Tag Archives: fun

Fall Craft Morning

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Fall Craft Morning

Hello!! I work as an Independent Provider for people with special needs and it is the best job ever! This past Friday, I spent a fantastic morning getting crafty with one of my clients and we had a blast. Even better, part of our supplies for the projects we completed came from going on a fall hike. We gathered leaves to do some crayon stenciling and also purchased small pumpkins to paint. These crafts were simple to make but so much fun and will be a great way to spend a chilly fall afternoon with nothing to do:

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My neck of the woods boasts so many different Metro Parks that it’s impossible to keep track of them all. I have been looking forward to fall hikes with my client since the summertime and the trail we went on was glorious with all of the leaves changing colors. It also was a unique twist to turn it into a scavenger hunt of sorts while we scoured the ground for perfect leaves to stencil.

After the hike was done and our hoodie pockets were filled with leaves, we bought pumpkins and headed home to get our craft on. The leaf stenciling was a huge hit and, although the directions are self explanatory, here they are:

  1. Acquire leaves
  2. Place the leaf vein side up underneath a piece of paper
  3. Rub over the leaf gently with the side of a crayon
  4. Rinse and repeat

While our leaf craft was very successful, the piece de resistance was definitely painting the pumpkins! I have never carved a pumpkin before and, honestly, don’t trust myself enough to lol so painting a pumpkin is my compromise. This is a craft that I have done with many a client and it’s an ideal way to get into the fall spirit without the messiness of pumpkin carving. I opted for a pumpkin with the lifewithlilred initials and my client painted a super colorful pumpkin that turned out amazing. Now, I have to figure out some more crafts for next week! πŸ˜€

Not only is fall my favorite season but it is also my favorite time of year to spend with the people I serve. Enjoying the beautiful nature, cooler temps, and all of the activities and crafts that come with autumn never makes for a dull moment! ❀

Have you made any fall crafts? How did they turn out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Pumpkin Patch Party OOTD Bloopers

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Pumpkin Patch Party OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Pumpkin Patch Party OOTD! While I love to show off the great pictures from an OOTD shoot, part of me likes posting the bloopers even more because it humors me. I am a firm believer in the phrase “waste not, want not” and I suppose that applies to terrible pictures, as well! Lol, check them out in all of their glory:

Spreading my wings and soaring

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I LOOK GREAT!!!!!

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Lol, there is this one strand of hair that stands up in Every. Single. OOTD. Shoot. -_-

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Gathering up some leaves for the classic “throw in the air” shot…

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Severely missed the mark because I look insane!!

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Trying out what the kids call “flossing”

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That face you make when you have a leaf on your butt and your husband doesn’t tell you

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Adjusting my front…

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And my back!

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GREAT SUCCESS to the kid who was making monster noises at the pumpkin patch!!

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As you all know, Johnny takes what feels like a thousand pictures in under ten minutes per OOTD shoot. Sometimes, I am model level WERKING and the bloopers are minimal. Other times, it feels like a majority of the shots taken are bloopers! It is such a mixed bag and the Pumpkin Patch Party outfit gave me a solid half winners and half total losers lol. Either way, it makes for a good time going through the end results. πŸ˜€

Johnny’s proudest picture from our time at Heritage Farms was, easily, the leaf on my butt. Once I pointed it out to him, he spent about ten minutes looking at it, laughing, and then repeating the process. He also made it a point to zoom in on this faux pas to really show off his handiwork. He claims he “didn’t notice it at all” but I am thinking otherwise *Face palm*. Regardless, he is the best blog husband so I can’t be too mad. ❀ πŸ˜‰

It is a breath of fresh air to poke some good old fashioned fun at myself after talking up an outfit and pictures. Remember, for every good pic an influencer posts, there are probably twenty like the ones you see above!

What is your favorite segment on lifewithlilred? What is your ideal fall date like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Heritage Farms Date Day

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Heritage Farms Date Day

Hello!! This past Saturday, Johnny and I had a lovely date day/OOTD shoot at the Heritage Farms pumpkin patch. Because, let’s be real, are you really a fashion blogger if you don’t take pictures at a pumpkin patch during spooky season?! The answer is: NO! We even got surprised by a super sweet woman who insisted on taking our pictures after yelling “POWER COUPLE ALERT” lol. Check it out:

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^^^ You can peep this OOTD tomorrow!!

Heritage Farms is a beautiful property that hosts all kinds of different events year round. There are farmers markets in the summer, pumpkin patches in the fall, and a Christmas tree farm come winter. The pumpkin patch was SO perfect and was decked out with something for everyone. There were food trucks, pumpkins of every shape and size, and a children’s area featuring games and hay rides. I can’t wait to take my nieces!! πŸ˜€

We couldn’t have asked for better weather for our date day and what started out really chilly turned into a sunny and warm fall afternoon. It felt wonderful to walk around and breathe in that fresh fall air and see all of the other families having such a great time. Nothing warms mine and Johnny’s hearts more than seeing other people basking in the glory of Halloween time. ❀

After selecting two baby pumpkins apiece, we started to get hungry and continued our date at a bar called The Basement. I had never been before even though it’s right down the street from our apartment and the food was, shockingly, insanely good. We returned home with very full bellies and I treated Johnny to some pampering by dyeing his hair. Then, it was time for Magic The Gathering and video games to wrap up a fantastic day.

Ever since Johnny and I began doing our combined date and OOTD shoot on Saturdays, I have been such a happy camper. It gives me something to look forward to every week and it is so much fun to explore all kinds of different places in the greater Akron area with my main squeeze. I can’t wait to figure out where we’ll go next week!

What does your ideal date consist of? What is your favorite fall activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Simply Spooky OOTD Bloopers

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Simply Spooky OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel of my Simply Spooky OOTD! These pictures were taken during a lovely date night at Sarah’s Vineyard with my main squeeze. Johnny and I had a wonderful time and I love that we are making a habit of weekend dates. It has also been so nice of my blog husband to make a habit of taking weekend OOTD pics too. What a guy!! Check out the bloopers from this look:

Future hand model? I think YES!

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The cover of my opera album called “Vineyards”

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An overwhelming enthusiasm for fashion

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I LOOK GREAT!!!!!

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Just kicking my feet back and chillin

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I’m pretty sure this is when Johnny told me our food would probably be ready soon lol

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YIKES!!

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So glad that Johnny captures everything, including my attempt of taking my jacket off

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Jacket is off! Let’s take some more pictures!

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Johnny has been taking my OOTD pictures for the better part of three years and I think that we have mastered the song and dance of the process. What originally started out as a somewhat awkward and time consuming feat has been perfected. These photo shoots take less than ten minutes which is a huge improvement from back in the day when it was a twenty or so minute ordeal. Talk about progress, baby!

I am so appreciative to Johnny for always helping his girl out and his rapid fire picture taking is what makes these blooper segments even possible. He also gets a huge kick out of the “bad” pictures! Every time I show him one I love, he’ll tell me “I know, I was there!” But every yikes shot makes him bust a gut lol. The give and take of marriage!!

The blooper reel is a blast for your favorite husband and wife OOTD duo and I hope that it is just as much fun for all of you. Keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for lots more fall fabulousness!

Does your significant other help with your blog at all? Who usually takes your pictures? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Simply Spooky OOTD Bonus Pics

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Simply Spooky OOTD Bonus Pics

Hello everyone and welcome to some bonus pics from my Simply Spooky OOTD! This outfit was worn during a date night at Sarah’s Vineyard with Johnny and it was a HOOT. Not only was it a lovely outing but it was nice to get done up and tear ourselves away from our scary movie marathons for a spell! The spooky spirit remained with us, however, with my jack-o-lantern sweater and Johnny’s spiderweb one:

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With my new hair, I feel like the queen of October and I have been looking forward to the happiest time of the year since last Halloween. After the dreadfully hot days of summer, there is truly nothing better to me than a brisk fall day when you can throw on a jacket that you don’t need to instantly take off! From the fashion and decor to all of the scary movies and autumn activities, this is truly the time when Johnny and I thrive.

There are a few fall outings that I am dying to do so maybe I’ll need another spooky sweater or two for all of the following:

Pumpkin Patch:

Are you really a basic ass lover of fall if you don’t go to a pumpkin patch and take pictures? The answer is a resounding NO! We have so many beautiful pumpkin patches/apple orchards nearby and I would love to frequent a few – especially when live music and hay rides are offered over the weekends! Plus, a trip to the pumpkin patch means making jack-o-lanterns later so talk about a win/win!

Movie Nights:

Despite mine and Johnny’s constant stream of horror movies at home, it’s even more fun to share with friends! We are excited to host movie nights with some of our besties to enjoy the season and slashers all together. I can’t wait to scour Pinterest for cute ideas for spooky treats and apple cider cocktails for the whole crew. πŸ˜€

Afternoon Hikes:

There are an infinite amount of Metro Parks in my neck of the woods and you would be crazy not to explore them during the fall. It is absolutely glorious when the leaves change colors! Although I don’t think Johnny and I will complete the rounds of the annual Fall Hiking Spree, it will be nice to work up an appetite with an afternoon hike before a dinner date.

Community Activities:

Over the weekend, there are tons of local community events in the good ol’ 330. From movie screenings at the Riverfront to Boo At The Zoo and fall festivals, it is all such a blast. Last year, I took my Val Gal to trick-or-treat in downtown Cuyahoga Falls and it was simply the best. Johnny and I are also eager to assist my parents with trick-or-treat this year in their neighborhood. Fire pit and the Monster Mash on repeat, anyone?!

With all of the outings of fall and an OOTD for every occasion, I am ready to have some fun this October. Who’s with me?!

What are your favorite fall activities? What seasonal events are going on in your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sarah’s Vineyard Date Night

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Sarah’s Vineyard Date Night

Hello!! The fall is when Johnny and I thrive and we have been making the most out of the lovely weather through weekend date days. This typically involves taking OOTD pictures, running an errand or two, and then going out for a late lunch or dinner. It is the best! This weekend, we decided to go to Sarah’s Vineyard for dinner and it was delightful and delicious! Check it out:

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There is nothing like some quality time with my main squeeze to lift my spirits and we had a blast at Sarah’s Vineyard. It is a beautiful property and we both haven’t been in years. Also, whenever I have gone with my friends, it’s strictly for the wine and not the food lol! I was so excited because everyone in my neck of the woods raves about the vineyard’s wood fire pizzas and I couldn’t wait to have a slice or ten. πŸ˜€

I don’t know about you guys but whenever Johnny and I go out to eat, I look at the menu hours in advance. This gives me ample time to decide what I want because it can be overwhelming to choose from a menu I haven’t experienced yet. It didn’t take me long to know what I wanted from my pre-screening and everything was just as good as I imagined it to be.

For wine, Johnny went with the not too sweet Sweet Elisa, which kind of tasted like church wine but was still pretty tasty. We also got to make use of the vineyard’s bottling service since Johnny haphazardly ordered a full carafe SMH! I was disappointed that my favorite, their white sangria, wasn’t available so I chose the sweetest option, Golden Solstice. It was light, refreshing and much better than my usual Barefoot!

Normally when we go out to a restaurant, we never order appetizers. However, I just couldn’t say no to the Artichoke & Asiago dip. Sign me up for anything that involves artichoke and cheese because I love it oh so much. I’m glad I tried it out and it was SO yummy but I wouldn’t order it again next time. I hate to be the one to complain about prices but I thought ten dollars was steep for the tiniest bowl ever of the dip. Hey, sometimes you just have to live a little. πŸ˜€

As our main dish, I got the Margherita pizza and Johnny got the Pepperoni & Banana Pepper. In fact, he’s currently eating his leftovers for breakfast as I write this! Johnny really liked his pizza and I was happy overall with mine. It actually tasted much better the next day. The garlic oil sauce and toppings on mine were so light that my pizza just tasted kind of doughy. Next time we go, I plan on just doing a cheese pizza with a couple of veggies on top and I think that I’ll like that much better.

Johnny and I had such a great time at Sarah’s Vineyard and we are eager to go back – especially since it’s close to our apartment. The vineyard has such a charming, cozy atmosphere and it really is the perfect date night setting!

Where was the last place you went on a date? What is your favorite restaurant? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Revamp Your Yard For Spooky Season

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Revamp Your Yard For Spooky Season

Spooky season is in full swing and what better way to pay homage to the best time of the year than in your own yard?! Sure, your house might be full of Halloween decor like mine but the outside is just as important to set all of the vibes come trick-or-treat night. At least, I sure think so, especially because I so wish that I had a yard to decorate! Let’s look at some fun projects to revamp your yard just in time for Halloween:

Decor Galore:

How cool would it be to have a front yard filled with twinkling orange lights, fake bats hanging from the trees, and zombies poking up from the ground? While you don’t have to go crazy with giant inflatables or twenty foot skeletons, a little decor goes a long way. Fake cobwebs, home made jack-o-lanterns, and makeshift ghosts in the trees works just as well!

Better yet, so many of the DIY aspects of Halloween decorating can be done as a family. You could make a bunch of creepy spiders by tracing your hands on cardboard or silly ghosts by sticking your feet in some paint. And, of course, there’s nothing better than a pumpkin carving night while watching all of your favorite scary flicks.

Autumnal Landscaping:

Mum is the word and you can purchase tons of glorious flowers to add some colorful cheer during the day. This is also another great activity to do as a family, perhaps by making a trip to your local pumpkin patch for some potted flowers? What’s more, you could paint jack-o-lantern faces on them for all of the fun of pumpkin carving without the pulpy mess!

Don’t forget to make the most of all of the fallen leaves adorning your yard too. They could easily be turned into garlands to hang around your door or porch railing. Add some fake cobwebs and you can’t go wrong. If you aren’t keen on raking or crafting with leaves, learn more about how a local landscaping service can assist. Then have a leaf jumping competition with the freshly raked piles and warm up with some hot chocolate afterwards.

If you’re crunched for time or have no green thumb to be found (And, no, Frankenstein green paint on your hands doesn’t count!), then you could hire a reliable landscaping company that delivers great results. You can even consult with them to turn your yard into the ultimate autumn oasis.

Trick-Or-Treat Tips:

Arguably one of the most fun parts of Halloween is seeing all of the adorable costumes come trick-or-treat night. Rather than answering a ringing doorbell all evening, how about setting up shop outside? My husband and I plan on doing this in my parent’s neighborhood! We will have a crackling fire and the Monster Mash playing on repeat, obviously.

You don’t have to stop there, though! You could host a neighborhood costume contest or set up a scavenger hunt in your freshly decorated yard. Expertly placed pine cones, mini pumpkins, and fake spiders could all be things to find. The prize? Extra candy! If you don’t have a fire pit, be sure to place lots of twinkling or floodlights around your property so everyone can find their way!

One of my favorite things about spooky season is all of the great outdoor decorations. Turn your yard into one that would make me stop and stare and have the best time!

Going To NYC? Check Out These Tips!

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Going To NYC? Check Out These Tips!

New York City is a bustling metropolis full of endless possibilities. It can be overwhelming for first-time visitors or even those who have been before. With a little planning, you can make the most of your trip and see all that NYC has to offer!

Why Take a Trip to New York City:

New York City is a vibrant and exciting city. It has something for everyone. New York City has an incredible amount of cultural attractions, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the World Trade Center Memorial. There’s also the Agora Gallery Reviews to look at too.

It also offers plenty of shopping opportunities in places like Times Square and Fifth Avenue. The city has many opportunities to experience delicious food thanks to its vast range of different cultures. There are also plenty of outdoor activities for those who enjoy being active outdoors such as Central Park or Prospect Park.

Planning Your Trip:

The first step to any good trip is planning. Decide what you want to see and do in advance so that you can make the most of your vacation. New York has something for everyone, from art and history lovers to foodies and shopaholics. Do some research to figure out what sights and activities are a must-do for you. Once you have an idea of what you want to do, you can start booking tickets and making reservations.

Getting Around Town:

New York is a big city and getting around can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the layout. The best way to get from point A to point B is often by subway, as traffic can be brutal during rush hour. If you’re not used to subway systems, don’t worry! It’s actually pretty easy to navigate once you get the hang of it. Buy a Metrocard in advance so that you can reload it as needed and make sure to keep track of which subway line takes you where. Another great way to get around is by walking. Many neighborhoods are quite compact and easy to explore on foot. Plus, this is a great way to soak up the unique atmosphere of each one! Of course, hailing a yellow cab is always an option when you need it. Just be prepared for high fares during peak times.

Seeing the Sights:

There’s no shortage of things to do in New York, so it’s important to prioritize based on your interests. For example, if you love art, plan to spend some time at one of the many world-renowned museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Modern Art. If history is more your thing, take a walk through Central Park or visit Ellis Island. And of course, no trip to NYC would be complete without seeing iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty!

By familiarizing yourself with the layout of the city and prioritizing based on your interests, you’ll be sure to have an amazing time exploring everything that NYC has to offer! Safe travels!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Thankful For Bloopers

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Thankful For Bloopers

Hello!! I don’t know about all of you, but when it comes to pictures on my phone, I am basically a hoarder. I never delete anything and never really thought about it until taking pictures for my New Hair, Who Dis? OOTD. While Johnny was snapping away at one last location, he said “Oh no” and I thought that someone might have been in the shot. Rather, every influencer’s nightmare came true when he told me my phone was out of memory. It had me feeling pretty much like this:

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Thankfully, this breach in storage happened at the end of the photo shoot and I knew that I would have to have a major deleting session. At first, the delete-athon was fairly easy because duplicates and screen shots of things that I would never buy was a good place to start. However, it just wasn’t good enough. So, I began to delete apps that I never used and that helped moderately but not enough too.

I realized that I would have to start deleting pictures with a less discerning eye and began the process of deleting blooper OOTD shots. And, in that moment, I was SO. Freaking. Glad. that I began the blooper reel segment from my OOTDs this past January. Without posting these shots that definitely didn’t make the cut, they would have been gone forever!

I truly do think that it is important to show what goes on behind every fabulous photo that I share in each OOTD post. I am far from perfect and unless you’re a professional super model, a lot of your shots are probably going to end up like this:

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^^^ Lol.

Not only do I think that these outtakes are encouraging for other bloggers, I also think that they are just hilarious. Johnny and I love to look back at the blooper shots and have a laugh and I hope that the same goes for all of you. It seemed like such a shame for no one to see this pure comedy gold and I think that it is refreshing when people poke some good old fashioned fun at themselves. It makes me feel like this:

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Although a majority of my bloopers are no more on my phone, they are here forever on lifewithlilred and that’s good enough for me. Long live the blooper reel!

What is your favorite segment on lifewithlilred? What are the first things you delete when your phone runs out of space? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fun Ways To Personalize Your Home

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Fun Ways To Personalize Your Home

If you do not want your home to be like every other one on the block, then there are lots of things you can do to make it more interesting than the average home in your neighborhood. Have some fun with these ideas that people will be sure to take notice of:

Paint the exterior doors:

Painting the exterior doors in a unique color is a good way to really put your stamp on your property and show the world that you are unique. A fuchsia door or an orange porch might not be the norm, but if it’s what you love, then why not go for it?! It will be worth it if it makes you smile and is something that your neighbors will take joy in too.

Create a mosaic:

One of the more unusual things you can do to personalize your home is to create a mosaic either on a wall or floor indoors or to the exterior of your property. You can buy ready made mosaic wall art or make your own and it is a great way to tell your own personal story in an artistic way that is likely to add value to your property too. Decorative and unique, it will look great, add meaning, and impress potential future buyers all in one fell swoop.

Make your own soft furnishings:

A fun way to personalize your property is by making your own soft furnishings such as cushions, quilts, and blankets. Having things that you have made yourself in your home is a really good way of making it feel more like yours. If you are looking for something really special, then why not use transfers to put your own photographs onto cushions and throws? It’s a unique way to display them, and will ensure that no one else has the same decor as you.

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^^^ Pexels Image

Use washi tape:

Washi tape is basically decorative tape that comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. It can be used to decorate your home in a cute, non-permanent way, and because there are so many designs available, it is an easy way of making your home more personal to you. For example, if you love floral designs, you can line your shelves with poppy print washi tape or if you love gold, you can create gild frames around light switches and other fixtures. It will also only cost you a few dollars to do so!

Buy your favorite flowers:

Buying your favorite flowers, whether they be roses, geraniums, or lilies, and displaying them in every room of your home is an easy and uplifting way to make your property more personal to you. Nothing is better than the scent of fresh cut flowers in your home!

Personalizing your property is a fun way to make it more your own, stand out more, and adds value to potential buyers, so why not try out some of the ideas above today?

Featured Image By: Pexels