Tag Archives: treat yoself

Exciting News!!

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Exciting News!!

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! I have some very exciting news for my Think Spring Guest Bloggers Series that I just couldn’t wait to share. As you guys know, my friend Angela (who I wrote about yesterday) has a delightful little Etsy shop dedicated to homemade bath and body care goodies. And because Miss Angie and I are in cahoots with each other, I ran an idea by her to get her crafty self to participate in my series. So, I am very excited to share with you guys that as a Lil Red Exclusive, Angela will be creating a signature spring scent special for my readers as a part of the series.

The product will launch on her Etsy shop as well as through an article on lifewithlilred during the series. I am also hoping that we might be able to employ a special discount available to my readers! I am SO excited to see what Angela comes up with but I also want to hear your input, too. What scents do you think are perfect for spring? What is your favorite bath and body care item to treat yourself with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: If you’re interested in participating in the guest bloggers series, shoot me an email at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com !

Blogger’s Blooming Business

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Blogger’s Blooming Business

Heyyy guys! When I have a friend who is very dear to me, I always make sure that I am one hundred percent supportive of all of their creative endeavors. One of my beloved blogging beauties, Miss Angela, has been a reader turned friend of mine for quite some time now. I can always look to Angela for rays of positivity and sunshine whether it be on her Facebook page or in my comments section and it always brightens my day infinitely.

Recently, Angela opened her own Etsy shop, Angie’s Bath & Body, which is chock full of amazing homemade and natural bath and body goodies. There are body butters, bath salts and fizzies, sugar scrubs, and so much more to browse through and I promise you that they both look and smell simply delicious! I encourage all of you to take a look at Angie’s Bath & Body and give some love to one of my dear blogging friends and maybe even treat yourself to some new luxury bath and body care! Love you, Ang!

New Hot Pink & Black Nails

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New Hot Pink & Black Nails

Hiii everyone and TGIF! Yesterday, I had a little pampering party to get myself perfect for the holiday weekend. I got my nails filled in the morning and then spent the evening dyeing my hair to get it nice and bright red for Christmas. As always, my nail tech, Vinny, did an amazing job shaping and sharpening my nails. I opted for a color for the accent nail that I rarely pick but am actually loving right now. Hot pink! It is far from your classic, run of the mill highlighter hot pink but more like a bright fuchsia and I think it is so fun! Take a look:

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The color looks admittedly red in this picture because poor camera quality but you get the point! Normally, when I am picking an accent nail color, I go with red or shades like grey, beige, or white. This new accent nail color is definitely out of my comfort zone considering I don’t own one pink item in my wardrobe but I’m glad that I went for it! Small changes to your daily routine are always fun and the little things like a new nail polish color or lipstick can really set yourself up for having an amazing day. Make sure that you find time to TREAT YOSELF this holiday season!

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I hope everyone has a fab Friday and a great Christmas Eve Eve! What accent color should I pick next time I get my nails filled? What is your go to shade of nail polish? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

7 Secrets To Create A Spa Experience In The Comfort Of Your Home

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There is no denying it, at the end of the year, sometimes all you need to enjoy the holiday is to relax and feel good in your skin. Easier said than done, you may comment, and you would be completely right. As a modern society, it is becoming more and more difficult to be able to sit down, relax, and forget the everyday pressures of work, studies, and life in general.

While some rely on a night out with friends to get rid of the stress of the routine, others prefer to spend a day at the spa where they will be pampered and looked after. It’s not always easy to find the time to get to the spa, and it’s never 100% relaxing anyway: You are away from home and there’s the possible awkwardness of being surrounded by strangers wearing nothing but towels. So why not take the best of the spa experience and re-create it at home?

#1 Get The Best Hot Towels Experience:

The one thing that is common to every spa is the warm towels that the professionals use to wipe off excess product on your face. This immediately gives a delicious feeling of comfort and care, which helps you relax. If you think that this is impossible to achieve at home, think again. If you have a tumble dryer, you could wet your favorite towels and place them to dry for a few minutes before you start the spa treatment. Make sure that they are not fully dry when you stop the tumble dryer! They will be nice and warm on your face.

Alternatively, if this is not an option, you could soak your towels in hot water and wring them out until they are nearly dry. Let them stay slightly damp. To maximize the sensation, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the water to benefit from the aroma-therapeutic smells as you place the towel on your face.

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Warm towels are a spa must have!

#2 Relaxing Candles:

You can’t have a proper spa treatment under the harsh light bulbs of your bathroom. You need a soft and calming source of light, such as candles – especially scented ones that help to relax the mind. The light of candles has an immediate relaxing effect, its soothing dimness will ease your thoughts and get you in the spa mood in less time than you need to say ‘spa treatment.’ Choose your candle scents carefully because you don’t want something that smells so overpowering to the point that it’s unpleasant. Wellness candles that contain essential oil will have a positive impact on your mood: Lavender is a common choice, for example.

If candles aren’t your thing, there are countless other ways to help set the vibe. Aromatherapy diffusers, CBD gummies, or even a percolator bong can get you in a relaxed state of mind to fully enjoy your spa experience!

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Thomas Wanhoff Image

#3 Find The Right Music:

When you walk into a spa, you generally hear soft and quiet music such as bird songs, the sound of water, or a tranquil oriental piece. While you may not consciously register it, this music can slow down your mind and prepare you to enjoy your spa treatment. If you are one of those people who naturally find it difficult to relax at the end of a long day, you want all the help you can get to set the perfect mood for your spa experience. Finding a calming playlist, with slow tempo music, will help to reduce your blood pressure and let go of the stress that your day brought about.

#4 The Importance Of Massage:

A good massage is not only a relaxing experience, but it also contributes to your overall health. However, you will find it difficult to find a professional masseuse for your at home spa! You could find chairs on the market with heated roller heads that can prove incredibly relaxing, too. If you are not keen to invest in a new piece of furniture, you can still find a smart alternative that will be just as helpful, such as taking a warm bath to soothe your muscles.

#5 Use High-Quality Skincare:

Start your spa day with a facial mask to clear out your skin from all of the impurities that it could have gathered outside. You can decide to treat yourself to a high-quality skincare mask, with the advice of a skin expert. But, if you prefer the organic feel of a spa treatment, you can make your own facial mask by mixing one tablespoon each of turmeric, raw honey, and milk. Then, apply the thick mixture onto your face and leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes. The combined actions of the three ingredients – anti-inflammatory turmeric, anti-bacterial honey, and exfoliating milk – will leave your skin feeling clear and healthy.

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Ahhhhh 🙂

#6 Make The Most Of Essential Oils:

Essential oils are common in most spa locations and are used in a variety of treatments for their relaxing, exfoliating, and moisturizing properties. If you, too, want to follow the essential oil route, do make sure to choose only organic oils that will offer the best of the plants. While there are plenty of choices including luxurious blue lotus oil or invigorating citrus, lavender and eucalyptus are two favorites that you will find in most spas. The key when using essential oils is to remember not to apply them directly onto your skin. Instead, you could mix them to your bath water, for example, or soak a washcloth in a mix of water and a few drops of oil. You don’t need much to get the best of them, so make sure to be cautious when using them, as too much could harm your skin.

#7 Make It A Healthy Rendez-Vous With Yourself:

Finish your spa day at home with a healthy treat, such as a cup of fresh green tea, a berry smoothie, or maybe a matcha cupcake if you are feeling a little naughty. Also, do make sure that you are drinking plenty of fresh water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated. Remember that the spa day is about feeling good inside and out, and one of the best ways to do that is to stick to a healthy diet at the same time!

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Fresh Green Tea Leaves

TJMaxx Graduation Shopping Spree

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TJMaxx Graduation Shopping Spree

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! This is my college graduation week, so last Friday I decided to go on an online TJMaxx Shopping Spree to celebrate. Like a woman possessed, I rampaged the website just as I would do in store and wound up with a new coat, two pairs of shoes, and a face wash from my new favorite beauty brand. I am seriously in love with everything and seriously impressed with the shipping compliments of TJs. Take a look at my haul and let’s discuss:

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The Haul:

  • L.A.M.B. metallic booties
  • YOKI denim booties
  • June & Hudson jacket
  • Destiny Boutique face wash

L.A.M.B. Booties: Okay, so usually I am so not one to go gaga over designers but I seriously love Gwen Stefani’s line. Honestly, I just love all things Gwen Stefani period. Her style and confidence inspires me so I was so happy to finally be able to find something from her line at a price that I could actually afford (As opposed to my usual lusting over her brand from afar).

These shoes are so beautiful to me. I have been looking for metallic shoes for a while and these go above and beyond what I was imagining. Not to mention that these babies utilize my favorite pattern – snakeskin! I can’t wait to wear these year round with EVERYTHING. Dresses, skirts, shorts, BLACK SKINNY JEANS…because they are all I wear, you know.

**And did you guys notice the black, draw string bag in the picture? That came FO FREE in the shoe box! Score!!

YOKI Booties: THESE BOOTIES ARE SO CUTE!! As soon as I saw these, they went straight in my shopping cart. These funky little things look like something off of ModCloth and I got them for a mere fraction of the price – twenty-five dollars – which I thought was such a steal. These shoes are just pure fun. I love the patchwork, I love the style of the shoe, and for once I love the color of denim! I own nothing like these or the pair above, for that matter, and I am just so #blessed to be able to open my wardrobe up to them. :*)

June & Hudson Coat: Oh, come on. This thing is fun. I scored this fuzzy little number for a whole twenty dollars and you’re not going to not by a jacket at that price! Lately, I have been obsessed with all things fur and fuzz so this jacket seemed like a perfect addition to my collection. I think that this coat is ridiculous and glam and in your face. I cannot wait to wear it with a bright red lip, slicked back hair, and black lace up heels. Hello, perfect night out outfit.

Destiny Boutique Cleanser: I am currently using my charcoal beauty bar by Destiny Boutique and it is literally the best thing that has happened to my skin care routine in years. So, obviously, when I saw that TJMaxx had the liquid cleanser by my new favorite brand in stock, I had to snag it. It will take me a while to get to using it because I have a few face washes next in line but I am so looking forward to when I can break it out!

I have never purchased anything from TJMaxx’s website before and I gotta tell you guys – I was so impressed with their shipping. The box was filled with bubble wrap and you could really tell that everything was handled with care. My jacket came hung in a clear, plastic bag which I thought was a nice touch. Aside from a few bumps and bruises, the shoe boxes looked fresh and crisp.

And, most importantly, the handling of my cleanser was superb. The face wash was packed in an individual zip lock bag and there was tape around the bottle to prevent it from opening on accident. I have purchased a lot of skin care online in my day and I have never seen any company do that before with their shipping. I thought that it was amazing and I really appreciated the fact that the people handling shipping seemed to care about the products arriving to you in excellent condition. A++!!

My first online shopping experience with TJMaxx was phenomenal and I would obviously do it again in a heartbeat. However, nothing beats my in store TJs trips with my mom! But, it is reassuring to know that the store boasts an awesome website for when my mom and I might not be able to make it to the store or if we end a shopping trip empty handed…or for when I need a dose of something pretty or a splurging sesh ASAP! 🙂

My TJMaxx Graduation Shopping Spree was pure perfection and I was so happy to be able to treat myself for such an exciting occasion! What is your favorite site for online shopping? What store has the best holiday sales right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Pedi Party

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Pedi Party

Hey everyone and happy Sunday! So yesterday I had myself a little Pedi Party with one of my favorite high school teachers and it was such fun. I had never gotten a pedicure before and was treated to it as a college graduation present. And guess what?! I didn’t even let my ticklishness get the best of me – which I unfortunately can’t say for the one and only massage that I have ever gotten!

