before. Perhaps a Turkish restaurant like The Mantl? Or maybe an Indian buffet to sample a bit of everything? It’s always fun to try something new on a date night!

Head To A Concert:

Check your local venues for the latest artists making an appearance near you. The big stadium events are also slowly coming up, with artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and seasoned pros the Rolling Stones all embarking on open-air tours. That time of evening when the main act is taking the stage, the weather’s nice and cool, and thousands of people are having a great time, you can’t help but get caught up in the vibe. And there’s plenty of opportunities for perfect selfies with your SO!

Go For A Walk:

Who’d have thought it, in this day and age you could go for a walk?! Yes, you don’t need to spend money to have a great time with your partner. The spring months are the perfect opportunity to get your rambling shoes on and go exploring. And before the unbearable temperatures of the summer come, you can get plenty of beneficial exercise outdoors, and explore your surroundings with the one you love. Even if you aren’t particularly inclined towards nature, getting out for a nice walk is always going to help bring you and your partner closer together.

The springtime is one of the most perfect parts of the year. It’s not too hot, not too cold, and everything is now gearing up for a fantastic summer. So, as spring has sprung, get yourself outdoors, don’t worry about spring cleaning for now!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar3

Accessory Story: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, And Something Blue Edition

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Accessory Story: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, And Something Blue Edition

Howdy! Does anyone have an accessory that they wear every day? Maybe it’s your favorite bracelet, the earrings that you never take out, or the anklet that’s too difficult to bother taking off. I actually have four bracelets that I wear every day, compliments of my beloved mom and the beautiful Kate of Ankhor You.

Back in October, you might remember that I spent some time in New York City for the first annual Bloggers Conference between me and Kate. Once I was there, it was fabulous. But, I’ll tell ya what, getting there was a bit of a struggle. I had never traveled alone before and, needless to say, I was freaking the fuck out lol. But, in true mom fashion, my darling JANE always knew just what to say and do to calm me down. She let me pick out one of her pieces of jewelry so it was like she was with me on the trip. It was

SO SWEET

And I ended up selecting the following bracelet set from my mom:

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By the time I arrived home from my NYC extravaganza, I was too attached to the bracelets to give them back and asked my mom if I could keep them. Obviously, she said yes, because I have been wearing them every day since my trip. The bracelets are kind of falling apart now and beads are falling off. But, I plan on wearing them until every single bead is gone. ❤

These bracelets are old, blue, and technically borrowed – so what’s the new one? This here Alex and Ani bracelet from the beautiful Kate, of course:

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This gorgeous Harry Potter themed bracelet was a Christmas surprise from Kate, and I have been wearing it every day since it arrived in the mail. This is my first Alex And Ani bracelet and it couldn’t be more perfect. The theme, the sentiment behind it, the element of surprise from a package in the mail from NYC. I get emotional just thinking about it!!! :*)

When these bracelets combine, I have something old, new, borrowed, and blue and my day wouldn’t feel complete without having them on my wrist. So special thanks to my mom and my darling Kate for gifting me with something that makes me smile every day. I LOVE YOU!!! ❤

Do you own anything that fits the old, new, borrowed, and blue guidelines? Do you have a piece of jewelry that you wear daily or don’t take off? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah