Tag Archives: spring

Prepping The Outside Of Your Home For Spring

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Prepping The Outside Of Your Home For Spring

The thought of spring fast approaching is like a lighthouse amidst the gloom of the COVID-19 pandemic. Warmer weather means the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors social distanced with friends and loved ones and I know we are all looking forward to that! If your outdoor property is going to be the place to be this spring, start considering the following to get everything prepared for the first few warm days:

Tend To Landscaping:

Whether you plan on working on your landscaping yourself or hiring the experts from a landscaping company in Scarborough, this is definitely the first step you want to take when prepping your outdoors for spring. From installing fences and decks to the planting of lush greenery and flowers, you want your outdoor space to be just as welcoming to guests as your kitchen is. Get inspired about your dream yard from Pinterest, home design shows, or check out this landscape designer and see where your creativity takes you in a whole different setting!

Not only will beautiful landscaping boost your curb appeal and the overall aesthetic of your home, but it can also do a world of good. When you grow native plants, it encourages the growth of biodiverse ecosystems and a safe haven for endangered species like Monarch butterflies. You can purchase the best plants for your area to create a stunning display and a habitat for local species with companies like Direct Native Plants (or a similar one in your local area). Do your research, get to shopping, and open up your yard to wonderful wildlife. 

Fix Problem Areas:

It will be hard to enjoy your outdoor property if your home isn’t looking its best from the outside. As the warmer weather hits, do a walk through around your house to locate problem areas that need fixed. Whether this means giving your place a fresh coat of paint, patching holes, solving problems with pests, or, perhaps, tending to reinforcements. This can include providing additional structural support or contacting retaining wall experts in your area for extra help.

Spring also means a lot of rain and you will want to ensure that your yard is capable of handling the downpours. Standing water can turn your pristine yard into a swamp in no time at all and will bring a swarm of mosquitos and a host of landscaping issues. This will make it hard to enjoy the weather and all of the fun of the outdoors. It will be important to fix standing water in your yard before transitioning to spring. You want to deal with it all now instead of wishing you had already taken care of it halfway through spring. Then, you can fully enjoy the outdoors without constantly thinking about your to do list.

Garden Get Together:

Gardening is a hobby that can be done from a safe distance with friends and can be a lot of fun. How about hosting a get together to do just that? Visit a garden center for lovely flowers or plants and then hit up the craft store for pots and paints to create your own potted masterpiece. This is a fantastic way to let your creativity shine by decorating your pot and arranging your plants just so. Make one or a bunch to outline your patio with and you will have a beautiful display!

Contact Free Games:

A beautiful, manicured yard is just begging to be used and there are plenty of contact free games to enjoy playing with your friends. Invest in a set of bocce ball, croquet, or cornhole. All of these games can be played while social distancing and the bocce and croquet balls can be easily sanitized after using them. Despite being outdoors, it’s still important to keep following COVID-19 guidelines and contact free games will provide safe and fun entertainment for your guests.

Protection From The Sun:

There is nothing better than settling outside with a good book and a glass of lemonade but this can be difficult to do if there is no protection from the sun on your property to help keep you comfortable. Consider having a space on your deck or patio where you can cool down in the shade with a sun setter or a table with a nice big umbrella. This will be a welcome spot to beat the heat after a couple of games of bocce!

Spring hasn’t quite sprung yet but it’s never too early to start thinking about it and getting excited to break free from your living room. Work on getting your outdoor property ready for spring now and you will be ready to be the first one outside when the warm weather finally hits!

 

Spring Flowers To Brighten Your Day

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Spring Flowers To Brighten Your Day

Hello! Every time I show up at my parents’ house, there is always the most beautiful bouquet of flowers in a vase on the kitchen table. Not only is my dad an extremely skilled gardener but he also can prepare arrangements of flowers like nobody’s business. Whenever I go to chez parents, I look forward to what flowers are going to be on the table next and I was delighted by brightly colored and oh so spring tulips the last time I was there. Check it out:

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Even though we’re barely into February and still have quite a bit of winter to go, it feels so good to think about spring and all of the exciting things that come with it. Warmer weather means flowers, light jackets, and the opportunity to meet with friends outside. It feels so far away but, I swear, seeing these sunburst tulips made me feel like spring was just around the corner – despite the fact that there was a lot of snow on the ground!

My dad has been bringing home beautiful flowers for everyone to enjoy (especially my mom!) for as long as I can remember. The tulips have easily been my favorite arrangement in a while, as I’m partial to his summer flower bouquets, and I just had to share them with all of you. And, just maybe it will help to put a spring in your step on this cold winter’s day. ❤

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

Preparing Your Home For Spring

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Preparing Your Home For Spring

The holidays already seem like a distant memory but it is not quite time for donning the summer wear just yet. Spring will be here before we know it, which brings with it the joys of spring cleaning and getting your place ready for the warmer months.

Deep cleaning in the early months of the year is a given and is perfect for creating healthy homes, removing dust, and eliminating any harmful bacteria that may be lurking. There is nothing quite like the feeling of knowing how beautifully clean and sparkly your home is! But what about those forgotten aspects of our homes? What else could you be doing to make sure your home really is super clean and perfect for you and your family? Consider the following:

Air Conditioning:

Are you lucky enough to live somewhere that gets super hot during the summer months? If so, now is the time to act if you need to upgrade your air conditioning system. Air conditioning systems not only help you and your family to stay cool indoors but also offer many other benefits too.

Low-quality air intake can cause a range of health conditions and exacerbate existing conditions too, such as asthma and allergies. Air-conditioning units need regular maintenance and cleaning so it’s worthwhile to spend some time on this before the weather heats up. Imagine getting to the height of summer and it not working then!

Aside from spring time check ups, you should learn more about your AC system because there are, typically, noticeable signs that it might not be working properly. This can include higher electric bills, weird noises, and the machine having an unpleasant odor. Having a professional repair the system when you notice something off will prevent it from getting too out of hand, which can happen quickly.

Drains:

Something else that needs regular maintenance and cleaning is your drains, although they are often forgotten. Clogged lines, jammed sewers, and sinks that will not drain properly should not be ignored. They are more than just an inconvenience and could be indicative of further, more serious problems. These problems could even be hazardous to you and your family’s health. Stubborn clogs can be resolved by hydro-jetting or drain snaking, but it is definitely worth calling a drain specialist who will be able to advise you on the best method to look after your home’s drains. This is a task that should not be completed using the DIY route unless you truly do have the skill set. Even then, it is always good to have a second opinion. To find a specialist in your area, simply enter a search for “Guelph Plumber” (or your local area) to get everything in working order.

Guttering:

Clogged guttering is also something that can be more than just unsightly. Problems with gutters can cause substantial water damage to your home so it is a must to give your gutters some love prior to the heavy rainfall come spring. By preventing overflowing gutters or water from leaking into your home, you are likely to save considerable amounts of money in the long-term. Not only can gutter cleaning prevent leaks but can also help to prevent mold and mildew, rodents and pests, as well as woodwork damage.

While you could clean your gutters yourself, it is wise to call in a professional. With a Gutter cleaning service in Pace, FL or one in your local area, you will have peace of mind that the job is done well and safely. The pros will also be able to see things that you might not be keen to like areas in need of replacement, which can save you a whole lot of hassle in the future.

Outdoor Spaces:

Now that most of the severe weather is passing, it is the perfect time to pay attention to those outdoor spaces and get them prepared for the warmer months ahead. Using a jet wash will really help to clean spaces up and you could even start planning for how you would like to use the space throughout the summer. Consider your landscaping and furniture to create an awesome outdoor hang out for you, family, and friends.

Don’t forget the advice above as you begin your spring cleaning to keep all of your house in tip top shape!

Featured Image By: Valentina Locatelli on Unsplash

3 Ways To Prepare Your Home For Warm Weather

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3 Ways To Prepare Your Home For Warm Weather

If you are looking forward to spring coming around, you aren’t alone. The past year has been a challenge to say the least, but one thing we can guarantee is that the spring and summer will come around again. These seasons encourage us to get outdoors, enjoy fresh air, and generally have a better outlook on life.

One thing that many people underestimate is how much your household will change as the seasons roll on. Many of us have spent more time than ever at home over the past year due to the coronavirus; although vaccinations are in sight, we can expect to still spend more time indoors in 2021. For this reason, it is crucial to prepare your home for the warm weather so you can stay comfortable and happy while isolating inside!

Here are three ways to prepare your home for warm weather:

Upgrade Your Air Conditioning:

If you live in a location that gets super hot in the summer months, now is the time to act when it comes to getting an air conditioning service. Chances are, the schedules of air conditioning companies are going to fill up quick and you will not want to be left waiting when summer hits. Air conditioning helps you, your pets, kids, and guests to stay cool indoors when the temperatures begin to rise.

How do you upgrade or fix your air conditioning? If you don’t have air conditioning, you should contact a specialist supplier who will give you a quote and install the HVAC in your property. If you have an air conditioner that doesn’t work, or has issues such as the air conditioner not removing humidity, contact your local HVAC specialist for a repair.

As summertime approaches, be sure to monitor your air conditioning unit closely. Any signs you can find that point to it not working properly should be handled immediately to prevent it from getting worse and more expensive. Being prompt will also ensure an appointment will be available before schedules fill up. Take the time to search for “AC repair in Lynnwood” (or your local area) and take note of a few trustworthy companies should you not be able to book an appointment with your first option.

Plant Seeds In The Garden:

If you have a space outdoors to call your own, you should start thinking about how you want it to look and feel in the spring and summer. Planting seeds in your garden as the spring starts to emerge means that they will be in full bloom by summertime.

You could plant a flower bed, a vegetable garden, or even an herb garden! The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating a beautiful green space on your property. Not only does planting seeds create a lovely garden, but it can be highly therapeutic and soothing for a stressed mind. We could all use a little bit of tranquility in our lives, so create it right there in your backyard.

Change Your Thermostat Gradually:

It might seem like a small change, but altering your thermostat gradually can help you create a cool, comfortable atmosphere in the home. Many people forget to do this until they are sweating buckets and opening all of the windows to compensate! In these scenarios, turning the thermostat down multiple degrees all at once can make your home feel drafty and chilly. That’s why a gradual decline is the way to go. Get ahead and gradually change your thermostat as the temperatures outdoors start to rise. Remember that it is a good idea to try this method as early as the weather allows should you need air conditioning repair. These services book up quickly as warmer weather gets nearer and you don’t want to be without cool air on the first sweltering day of the season!

If you are looking for ways to prepare your home for summer, use this helpful guide to achieve a gorgeous springtime feel in your house!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Making Your Outdoor Space The Perfect Hang Out

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Making Your Outdoor Space The Perfect Hang Out

Despite the weather being cold and gloomy, it is never too early to think about how to improve your outdoor space this spring and summer. Once the warm weather hits, it will be a lot easier to safely socialize outside which might make you even more motivated to turn your outdoor property into the best on the block. Try out some of these ideas and you will be back to seeing your friends in the warm summer’s breeze before you know it:

Lush greenery:

The first step to turning your yard into the place to be is to get your landscaping just right. Soft green grass, lovely foliage, and bright flowers are a must. It will make your space so inviting and will surely impress your guests when they come to visit. Some people, like my dad, are born with green thumbs. But, if gardening is not your strong suit, then enlist the help of landscaping Toronto for a front and back yard you can be proud of.

Comfortable outdoor furniture:

You will not want your friends to have to sit on the lawn when they stop by, so it’s important to get some nice outdoor furniture to rest on. Wicker chairs with plush cushions, lawn chairs, and benches are a great place to start. As long as you take care of the furniture, that is! Heavy rain and stifling heat can turn that once super comfortable cushion into a moldy disaster.

A fire pit:

There is nothing better than sitting around a bonfire with your friends so maybe this will be the year you invest in a fire pit. It will feel so good to do something “normal” again while being a lot safer outdoors. Can’t you just smell the bonfire and hear the crickets chirping now?

Outdoor activities:

Don’t forget the games! A nice, lush lawn is just begging for some bocce ball, croquet, and cornhole – all of which can be played social distance style. Invite a few friends and have yourselves a garden party. Don’t forget the tiny sandwiches and lemonade!

Made in the shade:

On especially sunny days, it will be crucial to have a spot to cool down in – whether that be a table with a great big umbrella, a Sun Setter, or a kiddie pool to soak your feet in. After all of this time spent indoors, I’m sure many of us will be in our gardens all day come summer time. If you find yourself retreating back inside when it gets too hot, a cool down space to continue to enjoy the great outdoors in will be a must when preparing your space.

In my opinion, winter has been flying by. And, in just a few short months, we will all be able to have the opportunity to socialize a bit more outside so make your outdoor space this summer the best ever!

Smile! Spring Flowers Are Blooming

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Smile! Spring Flowers Are Blooming

Hello! Although times are crazy and the norm is now staying hunkered down to help ease the coronavirus, it’s important to find joy in nature more than ever. I, myself, take delight in seeing the blooms of spring flowers poking up from the ground and a few crocuses have made their guest appearance in my parent’s yard. I was so tickled to see the sweet, small flowers in yellow, purple, and white that I just had to snap some pics:

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When I see a tiny flower’s presence among all of the dead leaves and dry grass, it instantly fills me with hope. One little bloom struggled to get enough sunshine, rain, and nutrition to sprout up and say hello but it pulled through and now looks so beautiful. One little pop of colorful flowers makes me instantly feel like spring is here and that makes me happy.

The winter blues have went away and now it’s time for sunshine, rainbows, and all of the glory that comes with spring. Despite the unease that we all feel right now in the midst of the coronavirus, be sure to take notice of all of the exciting things happening in nature the next time you take a walk. I’m sure it will quickly put a fresh spring in your step!

What is your favorite part about spring? What flowers are blooming in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Spring Has Sprung Guest Bloggers Wanted

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Spring Has Sprung Guest Bloggers Wanted

Hello everyone! After what felt like a never ending winter, spring is definitely starting to… Well, spring, in my neck of the woods. Finally! An increase in temperature means reading outside, walks in the park with the pups, and day trips to the zoo. Warmer weather also brings us beautiful blooms, floral dresses, and soft, fresh makeup. I don’t know about all of ya’ll, but I am so there for it!

If you are too, then how about guest blogging a spring themed post on lifewithlilred? Your article topic is up to you as long as it has something to do with the new season at hand. Spring cleaning tips, perhaps? Or maybe how to host a flower planting party with your friends? And, let’s not forget about all of the gorgeous spring OOTDs and MOTDs!

If you are interested, please shoot me an email at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com

Can’t wait to see what you come up with! xx

Preparing Your Home For The Seasonal Shift

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Preparing Your Home For The Seasonal Shift

While it seems as though seasonal shifts are less predictable than ever in how weather conditions will be felt, it’s important to recognize that preparing our homes for the seasonal shift is worth thinking about. Of course, this is hardly the only responsibility we have around this time. Outfitting ourselves with some new pieces for our seasonal wardrobe, taking care of our health (and skin!), and coping with renewed driving conditions are a handful enough, let alone careful home maintenance.

Thankfully, you needn’t think of this as some kind of chore, rather a relaxed measure of ensuring that you are protected from the weather, that certain maintenance issues do not grow to be worse than they should be, and that you feel safe and secure within your home. Personal changes, upgrades, or developments of your own volition can be applied outside of the guidance below, but the following advice can serve as a good set of markers if you’re struggling to consider what priorities are most important:

Pest Control Preparations:

The Pest Authority is well known for a range of excellent preventative measures to help protect your property against all manner of pests, which can be essential as the seasons shift, as this usually causes the migration of many small creatures far and wide. Being able to ensure that homes with a crawlspace, garage, basement, or other areas that need attending to is fully protected can be an absolute lifesaver. Deterrents can even protect the outside of your property, if necessary.

Insulation Checks:

Insulation checks can be a great idea to carry out ahead of time, as this gives you the chance to fully ensure the thawing of the outside world does not give rise to property damage or damp. Ensuring your window sealants are still very much in place after a harsh winter, that your roofing felt is still in good condition and able to prevent heat from rising up and out of your property (to a wasteful degree, at least), and preparing for the offset of moisture that always comes in the springtime through clearing gutters (so that insulation is not overworked) can be a worthwhile idea.

Driveway Maintenance:

Not all driveways will encounter issues, but in colder climates (such as in Canada) you’ve likely had to shovel snow and grit your driveway for some intensive amount of time. The freezing and thawing regular effect weather conditions can have on your driveway may cause damage and cracks or may allow for smaller peeling to be felt at the sides where the material connects with the small guidance walls.

This is where having your driveway inspected by experts in Concrete Repair comes in handy. The last thing you need is to deal with a flooded or breakaway driveway due to its inability to handle moisture or thawing correctly, as a flawed installation will often make itself known at this time of year.

Exterior Care:

Caring for the rest of your exterior is often conducted for the same seasonal reasons as your driveway, but it’s important to recognize just how much work you may have to put forth here. For instance, mowing your lawn after the intensive winter period may be tricky, and also require the use of weed-killing formulas in some problem areas.

Removing debris from the garden, filling in molehills, and inspecting the covered garden furniture are good winter lawn care tips to think about before the weather turns cold. This is also a good time to consider shopping around for new furniture if yours has seen better days as you might be able to score a better price for them. Shopping on websites like jbfurniture.co.uk can provide plenty of inspiration for new furnishings to welcome spring with. Power washing the garden path and your decking can also help remove grime that may have built up over the colder months. Simple cleaning habits, such as using disinfectants on your shed or greenhouse windows to prevent molds can be a great idea.

All gardens are different in their own way, and so it may be clearing fallen branches for one person or clearing the gutters out for another. Doing the latter isn’t always a straightforward process – luckily Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning Little Rock and other companies hold lots of information on their websites that should help you tackle it with confidence. This may not always need doing though, based on your surroundings, but if you do have a garden and you have experienced winter, odds are you’re not going to get away with minimal care over your green space. Every effort helps.

With this advice, we hope you can better prepare your home for the seasonal shift!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Ready, Set, Spring Clean!

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Ready, Set, Spring Clean!

Hi! Although the winter season in Ohio hasn’t been awful this year, things took a drastic turn into freezing rain and snow and it has me eagerly awaiting the warmer weather. Spring is (somewhat) just around the corner, which means that sunshine, flowers, and oh yeah – spring cleaning is near!

Is cleaning house the best part of the transition from winter to spring? Not by a long shot. But, it sure feels good once you’re all done! So, let’s go over some pro tips to get the process started:

Take Inventory:

Before you start your cleaning, take a look around your cupboards to see what you have and what you need to finish your task. You will totally lose all of the motivation you had to sweep the floors once you realize you would need to run to the store to grab more liquid for your Swiffer. Complete the chores you can do with the cleaning products you have and then set aside some time to restock your supplies as needed.

Take Your Time:

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean a whole day dedicated to scrubbing, dusting, and reorganizing. That’s just too much for anyone. Rather, go from one room or area at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Set aside an hour or two for each project until your whole home is spick and span and don’t forget to play some great tunes to get you grooving. I promise, it will make your deep clean go by so much quicker!

Decluttering Is Key:

In my apartment, there really isn’t much space where I can place all of my crap that I collected throughout the day. So, my kitchen table ends up being covered in paperwork, jewelry, and whatever else I didn’t feel like returning to its proper home. If this sounds familiar to you, then really try and focus on tidying up these spaces and keeping them as such. I know it’s hard but nothing feels better than not having to hunt for something you placed down weeks ago and a kitchen table to actually eat on doesn’t hurt, either. 😉

Decluttering Is STILL Key:

I find that it’s much easier to do chores once all of the unnecessary stuff has been removed. Take a look around your home and evaluate everything there. Is your Christmas decor still up? Maybe it’s time to clear that away to make room for the Easter Bunny. Is your mantle and the knick knacks on it coated in dust? Take the time to remove and clean them individually and see if there are any you could do without or replace with different decor to freshen things up.

Decluttering is essential whether it is with clearing up little odds and ends or bigger pieces of furniture, a closet clear out, or going through old storage. If you are clearing out larger items, make sure you schedule for rubbish removal cheltenham or your local area to haul everything away.

Keep Your Cool:

Cleaning sucks but it doesn’t need to be stressful. If you create a game plan and stick to it, your home will be spotless in no time. Delegate tasks if you have any helpers around and don’t take any breaks until the chore is complete. Because, believe me, once you watch just “one episode” of your favorite show, you’ll be posted up on the couch binge watching instantly!

Ready, Set, Spring Clean with the pro tips above!

When do you start your spring cleaning? Which part of your home needs some extra love during your cleaning sesh? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Flower Power

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Flower Power

Hellooo! As I get older, I notice that I am enjoying the winter season less and less. Ohio has a particularly annoying one, because it drags on until god knows when. But, this past week, we have finally began to experience warmer, spring-like temperatures and it has been such a treat. No more bundling up against the cold or snow flurries – just light jacket weather and sunshine. Of course, until it snows again, that is. -_-

But, for now, I will definitely take this turn of events in weather and I can notice how much it has lifted my spirits already. Especially because flowers have began to pop up all over the neighborhood. Some of our daffodils opened up over the weekend and it was a delight to see a sunburst of yellow after months on end of grey, gloomy weather.

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I absolutely love flowers of all kinds and there is nothing better than seeing all of them in full bloom. I especially love daffodils, because the bright yellow reminds me of my grandma who was really fond of that color. Catching a glimpse of this little flower patch every time I leave for work puts a smile on my face and I can’t wait for more flowers to spring up soon!

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