Tag Archives: r&r

So Luxe: Hotel Vibes In Your Own Home

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So Luxe: Hotel Vibes In Your Own Home

There are a lot of reasons why you might want to make your home look more like a hotel. Hotels have this feeling of luxury and comfort, which is likely to be something that you would appreciate in your home too. So if you’re wondering how to make this a reality for your home, how are you going to achieve that? Let’s find out:

Deep Clean All Surfaces:

One thing that hotels do a lot is thoroughly deep clean every surface that you can see, as well as those you can’t. This requires hard work and constant diligence, but it is the kind of thing that you should think about doing if you are going to make your home more hotel-like. There are many surfaces that you need to think about here, including all of the counters and tabletops, and these should definitely be cleaned on a regular basis if possible. You should also make sure to get some professional carpet cleaning carried out occasionally and consider doing the same for all the upholstery too.

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^^^ Pexels Image

Upgrade Your Lighting:

For your home to be more like a hotel, you will want to opt for show-stopping lighting which is at once sophisticated and elegant, as that is going to produce the right vibe every time. You should also consider some soft and gentle lighting for focal areas in rooms, as you might find in hotel rooms. This lends a certain calmness to rooms that are all about relaxing. Good lighting can really make a world of difference.

Use Symmetry:

If you look at the room layouts of many of the best hotels, you will notice that there is often a definite symmetry to them. This doesn’t have to be an absolute rule all of the time. However, if you do make some use of symmetry in a clever way, you are going to find that your home looks a lot more like a hotel and much more interesting and stylish for it too.

There is also something to be said for a little tasteful asymmetry, and if you can marry these two together in the right way you might be surprised at how much it can work. You can achieve both of these ends by simply moving furniture around or remodeling a room if you are keen to make a huge difference.

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^^^ Pexels Image

Be Wary Of Clutter:

A hotel would not have any clutter whatsoever so it might be time for an overhaul of unneeded items in your home. This is especially great to do during changes in the season to give your home a breath of freshness. Make use of clever storage options for things that can’t be parted with and donate and recycle the rest. And, do try to keep the clutter from returning!

The Bed:

Finally, remember that the most important thing of all for a hotel is the bed. The more comfortable and luxurious this is, the better. Treat yourself to a good quality bed frame and mattress. Don’t forget some great linen, throw pillows, and plush blankets too. This alone is going to make your home a lot more luxurious in no time at all.

Who needs a five star hotel when you can have a five star home, instead? No room key required!

Featured Image By: Pexels

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Relaxing Gifts For Your Special Guy

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Relaxing Gifts For Your Special Guy

Trying to find the perfect gift for the man in your life can be tricky. If he seems to have everything, what do you give him? How about something that will help him relax and destress? In this guide to relaxation for men, exploring various techniques that he can use to melt away the stress of everyday life will be discussed. Let’s get to it:

Massage Therapy:

Massage therapy is one of the most popular methods of relaxation for men. It is a great way to relieve stress and tension from the body and improve circulation. Many different types of massage therapies are available, so be sure to research to find the perfect one for him.

Swedish massage is a very common type of massage that uses long, flowing strokes to help relax the body. Deep tissue massage is another popular option that focuses on working out knots and other areas of muscle tension. Sports massages can help reduce soreness and inflammation from exercise if your man enjoys being active.

Aromatherapy:

Aromatherapy is another great way to help your man relax. Many different essential oils can be used for relaxation, each with its unique benefits. Lavender oil is a popular choice for its calming and soothing properties. Peppermint oil is also a good option as it can help to improve circulation and relieve muscle tension. You can also add a few drops of oil to his bathtub or massage him with an aromatherapy infused lotion.

That memorable getaway:

Sometimes, the best way to help your man relax is to get away from it all. Plan a weekend trip or more extended vacation at a spa or resort. This will allow him to unwind and forget all of his stressors. If you are on a budget, there are many ways to recreate the spa experience at home. First, run him a bath with some soothing music. You can also make your own sugar scrub using ingredients like coconut oil and essential oils. Then, give him a nice massage with this scrub to help exfoliate his skin and relieve muscle tension.

Special gifts:

If you want to go above and beyond, consider giving him a small gift that he can use while relaxing. This could be anything from a new robe to a nice pair of slippers. Maybe even a box of cigars? First, however, it’s important to understand the cigar shapes and sizes to fit with that remarkable man in your life and make it a gift he will never forget.

When it comes to relaxation, it’s important to remember that every man is different. What works for one guy might not work for another. The key is to find what works best for the man in your life and make sure he takes the time to relax regularly.

Time out with the family:

Last but not least, one of the best ways to help your man relax is to spend time with the people he loves. Whether this means family dinners, game nights, or simply hanging out at home, quality time with loved ones is sure to reduce stress and promote relaxation. In addition, perhaps your man is a camper; take the family out for a weekend away and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life to truly relax.

If your SO is feeling stressed, treat him to any of the above and watch as the tension melts away!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Treat Yourself With Some Self Care

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Treat Yourself With Some Self Care

Hello! When we think of the phrase “treat yourself”, Parks & Recreation usually comes to mind when Donna and Tom splurge at the mall. A great shopping trip is definitely a treat yourself occasion but so is a day of self care! Self care is all about taking the time out of your day to do things that make you feel good. Let’s explore some ideas for when you’re feeling like you could use a pick me up:

Pampering, Please:

My favorite form of self care is definitely some pampering! Whether it’s a face mask or bath bomb from Lush, getting my nails or hair done, or simply using a nice lotion – I love it all. Being pampered whether it’s at the salon or at home is so soothing and it’s always nice to feel like a million bucks!

You could even host your own personal “spa day” so your friends can get in on the self care too. Everyone could bring their favorite products, drink tea and spill the tea as you catch up, and enjoy each other’s company. How fun would that be?

Treatments:

I am a firm believer that if there is something that makes you feel self conscious, it is worth going to a professional for. Whether you want your teeth whitened, Botox, lip filler, or anything else – go for it. There is nothing wrong with any of this and if it makes you feel good about yourself, then that’s all that matters.

Of course, treatments are not always cosmetic. If you are experiencing aches and pains, you could try PEMF treatment for health maintenance and pain relief. Or, you could book a monthly massage to help work the kinks out. This is also an excellent practice in self care to help you feel your best inside and out.

Veg Out:

Sometimes the best form of self care is sitting on your favorite armchair or couch and vegging out. You could spend the afternoon with a good book or binge watching that show that you have been dying to watch. Taking the time to just sit, relax, and be can do wonders for your mental health. Vegging out gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a different world and you will return to reality feeling refreshed.

Work Out:

Whether you are hitting the gym or just taking a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood, it will feel good to get your body moving. I love to take my mom and dad’s dog for runs and when I’m done, I feel happy that I gave both of us a work out – even when my legs feel like Jello! After your exercise, you could treat yourself to a yummy smoothie or a delicious dinner to refuel your body.

Everyone could use some self care in this crazy world and these are just a few ideas to help perk you up whenever you need!

Make Your Home More Comfortable With These Improvements

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Make Your Home More Comfortable With These Improvements

After a while, your home could use a little upgrade in the comfort department. As time goes on things get old and need repair or something new comes out that you know you have to have. If you feel your home needs a boost in comfort, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Get a New Couch:

Couches are the ultimate in comfort. You are going to want to sit on them, sleep on them, lay on them, and have guests stay on them. After a while, they can lose their high level of comfort. Do yourself a favor and get a new couch.

You can visit stores like Ashley Home Furniture or any other affordable furniture store and find an amazing couch that is fluffy, soft, and reclines. Newer couches come with zero gravity reclining to take the pressure off of your back and make you feel as relaxed as possible.

Get Central Air and Heating:

A great way to up the comfort level of your home is to get central air and heating. This eliminates having to have wall or window units that only heat and cool certain rooms. With a central air system, you can evenly heat and cool your entire home.

A reputable company like Eggert Cooling and Heating knows exactly what your home needs to be at the perfect temperature at all times. It’s affordable and one of the best things you can do for your home.

Repaint Your Rooms:

Changing up the color of your rooms can really set a comfortable mood. Choosing soothing colors matched with the right color furniture will put you at ease while you are watching TV, going to sleep, or sitting in your favorite spot to read or relax.

Visit your local paint store and choose colors that speak to you and are universally regarded as soothing like some grays, browns, or blues. Let all parts of your home set the tone that will make you and your guests feel nice and cozy.

Improve Your Lighting:

When you can set the room with the right lighting, comfort will abound. The first thing to do is put your lights on dimmers. Dimmers will give you full control over the strength of the light and you can set it to be at the perfect level so you will feel chill at all times. Next, pick the right kind of lighting for your room. Some people enjoy indirect recessed lighting, while others choose to work with lamps or track lighting. Whatever your choice, the right lighting will set the right mood.

There are several other things you can do from blankets to carpeting and window treatments that will help set a great vibe in your home. As you improve upon one thing, you will discover something else that you can do and before long your entire home will be the epitome of comfort!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Essential Ingredients For Better Mental Health

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Essential Ingredients For Better Mental Health

If you want to have more rewarding days and higher levels of energy, then you must take good care of yourself. One piece of the puzzle as it relates to your wellness that can sometimes be overlooked is your mental health. However, it’s a vital component of your well being and can influence how you feel daily.

When you make sure you incorporate these essential ingredients for better mental health, then you can give yourself the opportunity to improve your life and mood. Implement the right habits and you’ll soon discover that you feel better and look forward to each new day:

A Good Night’s Sleep:

If you want to have better mental health, then you must get a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep can make you feel sluggish and negatively impact your mood and attitude. Get enough sleep so that you wake up feeling refreshed and motivated to complete your to-do list. It’s not just about getting more sleep but also resting and taking breaks throughout the day to recharge as well. Get better quality sleep by configuring your bedroom for optimal rest and getting on a regular sleep schedule.

Drinking Sensibly:

Drinking alcohol can also alter your mood and energy levels. The effects of drinking are only temporary and may cause you more harm than good in the long term. If you continue to drink heavily, your habits may also turn into a substance abuse disorder that you’ll need to seek treatment for and address if you want to get better. Instead, find healthy ways to deal with stress such as going for walks, meditating, or journaling.

A Healthy Diet:

The foods you put in your body can impact your health and how you feel. Eat well to keep your brain nourished and your spirits lifted. There are also many foods that can help reduce anxiety and keep you feeling more level. Not getting enough of the right nutrients has even been linked to developing some forms of mental illness.

A Balanced Life:

Improve your mental health by leading a more balanced life. Working long hours and having no time for hobbies or fun can lead you down a dangerous path that might leave you feeling worn out and exhausted. It’s in your best interest to make time for leisure and work a job you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to turn down activities or say no to others when you feel stretched and would rather practice self care, instead.

Regular Physical Activity:

Another essential ingredient for better mental health is to get regular physical activity. Working out can not only be enjoyable but can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your stress. Mix up your routine so that you don’t get bored with exercise and can stick to it. Consistent exercise will not only improve your mood but can also reduce feelings of depression. You’ll also likely find that you sleep better at night when you exert yourself physically during the day.

Implementing some or all of the tips above can help get your mental health back on track for better days ahead!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Must Have Products For Ultimate Relaxation

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Must Have Products For Ultimate Relaxation

With the pandemic still going strong and cold weather on the horizon, there is no better time to turn your home into a relaxation station to keep yourself safe and warm. Today, we are going to look at a few key elements to provide for the ultimate R&R experience from the comfort of your house or apartment. Let’s get to it:

Sound Machines:

Sound machines are an ideal option if you have trouble sleeping or concentrating when working from home. These handy little machines can give you a range of different sounds from white noise to crashing waves and rain falling. Not to mention that they are great for soothing infants! Sound machines can be a perfect replacement for keeping the TV on before bed if you need some noise to fall asleep as it will eliminate the harsh lighting, which is doing you no favors as you try to nod off.

Speaking Of Sleep:

Speaking of sleep, when was the last time that you got a new mattress? Your mattress should be replaced, roughly, every seven years and a brand new one will do wonders for relaxation. Do your research and find a quality mattress for sale so you can sleep peacefully every night. A new mattress combined with a sound machine will surely help you feel more well rested when the alarm goes off in the morning.

Soothing Hobbies:

There are plenty of hobbies that are, easily, more relaxing than others and include everything from knitting and reading to adult coloring books. Engaging in a hobby that promotes mindfulness is a great way to step away from the stress of your day to day life. Spending some quiet time with yourself lost in a good book or creating something beautiful is one of the best ways to spend a snowy day in.

Soft Lighting:

Harsh, bright lighting is never conducive to helping you relax. Of course, brighter lighting in appropriate areas like your kitchen and office are a necessity. However, you can opt for softer, dim lighting in the living room and bedroom to increase your relaxation even more. Dim lights enhanced by twinkling fairy lights or a Himalayan salt lamp will create a lovely ambiance and can allow your body to get in a more zen state come evening time.

Ready, set, relax with the products above to turn your snow days in into much needed R&R time for you!

Chilling Out

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Chilling Out

Hello! These past few weekends for Johnny and I have been nice and relaxing which is a welcome change of pace after several super busy weekends in a row. I definitely know that I was feeling the effects of being on the move nonstop because I felt so exhausted throughout my work week. My job is quite mentally demanding so this on top of tired made me feel drained.

While I love going out and about with Johnny, a lot of my favorite things can be done just Chilling Out in our apartment. Like the following:

Pampering Party:

Pampering myself after a long day at work always makes me feel better. This means bubble baths, face masks, getting my nails done, and painting my toe nails. Johnny also loves to have his nails painted so I’ll usually do his fingers and toes too while the nail polish is out. Nothing pleases me more than an evening at the nail salon or testing out a new skin care product and it is a great midweek refresher until the weekend rolls around. A Pampering Party is my favorite form of self care and it gives me something to look forward to for once I get home.

Fun & Games:

Super intense video games are not relaxing to me in the slightest even though I love them. However, Pokemon Snap and Animal Crossing never fail to put me in the chill zone. Both games for the Nintendo Switch are insanely cute, laid back, and fairly mindless. They are also games that Johnny and I enjoy a lot so we play them often when we need some time to unwind. Our new hobby has been listening to The Last Podcast On The Left together and we will normally play Pokemon Snap or Animal Crossing while we have an episode on.

Soak Up The Sun:

I have been making great use of the pool at my apartment community this summer and it feels nice to be in the water and catch some rays in the evening. It is also the best time to go since it is not as crowded which makes it even more relaxing! Our apartment gets incredibly hot in the summer so I love having a pool two minutes away to cool off in. It’s hard to get in a chill set of mind when you’re sweating profusely lol!

Book Club:

Despite pretty much only reading horror and thriller novels, reading always helps me to relax and I try to finish a book at least every three weeks. Right now, I have been working on Candide by Voltaire which I have really been enjoying. Next on deck is a suspense novel by Megan Miranda called Such A Quiet Place. Nothing is better than settling in with a good book and I get transported to the chill zone as soon as I read one page.

It’s important to know what helps you to relax when you are feeling tired or stressed and the above are all surefire ways to unwind for me. Talk about an instant chill pill!

How do you like to relax? What makes you feel stressed? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

How To Enjoy A Calm Winter

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How To Enjoy A Calm Winter

Winter is well and truly on its way. In fact, it’s pretty much here. And with what’s going on in the world right now, you may find that you really don’t want to be spending too much time on anything that’s strenuous or that takes your energy away. And if that’s the case, you will be reaping as many of the benefits that a winter hibernation can offer you. At this time of the year, we don’t always want to spend too much outside or on hard activities. Instead, we want to be able to slow down and make sure that we can get through to spring feeling fantastic. To help you to do that, you may find that the ideas below will inspire you:

Switch off more:

To start with, one of the best things that you can do here is to make sure that you’re letting yourself switch off as much as possible. If you’re always on the go or your mind is always racing, your time won’t be calm. So try to switch off from work or the online world for a little bit if you can.

Distance yourself:

From here, you might want to try and think about keeping your distance from negativity. This may seem like a strange thing to add in as a winter practice, however, it can be really beneficial for your mind. If you know that you have a lot of toxic people in your life as you’re choosing to enjoy a few calming months, it’s good to try and keep them at arm’s length. That way, you know that your tranquillity won’t be threatened.

