Tag Archives: planning

Aug4

The Simple Way To Clear Your Backyard

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The Simple Way To Clear Your Backyard

It doesn’t take long for a backyard to go from trim and tidy to overgrown anarchy. Maybe it started with a few weeds around the fence. Then the bushes doubled in size. A few fallen branches got ignored. Suddenly, it’s a whole situation. But getting it back to clean doesn’t have to be a huge, exhausting project. With the right tools and a smart approach, anyone can turn things around in one solid afternoon:

Why Most Backyards Get Out of Control (And It’s Totally Normal):

Backyards grow fast. Trees shoot out new branches, vines creep up fences, and weeds love popping up overnight. Throw in a few rainy weeks or a busy schedule, and nature just takes over. It’s not lazy or bad planning – it happens to everyone. The good news is, there’s a way to handle it without spending every weekend sweating in the sun. It’s all about using the right tools that do most of the work for you. Big gas-powered machines can be loud, messy, and hard to manage. But newer electric tools make the process way easier and a lot quieter.

One of the most helpful tools for these jobs is an electric chainsaw. Whether you’re trimming thick bushes, cutting fallen limbs, or dealing with smaller trees that took over the back fence, this tool can clear large messes fast and without the noise or hassle of gas models.

Start with the Biggest Problem:

The best way to tackle an overgrown yard is to go for the most obvious mess first. If there are branches on the ground or a huge bush blocking the walkway, that’s the place to start. Clearing those out makes the space instantly look better, and it gives more room to move around for everything else. Cut up large pieces into smaller chunks that can be stacked, bagged, or hauled away later. Just getting those big eyesores out of the way gives a huge boost and it’s that moment when it starts to feel doable instead of overwhelming.

What to Cut, What to Keep:

After clearing fallen branches and thick growth, it’s time to look at what’s still standing. Trees and bushes should have space between them and the house, fence, or path. If anything is rubbing against walls or blocking light, it needs trimming. Use the chainsaw for the thicker stuff, and grab some handheld shears or trimmers for small branches and dead plants. Don’t be afraid to cut more than expected as most plants bounce back fast. The goal isn’t to get everything perfect, but just to give it shape and space again.

Mow, Edge, and Sweep:

Once the big mess is handled and everything’s trimmed, it’s time to focus on the ground. Overgrown yards usually mean tall grass and wild edges. Start with mowing the lawn. Even if the grass looks patchy or dry, cutting it down cleanly makes a huge difference. After mowing, edge along the sides of walkways, flower beds, or fences. That clean line makes everything look cared for, even if nothing fancy is going on. Finish up by sweeping or blowing away the leftover mess like leaves, twigs, or sawdust from the branches. This step takes the yard from “cleaned up” to “wow, that actually looks nice.”

Dealing With the Leftovers:

One part people forget about: where all the branches, grass, and leaves are going to go. If the city has yard waste pickup, great – pile it up for collection day. No pickup? A local green waste drop-off center can help. For anyone with a little extra space, a compost pile works too (just skip the big wood). Either way, don’t let the cleanup pile sit for weeks. Moving it out right after the job makes everything feel done!

Keeping It from Getting Wild Again:

Once the yard looks fresh again, staying on top of it becomes way easier. The trick is to do small jobs regularly instead of letting it get bad again. Here are a few simple ways to keep it under control:

  • Do a quick scan once a week for fallen branches or trash.
  • Trim bushes or trees when they start reaching over walkways.
  • Mow every 1–2 weeks during growing season.
  • Use electric tools that are easy to grab and use without making a mess.

Keeping tools nearby and charged up helps a lot. When something’s easy to grab, it’s more likely to get used before the job becomes a big deal again.

What Really Makes a Difference:

It’s not about having a picture-perfect yard. Most people just want a space that looks neat, safe, and comfortable to hang out in. That’s totally possible without needing to be a pro or spending tons of time every weekend. The real difference comes from a few things:

  • Using tools that don’t make the job harder than it needs to be.
  • Tackling the biggest problem first instead of trying to do everything at once.
  • Cleaning up in layers – branches, then bushes, then grass.
  • Taking 15 minutes once a week to stay ahead of it.

Whether the goal is to have space to relax, let kids play, or just stop worrying about what the neighbors think, the path to a cleaner yard doesn’t have to be complicated. Start small, use tools that help, and let progress do the rest!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul19

What You Need For A Great Camping Trip

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What You Need For A Great Camping Trip

Are you thinking about going on a camping trip? This is a great choice if you want to enjoy the outdoors and have a fantastic time whether you are traveling alone or with all of your family. Let’s explore some of the key things that you need for a fantastic camping trip:

Food Choices:

First, you should make sure that you are getting the right food choices for your camping trip. There are lots of different options to explore here. For instance, you might want to think about looking at organic chicken bone broth online. This is an excellent option as it means that you can quickly prepare meals for your family in the evening, when you only have the most basic cooking equipment. In terms of other food and snacks, you might want to think about exploring choices that gives high levels of energy. Particularly, if you are planning on exploring lots of different activities like going mountain biking or hiking.

Tent & Sleeping Bag:

Another point to think about is your tent and sleeping bag. There are lots of different elements that you should consider including the size of the tent. You might think that a bigger tent is always going to be better but this isn’t the case. A smaller tent can be useful because it will allow you to keep things nice and cozy which is particularly useful if you are planning on traveling by yourself. In terms of sleeping bags, you need to make sure you are thinking about the temperature where you are sleeping. For instance, you can get a zero degree sleeping bag. As the name suggests, this will keep you warm and toasty even when it is zero degrees outside.

Camp Site:

When you are planning your camping trip, make sure that you pick the best camp site for the activities you want to do. You might also want to think about checking out the reviews for a camp site because some are always going to be better than others and offer more accommodations. This is especially important if you want to be somewhere with bathroom facilities, grilling options, or have the opportunity to charge any of your handheld devices.

1000W portable power station

Activities:

Finally, you should make sure that you are thinking about the different activities that are available while camping. Fishing is a great, relaxing way to spend your time. However, you do need to make sure that you are following the rules required in the specific area. In a lot of places, you’ll need to return any fish that you catch back to the lake or pond. If you would like to hike, make sure the trails in the area are ones that you can complete safely.

Camping is a surefire way to enjoy the weather and all of nature’s beauty. Plan your trip and have lots of fun!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun10

How To Take Care Of Your Self-Sufficient Home

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How To Take Care Of Your Self-Sufficient Home

In recent years, more and more people have seen the benefits of living a more self-sufficient lifestyle. This way, you are able to live off the grid and still look after your family. You can save money and reap the rewards of your own hard work. Even better, you can live a greener lifestyle as a self-sufficient lifestyle is often a more sustainable way to live. Of course, there are different ways to be more self-sufficient. A lot of people still rely on outside infrastructure, but you might be surprised at how much you can do for yourself if you look after your home:

Feeding Your Family:

There are a few different lines of thought about how much land you need to feed a family. If you want to be completely self-sufficient, most sources recommend about five acres of land for a family of four. This includes growing vegetables, crops, and even livestock. As well as the food itself, you also need to consider infrastructure like barns or storage areas, buffer areas like fences and hedges, woodland for firewood, and extra areas for rotational grazing if you have different livestock.

However, most people might not manage to be completely self-sufficient, especially because it takes a lot of land, a lot of investment, and a lot of work to keep it going. But even with a smaller portion of land, you can still grow most of the vegetables that you might need throughout the year, as well as rearing chickens for eggs and meat, and even keeping bees for honey. This middle ground is a much more common option because it’s more manageable for most people. No matter how much land you have, it’s important to plan what you grow, where you grow it, and how much food that will provide. This will allow you to maximize the land you have.

Utilities:

As well as looking after your plants and crops, you need to look after yourself. For many people, it’s relatively simple to set up their utilities so that they’re mostly, if not completely, separate from the grid. Solar and wind power can keep your property running, and you can set up a generator if there’s an emergency. You also need to get batteries for storing the power so that, if you lose it for whatever reason, your home can still have electricity.

You can also use natural water sources like lakes, wells, and rainwater for your home. You can store it in cisterns and clean it before you use it. You will have to make sure that you check local regulations when using natural water bodies or wells. A septic tank can store any waste so your home doesn’t need to be hooked up to a sewage system. You will have to get regular septic tank pumping to maintain it and empty it when needed.

Decorating Your Home:

Once you have all of the practical steps covered and your home is self-sufficient, you can focus on making your house feel like your home. You can decorate the exterior and interior for that cottage-core feeling, making sure that you balance practicality with aesthetics.

Creating a self sufficient home is an exciting adventure and can prove that you are much more capable than you thought!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

May18

Fun Summer Activities With The Kiddos

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Fun Summer Activities With The Kiddos

Howdy!! School is almost out and carefree summer days are about to be in full swing. I am so excited to be able to have lots of fun in the sun with my nieces and nephew and am always trying to come up with our next big adventure. Keeping the kiddos occupied all summer long can definitely be a challenge so it’s a great idea to start planning different activities now. Here are some of the ideas I’m thinking to beat those lazy day boredom blues for a super fun summer for all:

Scavenger Hunt:

Whether it’s in your own backyard or on a hiking trail, scavenger hunts are a blast. I still remember a birthday party that I attended in grade school that was a neighborhood wide scavenger hunt and it was, easily, the best one I had ever been to! Create a list of objects or landmarks to find and get to stepping. The objectives can be as simple or challenging as you see fit and it is an awesome way to encourage your kiddos to be curious and observing. An incentive like a small prize or a trip to the ice cream parlor is the perfect way to celebrate once all of the goals on the list have been checked off!

Create Your Own:

Constantly restocking art supplies can be pricey and feel never ending. Why not create your own?! There are an infinite amount of recipes for bubble soap, sidewalk puff paint, slime, and play dough so hop on Pinterest and take a look. Chances are, you already have a majority of the ingredients you will need in your own home. These craft supplies will be just as fun to make all together as they will be to use and the recipes are simple enough that your kiddos could DIY depending on their age. They will also think that it is the coolest to have made crafts with supplies that they made all by themselves.

Cool Down:

In the same breath, summer treats are just as fun to make as they are to enjoy after a long day of play. We’re talking smoothies, popsicles, slushies, snow cones, fresh squeezed lemonade, and even homemade ice cream. No chasing after the ice cream man required! Tasty popsicles are as simple as getting the molds and filling them with your favorite juices. Homemade ice cream can be made in a zip lock bag. Got crushed ice, flavored syrup, and a blender? Instant slushie! Find recipes together, hit the grocery store, and you will have countless options for the perfect treats to cool down with.

To The Library:

Rainy or ultra hot days can mean being stuck inside. If this is the case, head to the library! Your local library is an amazing resource and not just for checking out books and movies. Plenty of libraries offer programs for kiddos like story hour, crafts, cooking workshops, and garden projects. If your local library is anything like mine, they also will have additional items you can check out. For example, my library offers pickleball kits, zoo passes, instruments, and tablets that you can rent for the week. The best part? Anything at the library will be free of charge and it doesn’t get better than that!

Parks A Plenty:

Going to the park is always fun but going to the same park every time? Not so much. Take the time to find different playgrounds within a radius you’re fine driving to and check them out! Their new favorite playground might just be a hop, skip, and a jump away and you didn’t realize it. You can also try and find new parks based off of activities that your kids love like a wading pool, splash pad, or great big slides. Some parks might also have shelters and areas to grill at so you can make a day of it with a picnic lunch. Your kids will love to explore a brand new place and they might even make some new friends too!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Gardening is not only an awesome summer long activity but an excellent learning opportunity. Your kiddos will learn how to plant and nurture all of the things that grow and will have an end result they can be proud of. Their garden can be as simple or elaborate as you see fit. Maybe it will be a small patch of flowers with a fairy garden. It could be a couple of pots with fresh herbs. Or, perhaps, a full fledged vegetable garden! Whatever it may be, it will get them in the great outdoors and you will have beautiful flowers and delicious veggies to show for it. Total win/win!

Summertime just got a whole lot sweeter with these ideas. Use some or all and enjoy!!

Do you have any big summer plans? What activities will you be doing with your kids this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May14

Beat The Spring Blahs

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Beat The Spring Blahs

Hello!! When I think of spring, of course, rain is involved. However, I mainly am focused on sunny days, light jacket weather, and pretty spring flowers blooming. Unfortunately, the sunny days in my neck of the woods have been extremely limited and it has been grey, cold, and rainy for a majority of the season. It sucks! In fact, I’m bundled up in a heavy hoodie and beanie as I type this and I am still chilly. With days that feel like it’s six o’clock in the evening all day, everyone in Akron is desperate for a change in the weather as the blahs have definitely kicked in. Mine most certainly have and I have been trying to do the following to help perk me up. Maybe some of these ideas will help you too:

Make Your Own Sun:

If the sun isn’t shining, who says you can’t make your own?! Try incorporating brightness into your day any way you can. Whether this be picking up a bouquet for your kitchen table, wearing a bold colored jacket, or painting your nails in a shocking hue. These vivid shades add a much needed pop to the dreariness outdoors and it will be sure to make you smile when you utilize them. I employed this method by getting bright pink and orange nails during my last fill and complete strangers have told me how nice it is to see some color!

Take Advantage of Rain Free Days:

The rain free days have been scarce, but when the days are blessedly clear, you best believe that I am walking! Take full advantage of the break in weather and get outdoors. Your dog will love a good walk or hike in the woods, you can complete lawn work, or simply sit outside and read a book or chat on the phone. You will be so happy that you took the opportunity to get out and get active once that next storm hits and it is back indoors.

Rainy Day Activities:

There are some activities that just hit different when it’s raining out. IE: Crafting, reading, listening to music, or watching scary movies! If the day is a wash, you might as well make the most of it indoors and enjoy yourself. Use these rainy days to relax, recharge, and unwind because the rain falling on your windows gives you the perfect soundtrack. And, yes, these rainy day activities can also include a good nap to catch up on some Zs! 😀

Daydreamer:

Summer might not be here yet but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning for it now! What is your perfect warm weather day like? A BBQ with friends? A late evening bonfire? Going swimming or playing outdoor games? Build your day and make it happen as soon as that warm weather hits to celebrate. It’s always nice to have something to look forward to and a fun day or party is just what the doctor ordered. After a big get together in the sun, you will be kissing those springtime blahs goodbye.

I am not a summer girl in the slightest but I have been craving it something fierce as of late. Just a few more weeks to go and I cannot wait for the rainy day blahs to kick rocks!

What is springtime weather like where you live? What is your favorite rainy day activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May2

Get Organized For A Summer At Home

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Get Organized For A Summer At Home

Summer is fast approaching and that means now is the perfect time to get yourself organized and ensure that you and your home are ready for the sunny season, and all of the fun and joy it brings. Here are a few key things to get you started so that you’ll be ready when summer comes and you can simply sit back, relax and enjoy it:

Take Stock of It All:

Before you do anything else, you are going to want to take some time to wander around your home and take stock of anything that needs doing to get the place ready for summer. This could be the garden, which needs trimming down so you have a nice clear view of your surroundings or your kitchen which could benefit from a good clean, so you can hang out and make frozen cocktails with friends. Note down everything that needs doing and prioritize the most necessary jobs first.

Declutter to Destress:

Clutter is summer’s secret enemy. Piles of papers, abandoned flip-flops, and that stack of unopened mail whisper “chaos” every time you pass by. Embrace the three-box method: One for keepers, one for trash and one for “maybe later.” Go through your stuff with ruthless kindness. If you haven’t used it since last July, it probably won’t suddenly become precious this year. Clearing visual clutter will make your home feel calmer, and it might even spark joy, à la that famous organizational guru you all admire.

Command the Calendar:

When life feels unstructured, put it on the calendar. Block out time for work, relaxation, home projects and social calls. Color-code like a pro: Blue for focus hours, yellow for fun, green for errands, and red for “urgent but boring.” Seeing your entire summer laid out helps you seize the day without losing track of deadlines or dentist appointments. Plus, sharing your color-coded calendar with housemates or family can prevent those “Why didn’t you tell me” moments.

Automate the Annoying Stuff:

Bill reminders, subscription renewals, and routine home maintenance can slip your mind when the poolside calls. Automate online payments, set up digital reminders for filter changes, and subscribe to a lawn care service app that pings you before it’s too late to sharpen the blades. Automation isn’t cheating; It’s smart management.

Get the Garden Tools in Shape:

In summer, many of us spend a whole lot of time in the garden, which means we want it to look as good as possible, right? This means that we need to sort out that lawn mower repair, sharpen our garden shears, and oil those all-important garden tools so they are all in good working order and we can keep the garden in similar shape, with as little effort as possible.

Clean the Garden Furniture:

Now is also the perfect time to clean and patch up the garden furniture so that it is in perfect condition for sitting and enjoying the hard work you’ve put in to get summer ready at home. Comfy, inviting garden furniture is a must for get togethers, bonfires, and cookouts!

Summer? Bring it on!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb21

Invisible Shields: How Professional Services Fortify Your Home Against Disasters

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Invisible Shields: How Professional Services Fortify Your Home Against Disasters

Home is supposed to be the safest place in the world. But when disaster barges in, uninvited and unannounced, it doesn’t care about your peace of mind, your years of hard work, or the memories wrapped up in every wall. Fire. Floods. Storms. Even the smallest accident can spiral into a home-altering catastrophe. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to face it alone. There’s an entire industry of professionals there to help. They’re the invisible shields, the ones who step in to prevent, mitigate, and, when necessary, bring your home back from the brink:

Preventing Disaster Before It Strikes:

Some people say you can’t control fate. But you can definitely prepare for it. A house isn’t just four walls and a roof – it’s a living, breathing structure that needs constant care. And when it comes to disasters, the best strategy isn’t to react but to stay ten steps ahead.

Fire Prevention and Protection:

Nobody wakes up thinking, Today’s the day my house might catch fire. But fires don’t wait for invitations. They start in forgotten corners – faulty wiring, a neglected chimney, a dryer vent clogged with lint. The good news? Fire prevention experts know where to look. They install smoke detectors in the right places, check fire suppression systems, and inspect the overlooked hazards before they become newsworthy. A simple checkup today can mean a home that’s still standing tomorrow.

Weatherproofing Your Home:

Water is sneaky. A single weak spot in your roof, a poorly sealed window, or an overwhelmed drainage system can start leaks that turn into nightmares. And if a storm decides to drop a tree branch through your ceiling? That’s a whole different level of destruction. Professionals who specialize in weatherproofing don’t just patch things up, they fortify. Reinforced roofing, flood-resistant barriers, and storm-proof windows aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re shields against nature’s worst moods.

Security Systems – Protection from the Unexpected:

A security system isn’t just about keeping burglars away. It’s about having eyes on every threat – fires, gas leaks, flooding. Today’s smart home security does more than beep when someone jiggles the doorknob. It warns you when there’s smoke in the kitchen or water creeping into the basement. And those extra minutes? They make all the difference.

Emergency Response – When Every Second Counts:

No matter how well you prepare, disasters have a way of showing up anyway. And when they do, response time is everything. The first few hours after a crisis can mean the difference between salvaging what’s left and losing everything.

Fire Restoration Services – Restoring What’s Lost:

The flames are gone, but the real damage is only beginning. Soot clings to everything, smoke burrows into fabrics, and the water from firefighting efforts lingers in the walls, waiting to invite mold. It’s overwhelming. And it’s exactly where fire restoration specialists step in. JDB Builders Inc. Fire Restoration Services don’t just scrub away the damage, they rebuild what’s left. They clear out the smoke-stained debris, dry out the waterlogged remains, and restore what can be saved. It’s not just about repairing a house. It’s about making a home feel whole again.

Water Damage Restoration:

Water moves fast. So does mold, rot, and structural instability. A minor leak, left alone, can turn into an unlivable situation within days. The experts who handle water damage don’t just clean up the mess, they act like detectives, hunting down moisture in places you didn’t even think to check. Industrial dehumidifiers, professional-grade drying techniques, and mold prevention measures aren’t overkill. They’re the only things standing between you and a home that’s slowly rotting from the inside out.

Tree Removal and Structural Repair:

A tree crashing through your house is one of those things you never think will happen until it does. One storm. One strong gust. One old branch hanging on by a thread. Suddenly, your living room has an unwanted skylight. Tree removal specialists don’t just clear the debris. They assess whether your home is structurally sound or if deeper repairs are needed. Sometimes, the damage is obvious. Other times, it takes an expert eye to spot the cracks forming under the surface.

The professionals who step in to prevent, respond, and rebuild are more than just service providers. They’re the ones who make it possible for you to come home again. And at the end of the day, that’s what really matters!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan19

Moving Right Along

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Moving Right Along

Howdy!! One of the comments that I get several times a week from the people I see and talk to frequently is: “I don’t know how you manage everything”. I have three jobs that keep me very busy, but I like to think that I have my juggling act down to a science. This isn’t something that happened overnight, rather something that has been perfected over time as I have been self employed for over a decade. It can be a delicate dance when you have a crazy schedule to keep your head above water. However, once you have it down, you can do that dance backwards and with your eyes closed! Here is what helps me:

I love my jobs:

The most important thing is to love what you do for a living and I certainly do! I love working with people with special needs, I love my blog, and I love being a social media manager. If I was absolutely miserable in any of these positions, I wouldn’t dedicate so much time to them. It makes me feel good to be a boss lady, but boss ladies know when to take a step back. As soon as I start feeling like something isn’t a good fit, I make immediate plans to change it and follow through until that is accomplished. It’s what keeps my work exciting and makes each day a joy rather than a chore.

It’s all in the timing:

Of course, time management is the next most important step to making a hectic schedule work. Through trial and error, I created a schedule that allows for me to complete every single task and be done when I return home so I can enjoy my evening with Johnny. Making a perfect schedule for yourself is like assembling a puzzle and once you get the pieces right, there is nothing that you can’t do. For a long while, I would still work a bit once I got home for the day no matter how badly I wanted to sink into the couch. The last step in my master schedule was eliminating this and I feel even more capable because I’m using my evenings for what they were intended for – relaxing!

Listen to yourself:

No one knows you better than you and rather than push yourself, you need to listen to yourself. I can’t tell you how many times I avoided taking breaks or simply a day off and it did me no favors. It made me resentful, exhausted, and overwhelmed. Honestly, this is one of the major things I still need to work on but I am getting better at it. You can only push yourself so much until you break so don’t let yourself get to that point. If something is feeling off, don’t just brush it aside because it’s your mind and body sending you a message. Listen to it because burnout is a very real thing and you have all of the tools to prevent it.

Go with the flow:

It’s no secret that my schedule is god lol. I have to admit, that I do tend to get a little panicky when my day isn’t moving as it should. This is why I am really making an effort to implement a go with the flow attitude. Being high-strung all day is exhausting and I always have to make a conscious effort to remind myself that things might not go accordingly to plan no matter how much you plan. While I do still experience some anxiety during a not to the T day, it has decreased substantially as I have to remind myself that even the most well thought out schedule needs some wiggle room.

I am well aware that there are still things that I need to work on when it comes to my work week. Keeping all of the above at the forefront of my mind helps me and I hope it does the same for you!

Do you follow the same schedule every day? How do you improve your work flow? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct3

From Amalfi To Ibiza: A Journey Through Europe’s Iconic Coastal Getaways

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From Amalfi To Ibiza: A Journey Through Europe’s Iconic Coastal Getaways

Europe’s coast is a patchwork of beautiful landscapes, cultures, and views. From the Amalfi Coast’s cliffs to Ibiza’s beaches, a trip to these iconic coastlines is a chance to relax, explore and sunbathe. Each has its magic so whether you’re a beach lover or an adventurer this guide will take you through some of Europe’s most iconic coastlines and what makes each one special:

1) Amalfi Coast, Italy:                                                            

The Amalfi Coast is a beautiful stretch of coastline in southern Italy that has been a favorite with travelers for years. Famous for its villages like Positano and Ravello, the Amalfi Coast has cliffs that plunge into the Mediterranean Sea. Here you can eat fresh seafood, shop in charming boutiques, and enjoy views from cliff-top terraces. Whether you’re wandering the narrow streets of Amalfi or lounging on the beach with a good book the area has the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Don’t forget to pack your swimwear for a dip in the blue waters!