As you guys know, I am a devout fan of my acrylic nails so you would think that I would have gotten a pedicure by now. Not the case, guys. Not the case. I guess I really just have never cared about my toes enough to pamper them. 1) They’re not pretty to look at. 2) I barely have nails worthy of painting on my tootsies. And 3) My pinkie corn chip toe is an embarrassment to mankind!

Despite the litany of ugliness that I just described, my nail tech did an amazing job of salvaging some dignity out of my toesies and left them looking so pretty! Take a look, and if you have a foot phobia: SORRY but if you have a foot fetish: YOU’RE WELCOME!

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Obviously, I went with black to match my talons! :*)

All in all, the pedicure was fabulous and I had a great time spending the afternoon with my dear friend. However, I do feel like kind of an asshole because my legs were SO. HAIRY. I guess I didn’t really think to myself “Hey, Sarah – your legs are hairier than most guys right now. Maybe you should clean yourself up”. I mean obviously I didn’t because when the poor nail tech was scrubbing up my legs he was fighting against a forest of prickles! What can I say, WINTER IS MY HIBERNATION TIME and don’t think for one minute that I didn’t apologize profusely for him having to rub on woolly mammoth fur. 😉

With my tail hung between my (hairy) legs, I tamed the beast last night and now have legs as smooth and pretty as my little black seashell toenails. GREAT SUCCESS! Thank you to my wonderful friend for such a treat of an afternoon yesterday and thank you to my nail tech for putting up with me! 🙂

I hope everyone is having a fabulous day and my final questions for you are:

  • Would you rather not shave your legs for a year or not wear makeup for six months?
  • Would you rather get a hot stone massage or a mani/pedi combo?

I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Confessions Of A Shopaholic

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Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Heyy everyone and TGIF!! So, if you have been reading my blog for a while or just take a look at the plethora of posts under the “Fashion” category, you might be able to guess that I love to shop. Honestly, the word love is an understatement because I am lightweight obsessed with purchasing all things fashion, beauty, and accessories. There’s just something about the act of going to your favorite store or getting comfy on your couch to shop online that’s moderately addicting to me.

Why is that? I guess because it feels good, damnit. Sometimes I have a really hard time feeling good. Long story short, things at home are basically a shit show seven times out of ten so when I can just go and surround myself with things that are pretty, it feels like a much needed vacation. Even if I don’t end up buying a single thing, I could spend an hour filling up a cart on ModCloth and wind up feeling infinitely better.

Is this a bad thing? Sometimes! My bank account definitely doesn’t love me for it! In fact, just last night I had a splurging sesh on TJMaxx’s website but it was a graduation gift to myself so I thought that it was okay (the voice of an addict!). BUT sometimes I think that my shopaholic nature is a blessing.

1) I have the most phenomenal wardrobe that I know of.

2) I am never spending money that I don’t have.

3) I rarely turn to getting sloppy drunk or self harming methods anymore when I feel like shit.

As I mentally rearranged new homes in my closet and shoe wall last night after my TJMaxx graduation shopping spree, I had to stop and think if some of the purchases that I have made in the past have been worth it. And honestly? I answered with “yes” to every single one of them. If it takes treating myself to something new and pretty when I’m feeling blah every so often, then I say go girl!

I feel as though some people have a hard time with treating themselves but hey, they don’t call retail therapy “therapy” for nothing! If you get happy or have something to look forward to with a purchase, then do the damn thing! Buy the heels, get the pedicure, take yourself out to dinner. At the end of the day, you have to take care of yourself and if a little splurge here and there helps ease the ache that life can throw at you, then I will be with you there at the checkout line.

Here’s to shopping (In moderation!). Here’s to making yourself feel good. Here’s to treating yourself like the amazing person you are!