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Make room for calming practices:

The next thing that you might want to do is make sure that you are welcoming more calming practices into your life. You may find that you are able to feel a lot calmer throughout the colder months when you actively look to make this happen. Maybe you want to read instead of watch TV? Turn to something like Bloom Farms CBD instead of alcohol? Or quiet games nights with family rather than something rowdier? It all helps.

Treat yourself better:

Even if you think you already do this, you may not be treating yourself as well as you’d think. Are you resting? Are you looking after your body? Are you prioritizing your needs? If not, then you’re going to want to make sure that you change this. You’ll find it helps you to be a lot calmer and feel much better about yourself.

Enjoy the downtime:

Finally, you may find that it’s actually really nice for you to just enjoy more of the downtime. Winter isn’t always as fun, busy, and outgoing as summer – and it needn’t be. With winter comes the cold and dark and it’s not always the time of year that you want to be active. So just let yourself enjoy the calm and the slower pace. Do less. Relax. Be slow. Lap up all of the things you can do in hibernation before a glorious springtime comes back once again.

Ready, set, relax with the tips above and have a calm and safe winter!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Making Time For Me

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Making Time For Me

Hello! Ever since I began my self employment journey five years and change back, I have been dedicated to running both of my businesses the best that I can. Of course, it is exhausting but it is also so rewarding that it makes putting one foot in front of the other each day that little bit easier. The only bad thing about self employment? No paid time off. -_-

I have always had a hard time taking days off because needing “me time” during the week means I won’t be getting paid! However, having a boyfriend who gets holidays off has turned my mindset a total one eighty. Believe you me, I love my job but having to go to work on a day that Johnny has off is for the birds.

So, I began to do something different when Johnny and I got more serious. I began being much more lenient with myself about taking a day off. Sleeping in during the weekend rocks but there’s something about sleeping in on a day you should be at work that just hits different.

Since I have become better about taking a day off every once in a while, it has given me something to look forward to. Johnny and I now coordinate our time off as best as we can and I cannot wait for Labor Day Monday so I can have a three day weekend with my MAN. It’s a bit of a way off, yes. But can you blame a girl for being excited about the little things during the coronavirus pandemic?!

Making more time for me has turned me into a much more relaxed individual because I’m literally giving myself permission to chill out. That really has never happened before since I began being my own boss. A day off with my boyfriend is always what the doctor ordered, though, so bring on Labor Day! πŸ˜€

What are you looking forward to? How do you make time for yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Face Mask Festivities: Celavi Pomegranate Sheet Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Celavi Pomegranate Sheet Mask Edition

Howdy! I am currently working through a handful of different sheet masks from a brand called Celavi, which I purchased on Amazon. During the last edition of Face Mask Festivities, we discussed Celavi’s Charcoal sheet mask and I was really encouraged after using it because I noticed the positive effect it had on my skin once I took it off. I was now tied 1-1 between masks that I liked and disliked because the Honey one was a dud.

The Pomegranate sheet mask was my tie breaker with the promises to Brighten and Enhance. And we are now *drum roll please* at 2-1 because it was a goddamn delight. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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^^^ Lol, sheet mask pictures crack me up!

I used the Pomegranate sheet mask after a real DOOZY of a day and, honestly, any brightening or enhancing would have been a noticeable change because your girl looked hit! And, I must say, the change in my skin was very noticeable after a twenty minute struggle of wearing the mask. Because, let’s keep it real, ill fitting face masks do not make for the most relaxing pampering!

When I removed the sheet mask, my skin seriously looked like I had just used a bunch of Vitamin C radiance treatments. My face was glowing bright and I looked wide awake even though I felt dead tired. So, needless to say, I was impressed and it was actually just the perk me up I needed to complete my last few tasks of the day.

The Celavi Pomegranate Sheet Mask has definitely been my favorite one out of the three that I have tried. I have three more left to test out so keep it posted for more new Face Mask Festivities soon!

How do you spend your time after work? Which products do you love for brightening and radiance? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah