Tag Archives: weather

Nov2

Literally Falling For Fall

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Literally Falling For Fall

Hello! Have you ever had a day where you feel like you’re constantly running into stuff, tripping over your own feet, or dropping something? Because SAME – especially last week. Despite many ouches, profanity, and bruises my day ended in an up kind of way so I thought I’d tell you all about it.

My morning started with a fine how do you do of stepping on the plug of my hair straightener and spilling my bottle of serum all over the floor when regaining my balance. I was so pissed about my favorite serum loosing half of its contents onto my bath mat and the plug going into the soft sole of my feet hurt like a mother.

After that incident, I thought my day could only go up from there and my time at work was fairly average. Once I finished driving home in the rain, I was looking forward to having a glass of wine and relaxing but life decided to throw me a few more curve balls.

My apartment complex is located in a wooded area and there are countless trees all over the property. Countless trees equals countless leaves, of course, and my goodness are they slick after it rains. As I was walking towards the stairs to get to my second floor apartment, I tread over a particularly slippery patch of wet leaves. I lost my balance, landed hard on my side, and everything I had in my hands came flying out.

As someone who has figure skated a majority of her life, you would think I would be exempt from slippery falls off ice but that just is not the case. Lol, it hurt SO bad and left a nasty bruise on my leg. After the initial shock and pain of falling, I kind of forgot what I had in my hands and just wanted to get into my apartment. I collected everything I saw immediately on the ground and headed upstairs to tell Johnny my tale of woe.

Johnny and I spent our evening watching a TV show called Slasher and we were in the middle of an episode when we heard a knock on our door around eight. I had no idea who it could be and was shocked to see some neighbors I vaguely recognized in my doorway. They held out my apartment keys to me and said they found them when they were walking up to their own place.

I was SO shocked by the fact that I had essentially lost my keys for an entire evening without knowing it. However, I was more shocked by the kindness of the strangers who returned my missing keys to me – I have no idea what I would have done the following morning when I left for work and realized they weren’t there!

Despite major boo boos, my day ended on a huge high note from my guardian angels who found my keys. I am so thankful to them (and their wonderful eye sight) for locating the keys on the ground, in the dark, while it was raining, and with leaves everywhere. Amazing looking out! ❤

Have you ever lost your keys before? How did you end up finding them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep23

Getting Your Home In Shape For Cold Weather

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Getting Your Home In Shape For Cold Weather

We’re fast approaching the autumnal and winter months and many of us can’t wait! This season goes hand in hand with all sorts of things that many of us love, including cozy nights in, hot drinks, seasonal festivities, and more. But it’s important to remember that this is a time of year that can prove much harsher on your home and outdoor space.

There are harsher elements to deal with and colder temperatures that could cause potential damage too. So, to help your property make it through these seasons unscathed, it’s important to put a little work in now during the lead up to them. Here are a few areas to focus on that will help you to protect and maintain your property and space as best possible:

Make Sure Your Windows are Double Glazed:

Chances are you’ve been told this time and time again, but by now, every home should have double glazing. If you don’t, you risk all of the heat you’re generating in your home escaping easily. Not only is this a huge waste of money and resources, but it is also likely to leave your property cold, which creates an unpleasant living environment for you and anyone else who lives in the house.

While new builds tend to have double glazing built in as standard, older properties in particular tend to have single glazing. If you’re unsure whether you have double glazing or not, you can always have a professional come in and check. They will then be able to fit double glazing if you don’t have it, helping your home to contain energy a lot better. You may even need Replacement Windows fitted for the best of the best.

Carry Out General Maintenance Tasks:

There are a few general maintenance tasks that are advised in the lead up to autumn and winter every year. Some tasks could easily be done DIY style. However, it is a good idea to have a skilled handyman in mind for the maintenance you cannot complete on your own. To get started, simply enter a search for “Handyman Blue Mountains” (or your local area) to find a well reviewed professional. Here are some tasks that you should fit into your schedule:

Clearing Gutters: The gutters outside your property help to catch rainwater from the roof and ensure that it is transported straight into a drain rather than flooding the ground around your property. However, autumn sees more leaves fall, which can clog up your gutters, along with other debris, making it so they can’t do their job properly. Make sure to have your gutters professionally cleaned during this time of year. This will prevent dripping and potential flooding when it rains heavily.

Have the Chimney Cleaned: If you have a chimney and plan to use it throughout the colder months, now is the time to hire a professional chimney sweep.

Taking Care of Your Garden:

Use Mulch: One of the areas of your garden that is most likely to be impacted by colder temperatures, lots of rain, and frost is your flower beds. To maintain these in spite of harsher elements, you should look into using mulch. Bad weather can see your flower beds become extremely prone to frost and over watering, which can freeze or clog roots in any hardier plants that you have and cause them to struggle or die. Laying down mulch provides a protective barrier against these elements and can also prevent water logging, which can give your plants and trees a much better chance of surviving the autumn and winter. If you’re not in the mood to haul heavy bags of mulch from the store before you start gardening, simply enter a search for “San Diego mulch delivery” (or your local area) to take care of the heavy lifting for you and kick start your project off right.

Plant Hardy Plants: If you’d still like some sort of greenery in your outdoor space during the colder months of the year, it may be a good idea to invest in and plant some more hardy plants. Any plants with petals are likely to wither or die during winter months (even if they’ll regenerate when the weather improves a little), which can leave your garden feeling empty and bare. You can avoid a barren looking garden by adding a touch of greenery in the form of evergreen trees. These are widely available and will keep their leaves year-round. Firs tend to be the most popular option, so browse local garden centers and fir specialists to find the perfect specific species for your space.

Invest in a Greenhouse: Some of us want to maintain growing fruit, vegetables, and other plants year round. This isn’t a hobby we just want to carry out in the summertime. If this sounds familiar to you, you may want to consider investing in a greenhouse. A greenhouse is a secure glass building where you can maintain a constant temperature and controlled atmosphere for your plants to thrive in. This is a particularly effective option if you’re planning on growing things like strawberries, tomatoes, and other plants that can easily be ruined by frost.

These are just a few different areas of home maintenance and improvement that you might want to consider in the lead up to the colder months of the year. Each holds its unique benefits and could prove to be something that makes you a lot happier and more comfortable throughout the autumn and winter until spring arrives again! So, why not give them a go?

Featured Image By: Elle Decor

Aug20

Face Mask Festivities: Celavi Cucumber Sheet Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Celavi Cucumber Sheet Mask Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the final review from my set of Celavi sheet masks! In mid July, I ordered a pack of twelve sheet masks off of Amazon from the Celavi brand. I received two of the six different kinds which included Charcoal, Honey, Avocado, Pomegranate, Tea Tree, and Cucumber – which we will be discussing today.

As a reminder, the score for the masks I didn’t like is three and I only liked two of them. Will the Cucumber mask be the tie breaker? Let’s find out:

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I decided to use this mask after returning home from my mom and dad’s house over the weekend. It was a hot day and that was exasperated by frolicking about the backyard with my adorable little niece. By the time I got home to my apartment, I was sweating my nads off and just wanted to put on a soothing mask to help cool me down. Cue the Cucumber sheet mask with the soothing and softening properties!

The Cucumber sheet mask was nice for multiple reasons. For starters, this mask fit my face really well so I didn’t have to deal with it slipping and sliding for twenty minutes. It also smelled great – like a freshly cut cucumber and I felt like I was at the spa! And, finally, my skin really did feel much better after using it.

When the twenty minutes of mask time was up, I had gotten my body temperature back to baseline and I was eager to see the results because I had a good feeling about it. Upon removing the mask, I was pleased to see the puffiness on my face from sweating profusely (lol) had disappeared and my skin felt clean and fresh. So soft, too!

This sheet mask is definitely one I would use again, especially on another hot day. It cooled me down completely, I loved the cucumber scent, and the grimy, sticky sensation of a scorching day had dissipated. Soothe and Soften it did and the Cucumber sheet mask was a success.

Unfortunately, this series of Celavi Face Mask Festivities ended in a 3-3 tie. The masks I liked were Charcoal, Pomegranate, and Cucumber and I found them to be quite effective. The masks I disliked were Honey, Avocado, and Tea Tree and they didn’t do squat.

So was the set of Celavi sheet masks I purchased something that I would recommend? I do. Despite not loving half of the masks, I got twelve of them for ten bucks and I think that’s a great deal! It’s nice to have masks at the ready at my apartment and, even though some were more successful than others, it makes for a cheap spa night and who doesn’t love that?!

How do you pamper yourself? How do you do an at home spa treatment? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug11

How To Protect Your Home From Storm Damage

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How To Protect Your Home From Storm Damage

The impact of severe storms and natural disasters are hard to predict. If caught off guard and not prepared, you could end up dishing out several thousand dollars for repairs. Whether you just moved into an area that experiences frequent storms or you are looking to up your preparedness, these tips will help you better protect your home:

Get Home Insurance Or Update Your Policy:

Having home insurance is crucial to protecting your home. It ensures that if something awful happens, you may not have to pay for the expense solely out of your pocket. When shopping for home insurance or updating your policy, make sure the policy covers the basics of what you need. If your home is surrounded by trees, it would be a good idea to make sure that your policy covers for that type of damage. Keep in mind it is up to you to find that out before a big storm comes. Read through your policy. Even though it may cover some storm-related damages, it may not cover all. For instance, damage from flooding, hurricanes, and earthquakes requires a special policy. It is always a good idea to shop around until you find the best plan for your home. To get started, simply enter a search for “home insurance jacksonville fl” (or your local area) to get the coverage that your family needs.

Seal Your Doors And Windows:

This is imperative to protecting your home. You do not want to be caught in a storm and your windows are not sealed or boarded up. Make sure that you seal your windows tightly without any breaks. The littlest break can cause a myriad of problems. If you are facing a tornado or hurricane the strong winds can get in, allowing for those storms to travel through while taking your home with it.

Maintenance To The Stormwater Drain: 

If your property has a stormwater drain, it is imperative that you have it serviced routinely by a Stormwater Waste Removal company. Neglecting to do so can cause flooding as well as environmental damage and this can be further exasperated by a heavy storm. Significant rainfall can cause blockages of debris in your drain and can do more damage than you might have thought if it isn’t regularly maintained.

Repair The Roof:

You have been putting it off long enough! Check your roof to make sure there are not any loose or missing shingles. If you find some, replace or fix them as soon as possible. You do not want a strong wind to catch onto a shingle coming loose. Your roof will suffer and so will you when you have to pay storm damage repair. It is also recommended that you seal your chimneys or vents if they are located on the roof. If they are not sealed up properly, you leave your home vulnerable to the elements, putting you in danger.

Repair Loose Siding:

Keep an eye out for loose pieces of siding that may catch a gust of wind. You also want to look for unattached edges. If the siding catches a powerful wind, it can fly off and leave your home exposed to the elements. Flying siding also causes a lot of damage. Attach it back to the frame of the house and check that they are secure often or consider new Siding Installations to avoid further problems in the future.

Repair Your Fences:

Your fences can cause a lot of damage to your home if they are not secured or repaired before a storm. Look for places where the fence is loose and ensure that the gates are tightly secured. It is also a good idea to survey your property, making sure to put away things that could fly around and cause more damage. Any outdoor furniture on your patio, deck, or lawn should be put inside the house. If your fence is in need of repairs, simply enter a search for “Fence contractor in Rockwall, TX” or your local area to prevent future damage.

Once the outside of your home is secure, settle in with a good book and enjoy the thunderstorm!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug5

Garden Goodies

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Garden Goodies

Hi! I looove having lots of fresh fruits and veggies at my apartment and, during the summer, I am never lacking in that department. My dad as well as all of the families of my clients have gardens and I always seem to be returning home from work with surplus veggies. It’s freaking awesome and I haven’t been without cucumbers, zucchinis, tomatoes, peppers, and green beans in weeks.

I know that all of the families I work with are up to their ears in produce and they have entire gardens but, shit, I am too! I can’t even get to the bottom of my crisper drawer until it’s filled up again with all of the garden goodies I am constantly being gifted with. The last thing I am doing is complaining about it, though!!

My appetite changes drastically in the summer because I get nauseous when it’s really hot. I find myself craving light dishes as I think I would keel over even thinking about eating a heavy meal in my hot ass apartment. Having a never ending supply of veggies has been a game changer because I can snack on them all day totally guilt free and it has added a lot of variety to my cooking.

This past week, I had an overflow of produce that I needed to purge from my fridge – cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, lemon, and lots of garlic. So, I decided to prepare a cucumber salad with the ingredients I had available. My recipe went as so:

Lemon Cucumber Salad

  • 2 large cucumbers with the skin peeled and cut in slices
  • 1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced
  • Multicolored grape tomatoes, halved
  • 4 large cloves garlic
  • Juice from one lemon, with some of the pulp added too
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning to taste

I am obsessed with the salad I whipped up and have been eating a few servings daily. I just love the tart lemon mixed with the tang of the balsamic vinegar and when it’s poured over crisp veggies it is an absolute treat. Get creative with your cooking and try making a salad recipe of your own next family dinner!

How has your garden been doing? What do you have growing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul30

July 2020 Finishes

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July 2020 Finishes

Hello!! July was an insanely hot and busy month and I found that, other than my normal day and night skin care routine, I let any other pampering fall by the wayside. I know what you all are thinking: “That is so not like you, Sarah!” However, Lil Red does not do well in extreme heat (I literally get sick) and it is always extremely hot in my apartment. Not to mention, most of July was in the high eighties and mid nineties in my neck of the woods. Therefore, any movement away from being directly in front of my fan was deemed unnecessary.

I only finished one product that you all haven’t heard of already so we will briefly chat about that. Then, I will provide you with some links to previous beauty themed posts this past month in case you missed them. And, finally, make sure you tune in tomorrow for a new Face Mask Festivities to close out the month. Alright! Let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again:

Why/Why Not?

SkinLab Moisturizer: As you all know, I love my SkinLab Lift & Firm moisturizer and it took me one month to finish one jar. You can read more about it in this post, since it pops up often enough lol. 🙂

Azure Lux Serum: During a recent Amazon haul, I needed to stock up on my skin care. Originally, I was going to stick with my usual and just order a bunch of the Azure Lux Rose Gold serums. I purchased a few but I also decided to give the 24K Gold serum a try, as well. Was it much different than its Rose Gold sister? Not really. But I love the Rose Gold sister so, obviously, I loved the 24K serum too!

My skin feels so bright and radiant whenever I use the Azure Lux serums and they are so nourishing, to boot. I definitely think my skin has become more glowy and fresh since using the Azure Lux products and it takes me one month to finish one bottle.

More To Enjoy:

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for a brand new Face Mask Festivities!

Which products did you use up this month? Which products have you been impressed with lately? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul29

New Hot Pink & Chartreuse Nails

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New Hot Pink & Chartreuse Nails

Hello! As an essential worker who is in close contact to a high risk population, I have been really limiting my time out in public. Honestly, it takes a lot to even leave the house sometimes. Back in the “normal” days, I always looked forward to my monthly nail appointments. But, now, I really really look forward to it because it is one of the two to three community outings I do per month.

I am so thankful to my favorite salon, Elysian Nails, for taking all of the necessary precautions that make me feel like I can relax while I’m there. Normally, when I’m out doing grocery shopping I want to leave ASAP because of all of the people! Even though we are in crazy times, everyone needs a treat and I feel like a million bucks whenever I leave the salon chair. Still a nervous wreck – but a million bucks, none of the less.

The nail tech I had this time around was not the most gentle, but I still really like how my claws turned out! Take a look:

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As someone with a ton of tattoos and piercings, like me, can tell you: Beauty is pain. However, I don’t think I have ever been nicked or said “ouch” as many times as this previous one. And, I really don’t mean to complain, but it was definitely not the most pleasant experience – especially since the salon is where I go to find myself, lol.

Despite all of the ouchies, I absolutely love the colors of my nails. Both of these shades are by my favorite nail care brand, Londontown. The pink hue is called Summer Fling and the chartreuse is appropriately named Electric Avenue. Summer time is when you can go all out with bright, poppy colors and I was inspired by my favorite warm weather treat – watermelon!

It’s amazing how something so little like a neon color can make me smile but I feel happy when I look at my nails. And, given the current state of everything going on right now, I’ll take any extra pep in my step that I can get. Thanks to Elysian Nails for always keeping my claws on point and to Londontown for introducing me to a Summer Fling on Electric Avenue! 😀

Have you ever had an unpleasant salon experience? What happened? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul16

How To More Adequately Prevent Property Damage

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How To More Adequately Prevent Property Damage

When you become a homeowner for the first time, you’ll feel a sense of true achievement. You should, because it is. That being said, now you open yourself up to many more responsibilities than you would when renting. It’s now your duty to care for the maintenance tasks of the property, and to do so with a sense of urgency to prevent them getting out of hand.

Issues will come your way, and they, more than likely, will have an effect on your property. It’s not about completely avoiding them outright, rather it’s more about learning what to do when these challenges do appear. For instance, nothing you can do will prevent a harsh blizzard from coming in during the winter, provided you live in an area where that happens. Yet you can apply a few preventative measures to stop the damage from becoming unnecessarily significant.

So, how can you more adequately prevent property damage? What efforts will ensure or even guarantee this outcome? We’ll explore that together, below:

Preparing For The Seasons:

The seasons can come hard and fast depending on where you live. For some, the intensity of summer requires real forethought, while for others, the intensity of winter can feel like entering another world entirely. In this latter example, purchasing a de-icer, ensuring that your pipes are routinely worked to avoid them freezing over or purchasing large quantities of grit for your sloped driveway can be important. It is a good idea to tend to issues like cracks or potholes on your driveway as they can worsen with the changing seasons. To find a professional team to take on the task, simply enter a search for “Asphalt contractor in Shelbyville, TN” (or your local area). Taking care of these driveway repairs now can save you from a bigger bill down the road. AC repair and ventilation adjustments can also help in the midst of summer. Prepare for the upcoming seasons and keep yourself safe and comfortable all year round.

Preventing Leaks:

Preventing leaks in your property is also very important, and, unfortunately, failing to do so will ultimately result in one. That sounds like an obvious statement, but you’d be amazed at just how many avenues leaks can find to provide you with a lovely, unwanted amount of property damage. Avoiding water damage in your home includes ensuring your roofing insulation is well applied, caring for your pipes, appropriately plumbing, and investing in shielding your home from the elements. With these efforts combined, you’re sure to come to the best possible solution.

If you are experiencing leaks, do not let is fester! It will cost even more and cause more damage the longer you wait to get it looked at by a professional. To find an expert, simply enter a search for “water damage restoration in Denver, CO” or your local area to get the space effected by the leak looking good as new.

Important DIY Skill Sets:

DIY skill sets can help you avoid contributing to property damage yourself. You’d be surprised at how commonly bodged jobs can cause issues from shoddy wiring to bad plumbing, and even shelves that haven’t been secured as strongly as they should have been. If you can take the time to learn and research before you begin and visit the hardware store to ensure you have the correct tools (such as using a level instead of simply going by eye), you’ll be in a better place. You can visit DIY forums to ask questions and pre-plan your approach to begin with. And in the case of some examples, like electrical work, it’s simply best to call in the professionals.

With this advice, we hope you can more adequately prevent property damage each day to keep your home strong and in tact all year.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul9

Summer Home Sprucing

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Summer Home Sprucing

When the sun’s shining and the temperature heats up, you’ll want to make the most of your home and garden. Fortunately, it’s easy to transform your property in time for everything the season has to offer. With these simple sprucing tips, you can enjoy the summer weather in your own relaxing retreat:

Overhaul your garden:

It’s easy for gardens to get overgrown in the spring, particularly if you haven’t had a chance to undertake any winter maintenance. However, now’s the time to catch up if you want your garden to be summer-ready. Mow the lawn, trim back overgrown plants, and power wash the patios for simple but effective transformations.

Book pest control services:

One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for summer is to ensure your property is pest-free. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for pests to infiltrate gardens and homes, especially during the spring when they’re often building nests. This is when you might run into issues like squirrels in the attic, mice in the garage, and other pests that you do not want in your home. Nothing will ruin summer vibes faster than an infestation!

With residential pest control services, you can ensure there are no nasty surprises awaiting you. Both pest prevention and removal are essential if you want to make sure your property is safe and hygienic. Professional pest control services will give you peace of mind that no vermin or bugs are present and allow you to relax and enjoy the summer.

Add shade:

When you can combine indoor and outdoor areas, you maximize the space in your property and make it far more functional. Bifold and trifold doors are a fantastic way to do this but even adding an awning or cabana to your garden can have a similar effect. When you can escape the blistering rays of the sun or take cover while there’s a shower of rain, you’ll truly get to make the most of the season.

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Pixabay Image

Keep things cool:

Warmer temperatures can be lovely but only if you don’t get overheated. If you have an AC system, you’ll certainly want to get it serviced and cleaned before temperatures get any hotter. With regular servicing, your AC will use less power and perform better, which means lower running costs and cooler temperatures. In addition to this, professional cleaning will remove potential allergens from the AC system, such as dust or pollen, and help to improve the air quality in your home.

Be bold with color:

Warmer, earthier tones are perfect for fall or winter, but spring and summer give you the opportunity to explore with bolder shades and more vibrant colors. From sweet pastels to vivid reds, oranges, greens, and pinks, there are no limits when it comes to summer color. Updating your accessories, tableware, and fabrics make it easy to change your décor to suit the season, so you can stay on-trend with minimal effort.

It’s never too late to make the most of summer, so why not start transforming your property now? With a few minor tweaks and changes, you can turn your property into a summer idyll and make the most of the longer days, lighter evenings, and spectacular sunsets.

Featured Image By: Pixabay