Tag Archives: home

Dec27

Your Checklist To Prepare Your Home For A New Dog

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Your Checklist To Prepare Your Home For A New Dog

Getting a dog and bringing it to your home can be a huge milestone for the entire family. From a new puppy to adopting a dog, there is so much fun and excitement that comes with a new pet for the family. The environment that you bring them home to is so important, though, and the first day that you bring them back is crucial, too. Your dog is going to be full of nerves and excitement, as they are brought into something so different than what they have been used to. So being able to make them as comfortable as possible is key. With all of that in mind, here are some things that you can do to make sure that the transition to getting a new dog goes well:

Prepare All Household Members:

If you have other family members in the home, even if it is just you and your partner, you all need to be prepared for the new arrival. If you have children at home, then it is a good idea to talk to them about what is going to be happening. It is also wise to assign out the expectations of welcoming a new dog into the home, as well. If you expect the children or teenagers to help with walking the dog, then they need to know ahead of time that it is what you expect of them.

Get The Right Equipment:

Before you bring the dog into your home, you need to make sure that you have all of the right equipment in to make things more comfortable for your dog. A dog bed, bedding, bowls, toys, and food is a must, of course. The food can be trial and error with a new dog but starting with something like TreeHousePuppies could be a good idea. Vitamins can be a good for your dog, too.

Puppy-Proof:

All dogs are going to react differently to different things and the new environment that they are going to presented with. But it can be made much simpler by making sure that you have done your bit to puppy-proof the home. It could be simple things like putting houseplants out of reach for your dog or moving things like roach traps out of the way, too. If you don’t want them to go upstairs, then getting gates for the stairs, much like baby gates, is going to be a great idea and using them right from the start is a must to avoid confusion.

Getting a vet for your dog is one of the things you should do once they’re all settled. This can be especially important if you are adopting a dog as you won’t know what the state of their health could be. But most of all, enjoy your time with your new addition to the family!

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Dec26

6 Ways To Warm Your Wintry Walls

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6 Ways To Warm Your Wintry Walls

Houses get cold in the winter. They just do. The onslaught of freezing conditions from rain to snow is enough to make the interior temperatures fall dramatically inside the house. It’s not nice, it’s not comfortable, and we didn’t buy and build houses just to feel like we are outside. Keeping your home warm in the winter is important, and you want to be able to do that with the least amount of money spent at the same time.

It’s crucial that you start thinking about warming your home for the winter as early as possible before the season begins. You don’t want to be caught freezing your toes off because you didn’t get that furnace tune up that was on your to-do list and had been from the last month. Heating a house takes a lot of energy – especially if the house is a big one. If you’re not looking after your home energy properly, all you’re going to do is cost yourself some cash. So, let’s look at six ways that you can make sure your walls are warm this winter:

  • Use Your Curtains: You have windows and they allow for sunlight. The sun is free – and it’s hot, even in the winter. Open your curtains in the day to allow the sunlight in for the free warmth. When it gets dark, shut the curtains and keep that extra insulation layer. Make sure there are no gaps, and you won’t have any warm air leaking out.
  • Use Timers: Central heating should be programmed so that you aren’t wasting your energy. Put the heater on the timer so that it’s not burning all day and not costing you money at the same time.
  • Move Your Furniture: If you have a sofa in front of the radiator, move it now. You may feel warm and toasty in your favorite chair, but the sofa and other furniture is blocking all the hot air from heating the room.
  • Layer Up: Adding blinds under the curtains, rugs to the carpet and throws to the furniture is going to add layers to each room, making you warmer than you thought you could be. Lagging the boiler can also help massively.
  • Block Draughts: Make your own draught excluders and replace the rubber sealant around the windows and doors. They’re both easy to install, but you should get them all done before the winter really does set in. Think of it this way: if there are cold air patches coming into your home, then there will be warm air leaking out of the sides, too.
  • Upgrade The Boiler: Sometimes, your actual boiler really needs an upgrade. These can make all the difference to the way your home is heated, and you should be looking into it properly before you spend winter in a freezing house with no hot water or heat.

Getting warm? Not always easy. Assessing and fixing the problems that could occur before they could happen is the key!

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Dec20

Incorporating Reclaimed Wood Into Your Home

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Incorporating Reclaimed Wood Into Your Home

Interior design trends tend to sweep the world by storm. But, many of us feel reluctant to engage with them in fear that they will soon fizzle out and we will be left with a property that ends up looking a little dated. However, there are certain trends that have longevity to them and are actually beneficial in regards to more than mere aesthetic value! Reclaimed wood is likely to be one of these. If you’ve spent a little time browsing Pinterest boards or glossy magazines for interior design inspiration lately, chances are that you’ve seen the words “reclaimed wood” thrown about a fair amount – so what actually is reclaimed wood and should it be something that you’re paying attention to? Read on to find out!

Why Reclaimed Wood?

Reclaimed wood is essentially reused or recycled wood. It is wood that has a past and has previously been used in some way or another. Generally speaking, reclaimed wood that is used in interior design has already existed in a home elsewhere and can generally date back as far as the eighteenth century. So why use this wood with history? Well, there are various benefits that come hand in hand with it. The first, is that it tends to have a rustic look and feel to it. This can make your home feel more vintage or have a unique aesthetic. It also has environmental benefits. New wood (which is often unsustainably sourced) tends to contribute towards deforestation and habitat destruction. Why engage with this when there’s already perfectly good wood out there? Be careful to not mix reclaimed wood up with salvaged wood – this is wood that has been cut and stored for several years, but that has simply not been used. It is the interior design equivalent of deadstock vintage clothing.

Sourcing Reclaimed Wood:

It can be relatively difficult to guarantee that any reclaimed wood that you purchase is genuinely reclaimed wood. Some people have noticed that they can sell reclaimed wood at a higher cost, so will simply attempt to make new wood look a little distressed and pass it off as the real deal. To ensure that the reclaimed wood you are using is genuine and of good quality, use reliable suppliers like Manomin Resawn Timbers. They will be able to provide you with everything that you need!

Incorporating Reclaimed Wood Into Your Home:

Now, there are various ways that you can incorporate reclaimed wood into your home effectively. Some inspirational options include:

Hopefully, the above information has helped you to see some of the benefits of reclaimed wood and may have given you some inspiration to start incorporating it into your home!

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Dec18

Important Decisions When Upgrading Your Home’s Exterior

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Important Decisions When Upgrading Your Home’s Exterior

If you’re planning to improve your home over the festive period or in the new year, the best solution is to start from the outside. Internal changes will count for very little if the outside aspects fail to offer the protection and foundations of success. Knowing that you wish to upgrade external parts of the home is one thing, but doing it in a productive manner is another thing altogether. Making the right decisions requires careful planning and preparation. Here are the issues that you need to consider:

The Color Of Brickwork:

Your emotional reaction to the property begins as soon as it comes into sight, and the color of the walls will have a telling impact. Some people prefer to leave the brickwork as it is, but others like to paint it to bring a fresh energy to the home. With so many colors to choose from, you need to think about how it will look alongside any other cladding materials that may be used. This is a job that can be completed on a DIY basis, although you may still wish to hire a professional, too.

The Style Of Roofing:

The roof is one of the most important elements of any property. It influences the appearance, protection, and the insulation all at once. First and foremost, any roof should be kept in perfect health. Nonetheless, it’s important to make the right decision on style. There are many contributing factors to consider including your location and the overall style of the property. Metal is an increasingly common option, and you can visit https://roofingwarnerrobinsga.com to learn more. A great roof will enhance the entire home.

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Very cool!

The Quality Of Windows:

New windows are an upgrade that we made not too long ago, and can confirm that it was worth every penny. Alongside the roofing, they have an integral role to play in the overall insulation. Moreover, their influence on the look of the home is noticed from both inside and out.

There are many shapes and styles to choose from, but the key is to opt for thickness. Depending on how close your home is to the public pathways, you may wish to consider using window films. These items provide the additional privacy to help you relax while you’re enjoying the home.

The Type Of Security:

No home feels 100% right until the security is under control. You can have a positive impact by ensuring that doors and windows are blessed with the right locks. In truth, though, adding external security should be on the agenda, too. The right facilities should deter any wannabe thieves.

In addition to the latest monitored security cameras, you can use automated gates and voice access systems. This will promote even greater safety. It should prevent burglaries while it also collects evidence should the worst occur. Best of all, it’ll give your family added peace of mind.

The Function Of Your Garden:

If your home has a backyard, you should make the most of it. The right choices will add a whole new dimension to the property while also adding esthetic beauty and added value. When done well, the transformation can turn this into your favorite part of the home.

There are many options at your disposal, such as building a deck or using a shipping container to create a pool. Sheds, summer houses, and other structures can all be built too – and usually without planning permission. A beautiful garden will go a long way to making the house a home.

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 Lovely!

The Selection Of Plants:

Some homeowners will opt for a vegetable patch or want to grow trees in the garden. However, the flowerbeds aren’t your only option. Hanging baskets can be added to brighten up the decks and porch areas. Likewise, potted plants are ideal for making a big statement. When choosing flowers and plants for the external areas of the home, it’s important that you consider which seasons they will bloom. Moreover, the colors should complement the overall vibe of the external spaces.

The Driveway Materials:

It’s very easy to overlook the importance of your driveway. In truth, though, it’s one of the first parts that you interact with. As such, it’ll have a huge influence on your impressions of the home as well as the views of others. The quality of materials could impact your car tires, too. The choice of material will largely be determined by the dimensions of the driveway and your personal tastes. Whichever you choose, visit https://drivewaysealcoatingusa.com to seal the driveway. This will ensure that it continues to sparkle for years to come.

The Choice Of Furnishings:

Small details hold such significance when designing a home. You can give the outside of your property a serious boost in style and grandeur with the most basic upgrades. Investing in a better mailbox is just one example of what can be achieved. Upgrading the door numbers, nameplate, knocker, or bell can have a similar impact. If nothing else, going the extra mile in this field will establish a sense of ownership. You cannot underestimate its influence for a second.

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Upgrade, perhaps?

The Source Of Lighting:

Lighting is a central focus when building the atmosphere inside a room. However, it can be equally useful for the external parts of the home. External lights can add beauty, extend your time in the garden, and be used as another security feature. Spotlights, floodlights, and solar panel garden post lights are all great options. When choosing LED solutions, you can also create different color patterns to give the home an entirely new esthetic. Overlook this aspect, and you’ll never unlock the full potential.

Give everyone the best first impression of your home by using the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Dec17

Bad Weather? Here’s How to Protect Your Home

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Bad Weather? Here’s How to Protect Your Home

If you’ve never experienced the damage bad weather can do to your home, you should consider yourself lucky. Sure, rain may make your living room floor soaked if your windows are leaking and a hard gust of wind may weaken the shingles of your roof – but it’s still nothing at all compared to the floods and hurricanes we’ve experienced over the last decade.

While it’s difficult to prepare your home for that kind of weather unless you live in a bunker, you can still prepare it for cold days and heavy falls of both snow and rain. The spring has yet to arrive for a couple of months and the more you can do for your home now, the better off it will be in case your area should experience a storm anytime soon.

Here is a handful of tips in terms of making sure your home is strong enough to handle the elements. It just makes it a bit easier to put your feet up and relax as the wind howls outside:

First: Seal windows and doors

It’s only logical that the first thing you need to do is to ensure that the storm has no way of entering your home. This means, of course, that you need to make sure that all of your windows and doors are sealed properly. Wind funneling through your home will push upwards and may even lift your roof if it’s strong enough. It’s the kind of water damage your home could definitely do without.

You may want to purchase and install special storm shutters for your windows, for example, or just take a tour around your home to inspects the seals and make sure that there are no cracks to allow the wind in. Have a look here if you’d like to make your own storm shutters, by the way. They will be just as strong as the regular ones you’d buy in the shops as long as you follow the instructions.

Next: Consider steel doors:

You will only need this if you live in an area that often experiences stormy weather, but steel doors can really make a huge difference in terms of safety at home. When you have a steel door as your entry door, you avoid seeing hard winds tearing through those weaker double, French, or sliding doors for your patio. Install special hardware to strengthen the doors where they meet and try bolts that fasten the doors into the framing at the top and the bottom.

Think about the other doors in your house that are connected to the outside world; have a look at garage doors, for example, to avoid seeing the storm damage your vehicle, as well. That being said, your car may still get damaged by severe weather and if that does end up being the case, don’t wait to file your insurance claim for hail damage or any other type of damage that comes from the weather. Your insurance will work with you to make the repairs as cost-effective as possible.

Other points to keep in mind while it’s still quiet before the storm is, of course, to clear out your yard so that no furniture is able to fly off – and have an extra look at your roof. While the damage bad weather can do to your belongings is big enough, it can do even more damage if a roof shingle should hit an animal or a person.

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Dec12

How To Get Your Foot On The Housing Ladder

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How To Get Your Foot On The Housing Ladder

Getting your foot on the housing ladder can be a difficult (and daunting) thing. What does all of this financial jargon mean, and will we ever understand all of the mortgage-related words that are floating around? And, on top of this, will we be in the endless cycle of renting forever? However, getting your foot on the ladder is a great way to stop wasting money on renting, and it feels really good to be on the road to owning your own home. Read on if you want to know how to do it, and say goodbye to your rented property:

Get a loan:

Ah, the dreaded word. Getting a loan may not be as bad as you actually think, though, and it can help you to cover unexpected moving costs, as well as your deposit and other expenses that you’ll have to pay out. Check the rates before you dive head first into the world of borrowing money, and make sure that there are no hidden terms and conditions that might compromise you in ways that you didn’t expect. Whilst getting the home of your dreams is important to you, it isn’t worth risking too much and acting haphazardly, and loan companies don’t always advertise the downsides.

Speak to a mortgage broker:

The most popular way to get your foot on the housing ladder is getting a mortgage, so speak to a mortgage broker if you’re thinking about choosing this method. There are mortgage experts available to assist with any financial situation, whether you’re dealing with Million Pound Mortgages with LDN Private Clients, or similar experts that deal with modest income. The same thing applies here when it comes to getting a good rate with no hidden costs, but speaking to a professional will help you to establish what you really have to pay out, and how many years your mortgage will cover. It may not be as daunting as you really think, and you won’t be paying it off for the next fifty years, especially if you work out a good repayment scheme with your broker. Get in touch with someone like https://altrua.ca/ if you’re looking for a mortgage broker.

Jones & Young

Help to buy schemes:

If you’re struggling to get into the housing market, then the government could help you with a Help to Buy scheme. For every £200 you save towards your own home, the government will give you £50. This goes up to £3,000 in total that you could get from them, so it is worthwhile if you’re serious about buying your first home. This can help you to secure enough for a deposit and, this isn’t a loan, so you won’t have to pay it back. No matter what country you’re living in, there could be help from the government with buying your own home, so have a look into the options that are out there if you’re looking for a hand with funding from the government. One final option if you need help purchasing a new home or if you are under financial duress could be to learn how to sell a mortgage note. By selling a mortgage note on your old property, you can get cash in hand for the things you urgently need.

There are many ways to get your foot on the housing ladder, and getting a loan is one of them, although you should be careful about what you’re actually signing up for. Most people will have to get a mortgage, so speaking to a mortgage broker (a good one) will help you to get the ball rolling. However, before you visit any mortgage broker, make sure that you have a good basis for a deposit, and the government can usually help you with this. Look into your options, and get yourself on the housing ladder!

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Dec11

Is Your Home Ready For Winter?

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Is Your Home Ready For Winter?

The days are getting shorter, the nights longer, and winter is officially among us. The temperatures are dropping and you don’t have to be an expert to know that you have to get yourself ready for the cold. As a person, you bring out the winter coats and sweaters, swapping sandals for boots and wrapping up in scarves and fluffy hats. Preparing yourself for the cold is easy, but you need to think about how you’re preparing your house for the battering of the wind and rain that’s bound to happen. There are a lot of things that you could be doing to make sure that your home is as ready as possible for the season.

Getting your house ready is not just about keeping the cold out of the house. It’s about making sure that you’re not paying out damages because your house hasn’t managed to stand up under the freezing conditions. So, with all of that in mind, you need to consider what you should be doing to get your house ready for the cold months and how to ensure that it doesn’t become damaged in the process:

Clear Your Gutters:

Rain and wind whip up leaves and debris, blocking the gutters and causing a sloppy mess to clog the drains. With the freezing temperatures, you end up with frozen water behind the gunk in the gutters. This causes a blockage, the gutter to crack, and an overflow issue that could turn into icicles over the side of the house. The problem with this, is that if they break up and fall, it could cause a lot of damage for cars – and people.

Clearing the gutters is one option, however years of neglect can cause overgrowth which can be too difficult to clear on your own. Another option would be to look into Saint Petersburg Gutters replacement (or a similar service in your area) in order to have a fresh set of drains ready for the winter months for years to come. Whichever option you decide on going with, it’s one of the most essential tasks on your to-do list if you don’t want leaks in the roof and the walls of the home. Speaking of the roof – it is a good idea to give it a once over while tending to the gutters to site any roofing repair that might need complete before the cold weather.

Check Your Boiler:

One of the worst things that could happen to your house during the winter is the loss of heating. Over the winter, the last thing that you need is to have freezing cold kids and be able to see your breath in the house. The one thing that you need to do is get your boiler serviced before the cold really does set in. If you think a repair is needed – don’t wait to call because the closer it gets to winter, the more full the schedule will be. You can find an expert to help by entering a search for “boiler repair gateshead” or in your local area. Making sure that your engineer is able to check over your boiler is important, and they will be able to catch any issues before your boiler breaks down and you lose your heating or hot water in a sudden breakdown. You might also want to look into how to apply for a boiler grant if something like this is offered in your local area. These grants were made to replace outdated boilers with energy efficient models so it is definitely worth seeing if you are eligible.

Watch The Foundation:

Did you know that the cold has a huge effect on the foundation of your house? Fixing a foundation crack is only easy if you can find the crack and know what caused it in the first place. Soil heaves and contracts when the ground freezes and melts, and this is called a frost heave cycle. It’s also the cycle that has a negative impact on your home’s foundation. They are dangerous and can be incredibly expensive to repair. The damage can and does occur before freezing point, too, and if you don’t take care of the foundation, you risk huge damage to the rest of the house.

Sweep The Chimney:

Not everyone has one, but if you have a chimney that you need to maintain, it’s time to call in the professionals. Chimney fires are caused by unclean chimneys that haven’t been looked after. You could severely underestimate the severity of a chimney fire, forgetting to clear out the chimney altogether. They do occur frequently, though, so think about bringing in the professionals now and get it cleared so that you don’t end up with a house fire to end all house fires. Businesses like Priddy Chimney (or a similar one in your local area) offer chimney sweeping services as well as annual inspections which is another great thing to look into. Like any other heating system, it should be reviewed by a professional before being put to use.

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Sweep that chimney!

Insulate Your House:

You invested in a proper winter coat, with scarf, gloves, and a hat for yourself. The thing that you have to do next is ensure that you’ve insulated your house well. Most of the heat in the home is lost through the roof and this means that insulating the loft is the best thing that you could do for your home. Cavity wall insulation is the next thing that you can invest in, and if you are really wanting to invest in some insulation, think about providing your house with extra carpet offcuts, rugs, and curtains! Any way that you can insulate the house should be done, and you should do it early so that you don’t end up with a house that is losing energy.

Hug Your Pipes:

Speaking of insulation, have you invested in pipe insulation yet? These look like pool noodles covered in electrical tape and they are the best thing that you can put around your pipes to make sure that there isn’t any freezing water in the pipes that could cause them to burst. It’s not just a way that you could flood your home, it’s also a way to have a very expensive repair bill when you have to replace your entire plumbing system. Go around your pipes and insulate them well, removing any vegetation as this can also cause damage to the pipe systems.

Being ready for winter with cute boots and a new thick coat is one thing, but you have a house to prepare, too. Get warm, get the right people, and make your house the coziest ever this winter.

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Dec10

Oh, Christmas Tree

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Oh, Christmas Tree

Hiiii! With the holidays right around the corner, I thought that I would share with all of you what my family Christmas tree looks like. Fortunately for me, I get to see it year round, because we never take our tree down. In fact, my family has gotten into the habit of putting other holiday themed decor on it like Easter eggs and Happy Harvest gear for fall. So, don’t be surprised if you see some ornaments that don’t quite belong! Haha, take a look:

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As you can see, we have a very large collection of ornaments on the Mushenheim family tree! My dad loves travel themed ornaments and I always try and get him one on every vacation we go on or any trips that I take by myself. Most of my siblings have followed suit on that tradition, so my dad has ornaments from all of our travels. So fun!

Other than the vacation ornaments, many of the ones that are on our tree date back to decor from both sets of my grandparents and from when my siblings and I were little. I think that, despite it being a little quirky, all of us like having the tree up at home, because it’s just one of our “things”. And, it’s nice to feel some holiday cheer no matter what the season is. 🙂

Do you have any travel themed ornaments on your tree? Do you have a favorite ornament in your collection? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov28

Lil Red’s House/Pet Sitting Tips & Tricks

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Lil Red’s House/Pet Sitting Tips & Tricks

Hello! A great way to make some extra scratch and earn some brownie points with your neighbors is to house and pet sit for them. I just finished up a week long gig watching over my next door neighbor’s two pups and home while she celebrated the holidays in sunny California with her husband, son, and daughter in law. Although this might sound like an easy task, there is a lot more to it than you would think and this post will offer some of my go to tips and tricks to make you the best sitter ever.

If you are house sitting:

Always Get Their Mail/Newspapers:

During my criminology class in college, one of the prime things that burglars look for as told by actual burglars was a pileup of newspapers or an overflowing mailbox. If this doesn’t scream “no one is home” than I don’t know what does! If the family you’re sitting for isn’t cancelling their mail and papers for the week, be sure that you are prompt in picking them up upon delivery. Place the newspapers and mail in separate piles and voila – you just knocked one task off of your list for the day!

Make Yourself Known:

It is always a good idea to let your neighbors know that you will be house or pet sitting for a family, if they haven’t done so already. Nosey neighbors love to snoop and one of them had the nerve to text a client of mine that she thought that someone was breaking into their home when it was just me! This will also let your neighbors know to keep an extra eye out for anything suspect when you aren’t home. Try to be at the site that you are sitting for as often and long as you can, because an occupied home is a major deterrent to burglars.

Clean Up:

This should go without saying, but do make sure that you clean up after yourselves! Wash the linens and remake the bed that you slept in upon the homeowners arrival back. Run the dishwasher if there is a pileup of dirty dishes. Water their plants. Get the house looking how it did before the owners left in the first place. I like to Swiffer the floors when I’m housesitting, too. With the snow and rain that Akron has been getting lately, tracking mud is easy to do, and no one wants to come home to that!

If you are pet sitting:

Stick To Their Schedule:

Whether your watching dogs, cats, rabbits, or fish – house pets love their schedule. Learn when the pet owners feed their pets, walk or exercise them, and take them out to potty and stick to it. The pets are probably in a state of confusion or worry that their owners aren’t there and adhering to their schedule can be a huge comfort to them.

Stay And Play:

All of the pets and snuggles can also be a comfort to the animals that you are watching so stick around and just be with them. Play with their toys with them, talk to them, or do some of your own busy work in the house. Your presence can help the pets feel at peace, so if you don’t have to leave just yet, don’t. And, if you have to sneak away to work for a while, turn on the TV or some music until you get back.

Clean Up:

This should also go without saying, but do make sure that you are cleaning up after the pets. Put their toys back in the bin, wipe them off if it was rainy or muddy when they were out (No one likes eau du wet dog and dirty paws!), and clean up any accidents they might have had in the house. It’s not fun, but could you imagine how you would feel if you got home from a trip and there was number one and two everywhere?! If the pets are prone to having accidents in the house, set down some newspaper or piddle pads to make your job a little easier.

If you do your job well while the home or pet owners are away, you will surely be invited back the next time they need someone. And, if they spread the word, you might have your own mini business in no time!

What are some of your tips and tricks when you’re pet or house sitting? Where was the last trip that you went on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov27

Making Your Home Feel Christmasy On A Budget

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Making Your Home Feel Christmasy On A Budget

Christmas is just around the corner so it’s about that time where we begin to decorate our homes in a manner that St. Nick would be proud of. Unfortunately, we all know that Christmas decorations can be a bit pricey, which might make you want to say “bah humbug” and promise to decorate next year. But, instead of throwing in the towel, you should get creative and find new ways to still make your home feel like it’s worthy of having Santa Claus and his reindeer park on your roof. Decorating your home can be done on a budget and it doesn’t have to feel tacky or last minute. As long as you stick to the fundamentals, you’ll always find some kind of deal and items that will suit the occasion:

Sparkling light:


What are the most recognized colors of Christmas? Looking at any Christmas tree that is in the center of any notable major city you will see red and green along with gold or yellow. But there’s one hidden color that can make all the difference in the world, and that’s silver. Silver is the unsung hero of Christmas décor, because it tends to blend in and, rather than just look pretty on it’s own, it helps all the other colors come to life; especially red. So consider buying a silver candle holder which you can use to create an effect of sparkling light. It’s cheap, but it’s very eloquent in the way that it spreads natural and manmade light around.

Something for leisure:

Infusing Christmas into otherwise un-Christmasy items can also be a fun way to go when it comes to decorating. Using the ibotta app, you can go onto Etsy and choose a personalized Christmas cushion that has your family name written in the middle of an artistic wreath. If you do, you can stand to get a 6% cash back coupon which can be used as extra pocket money or towards another purchase. It helps to keep informed about these things so that you’re not spending more than you have to.

A tartan home:

Thinking of Christmas clothing, one of the key items we tend to look over is the tartan ribbon. The tartan pattern and style are used in many kids’ clothing such as coats, mittens, socks and scarves around this time of year as well as for adults. Get some tartan ribbons and tie them in a bow all around your home such as around the stairs, around the door handle of the front door or hanging off the kitchen cupboard door.

If you’re on a budget this year for Christmas, then consider style over accessories. Then, use a little imagination, and you’ll have a house decked out for the holidays!