Tag Archives: weather

Feb22

Preparing Your Home For Storms

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Preparing Your Home For Storms

With extreme weather events and disastrous storms becoming more common in many parts of the world, it’s never been more important to know how to protect your home correctly and make it prepared for when storms hit. We’re going to discuss some of the best steps you should take to keep your home protected next time a storm hits your town:

Use Surge Protectors:

One thing you need to think about when it comes to protecting your home ahead of a storm is the electricity. Ideally, you want to make sure that you have surge protectors in place so that the electricity doesn’t cut out on you halfway through the storm. Electrical surges are very common during storms and they can easily leave your entire home without power. Electricians like those at Old Town Electric (or a similar business in your local area) can assist with surge protector installation so you can avoid outages during major storms. This is an essential part of safeguarding your home should you live in an area that often faces outages or stormy weather.

Store Away Anything That’s Not Secured:

If you have anything out in the open in your garden or other outdoor spaces, you should think about storing them away. They’re likely to get picked up in the wind and be damaged. Even worse, the wind could carry them onto your roof or through one of your windows, and that’s definitely not something you’ll want to be dealing with. Store them securely in a shed or garage.

If you have outdoor equipment that you are powering, it’s a really good idea to check out this extension cord gauge guide. This guide talks about the best options for extension cords as well as common mistakes that people make with them. Most importantly, it discusses the advantages of weather resistant cords to better protect your equipment and its power source during storms.

Keep an Eye on Your Generator:

As we’ve discussed, electricity supplies can be hit in numerous ways during a storm. If you find yourself without power, a backup will bring you peace of mind. For most people, that will be a generator and you should make sure you have one in place. You’ll also need to keep it in check and have it monitored with a generator monitoring service so it’s ready to jump into action when needed.

Generators are especially important if you’re in an area where power outages happen fairly frequently. Nothing puts a damper on your day like waiting around for the power to come back on! An Electric generator shop in Chelmsford, MA or your local area will be able to assist you in finding the model that makes the most sense for your property.

Check the Gutters:

Your gutters are going to be put under some pretty intense pressure during a storm, which is why it’s important to clean them regularly. When you know a storm is on the way, it’s a good idea to get the gutters looked at, either by a professional who knows how to remove any blockages properly or by yourself if you are handy.

Keep the Trees Trimmed:

Finally, you should make sure your trees are in good shape and don’t have any weak branches. Branches are likely to break and fall and potentially cause a lot of damage. Get the help of a tree surgeon so the job gets done safely.

Your home is your most valuable asset and it’s also the place that keeps you and your family protected. If you want to make sure your home is prepared for any storm that might come your way, make the most of the ideas above.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb18

Creating The Perfect Backyard Dining Area

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Creating The Perfect Backyard Dining Area

The optimists among us are already thinking about the end of winter and the start of the warmer months of the year. While there’s nothing wrong with curling up with some hot cocoa and looking at the snow or frost from inside your home, there’s something about enjoying your backyard that makes summer special.

If you want to transform your backyard into the perfect place for party hosting or outdoor dining, then now is the time to start planning. Here are some great ways to create a perfect place to eat together in the great outdoors.

Section Your Backyard:

If you have a large backyard, then you have plenty of options for creating a place to eat and hang out. Chances are, you won’t need the whole area for your dining needs but you at least need a place to sit and eat, and if you plan to grill your food, somewhere to cook it. Having a deck installed by a deck & fence company is an excellent solution for a dining area. A deck will boost property value and provide a space for barbecues, raised planters, and lounge chairs. Don’t forget to add spaces with shade to your deck with umbrellas or sun setters to keep your family and guests comfortable. It’s also beneficial to plan an area for outdoor activities. If you’re inviting family and children, then the kids will want to run around and play. Leave a section of your lawn free for games, and consider adding a paddling pool for particularly hot days. This way, everyone can enjoy themselves while beating the heat.

As you plan the layout of your backyard, consider the trees on your property. A big one with plenty of shade is perfect for setting up lawn chairs or benches to tuck in with a good book. It can also provide a welcome reprieve after a long day of play or manning the grill. However, if you have concerns about any of the trees on your property then it’s a good idea to get in touch with Green Tree Services (or a similar company in your local area). Tree removal specialists aren’t just well practiced in removing trees that could pose danger to your property. They can also evaluate the health of the tree and assist with pruning or branch removal. You will want the trees surrounding your dining area to have a clean bill of health before your family settles down for a meal!

Shelter and Foundation:

If you want to sit and eat, then you’ll need to think about your chosen dining area. A picnic is more flexible, as you can simply lay out a blanket on a flat part of your lawn and settle down. Most events, however, require more solid seating.

This means that you need to create flat and solid ground to comfortably eat. Stone tiles or a patio area is perfect for this, as the tiles won’t be damaged in the same way as your lawn. Some people also like wooden decking or a pavilion space. This will also look attractive and make partitioning your backyard easier.

If you’re grilling outside, then make sure that the flat space is fire proof. Wooden decking is fine to sit on, but it can be a bit risky if you drop some hot charcoal onto it. Stick with stone or brick paving.

As well as a solid foundation, you should consider adding some shelter to your dining area. This gives sun shy guests a place to hide in the shade. A parasol can keep away the sun, but some more solid shelter will be better in difficult weather. Slidetrack blinds are even better, as they protect you from the sides as well. Even if the weather turns bad, you don’t have to cancel early.

Outdoor Furniture and Decor:

Eating outside is far more comfortable if you have a nice table set to eat from. A picnic blanket is a lot of fun, but it isn’t practical for everyone. It also makes it harder to serve your food. Outdoor furniture can also be attractive and stylish but you will want to find pieces that can withstand the climate outside. Don’t forget twinkle lights and solar light accents throughout the yard for some lovely ambiance as the sun sets.

Even though there’s snow on the ground, it’s never too early to think about summertime fun in your own backyard!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Feb14

Shout Out!!

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Shout Out!!

Hello! Ohio has been hit with a few insane snow storms these past couple of weeks that pretty much left everybody in my apartment community snowed in. During one particularly bad storm, we got over a foot of snow and my work was canceled for Thursday and Friday. The Little Red Love Machine did not move from its parking spot until Monday and, of course through my own fault, I had a very tough go of trying to get my car unstuck from the snow.

If you can recall from my last snow day, Johnny and I don’t own a shovel and spent a solid hour clearing out our cars with a baking sheet. Sadly, we didn’t learn our lesson and still never purchased one so come Monday morning, I was trying to clear my car with my windshield wiper brush. I will be the first to admit that it was absolutely shameful lol.

About ten minutes passed in my effort and I was making surprisingly good progress. Then, a kindly stranger in the complex over brought me his shovel and all was going even better. THEN, kindly maintenance workers took up the fight to get me unstuck and they arrived not a moment too soon because I was getting tired!

The maintenance men made quick work of shoveling the remainder of snow around my car but we hit a major wall when we discovered that my car was sitting on a block of ice that was at least an inch thick. Try as we may, we still couldn’t back my car out of its spot. The workers refused for that to be the end, though, and left the scene and returned with an ice chipper to try again.

My knights in a green pick up truck spent an entire hour clearing snow and ice and attempting to move my car until, finally, it was free. You guys have no idea how thankful I was! Before leaving for work, I just had to do something for them and offered to run into my apartment and make them some coffee which they happily accepted. It still didn’t feel like enough but it was the least that I could do. I also made sure to sing their praises both on the phone and in email to our leasing office so their amazing work could be commended.

Because of their super hero level efforts, I was only fifteen minutes late for work but I felt like I was on cloud nine all day. From the encouraging remarks from fellow neighbors to the borrowed shovel and the best maintenance workers ever, I experienced the kindness of strangers at full throttle.

Every time I have told this story since last week, I got the warm fuzzies as if it had just happened that morning. And, I definitely have them again now! This just goes to show how much your words and actions can turn someone’s day around and it inspires me to continue to always choose kindness every day. ❤

How do you like to make someone’s day? What happened when you experienced the kindness of strangers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan28

Snowy Saturday OOTD Bonus Pictures

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Snowy Saturday OOTD Bonus Pictures

Hello everyone and welcome to some bonus pics from my Snowy Saturday OOTD! This was probably my speediest photo shoot to date because it was freaking freezing outside! It also took my hands several minutes to thaw out afterwards from throwing snowballs… Anything in the name of fashion lol.

My Johnny was such a trooper to snap these pics and, needless to say, the rest of the day was spent hibernating after just five minutes in the cold. I think this is enough winter for me! Check out these extra shots and you might want to sip some hot chocolate while doing so to keep warm:

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As I’ve mentioned before, the past several winters in Ohio have been insanely mild and, although we all knew a massive snow storm was coming, it still took everyone by surprise. In fact, Johnny and I can’t even remember the last time it snowed like this because in one night, Akron was covered in sixteen inches of snow. The winter wonderland is visually beautiful but I am so ready for spring!

While winter has never really bothered me before, that did a complete one eighty with the pandemic. Since Johnny and I have been laying low for the entirety of COVID-19, our activities are severely stunted once the cold weather hits. No hanging out in the fresh air means that most of our days are spent with our programs, board games, video games, and record player. It’s not the most awful thing ever but I have been craving an outdoor date day in the worst way.

Not many outings means no dressing up, either, which is something that I miss desperately. So, when I do brave the outdoors, I have to put my best OOTDs forward. Naturally, my coffee date with a girlfriend fell on the coldest morning ever but fashion called and I just had to pick up the phone! I love the outfit that I came up with but am hoping that the next time I bust it out, it’s at least ten degrees warmer!

What has your winter been like? How do you spend snowy days? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan22

Snow Day!

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Snow Day!

Hello! We have had an incredibly mild winter here in good ol’ Akron, Ohio with abnormally high temps and barely any snow. Thanks, global warming. That all changed this past Sunday, however, when we had a massive snow storm. It snowed all evening, night, and the following morning on Martin Luther King Day, leaving me and Johnny, as well as pretty much everyone in my apartment community snowed in. Check it out:

Johnny and I spent our Snow Day tucked inside watching movies and our programs. We had a viewing of Wentworth, the original Jumanji (Which I had never seen!), and The Fundamentals Of Caring (It was very good!). While we hibernated, I made some boozy hot chocolate for us to enjoy compliments of Christmas Bailey’s from one of my best friends – it was delicious!

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Our snow day wasn’t all fun and warm alcoholic beverages, though, because we knew that we would have to at least make an effort to shovel out our cars for work the following day. Although we didn’t have a shovel, I drew inspiration from a neighbor I spotted earlier clearing out her parking spot with a frying pan. Major props for creativity. 😀

Armed with baking sheets, Johnny and I spent a good half hour “shoveling” around my car. Unfortunately, all of that snow had to go somewhere, and ended up barricading Johnny’s car even more. On the plus side, he did get another snow day out of it! Basically everyone in my complex was out shoveling while we were and the sense of community I felt from our collective complaining was a beautiful thing. We even helped get a car unstuck that was struggling up the hill out of the complex. Great success!

Our snow day was a lot of play and a little bit of work that ended up being a great work out too lol. If you are shovelless this winter, I am also here to tell you that cooking gear works just as well! 😀

What is winter weather like in your neck of the woods? How do you like to spend snowy days? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct8

Roof Upgrades Your Home Could Need   

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Roof Upgrades Your Home Could Need   

When was the last time you checked out the roof on your home? Most people don’t look too closely, preferring to call in a roofer from time to time to check it out for them. The roof on your home may be an afterthought, but if you live in an area where your roof could be affected by harsh weather, you should be checking it frequently. The roof is somewhere you should be paying attention to so that you can ensure that you are spending the right money on it when you have to.

Your roof could need the best elastomeric roof coating, extra tiles or shingles. The roof could even have a hole in it and you wouldn’t know. If you are in need of assistance with your roof, type in a search for “roof replacement huntington wv” (or your local area) to find an expert who can help. Here are some other upgrades that your roof might need:

Add a chimney cap:

If you don’t already have one, an airtight chimney cap could be the best upgrade that you can add to your roof. These are there to save energy and keep your roof looking tidy. If you don’t use your fireplace, you’re going to find that the warm air in the house is going to leak right out of the chimney cap! Make sure that you talk to a company in your local area about installing an airtight chimney cap and get them to do it ASAP. You want to make sure that you don’t have animals finding their way into your home. For other chimney maintenance or repairs, the team at roofers luton, or a similar company elsewhere, can ensure your chimney remains in good condition and functions properly.

Add eave flashing:

You may have experienced harsh winters, but if you have ever experienced an ice dam, the best thing that you can do is to invest a little more and install eave flashing. This won’t take long, but it’ll form a watertight seal around the eaves so that you can stop your roof from being vulnerable.

Work on ventilation:

Your attic may be something you are planning to upgrade one day but you won’t want to spend time up there if it becomes like a furnace in the summertime. While the heat outside is lovely, your home is not designed to feel as hot as the sun! You should have adequate ventilation in the roof and you should consider installing some sort of ventilation, whether that’s in the form of a new skylight or a new vent in the side of the roof. Skylights are not only great for additional ventilation but are also aesthetically pleasing. You can check out this guide on frameless vs framed skylights so you can select the right style for your needs and personal taste.

A new skylight can transform your home from the outside in and has a variety of different styles to explore. You could go for your classic rectangular shape or think outside the box with roof lanterns that are incredibly chic and trendy. If you need inspiration for a skylight shape to elevate your home, take the time to browse a site like Addlite (or a similar company in your local area). Just remember to really think about where it will be located in your home. For example, a skylight in a bedroom or a chill space like the living room might provide too much light for the rooms that you want to relax in.

Get your gutters upgraded:

You need to have gutters that will have enough space for water to flow down. Gutters get blocked from time to time, but if they are wide enough, this shouldn’t be an issue. Get your gutters upgraded and make sure that you have ones that allow rainwater to travel down them!

Your roof is very important – make sure that you get your roof upgraded as often as it needs!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep23

Fall Haul: Stella Luce Snake Print Trench Coat Edition

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Fall Haul: Stella Luce Snake Print Trench Coat Edition

Howdy and welcome to the final edition of my Fall Haul from TJMaxx! Today, we are going to be discussing an amazing snake print trench style coat by Stella Luce and I am obsessed. Johnny and I are both extremely partial to animal print clothing and he loves anything cheetah print while I am fond of all things snakeskin. I fell in love with this trench coat as soon as I saw it hanging on an end cap and I cannot wait for the weather to cool down so I can wear it all of the time! Check it out:

Between my husband and I, we have snake patterned clothing and shoes in a variety of colors including blue, grey, red, white, and brown. The majority of my snake print pieces in my wardrobe are shoes and purses so I was very excited to find a coat in my most beloved pattern. While cheetah print is fun, snakeskin is oh so sophisticated and sexy and I always find myself drawn to it time and time again.

Johnny and I have been looking forward to fall since it ended last year because it is our favorite season to dress for. We love sweaters, boots, and coats and if we could we would be dressing for fall all year round. This Stella Luce number is going to be a staple for my fall wardrobe and it will be perfect for work or play. I can picture myself throwing this on and heading to work in the morning or dressing it up for a date day with Johnny.

I live for styling unique outfits and because this coat is such a bold piece, it really doesn’t need much. Skinny jeans, a light long sleeved shirt, heeled boots, and a floppy hat paired with this coat will elevate simple pieces into an OOTD worth blogging about. And, as soon as the cold weather hits: Don’t mind if I do! 😀

What is your favorite animal print? What are you looking forward to this fall? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep22

Must Haves For Your Bedroom

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Must Haves For Your Bedroom

After another long year in the pandemic lifestyle, it’s safe to say that everyone is going to want to hibernate this winter. And, where better to retreat than to your bedroom? Your bedroom should be your ultimate safe haven where you are cocooned in comfort and free to relax and be your best self. For the best in comfy cozy, consider the following in your bedroom:

Plush Bedding:

The best place to start in the bedroom is, of course, with the bed! After shopping for quality bedroom furniture for sale like your mattress and bed frame, it is time to dress the bed with comfortable and soft bedding. You can’t go wrong with light cotton sheets in the summer but during the winter, its best to adorn your bed with warm and toasty flannel or fleece.

Don’t forget comfy pillows both for sleeping and decoration. You might even want to consider a statement piece like a velvet headboard for an over the top luxury feel. That will make your queen sized bed truly fit for royalty!

Items That Sooth:

One of the first things that I bought for my bedroom in my apartment was a Himalayan Salt Lamp and I just love it! It provides the perfect glow to help you relax or set the mood for a scary movie night. Fairy lights or even sphere lights that look like the moon are also great options.

Your bedroom should have items that comfort rather than stimulate you and this can come in all shapes and forms. Think sound machines, your favorite plushie, or a photo album with pictures of your family. The bedroom is where people tend to go when they want to spend some peaceful time with themselves so save your bold pieces like loud artwork or unique patterns for the living room, instead.

Book Nook:

I don’t know about all of you, but reading before bed is one of my favorite parts of my nighttime routine. If you feel similarly, why not create a book nook in your bedroom? Stock a small bookshelf with your favorites or must reads from the library so you always have some reading material handy. A chaise lounge by a window would also be a nice touch. Cue the rain (outdoors or on a sound machine) for the ultimate reading space.

Create Calmness:

Testing out lavender or chamomile products before going to bed is always a good idea! You can sip on chamomile tea while taking a nice hot bath and crawl into bed with a cozy robe and a magazine. Or, how about some lavender scented lotion and pillow spray to help you drift off into the land of nod? Pampering yourself can be so soothing and will help put you in the right state of mind for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Think calm, soft, and soothing and you will have a bedroom fit for the royalty that you are for the most relaxing winter ever!

Sep22

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!

Sep21

Home Maintenance Chores To Tackle In The Fall 

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Home Maintenance Chores To Tackle In The Fall 

Taking great care of your home involves many different maintenance chores, some of them might be a little boring, but they are important! As the summer comes to a close, there are several essential tasks to complete around the house. To get your home ready for the fall, try tackling these chores:

Bleed your radiators:

If there is trapped air in your radiator, then you’ll find that you get random cold spots across the radiator. Before the weather turns cold, it’s a good idea to bleed your radiators. Look at the top of the radiator to locate the radiator valve. Next, you can use a radiator key, (turning the key counter-clockwise). Keep turning the key until water drips out, this process will release any trapped air.

Inspect your furnace:

The end of the summer is a great time to inspect your furnace. The first step is to look at the filter, if it’s dirty you should replace it. If the filter is dirty, this means that the airflow may be restricted. If the airflow is restricted, less heat can pass through the heat exchanger. The result is that your furnace may get hotter than normal. Over time, this can cause the furnace to fail and shut down.

If you suspect that there is a problem with your furnace you’ll need to call in the professionals. It’s especially important to do this if you notice a burning smell from furnace. Whether your furnace check is strictly maintenance or perhaps getting a new one, this is such an important task to complete come cold weather. Local professionals in your area or furnace installation in Denver will be able to assist in keeping your home nice and warm all winter long.

Protect your pipes:

During cold weather, it’s not uncommon for our water pipes to freeze and burst. To prevent this from happening, there are several things you can do to protect your pipes:

  • Use Insulation: To protect your pipes you can purchase pipe insulation, which is usually made from fiberglass, foam, or polyethylene. Some of the best eco-friendly insulation materials include aerogel, denim, or sheep’s wool.
  • Run the faucets: If you leave one tap trickling a small amount, this can ensure that your pipes don’t freeze.

Clean out your gutters:

Now is the perfect time to clean out your gutters. If there’s a build-up of debris, this could cause problems with drainage and cause your roof to leak. If you can’t get on the roof yourself, you can call gutter cleaning services to do this for you. Ensure that there are no cracks in your roof or any shingles that need replacing.

Fertilize your lawn:

If you want a beautiful lawn, then you should definitely fertilize it as the weather gets cold. Applying a lawn winter fertilizer will give your lawn the nutrients it needs and the grassroots will multiply before going dormant. During the winter the roots will store food and you’ll find that you’ll have a lush lawn by the springtime. If you are lacking a green thumb, you might find you do a bit of a botch job of preparing and kill off some of your grass over the winter. If this happens to you, don’t despair! These days it’s easy to get in contact with a reputable lawn installation company that can fill out those weary areas of your garden with fresh, high quality sod come spring. This can help to give your lawn a more uniform look ready for the warmer months of the year, allowing you to enjoy it without the stress.

Preparing your home for the fall will help you to stay safe, warm, and relaxed. Once you’ve got those chores out of the way you might like to work on your interior design. Fall time is the perfect season to paint in warm colors and add bright accessories. From home maintenance to DIY projects, there are so many ways to create a beautiful home.

Featured Image By: Unsplash