2) Costa Brava, Spain:        

In northeastern Spain, Costa Brava is known for its rugged coastline, hidden coves, and fishing villages. From the French border to the bustling city of Barcelona, this region has something for everyone, especially when planning a road trip never to forget. Spend your days on beautiful beaches like Cala Montjoi with its turquoise waters and cliffs or take a leisurely walk along the coastal paths that reveal stunning views of the Mediterranean. Costa Brava is also steeped in culture with Salvador Dalí’s surrealist art and the medieval castles of Tossa de Mar giving a glimpse into the region’s history.

3) French Riviera, France:        

The French Riviera or Côte d’Azur is all about glamour and luxury. Along the southern coast of France, this beautiful region is home to glamorous cities like Nice, Cannes, and Monaco. The beaches are lined with beach clubs and restaurants so you can sunbathe and people watch. You can try water sports like jet skiing or sailing or simply relax on the sand with a glass of rosé in hand. The views of the Mediterranean, the nightlife, and the cultural experiences make the French Riviera a must-stop on your coastal journey.

4) Ibiza, Spain:        

Famous for its nightlife and beaches, Ibiza is the jewel of the Balearic Islands. This island has the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement. Spend your days on iconic beaches like Playa d’ Bossa or Cala Comte where you can sunbathe at beach side bars. As the sun sets, Ibiza becomes a party destination with world-famous clubs like Pacha and Amnesia drawing crowds from all over the world. But the island also has peaceful spots like the charming village of Santa Gertrudis where you can eat local food and enjoy art in a quiet atmosphere.

Whether you want to relax on the beach, explore the towns, or party the night away this coastal journey has it all. So pack your bags, gather your friends, and get ready for a trip you’ll be talking about for years to come!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May14

Summer Fun For The Kiddos

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Summer Fun For The Kiddos

Hello!! As an adult, summer has definitely lost its luster. What I wouldn’t give for a whole three months off of work! However, ever since Johnny and I became an aunt and uncle, our summers have come back in a big way. There is absolutely nothing better than soaking up the sun with our sweet nieces. I also love that they love my favorite summertime activities from my youth – blowing bubbles and picking dandelions! If you are looking for some ways to give your kids the best summer ever, I have a few ideas in mind. Let’s check them out:

Camps Of All Kinds:

When I was little and as a teenager, I attended several summer camps for art and theater. It was such fun to meet new friends who enjoyed something that I did and it also gave me a sense of routine, which can be hard in the summer. One of my greatest joys is that my oldest niece has developed a taste for the theater and she will be attending some camps for that when school is out. No matter what your child is interested in, there is sure to be a camp for it!

While summer camps are a hoot, there is no denying that they can be expensive. However, there are ways to work around that! I would highly recommend taking a look at the different programs that your local libraries and Metro Parks are offering. Ninety-nine percent of the time, these activities are going to be free unless you have to chip in a bit for crafting supplies or what have you. Your local playgrounds might also have play groups that take field trips, do art, go swimming, and explore so that is also worth researching further.

All Of The Art:

As soon as school was out when I was a kid, my mom would take me and my siblings to the craft store. She would let us pick out different projects that would keep us occupied on rainy days and it was always such a treat. Of course, art supplies don’t just have to be bought at stores. Maybe you will go pick wildflowers together and make a gorgeous bouquet. Or how about a scavenger hunt? You could use whatever was found to make an awesome nature collage. There is art everywhere if you know where to look for it!

So Snacky:

In the summer, snack time is basically all the time lol. This can be a great learning experience for your kids! Every week, you could go on Pinterest together, find recipes for easy and healthy snacks, and pick up the ingredients at the store. Then, you can prep them once you are home. By the end of the summer, your child could have an arsenal of tasty snacks that they can make independently. This will teach them the merits of healthy eating, kitchen skills and safety, and will allow them to experience new food they might not have tried before.

Backyard Camping:

Often times, the most fun can be had in your own backyard. You can turn your home into the hub for your kiddos and their friends by making a backyard campground. They will be delighted by a pitched tent, projector screen for movies, and making smores over a fire pit. Backyard camping can be like a getaway for your kids and they can go all out with it. Perhaps they will like to make banners and posters, prepare trail mix, and plan activities to make it feel even more real!

The name of the game in the summer is keeping the kiddos occupied with fun and new experiences. They will have a blast with any of the above!

What was your favorite summertime activity? Do you have any big plans this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah