Tag Archives: home decor

Sep19

Sweet Surprises: Skeleton Champagne Flutes Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Skeleton Champagne Flutes Edition

Hello!! It is obviously no secret that Halloween is my happy time and Johnny and I maintain a spooky mindset all year round. Our Halloween decor is every day decor and we live for horror flicks and true crime documentaries. Spooky season soothes our souls and it’s so sweet when people reach out to us just to let us know which stores have the best Halloween decor out or which scary movie we have to watch. My dad, for example, is forever keeping me up to date on when our local discount store has a new shipment of spooky decorations out. What a guy! This past week, he surprised me with these darling skeleton champagne flutes and I adore them:

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My dad purchased these flutes at Target and it gave me all the warm fuzzies because my mom told me that as soon as he saw them he said “Sarah would love these”. He was right on! They are just what I needed, in fact. I used to have wine glasses that were very similar from the Dollar Tree. Unfortunately, Johnny and I had to throw them out because they began leaking after a few months of use. I never forgot them because they were so cute and my new flutes are a perfect replacement.

Despite all of my parents’ children being thirty something, they firmly believe we are never too old for surprises. I can’t tell you the amount of times I have come over to their house to see new beauty goodies or Halloween decor for me after one of their trips to the store. It’s never anything expensive or extravagant and it never needs to be. Just knowing that they saw something that reminded them of me is more than enough. I cannot wait to break out my flutes for apple cider mimosas and toast to the bearers of this sweet surprise!

Cheers to Halloween, cheers to my parents, and cheers to all of you! Here’s to the best spooky season ever!

What is the last thing someone surprised you with? What is something that reminds your friends and family of you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug18

Poison Apple Candle By MZ Candles Review

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Poison Apple Candle By MZ Candles Review

Hello! If Johnny and I could have, we would have bought ALL of the things from the Punk Rock Flea Market. We both decided, however, that we would limit ourselves to the cash we brought and I am pleased to report we made good on that with some to spare too! Johnny and I held true to our plan by sticking to our “sweet spot” price range of five to fifteen dollars per purchase. One of which included this super cool Poison Apple candle by MZ Candles for just five bucks:

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I used to really enjoy burning candles when I first moved into my apartment and pretty much stopped all together. Our old place was so hot that I didn’t need another reminder of it from a dancing flame. Our new digs maintain a much cooler temperature, however, so I couldn’t help but stop at the MZ Candles booth. Merideth Z had candles galore in various sizes, colors, and scents. As always, I am an apple gal and my mind was already made up when I saw the five dollar Poison Apple candle.

The Poison Apple scent smelled exactly like the caramel apple suckers that I love so very much. Also, how cute is the wax skull?! I was expecting a decent amount of fragrance once this candle was lit and, sadly, it wasn’t the case. In fact, I couldn’t smell anything at all as it burned. This was a bit of a bummer, but it didn’t take away from how pleasant it was to have a candle lit during a nonstop rainy afternoon and evening. I also loved how the red skull and green wax melted together into a glittery pool!

Even though I was not blown away from MZ Candles in the scent department, I have been lighting it every day once I’m home from work. There is something so comforting about it and I think I will treat myself to a candle from Bath & Body Works soon!

What is your favorite brand of candles? What is your favorite candle scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug11

Creating A Home That Fosters Healthy Habits

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Creating A Home That Fosters Healthy Habits

Your home is a sanctuary. It is meant to be your retreat from the world, the perfect space to just really let go and be yourself. It’s almost enchanting in a way. Having a space to call your own, a space that will forever be comfortable. But with that said, have you ever considered the health aspects of your home?

It’s so important to have a home that helps you foster healthy habits. Sure, while even when you’re outside of your home, you should be embracing a healthy lifestyle, it should be especially pushed at home. It’s really about making your home work for you. How can you do this? Keep reading to find out more:

It’s All About Creating a Healthy Environment:

This goes for physically and mentally, and if you’d like, spiritually too. Creating an environment that supports healthy living is a multifaceted undertaking that includes consideration of various aspects of one’s physical, emotional, and mental health. Just think about it, a healthy home includes a safe and clean physical environment, as well as good nutrition and regular exercise.

A healthy environment also includes positive noise, such as calming music or natural sounds that can help alleviate negative stress and anxiety. In addition, keeping one’s space uncluttered can reduce stress and promote focus by eliminating the visual reminders of unfinished tasks that tend to linger in our minds. But it’s the whole dynamic too. Such as the house being safe, the house having few distractions, and the relationships that everyone has under this roof. A healthy environment is more than the food that’s in your home; it’s more than the best lead water filter; it’s about having peace. It’s about peace within the home and everyone is happy, safe, and nurtured together under this roof.

Consider Your Lifestyle:

In order to create a home that fosters healthy habits, you need to keep in mind what type of lifestyle you have. Do you have a lifestyle that is healthy overall? Or do you think that once your home is on the healthier side, it could change you? At the end of the day, it’s going to be about your state of mind and how you perceive health. While your home will help create a healthy lifestyle, it’s mostly going to be about how you’re already living your life and the current health-related choices you’re currently making. A change in your home isn’t going to change your lifestyle; it essentially needs to be the other way around.

Focus on Creating a Beautiful Yet Comfortable Space:

When most people think of healthy habits, they think about going to the gym and eating healthier foods. While these are great and important, home design can also play a role in well-being. Beautiful spaces can help to elicit positive emotions and reduce stress levels. They also promote productivity and encourage relaxation and a feeling of accomplishment. To create a beautiful space, you can use art, plants, shelves, rugs, and more. You can even turn a corner of the room into a personal nook by adding a chair, some knick-knacks, and a plant.

The general comfort of the space is going to play a big role in all of this too. One of the most effective ways to create a cozy space is to surround yourself with the things you love. This can include things like books, photographs, or even sports trading cards. In addition, displaying your favorite art pieces in your home can act as an inspiration and help you stay connected to your passions.

Don’t Forget Healthy Eating:

This is simple but, at the same time, fairly difficult. In order to focus on healthy habits, it’s best to cut out junk food and snacks. Take a look at your pantry, your freezer, and the fridge. Is it chaotic? Is it filled with sugary foods? If you can, try to focus on slowly removing the junk and replace it with healthier foods.

Healthier living starts with you and your first steps can be in your own home!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Aug8

Willie Nelson Chia Pet Epic Fail

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Willie Nelson Chia Pet Epic Fail

Hello!! Johnny and I are huge Willie Nelson fans and this past Christmas, his mom and dad gifted us with our very own Willie Nelson Chia Pet. After watching the Red Headed Stranger (Which was freaking AWESOME!) this past Saturday, we decided to finally bring our Chia Pet to life. I don’t know why we waited so long to do it, but it just felt right after watching a Willie Nelson movie. I guess we should have waited longer, though, because it was a failure of epic proportions. Check it out:

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^^^ Lol at the picture of Willie in the water because you can see Johnny’s reflection in it and it cracks me up!!

The directions for our Chia Pet were very straight forward: Soak the clay for a half hour, put the seeds on, water it, and done. We filled up my spaghetti pot with water and let Willie Nelson soak while we played Diablo IV and, of course, listened to Willie Nelson. Once the clay was prepped, all that was left to do was apply the seeds. But, this is when things went so horribly wrong. I guess we didn’t realize that you should “plant” the seeds using your hands and not just dumping it on top! *Face palm*

So, Chia seeds went everywhere after Johnny so helpfully poured them all out and we were left scrambling to put them back onto the clay. It was an absolute mess and Chia Pet definitely didn’t cover this uh-oh in their commercials! Once we did our due diligence of cleaning up the scattered seeds, we both decided that Chia Pets suck. But that’s okay! We scraped the seeds off of Willie Nelson and now we have a great piece for our knick knack shelf! In fact, we both like it better that way so who’s the real winner in this situation?

Our Chia Pet experience was a total bust, but now we have a bust of Willie Nelson! Maybe Johnny was onto something with his faux pas all along?! 😀

Have you ever grew a Chia Pet? Do you currently have the commercial stuck in your head? (I do!) I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug2

New Bella Lux Halloween Snow Globe

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New Bella Lux Halloween Snow Globe

Howdy! If you are a fan of spooky decor, RUN don’t walk to TJMaxx because I’m about to buy it all lol. During my last shopping trip, I was SO happy to see that their Halloween home decor was on display. It was seriously Halloween heaven and I felt at peace surrounded by all of my favorite things – skulls, ghosts, bats, and vampires! If I could have, I would have bought every single thing because the selection was A1. I exercised self restraint, sadly, and only purchased one thing at this current juncture. Check out my new snow globe by Bella Lux:

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Although everything Halloween themed at TJMaxx caught my eye, this snow globe really caught it. It felt like such a perfect nod to everyone’s favorite emo husband and wife and I knew Johnny would love it. There were so many amazing surprises about this Bella Lux decor. You can’t tell in the pictures, but there are glitter bats in the water in addition to the normal glitter. This snow globe also is a musical one and plays “Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead” from the Wizard of Oz when you wind it up! Peep my Facebook or Instagram for a video of it. 🙂

Mine and Johnny’s apartment is filled to the brim with Halloween gear and our snow globe in the cemetery makes such an awesome addition. In fact, I daresay that I like it even more than the snow globe I purchased at TJs last year. I love the idea of having a Halloween snow globe collection and after buying one two years in a row, I think I will make it a tradition. I am thrilled with this find and I couldn’t believe I only spent fifteen dollars on it. It is heavy and crafted beautifully and I smile every time I see it. It’s actually on one of our shelves to the right of where I’m sitting so I just smiled lol.

With fall clothing and Halloween decor already available at TJMaxx, I am over summer. I was over it a month ago and I am simply itching for cooler temps and lots more spooky purchases throughout the happiest time of the year!

What is your favorite holiday to decorate for? Do you leave holiday decorations up year round? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul29

Creating An Outdoor Oasis In A Limited Space

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Creating An Outdoor Oasis In A Limited Space

Imagine stepping outside into your small yard, and instead of feeling cramped, you feel transported into an idyllic green retreat. A real escape from everyday stressors awaiting just outside your door. Now that’s what we call an outdoor oasis! Having a small yard may feel like creating any sort of garden retreat is impossible. But don’t despair; we’re here to help make it so. Let’s get started:

Examine Your Space:

First and foremost, let’s get an accurate lay of the land. So get out your tape measure and get crackin’. Don’t get carried away with size. What really counts most is what you do with what you’ve got. Make sure to take note of any quirks or limitations such as an oddly placed tree stump or pesky AC unit when measuring. This will make designing much more straightforward.

Establish Your Goals:

Close your eyes (but keep reading!) and imagine how you’d use your outdoor oasis in an ideal world. Would it be relaxing with an icy lemonade on a bright afternoon or hosting some barbecue festivities with friends? Do you want it full of useful storage barns and sheds? Whatever floats your boat, write it down, and we can get this vision underway!

The Right Elements:

Now that you know what you want and how it will fit into the space, it’s time to put together your outdoor paradise. For something a bit different, think vertical. Vertical gardens, wall hanging, and even trellises all add dimension and make any area appear less dull in an instant. Use every bit of available space efficiently. Soon your yard will transform from drab to fabulous in no time at all.

Optimizing Greenery:

Scatter greenery across your space like confetti. Combine different plants and flowers together for an eye-catching yet relaxing atmosphere. Add plants in a way that optimizes your space. Got a lot of shade? Opt for shade-loving greenery. Don’t want to spend a lot of time caring for plants? Choose a low maintenance garden. There’s no point installing things that won’t thrive.

Creative Storage:

Looking for a place to stash your tools? No worries. Creative storage solutions have got this covered. Build benches with hidden compartments, purchase ottomans with built-in storage, or simply hang shelves creatively to store all that clutter away for good.

Strategic Lighting:

Let there be light! And not just any old light. Imagine starry-night hues from string lights and fairy lights all the way to solar-powered lanterns illuminating your outdoor oasis after sundown! If you’re really looking to create an atmosphere, investing in LED landscape lighting installation can be transformative to your property. Let the lights sparkle like diamonds during every evening stroll and you’ll have a truly magical space.

Design for Comfort:

Comfort reigns supreme here. Grab some luxurious cushions, create an intimate corner with a hammock, or add some swings for added zen-like vibe. And don’t forget about shade when the sun makes its appearances. Keep yourself cool with pergolas or stylish umbrellas.

Your small backyard has now transformed into an incredible outdoor retreat filled with charm and personality. Enjoy it!

Featured Image By: Kanu Jacobson / Pexels

Jul3

Making Your Home Work For You In 3 Easy Steps

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Making Your Home Work For You In 3 Easy Steps

How does your home make you feel? You’re not alone if you feel like it isn’t working for you anymore. Many people come to the realization that their homes, while suitable for their needs when they moved in, simply aren’t doing any favors now. Pinpointing what is wrong with your home and why it isn’t working can be tricky, but the reality likely is that you aren’t in the same circumstances you were when you moved in. You might have accumulated more items, had children, become pet owners, or just have aged since you moved in and didn’t want or need the same things in a house that you once did.

But can you change things? Making home adjustments can be costly and you want to be sure you are making the right changes for the right reasons before you jump in feet first. So before planning massive home renovations or changes, why not try the following tips?

Room Use:

One of the biggest traps people fall into with their homes is sticking to a predetermined layout and using specific rooms for certain things just because you’re supposed to. If your home isn’t working for you and the space isn’t being maximized, then you should look at how you use each room. Of course, this will be different for everyone, and kitchen and bathroom aside, there is no one right way to use a room within your home.

A good idea is to make a floor plan of your home and label each room as per its current use. Then you can make a list of the requirements you need right now. This can be things like needing more or bigger bedrooms for the children; maybe it could be you need a designated office space, or you want to change things up for no reason other than you need a change.

From here, you can identify the wanted space and see how to change it. For example, do you have a dining room that could be spruced up? You can discover gorgeous dining furniture stockton (or your local area) to transform dinner into a delight. Do you have an office space that never gets used? This could be a guest bedroom! Or do you have a massive primary bedroom while your children struggle to share a smaller one? Can you switch? By getting rid of formal expectations of what each room should be used for and reconfiguring the use of the room, you can find a solution that works for you and your family.

Multifunctional Rooms:

If you are short on space, making rooms multifunctional can solve your problem. Making them multi-use can mean you are always getting the most from the space, even when it’s not in use. Do you have a guest bedroom that only gets used a few times per year? If so, could it be a home office/study when people aren’t visiting you? Could you open up space in your kitchen with the help of a kitchen remodeler in McKinney, TX or in your local area? That could be the perfect spot for a homework nook for the kiddos and your help will be right there as you prepare meals.

By looking at how you can maximize the space in a room and make it more multifunctional, you can find a workaround to your problems and find an easier fix. Don’t target the above point, as there is no one right way to use a room. Rather, look at what you need from your home and how each use can mesh together to make it work and not become more of a hassle when using it for different needs.

Strip It Back:

If you feel overwhelmed by what is happening in your home, why not try stripping it back? This means having a good sorting out of all of your belongings and asking yourself if you really want or need them. This is especially true if you have lived in your home for some time or have a family and accumulated stuff over the years. Declutter and redistribute any unwanted items appropriately; donate to Goodwill or hold a garage sale. From here, you can see what space you must work with to make changes.

It might be that you can move your furniture around to give the room a new feel, or you book residential and commercial painting and staining services to give your home a fresh feel once you’ve decluttered. This point will work well with the above two points and can be a great cost-effective way of making changes to your home and having it work better for you without undertaking massive renovations.

Getting your home to work better for you isn’t always about making huge changes. Sometimes you need to take a step back from how you live in your home to help you look at things with fresh eyes. From here, you can evaluate your wants and needs and make changes to how you use your home before agreeing to make more permanent changes. The best part, is if it doesn’t work for you, you can always revert to the original format!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May25

Wall Art Collection Expansion

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Wall Art Collection Expansion

Hello! Mine and Johnny’s apartment is filled with all of our favorite things. We have a huge video game, board game, and knick knack collection as well as our own personal library. Another thing that we are connoisseurs of is our ever growing wall art collection. Our apartment features an art wall on the stairway, an ode to all things horror in the living room, and some rather unique pieces scattered throughout the space as well.

A vast majority of our art collection is from the Goodwill or handmade and, now, we have a few more things to add from The Exchange. I just couldn’t pass these up:

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The Office is one of mine and Johnny’s top tier comfort shows and we are currently on our millionth time of watching it! With that in mind, I wasn’t going to not get the poster for Threat Level Midnight, an absolute classic. I also had a laugh attach over the Date Mike poster, which is something that I have never seen before! Date Mike is one of Johnny’s favorite Michael Scott bits and I didn’t think it was possible for him to like this find more than me, yet here we are. While taking a look at the poster selection at The Exchange, I almost flipped past this one thinking it was for the movie Date Night. However, something made me take a second glance and I am so glad I did! I’m Date Mike. Nice to meet me. 😉

Another find that I am so pleased with is the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation poster. This is an homage to Miller family tradition because we watch it every single year for our Christmas celebration. It’s a blast to watch this movie with Johnny’s family because we all know it by heart at this point, but it’s still SO funny every single time. Our Christmas Vacation viewing is more like us just reciting the entire movie and laughing hysterically. It is the best and I couldn’t say no to a tip of the cap to past and future Christmases with my second family. ❤

Finally, as a treat for Johnny, I purchased a poster for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is his all time favorite video game. It took me a while to find this poster in the store, but I knew they had to have it because I saw one for Majora’s Mask. I was so excited to bring this one home because Johnny has been working an insane amount of overtime as of late and I wanted something to cheer him up. He was like a kid delighting over a new birthday present when he pulled it out of the bag and ran to the game room to put it up by our Master Sword. I can’t think of a better place for it to go and now we just have to find a home for everything else! 😀

This little haul from The Exchange wasn’t a necessary one at all, but it was a fun purchase that made me and Johnny happy and that’s all that matters to me. We both enjoy expanding our many collections further and these posters will make a great addition to the apartment!

What is a beloved movie in your family? What is your favorite episode of The Office? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May12

Tips & Tricks To Make The Most Of A Small Home

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Tips & Tricks To Make The Most Of A Small Home

Are you ready to embrace the cozy and charming lifestyle of small space living? Downsizing to a smaller home can be a liberating experience, allowing you to simplify your life and focus on what truly matters. However, moving to a smaller home can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re used to a larger living space. That’s why we’re here to share some creative tips and tricks for making the most of your new home:

Get Rid Of Clutter:

Decluttering is an art form when it comes to small space living. The key to success is to get rid of anything that you don’t absolutely need – this includes clothes, books, furniture, and knick knacks. So what should you do with all of these things? You can either donate them to the less fortunate, plan a garage sale, or hire Junk removal to take them away for you.

Invest In Unique Storage Solutions:

Living in a smaller home requires thinking outside of the box when it comes to storage. One idea is to buy a bookshelf that also serves as a room divider or use floating shelves to free up floor space. Another option is to use an ottoman or bench that provides seating and storage space.

Maximize Wall Space:

Take advantage of vertical space! There is no need for a blank white wall. Hang artwork, use peg boards for kitchen utensils or tools, and even turn your spare wall space into a mini library. Storage options can truly start from the ground up.

Utilize Multi-Functional Furniture:

Multi-functional furniture is like having a mini-transformer in your home. It can turn into something entirely different with just the flick of a switch. This type of furniture is great for small spaces because it gives you more bang for your buck and helps save space. Examples of multi-functional furniture include a foldaway bed or a Murphy’s desk.

Play With Natural Light:

The sun is your best friend when it comes to making small spaces look bigger. Let as much natural light in as possible by taking advantage of large windows and skylights, and opt for lighter colors on your walls.

Don’t Forget The Outdoor Space:

No matter how small of a space you have, make sure to take advantage of the great outdoors. You can use your patio or balcony for extra seating and storage or to grow a small potted garden with herbs and vegetables.

With these tips and tricks, you will find yourself falling in love with your cozy new home. All it takes is a bit of creativity!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

May7

Affordable Upgrades To Create A Relaxing Home Environment

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Affordable Upgrades To Create A Relaxing Home Environment

With the fast-paced nature of our world today, creating a calm and relaxing home environment is more critical than ever. Your living space should be a sanctuary where you can unwind, recharge, and be at peace. Let’s explore some affordable upgrades that can help you transform your home into a calming oasis:

Lighting:

The right lighting can have a significant impact on your mood and create a calming atmosphere in your home. Try swapping out harsh, fluorescent bulbs for soft, warm-toned ones, like yellow or orange. You can also incorporate string lights or candles to enhance the ambiance and provide a warm, cozy feel. Lighting dimmers are also an affordable and easy upgrade that can help set the mood. Simply adjust the light to your desired level for a gentle, inviting atmosphere.

Declutter:

Clutter can cause stress and anxiety, so take a few moments to declutter your home. Donate or sell things you no longer need and create storage systems to organize what’s left. If you have a lot of unwanted, broken, or unusable items you might want to consider a residential junk removal service to make the process easier. Tidying up can help promote a sense of calm as you remove excess items and create an organized, relaxing space. You can also use baskets or decorative boxes to store things away without sacrificing your home’s aesthetic.

Color:

Color can have a significant impact on your mood, so think about which hues create the most calming environment for you. Light blues and greens can be soothing, while oranges and yellows evoke feelings of warmth and happiness. Choose colors that make you feel relaxed and at peace, then incorporate them into your living space. This can be as simple as adding a few colorful pillows or painting an accent wall for an easy refresh.

Aromatherapy:

Scents like lavender, vanilla, and eucalyptus have soothing properties that can help you relax and reduce stress. Consider incorporating aromatherapy into your home by using essential oils, candles, or diffusers. You’ll be amazed at how much a simple scent can transform your living space! You can also combine aromatherapy with soft lighting to create an even more calming effect.

Art:

Art can have a significant impact on the atmosphere in your home, whether it’s a painting, photograph, or sculpture. Choose pieces that bring you joy or have a calming energy to them. You can also add texture to your walls with tapestries or decorative fabrics – the possibilities are endless!

Biophilic Design Elements:

Biophilic design is an interior design concept that emphasizes the connection between humans and nature. This will help to create a calming atmosphere by bringing the outdoors inside. You can create a biophilic home by following these tips:

Invest in a living wall:

A living wall is an easy and affordable way to bring nature indoors. It can be as simple or complex as you want, with a variety of plants that suit your needs. You can also opt for moss walls that are easy to maintain and look beautiful.

Add natural materials:

Natural materials like wood, stone, and clay can provide a tactile element to your home and enhance its calming aesthetic. Try adding baskets woven from seagrass or wooden furniture for a rustic feel.

Bring in natural light:

Nothing says relaxation like natural sunlight pouring into your home! Open up curtains and blinds to let the sun shine through and create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.

Add water elements:

Adding a water feature like a fountain or waterfall can help create a sense of tranquility and relaxation. The sound of running water will lull you into a calm state, perfect for unwinding after a long day.

Creating a calm and relaxing home environment doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Take the time to invest in yourself by creating a sanctuary that is uniquely yours – one where you can relax and recharge!