Tag Archives: home

Feb23

Stepping Up Your Pampering At Home

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Stepping Up Your Pampering At Home

Howdy! I don’t know about all of you, but I freaking love pampering myself with beauty treatments at home. From face masks to body scrubs and skin care, I have always enjoyed trying new products, scents, and ingredients to enhance my pampering even more. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am sure that many of us have turned to at home beauty treatments to minimize unnecessary exposure. And, due to the pandemic approaching its one year anniversary, you might be running out of ideas for your at home spa nights!

We all deserve to feel relaxed and pampered and if you are feeling blah with your current treatments, step them up by trying the following:

Make Your Own:

If you have exhausted all of the sheet and clay face masks at your local pharmacy or are sick of your bath and body care scents, why not try making your own beauty products? There are countless how to guides and recipes out there for face masks, hair and nail treatments, and lotion and you might just find your new favorite hobby. You will also be amazed at how many products you could make with ingredients that you already have in your own home like avocado, olive oil, sugar, and eggs. You could even have a Zoom spa night with your friends where you can all make and use a spa treatment together while catching up on the latest.

If you aren’t interested in making your own products but would like to try something new, then try supporting a local or small online business that specializes in beauty care. I love testing out products from local creators and often find that their products are even better than store bought brands!

Tend To Neglected Areas:

I recently just realized that I spend so much time with products for my face that I have lightweight neglected several opportunities for pampering. To emphasize that point, at almost twenty-seven years old I just started using hand lotion before bed regularly a month ago. If this sounds like you, spend some time during your next spa night getting acquainted with neglected areas like overgrown cuticles, dry elbows, and rough heels for a complete pampering experience.

Create A Relaxing Space:

There is absolutely nothing relaxing about sitting in your bathroom waiting for your face mask to dry, lol. Enhance your spa night by creating a relaxing space. You could draw a nice hot bath or you could carve out a little space in your home where you can lounge and read as your treatments settle in. Don’t forget that scented candles, oil burners, or incense as well as nature sounds and soothing music will help make your experience even better!

Lil Red Pro Tip:

I am definitely not perfect when it comes to my skin care and my recent bout with a super huge zit can attest to that! I also just got over a case of the literal worst dandruff ever about a month ago and all I can say if you are dealing with dandruff is: Olive oil. There was no Head & Shoulders at my place and after researching online, I learned that an olive oil treatment is really effective. I soaked my scalp with olive oil for about fifteen minutes, washed my hair twice to get it all out, and was blown away to see no more white flakes. See! Awesome beauty treatments can be found right in your own home. 🙂

Give how you pamper yourself a makeover with the tips above to spruce things up during your next spa night!

How do you pamper yourself at home? What is your favorite beauty treatment? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb22

Tend To The Following To Breathe Better In Your Home

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Tend To The Following To Breathe Better In Your Home

If you’ve ever had to think about what areas in your home could be damaging to your health, your first thought might be the pantry or refrigerator – the places where we keep our sweet treats and unhealthy snacks. However, there are some arguably more unhealthy areas in our homes that are a bigger cause for concern. Neglect in the following four examples all has the potential to cause breathing problems to develop over time so it is important to know what they are and how you can minimize the problem:

The Insulation:

Typically, we won’t spot insulation problems since, thanks to our heaters, they don’t really impact the temperature of our homes too much. However, bad insulation can mean paying over the odds energy bills to make up for the fact that without heat, we’d be freezing cold. But high energy bills are the least of our worries. Using heating systems all of the time can mean overheating the interiors of our homes which can cause a whole host of issues due to dry air and can impact our hair, sinuses, and skin.

Our AC Systems:

We rely so much on our AC systems for heat and air to keep our temperatures regulated throughout the year. But did you know that they can actually be making us sick? Not cool. When they break, you’re going to want to call a 24 hour AC repair place to get you back on track as having a broken, malfunctioning, or dirty AC system can make you sick. You might suffer from breathing issues, bad skin, headaches, and fatigue frequently. If this is the case, you should get your AC system checked out before symptoms get worse. You can look into a professional team like those at Platinum Air Heating & Cooling or a similar business in your local area to assess and repair the situation. Once the experts fix the problem, you will certainly be breathing easier.

Air Pollution in the Home:

The air inside your home isn’t clean.

‘But I dust and clean every day!’ you might be saying, however, in spite of this, there are still tiny particles making the air dirty floating around even if you live far away from polluted cities. Cooking smoke, cleaning products, and indoor stuffiness can impact on the cleanliness of the home. Use certain indoor plants and air purifiers to help to eliminate the issue and to improve the quality of the air in the home.

Clutter:

Having excess clutter can be a nightmare for our mental health as we struggle with the ample extra time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highly cluttered spaces not only gather dust but can also attract pests and bugs who will have plenty of places to hide. Both of these instances can be dangerous to your respiratory health.

There are many things that you could be doing to improve your quality of life in the home and the quality of the air seems like a perfect place to start, doesn’t it?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb21

More Spring Flowers To Brighten Your Day

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More Spring Flowers To Brighten Your Day

Hello! At my parent’s house a few weeks ago, my dad got a bouquet of the most lovely orange and yellow tulips for the kitchen table. I was so enamored by the sunburst colors, especially in the middle of winter, and I didn’t think that anything could be prettier. That is, until I saw the beautiful arrangement that my dad made special for Valentine’s Day. The ruby red tulips he picked out were such a unique twist on traditional V-Day roses and it also rang true to my Lil Red namesake so, of course, I was smitten! Check it out:

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Whenever I see a new bouquet at my parent’s house, it never fails to put a huge smile on my face. My dad has never been known to spend more than five dollars or so on flowers but he always manages to make his arrangements look stunning and expensive. These store bought tulips are divine, yes, but they still have nothing on my dad’s wildflower bouquets fresh from his garden in the summer!

As you can tell in the pictures above, there was snow on the ground when my dad made this bouquet and the contrast of the freshly fallen snow and the fiery red flowers was like Mother Nature putting on her own personal show special for us. I can’t imagine anyone not being able to delight in beautiful, colorful flowers and I feel so lucky that I constantly get to enjoy them at my parent’s house. ❤

What is your favorite flower? Do you have a green thumb? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb20

Spring Cleaning Check List

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Spring Cleaning Check List

As we near the end of February, the promise of spring after a long winter cooped up indoors is an exciting one. Sadly, the weather won’t warm up for a while but that doesn’t mean that your house can’t start feeling like spring time! Spring cleaning helps make your home feel as fresh as spring itself and is the perfect activity to conclude your winter hibernation with. Pay special attention to the following while you complete your spring cleaning:

Clean From Top To Bottom:

When cleaning a room, it is best to work in a top to bottom approach. Clear off and dust any shelving units or knick knacks and don’t forget the lighting fixtures. Give the windows in the room a good washing as well as any pillows, rugs, and blankets. It’s also a good idea to declutter as you go along to help the space feel more open. Once you have cleaned the top portion of the room, move onto the floors which will surely need some love after being walked on by snowy shoes. Working from top to bottom eliminates the possibility of scuffing up your nice clean floors after just washing them!

Know What To Prioritize:

Going over each room with a fine tooth comb is great, yes, but there are certain tasks on your check list that should take a higher priority. It is more important to tend to issues like leaks, holes, dryer or dishwasher repairs, as well as ensuring that your air conditioning is in working order to keep your house functioning safely and efficiently.

Work In Sections:

You are not obligated to complete your spring cleaning in one day. In fact, it’s better to break your chores up into sections so that you can clean and sanitize each area properly. Give yourself a few achievable cleaning tasks to accomplish each day so you don’t get burned out and take a break if you need to! The purpose of spring cleaning is to lighten the space and your mood, in turn, so give yourself a breather if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Switch Out Cozy Fabrics:

Thick curtains, plush rugs, and soft fleece blankets are all great for late fall and winter but not so much for spring. Switch out the cozy, seasonal fabrics at your place with gauzy curtains, canvas pillows, and more practical rugs. Remember to put your winter coats, snow boots, and chunky sweaters into storage to maximize the space in your closet too.

Get a head start on your spring cleaning with the advice in this check list to help make your home warm weather ready. Don’t forget that if you are out of any cleaning products, you can use contact free shopping to avoid any unnecessary exposure during the pandemic!

Feb19

Don’t Wait To Tend To These Problems At Home

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Don’t Wait To Tend To These Problems At Home

When you’re a home owner, there are some problems that can arise that will require an immediate response as the longer you wait, the more expensive the solutions are going to be. Not to mention that some of these issues have the potential to be dangerous to yourself and family. If you are experiencing any of the following problems, don’t hesitate to call in the experts to help get your house functioning to its best ability again:

Appliance Repair:

A functional house means having appliances that are all working properly, which is why it is so important to address any issues as soon as you notice them. Waiting to call your local experts or Appliance Repair Oakville can result in a lot of annoyances and additional expenses like endless trips to the laundromat, having to order take out, and throwing food in the refrigerator away. Take note every time you use your appliances for any strange noises, odors, or delays so you can get a repair service in before it develops into a bigger issue.

Pest Problems:

A pest infestation is not only extremely damaging to your indoor or outdoor property but is a health hazard to your family. If you are dealing with a constant occurrence of creepy crawlies or critters, then it is definitely time to call in a local pest specialist. Infestations can get out of hand so quickly and are a surefire way to lower your curb appeal, which is going to make it much more difficult to sell when the time comes.

Leaky Roof:

A leak in your roof is another problem that requires immediate attention. Not only is it hazardous to your health, as mold will often develop if left untreated, but it has the potential to cause fires or injury if it collapses. As you can see, one small leak can turn into an expensive and dangerous home disaster.

Security Issues:

Nothing is more important than the safety of your family and any malfunctions with your security system as well as windows that could be opened easily and flimsy doors should never be put on the back burner. You should always feel well protected in your house and dealing with any potential security issues quickly will help restore your piece of mind.

Left untreated, the four problems above will not only have extremely expensive solutions but could compromise the health and safety of your family. Enlist the help of your local experts if you are currently dealing with any of the scenarios we discussed.

Featured Image By: PhotoMIX Company from Pexels

Feb17

Mini Makeover: Laundry Room Edition

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Mini Makeover: Laundry Room Edition

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

Tend To Repairs:

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

Use Storage Wisely:

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

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

Fresh & Clean:

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

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

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb17

Keeping Pests Out Of Your Property

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Keeping Pests Out Of Your Property

With all of the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing anyone wants to be dealing with is pests, too. Especially considering we are all at home so much now! A pest free home is a safe and healthy home and you want to do all you can to prevent infestations as they can get out of hand really quickly. Give your home an inspection with a fine toothed comb to locate any problematic areas which give pests access into your house. Don’t forget to take a look at the following areas:

Doors:

If any of the doors leading into your home are warped from the weather or have gaps in them, then you are, essentially, leaving your door wide open to pests. These will need replaced immediately and it might be a good idea to invest in fiberglass doors as they are very durable and won’t warp. Until you can get new doors installed, be sure to close off any gaps with towels for a makeshift pest barrier in the meantime.

Holes In Screens:

Imagine opening up your windows on a summer’s day with a nice breeze only to find that bugs are being let in. Ugh! Inspecting the screens for both your windows and doors for holes is essential because insects big and small will easily be able to make their way into your home once they are opened. You might think that the small holes aren’t worth purchasing a new screen over but that is where you are wrong. The holes can not only be chewed through but the weather can open them up even more, creating an even bigger problem. No one wants to be swatting flies away when they’re trying to eat dinner!

Holes & Cracks In Walls:

When inspecting your home, the most important thing you can do is look closely at both the interior and exterior of your home for holes and cracks that will need patching up. Pests can make their way through tiny gaps in your front or garage doors and anything like that on your walls or roof is no exception. We are still in the midst of winter, too, and pests will see these weak spots as a welcome invitation to get warm now or cool off in the summer.

Don’t forget to look at your yard for any signs of animal boroughs, which you might have to call in the exterminator for. Speaking of the experts, it is always best to call them in if you are dealing with an infestation than try to do it yourself because you don’t want any pest problems to keep occurring. The best thing you can do is work on preventative measures on your property to keep them from happening in the first place!

Feb17

How To Revamp Your Home’s Exterior

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How To Revamp Your Home’s Exterior

Whether you have a nondescript colonial house that needs a bit of a makeover or a cottage that you would like to improve its personality, it can always be tricky to decide on the changes to make. When it comes to exterior home makeovers, a straightforward trick of achieving a great look is to avoid forcing a particular style, especially unrelated to your home. However, with the best exterior enhancements, you stand a higher chance of improving your home’s overall appeal.

If you are not sure what aspects of the exterior of your home to change, here is a brief guide to help you:

Update the Front Door:

The front door of your house says a lot about it. There is a new trend where the focus is to create a meaningful sense of arrival by updating the door. Most traditional houses have asymmetrical windows, a front door that is not at the center, or even a jagged roof line. A bolt-on addition, such as a porch, would put the needed emphasis on the house’s entrance. Another way to update the front door for your home’s appeal would be to upgrade its hardware – change the door number and apply a new layer of color.

Add an Enclosed Entrance:

Including a cover overhead at the entryway would be a perfect way to make your home’s exterior stand out. An even better idea would be a covered entrance; it will go a long way to giving your home’s appearance a boost. If yours is a colonial-style home, opt for a minimalist portico with a pediment – it will define the entrance elegantly.

Even with the significance of such entrances, it is worth minding pests and other crawly creatures. Termites tend to hide in wooden structures similar to the ones used to create doorways. Find a pest control company near you to ensure that the right measures are in place; you don’t want a case where termites infest your entrance within a week of construction.

Work on the Roof:

Another significant way to boost your home’s appeal is by having an updated roof. You can do this in a variety of ways, including painting the existing roof or replacing it entirely. Whether to repaint or replace the roof with the help of commercial and residential roofing and roof repairs depends on the roof’s condition, your budget, and aesthetics. If the roof is in poor condition, repairing it might not be an option, especially if it’s nearing the end. In such a case, a replacement or an addition to the roof’s cover would give it a much better appearance. The roof installation service may be necessary, for safety and longevity reasons.

When it comes to roofing projects, this is a task that should always be left to the professionals. DIY skills can be dangerous any time, but especially on top of your house! Well reviewed companies like Wilson Roofing, who offer roofing residential in Austin or in your own hometown are a must. This is a job that you want done right the first time – the safety of your family and home depends on it!

Replace the Old Windows:

How would your house look with a revamped door and new roof but old windows? Replacing the windows should be on your to do list to give your home’s exterior a facelift. You will have many options when it comes to window replacement – you can opt for powder-coated aluminum frames if you are a fan of contemporary styles or choose from PVCu, single-glazed, or period-style windows. No matter what design of replacement windows you choose, they should always complement the property and be installed by experts to give your home the ultimate makeover. This is one of the final steps in a full exterior revamp so choose wisely. You will want to explore several window options before making a decision so take the time to research “St. Paul replacement windows” (or your local area) and find some examples that fit your style.

Revamping your home’s exterior is something that you should occasionally do to keep it in perfect condition and align with the trends. Your focus should be on the yard, doors, windows, roofing, and perhaps the paint.

Featured Image By: Expect Best via Pexels

Feb14

Making Your House Pop From The Outside

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Making Your House Pop From The Outside

If you are planning on selling house, it is not only important for the inside to be perfect but the outside too. The outside of your home is what your curb appeal is based on, after all, and you want it in its best condition because it will be the first impression potential buyers have of your home. An unsightly outdoor property can turn off potential future owners instantly as they will want a home that is move in ready in all aspects. Moving is expensive and the last thing a buyer wants is to take on another big project, like getting the landscaping in order.

Raising your property’s curb appeal is all about adding visual interest with expertly placed splashes of color as well as tending to any outdoor care or maintenance to keep your home looking in tip top shape. To make your house pop before anyone even steps inside, try the following:

A Bold Front Door:

The entrance into your home should make a statement, which means no boring front doors allowed! A bold front door whether it be painted brightly or has interesting glass shapes will set your house apart from all of the others on the block. It is a simple fix that will definitely make a big difference. You can get inspiration from Pinterest and home decor blogs for the right door for your property and the experts at NorthShield Windows and Doors will take care of the rest! Don’t forget that your front door should be reflective of what the inside of your house looks like. A huge wooden door doesn’t exactly mesh well with a sleek modern interior.

A New Fence:

An improvement for the exterior of your home that will be especially appealing to potential buyers is a fenced in yard. There are so many possibilities that come with it – a safe space for kids to run around, an outdoor escape for your pups, or maybe you might want to put a pool in! You will want to opt for a style that blends seamlessly with your home’s exterior for a cohesive, classic look. To get this project underway, simply enter a search for “West Hartford fence contractor” (or your local area) to find a well reviewed company to work with.

Pops Of Color:

If you don’t want to go with a colorful front door in turquoise or buttercup yellow, give the exterior of your home some pops of color with a lovely landscape design. A well manicured lawn with lush green grass paired with bright, beautiful flowers will do the job just fine! There is nothing like some blooming flowers to put a smile on your face. If you are lacking a green thumb but love the idea of an improved yard, simply do a search for “Landscaper in Clarksville, TN” or your local area. A landscaping team will help bring your vision to life!

You can take things one step further by creating unique shapes with your greenery too. Crisp edges and soft curves can be achieved with the help of something like Steel Garden Edging from The Ideal Garden and the results are sure to boost your curb appeal. You can also think about painting your mailbox or, perhaps, the shed in your backyard to a shade that will stand out. As mentioned before, curb appeal is about making your house different than the rest and pops of color in the right places are sure to do that as well as make potential buyers smile.

A Smooth Driveway:

A driveway that is cracked or has potholes can be a massive eyesore on an, otherwise, well kept outdoor property. Potential owners want a driveway that they can park their car with pride in so tending to cracks and bumps is a must. And, speaking of cars, extending your garage to fit two cars instead of one will not only boost your curb appeal but property value too! Remember that you will want a smooth transition from your driveway to your lawn so utilizing creative garden edging ideas is a must. This will ensure a fully cohesive appearance to make the improvements look even better.

When selling house, it’s all about looking at the big picture of your property and its exterior is a part of that. Tend to your front and back yard as well as you do to the inside and your house will have the best curb appeal on the block!

Feb14

Creating Your Dream Home

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Creating Your Dream Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has given us more time at home than many people have ever had before – myself, included. It looks like we will still be staying in for the foreseeable future so we might as well be spending this time in what we consider a “dream home”. If you are considering to start changing things up at your place, now is the perfect time. Not only is it a good time to start spring cleaning but, I’m sure everyone’s place is in desperate need of sprucing up and rearranging after spending almost an entire year inside!

Today, we are going to examine a few ideas from big to small to help you get started on creating a dream home that you can ride out the rest of the pandemic in:

Starting From Scratch:

If you are so sick of your house that you don’t even want to be in it anymore, you could start from scratch with our biggest change of building a new home. A brand new home that is completely designed by you and your family will, without a doubt, be your dream home since you had a say in everything about it! Sit down as a family and draw sketches of what you’d like your place to look like as well as a list of must haves that you need for it to be your dream home. Then, take your ideas to the experts at Lambie Homes or a company in your local area to turn your dream into a reality.

Take a drive with your family to find the best location for your new place. You will want this location to be a convenient distance from schools, work, medical care, and shopping centers. Also, don’t forget to obtain a building permit for said location or a building permit in Mississauga if you are in the area. As I’m sure you can image, building a home from scratch is no easy feat so everyone will need to be fully committed to this project. This includes your building team! You will want to work with a company that comes highly recommended so research several different options. You can get started by entering a search for “central iowa home builders” (or your local area) and be prepared with your ideas to brainstorm together.

Of course, building a home from scratch is a massive undertaking and can take a long time. This might not be the best option for your family if you feel like you need a change. You could consider a move to newly constructed homes, instead. Simply enter a search for “Park City new construction” (or the area you would like to live in) to begin exploring your options. While the home won’t be designed by you, you can rest assured that it will have the modern amenities that you crave. A brand new home also provides ample opportunity to make your own with your decor and landscaping choices.

Adding More Space:

If you love your house but it’s starting to feel a little cramped, a much lesser project than building from scratch would be adding some extra rooms to your home. Whether this be a back sun room, an additional floor, or a guest suite, the additions will give your family more home to enjoy while allowing all of you to space out comfortably as we continue on with our lock down lifestyles. A guest suite could also become a lucrative business if you ever choose to rent it out!

If you desire more space but not the renovations that come with it, this might be a good opportunity to begin looking for a bigger house. Moving home can provide you with the space as well as more modern amenities that you crave. All without the hassle of a full fledged renovation. To get started, simply enter a search for “James Douglas – Cardiff Property Specialists” (or a similar business in your local area). Local estate agents will consider your requirements for your new space and help pinpoint the homes that are worth looking into further.

Mini Makeovers:

Going room by room and giving each one a mini makeover is a surefire way to freshen up your space without breaking the bank. Mini makeovers can range from painting the room, installing new flooring or carpets, purchasing a new statement piece of furniture, or simply swapping out the decor from different areas of your home to make it feel like new again. Come up with a dream design for each room in your house, create a budget that you are comfortable with, and see what mini makeover magic you can create.

Home improvements and renovations to get your place up to your dream standards are not only exciting but are a great way to kill some free time while in lock down. Break out a dream journal for your house and get to work on creating a space that’s perfect for you and your family.