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How do you treat yoself when you’re feeling blah? What is your favorite way to splurge on yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Love The Skin You’re In With This Guide

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Love The Skin You’re In With This Guide

Loving the skin you’re in isn’t as difficult as you probably think. Nobody is perfect but that doesn’t mean you should focus on your flaws and insecurities. By loving the skin you’re in, you’ll feel so much better and improve your life to no end. These points will help you to start loving the skin you’re in right away:

Focus On The Things You Like: Don’t even pay any attention to the things that bother you right now. Whether it’s a bump on your nose or that extra weight you might be carrying, accept them and focus on the things you like instead. This can be anything. Make a long list! The more you focus on things you like, the more things you’ll find that outweigh seemingly “negative” aspects of yourself. You’ll develop far more self confidence this way.

Pay More Attention To Compliments: People tend to pay more attention to negative things than positive things. It’s usually why we remember nasty things people have said, rather than the nice ones. Try to remember nice compliments people have given you. Pay more attention when they do in the future. When people give compliments, they tend to really mean them!

Read Self Help Books: There are so many self help books out there full of valuable tips to help you love yourself. Get reading, underlining, and changing the way you think.

Don’t Compare Yourself To Others: ** Easier said than done, but comparing yourself to others is a recipe for disaster. Somebody else’s beauty does not take away from yours. We are all beautiful and unique in our own way. Be happy with your quirks and your uniqueness. There’s only one you. Chances are, somebody has compared themselves to you in the past!

Treat and Pamper Yourself: You’re totally worth treating yourself to some new clothes or a fun new hairstyle. Although you shouldn’t use shopping or beauty treatments in the hope that they’ll fix your body image issues, you should do it when you feel like you need a pick me up or a treat. You can go to an aesthetic clinic to cater to all your wellness needs, for instance.

Exercise And Eat Right: Exercising and eating right will change you from the inside out. Remember the goal is NOT to lose weight, get the ‘perfect’ body, or look like somebody else. It’s to feel good about yourself, increase your confidence, and give you more energy. Health should come first, looks second!

Develop Yourself Spiritually: Developing yourself spiritually will help you feel more connected to yourself and others. You’ll realize that there’s absolutely nothing to fret about. By doing yoga, meditating, living mindfully, and doing other spiritual practices, you will change your life and feel awesome.

Start using these tips straight away to love the skin you’re in. You can get into the habit of doing one at a time and take it really slow, if you need to. The key is to making long-term changes that you can be consistent with to get the best results. The more you love yourself, the better your life will be!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Vacation Purchases

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Vacation Purchases

Hello everyone and happy Tuesday! I have regrettably been home from the beautiful Asheville, North Carolina for about a week now but with some fab purchases made during my vaca, it makes transporting my mind back to the fun I had just a little bit easier. I stocked up on one of my favorite beauty products as well as added some super cute new accessories to the mix so take a look and let’s discuss:

The Haul:

  • Appalachian Naturals Complexion Bar
  • Two fringe bandanas from Francesca’s

Beauty Bar: When I was in Asheville in June, my mom and I must have spent at least an hour in Appalachian Naturals which boasts a wide assortment of handmade beauty products. We still have a ton of body bars left but I was in need of another one of their complexion bars. I began using my first bar in June and I am still not done with it yet, which just shows you how long lasting their products are. This beauty bar is one of the best things that has ever happened to my skin and leaves it feeling (and looking!) like a million bucks. I can’t recommend the products of Appalachian Naturals enough and urge all of you to check out all of their amazing goodies on their website!

Bandanas: One of my favorite accessories are bandanas. I love wearing them with flannels, jackets, T’s, dresses, – basically any clothing item that you can imagine. I think that they are so fun and edgy and they add just the perfect amount of grungy cool to any look. My family went shopping at the outlet malls while in NC both times and a Francesca’s had opened shortly after we left in June. Shopping in the relatively new store was a lot of fun and when both my mom and I saw my two new bandanas, we instantly knew that they were mine.

Of course, the black one was a must for me and I’m actually wearing it right now with a black sweater and a camouflage trench coat from Urban Outfitters. But, at buy one get one half off, I figured I might as well indulge in other style as well. I don’t own a white bandana because I never really cared to but I really like my new one! What made me love it so much is that not only does it have cloth fringe but it also has metal chains hanging from it, too. I had never seen anything like these new additions to my wardrobe and I am having such fun incorporating them into my OOTDs. My new bandanas instantly transform any outfit and I am so pleased with my Francesca’s purchases.

I didn’t return from my vaca with a huge haul of goodies but I could not be happier with the items that I took home. They are the perfect little mementos from my trip and I look forward to getting great use out of all three items.

So there you have it, my Vacation Purchases! What has been your most recent treat yoself item? What is your favorite local store to shop at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Give Your Home a Bit of Retail Therapy

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Give Your Home a Bit of Retail Therapy

My family has been trying to remodel room by room for the past couple of years. We have been in my home for over twelve years (I think!) and it is always fun to change and rearrange as time goes by. These tips might prove helpful for you if you are in a home renovation process similar to mine!

Give Your Home a Bit of Retail Therapy:

A bit of retail therapy is always great so now it is time to treat your home. There is plenty that needs to be sorted out when it comes to buying for your home. Think about the areas that matter the most or that really need to be improved on. Making a list of what projects you want to prioritize is an excellent first step in the remodeling process.

We’ve Got You Covered: You should think about what you’re going to use to cover the home. The exterior of the property is really important and is going to be exposed to the elements constantly. You need to choose the right material to cover your home with and be aware of all of the different options that are offered. That’s why it’s important to look at alternatives to wood or brick. Vinyl exteriors are really great because it’s cost-effective and low-maintenance. And it leaves your property looking picture perfect as well. It’s also one of the more eco-friendly modern alternatives for the home these days.

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 Vinyl Covering Renovation

Kitchen Makeover: The kitchen, they say, is the heart of the home. And that’s why it’s important to try to make your kitchen as awesome as possible. Sometimes this might involve going for a kitchen makeover. But, other times this might involve actually buying a brand new kitchen. So, you need to make sure you assess how you can improve it, and then set about making those alterations. You’ll probably find that by choosing an open plan kitchen design you maximize space and you improve the general aesthetic. If you’re looking to sell your home at some point, you’re going to need a revamp of the kitchen

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The tiles in this pic are almost identical to the ones in my kitchen!

Double Glazing: If you don’t already have double glazing at home, this is something that you might want to focus on. It’s very difficult to imagine a home these days without double glazing. Although, if you live in a listed property, you won’t be able to do this. Double glazing presents many advantages to your home. The two main ones being added security and better energy efficiency. You will save money in the long run by going with double glazing. It is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. And you need to think about what sort of double glazing you want to go with. First decide where you’ll use it – you probably want to go for all the windows in the home, and maybe the back door as well. You should also make a decision between wood effect, and uPVC for your double glazing.

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 Pic From: Flickr.com

Outdoor Additions: In your garden, you may decide that you want to create a garden path. In order to do this, you’re going to have to make sure that you choose the right materials for it. You don’t just want a dirt path going up to the house because this may be messy and won’t look as nice. A lot of people like to use gravel and stones, which is fine. But, wood chips would be even better. There are many advantages of using wood chips in the garden. For one thing, they are light and inexpensive alternatives to gravel. But, as a bonus, they are organic and benefit your soil immensely. You can enjoy bio-dynamic gardening by making full use of wood chips in your garden and pathways.

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Outdoor Additions

Looking after your home is really important and a big part of this is treating it to some retail therapy. Therefore, it is crucial to make purchases that will help to improve the home and that are sensible, attractive, and long lasting.

Where are all of my home renovators at? How about my HGTV obsessed readers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah