Tag Archives: weather

Apr25

4 Rules For Accessorizing In Summer

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4 Rules For Accessorizing In Summer

Accessorizing well is the key to making any outfit amazing, and now that summer is on the way, you need to start thinking about how you’re going to elevate your summer outfits. Summer is a time for bold prints and bright colors, but when you’ve got that much going on in an outfit, you risk going overboard with your accessories and making it too busy. To stop that from happening, follow these simple rules for accessorizing in the summer:

Pick Sunglasses By Shape:

Sunglasses are an absolute must in the summer and you’ll be wearing them with everything so you need to know how to pick them. When it comes to color, you need something fairly neutral that goes with most outfits, but the most important thing to look for is the shape. The rule is, that you pick sunglasses that are the opposite shape of your face. So, if you’ve got quite a round face, you can opt for square glasses. If you’ve got a fairly angular face, go for a round style. The shape of your eyebrows is important as well and you need to match it with the top frame of the sunglasses. If you’ve got arched eyebrows that come out over the top of a square frame, it’ll look a little off.

Match Three Points:

Color matching when you accessorize is important, but you shouldn’t go overboard. Matching three items in your outfit is a good guideline to follow if you want to create a good balance. Anything less than three and your outfit won’t be complete, and any more than that and you risk making it too messy. So, you could match your shoes, belt, and bag. Or you can match jewelry with your belt and shoes. However you decide to do it, always stick with the rule of three.

Prioritize Comfort:

During the summer, prioritizing comfort to some extent is a must. If you don’t, you’ll end up boiling hot all day. When you’re choosing women’s shoes, go for some sandals that will keep your feet cool. Always avoid dark colors or anything that is tight fitting as well if you want to stay comfortable in the sun. Practicality is important too. You’ll be more likely to be spending the day out of the house when the weather is nice so when you’re choosing a handbag, go for something larger that has the space for everything you’ll need when you’re out and about.

Experiment With Colors:

Summer is the best time to experiment with colors because you can get away with more than you can in a winter outfit. If you tend to go for more plain pastel colors, use your accessories to inject a bit of excitement into an outfit. Floral patterned handbags or large patterned belts all go great with a summer outfit.

When you’re accessorizing your summer outfits, always remember to make them practical and, even though you can experiment with colors make sure that you’re matching properly for an amazing look.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Apr23

Darling Daffodils

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Darling Daffodils

Hellooo! Despite the random spring snow flurries in Ohio, the flowers have began to bloom! Although the weather isn’t perfect, it is so nice to see spring staples starting to emerge like our patches of hyacinths, crocuses, and the lovely daffodils that line our driveway:

Not only are these flowers beautiful but they sure are inspiring. They are so delicate and even though snow is falling and the wind is blowing them every which way, they hold strong and their beauty seems all the more radiant for it. What a life lesson that you can learn from such a little bloom!

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

Apr22

Hello, Hyacinths

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Hello, Hyacinths

Howdy! With a really sporadic spring happening in Ohio, I was worried that none of my favorite flowers were going to come up to say hello. The weather in my neck of the woods has been crazy. We’re talking temperatures in the 70’s one day to a pretty decent snowfall the next and just a downright bitter cold chill in the air.

Despite Mother Nature being bipolar, quite a few of the flowers in our yard have began to bloom, including one of my favorites – hyacinths!

I love hyacinths oh so much. Their gorgeous pastel colors, their distinctive but beautiful smell when you pass them by or cut a few sprigs for a vase on your table. There is nothing better than walking by the patch of hyacinths that have been growing in my yard for every spring that I can remember. They look so sweet in their floral clusters and it’s always a treat to take a deep breath and inhale their aroma which, despite the snow falls, means that spring is here.

What is your favorite spring time flower? Who else has had snow fall in their area even though its late April? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar29

Spring Crocuses

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Spring Crocuses

Hello!! With hopefully the last snow of the season behind us in Ohio (But, who am I kidding, we’ll probs get at least one more!), the temps have been raising to a comfortable fifty degrees. With that increase and some extra sunshine, I found some more crocuses in my yard popping up when I walked the dogs this weekend. Seeing freshly sprouted flowers just makes me happy, and I’m sure that plenty of you are the same, so take a look:

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Instead of just the yellow crocuses that were sprouting up last time, I had the pleasure of seeing white and purple blooms peeking out beneath the winter debris. The white crocuses are happily embracing the sunshine, while the three purples ones are so close to opening up and doing the same. I can’t wait for when they do!

What is your favorite flower? Are there any blooms popping up in your yard? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar28

Spring Renovations: Are These Projects Worth The Money?

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Spring Renovations: Are These Projects Worth The Money?

When spring arrives, it can feel only natural to want to get outdoors and start tending to your yard or garden. After a long and cold winter, it could really need it! Surely, you’ll want to make everything look as good as new.

That can all seem very well, especially if you are thinking of selling the home soon or just want to make it look a little different. But are some of the home projects or renovations that you have planned in your mind going to be worth it? Here are some suggestions for you, to make sure that you’d be getting your money’s worth for each project:

Yard/Garden Landscaping

If the sun shines and the flowers are blossoming, then who wouldn’t want to be outdoors? But if you want a super-styled outdoor space, rather than just a rose bush by the picket fence, then it can cost you quite a bit to get it done. It can mean some major changes to the yard, with some digging up, possibly concrete being added, and things like ponds being made. It can really change the look of the space, so you need to decide if it is going to be worth it for you.

If you are planning a move sooner rather than later, then in reality, there are plenty of other things that you can do to improve the curb appeal of your home, rather than getting the yard landscaped. Getting new plants and generally tidying up the outside space could be a much better use of your cash. If you’re not planning to move, then you just need to weigh up the pros and the cons. If you do want to landscape, consider it carefully. Will you need to outsource to bring your landscape design vision to life? Are there aspects of your design that you could DIY? Be realistic about what you are capable of. At the end of the day, the yard is the first thing people notice and sometimes the best thing is leaving it to the professionals if you are lacking the time or green thumbs.

Driveway Repairs:

If you have a driveway, then over the winter it can take a beating with the ice, snow, rain, and salt being added to it on a daily basis. The thing is, just putting a new layer of concrete or asphalt over the top isn’t always going to be that simple. You have to think about the foundations and any cracks, as they could lead to problems if they’re not dealt with. So it can involve some heavy machinery to get it looked at and repaired.

The thing is, though, is that a driveway is something that a potential buyer would be looking at right away. So if you are looking to move, it could be the thing that tips the scales for a buyer. On the flipside, if you’re planning to move, then you may not be bothered about the driveway and leave it for the new owner. So it comes down to how long you’ve got left living there and if you’ve got it in the budget. Should the driveway be a project you would like to tackle, simply enter a search for “asphalt driveway portland, OR” (or your local area) to begin researching the right team to take on the job. A driveway is one of the first things people see and you will want it looking its best the first time around.

Repainting:

Winter brings with it lots of shades of gray, and can often leave you feeling that you need some color in your life. Many experts agree that painting can change the look of a home, both interior and exterior, for a pretty low cost. So it can be worth doing, as if you do it yourself, all you are paying for are tins of paint. Professionals like Textbook Painting would be able to provide the right equipment, if you were painting the outside of the house, for example, but can still keep costs down. So if you want to freshen things up, then repainting is an easy win, and would be worth doing, moving home or not.

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A bright colored accent wall always goes down well!

Repairing/Replacing Siding:

The siding on your home is what takes the brute force from bad weather. A particularly harsh winter could have wreaked havoc on the condition of it. So if yours is looking a little worse for wear, then right about now could be a good time to repair or replace it. But it is going to be worth it? In short, yes, it is going to be worth it. But the actual process can be long and quite costly.

First of all, this isn’t something that you can do easily by yourself. So really, you will be paying the cost of labor for contractors to do it for you. And that can reach into the region of around $10,000. So to justify the cost, then you probably need to ‘wait’ until the siding is looking in particularly bad repair. If it is not peeling, coming away, or there are no loose parts, then it could be worth leaving for a little longer, simply to get more bang for your buck.

If only some of it is looking bad, then you could replace just those panels rather than the whole lot. That would be a good way to save money but still improve the look and condition of things. You could also consider simply repainting your siding, if there are just a few parts that are peeling off. Get them sanded down, ready to paint, and it can look like new afterwards.

While spring is a great time of year to be making changes, think carefully and plan out any projects or renovations before you get started on them!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar7

Date Ideas For When Spring Has Sprung

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Date Ideas For When Spring Has Sprung

Spring is a time for new starts and bidding goodbye to the horrible winter months. Finally, it’s time for long, flowy dresses, and making the most of springtime with your SO. What are the ways to make the most of this wonderful weather, and all of the exciting events coming up? It’s time to take the initiative with your social calendar, so let’s give you some ideas for quality couple time:

Go On A Picnic:

This really is the first port of call. You’ve got to get out and enjoy the lovely weather, especially if it might turn into April showers. Having an outdoor picnic gives you the opportunity to kick back, relax, and have some quality time with your other half. It’s also great in spring before the summer months come by, and with it, all of the annoying summer insects.

Picnics are so fun because you can plan a menu to make or get takeout from your favorite restaurant. I had a friend who would get takeout from her and her partner’s go to places, they would eat outdoors, and enjoy a walk afterwards. Perhaps you’ll have sammies on an afternoon outing or something more decadent for an evening meal. A candlelit Indian meal outdoors is as simple as entering a search for “indian restaurant cambridge uk” (or your local area). However you go about it, picnics are a great date!

A Sporting Event:

While you might consider sports to be the height of tedium, you will earn extra brownie points with your boo if you present them with some sports tickets to their favorite event. And besides, if you go and experience a baseball game on a mild spring evening, you don’t even have to pay attention to the game to enjoy the ambiance.

A Romantic Night Time Meal:

Either head to your local restaurant and book a table outside or go for a wonderful romantic rooftop dining experience. Enjoying the spring months while sipping on a glass of Chardonnay with your favorite pizza is one of life’s little pleasures. And it’s even better when you’ve got your significant other to share it with. If you are in the mood to shake things up, go to a restaurant that specializes in cuisine that you have never tried before. Perhaps a Turkish restaurant like The Mantl? Or maybe an Indian buffet to sample a bit of everything? It’s always fun to try something new on a date night!

Head To A Concert:

Check your local venues for the latest artists making an appearance near you. The big stadium events are also slowly coming up, with artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and seasoned pros the Rolling Stones all embarking on open-air tours. That time of evening when the main act is taking the stage, the weather’s nice and cool, and thousands of people are having a great time, you can’t help but get caught up in the vibe. And there’s plenty of opportunities for perfect selfies with your SO!

Go For A Walk:

Who’d have thought it, in this day and age you could go for a walk?! Yes, you don’t need to spend money to have a great time with your partner. The spring months are the perfect opportunity to get your rambling shoes on and go exploring. And before the unbearable temperatures of the summer come, you can get plenty of beneficial exercise outdoors, and explore your surroundings with the one you love. Even if you aren’t particularly inclined towards nature, getting out for a nice walk is always going to help bring you and your partner closer together.

The springtime is one of the most perfect parts of the year. It’s not too hot, not too cold, and everything is now gearing up for a fantastic summer. So, as spring has sprung, get yourself outdoors, don’t worry about spring cleaning for now!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar5

A Safe Home Is A Happy Home With These Tips

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A Safe Home Is A Happy Home With These Tips

The home is the most valuable asset you own and, more importantly, it also lays the foundation for your entire life. Therefore, keeping it in the best possible condition is crucial for a whole host of different reasons. After all, failure to achieve this goal will bring huge repercussions. If you’re going to protect the home, however, it’s imperative that you check every box. Focus on the five simple factors below, and you won’t go wrong:

#1. Home Security:

For most people, home security is the main concern for maintaining a safe property. Burglars are smarter than ever, but modern surveillance systems should keep them at bay. Moreover, the fact that those devices can be monitored from smartphones allows you to gain that peace of mind on a 24/7 basis. A good relationship with the neighbors can help too, but taking matters into your own hands should be the priority. Secured doors and windows should consequently gain huge attention, as well. And, finally, investing in a quality safe from a company like libertysafe.com can protect valuables and precious items like photographs and family heirlooms.

#2. Weatherproofing:

While burglars may be the main concern, reality suggests that weather damage is just as likely. On the one hand, all homeowners are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Nonetheless, several precautions can still be taken to reduce any damage. Prevention will always be the best form of protection, and knowing how to defend the home against storms is key info.

Likewise, flood barriers and similar products can be crucial investments for the future safety of the property. This is especially important if you live near water or an area with heavy rainfall. Flood barriers offer both protection and peace of mind when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

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Yikes!

#3.  Minimizing Damage:

Wear and tear is a natural thing that all homeowners will encounter at one stage or another. Many of those are fairly minor issues, but leaving them untreated can allow them to escalate. Calling a plumber to deal with your leaks or learning how to treat damp patches is crucial. Not only will this put your mind at ease, but it will also save money while keeping the home safe. On a separate note, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can protect the property as well as the family, too.

#4. Cleanliness:

Maintaining a safe home isn’t simply about preventing damage to the property. This is a place for your family to live and grow. To do this in the best manner, you’ll want to keep the home clean and tidy. Nobody wants to dedicate their lives to cleaning the home, which is why these simple tricks can have a huge impact. When coupled with the latest gadgets and appliances, you’ll remove the threat of picking up minor illnesses from germs in the home.

#5. Childproofing:

Whether we like to admit it or not, the biggest threats to our properties come from our own actions. This becomes increasingly apparent when kids are involved, which is why you must pay attention to the idea of childproofing. It’s impossible to keep your eyes on everything that the children do. From keeping consumables out of reach to covering electrical points, those small steps make a big impact. If you’ve completed the other tasks too, a safe and happy home is virtually assured.

Your home should be a peaceful getaway and the above steps will help it stay that way!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar2

5 Ways To Defend Your Home Against A Storm

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5 Ways To Defend Your Home Against A Storm

When bad weather strikes, it can cause devastating amounts of damage to a home that hasn’t been suitably storm-proofed. Here are just a few ways that you can defend your home against the elements:

Seal up cracks:

Not only will rain get into a crack and cause water damage, strong winds could also get into the crack and possibly make it worse. Small cracks can be easily sealed up with caulk, whereas larger cracks may need professional intervention. Draft protectors, meanwhile, may be able to stop wind from getting into gaps beneath doors and windows.

Tending to any cracks now can prevent expensive future problems. This is especially important if you live in an area prone to bad weather or natural disasters. If you have extensive problems in your home’s foundation, a professional team like Victor Construction and Engineering (or a similar company in your local area) should come to do an assessment as soon as possible. A major issue in your foundation will only get worse and be hazardous to your family.

Reinforce windows and doors:

Old windows and doors could be ripped off of their hinges in bad weather. It may not necessarily be the door or window that is the problem – most commonly it’s the result of a broken frame or hinges. As for those living in flood-risk areas, it could be worth fitting a flood guard to the bottom of your door. These barriers may look ugly, but they could save you thousands in interior damage.

Get a backup generator installed:

Serious storms can often lead to power cuts. Investing in a backup generator could help provide you with an extra power source in the event of a blackout. There are companies out there that can do generator installations for you. You could alternatively invest in a sustainable backup solution such as solar panels, although these may be costlier to install.

Attend to outside dangers:

There could be many objects outside that pose a danger to your home during a storm. Loose garden items should be locked away in a shed the moment that you get a storm warning – you don’t want a garden table crashing through your patio doors. Trees may also be a danger, especially those that have been partially uprooted by a previous storm or seem to be dying. Investing in Tree Removal may involve getting planning permission and you may want to pay an arborist to do it for you.

In terms of trees, you really have to look at the ones in your yard from all angles. Are there branches hanging onto your neighbor’s property? How about over parked cars or dangerously close to your own roof? All it takes is one strong storm to cause a lot of damage on your own or someone else’s property. Do an inspection and enlist the help of Dunwoody Tree Service (or a similar company in your local area) to safely trim back any problem areas. This will give you peace of mind when a storm hits that you took the precautions to avoid any damage.

Another danger to be aware of is old guttering. This can be particularly dangerous in winter, as water in the gutter can freeze up, effectively turning the whole thing into a giant ice block. If this is loose or broken, a strong wind may have the power to rip it off and cause damage to your home. If you think this could be a problem, consider hiring a professional to see to repairing your guttering.

Get insured:

Getting insured won’t prevent storm damage from occurring, but it could help pay compensation for home repairs. Not all home insurance companies will cover storm damage, especially if you live in an area prone to storms and flooding, in which case you may need to seek out a specialist storm insurance or flood insurance company. Insurance rates vary from each provider, so it’s worth spending some time shopping around for the best deal. To get started, take a look at the websites for insurance providers near you like Caruso Insurance. Take note of the companies with excellent reviews and don’t be afraid to schedule a couple of different consultations for the best coverage and deal for you. Insurance is like an umbrella – you will always be happy you have it when you need it.

Taking measures to make your home safer when inclement weather strikes is important for you and all who live in your home. And, as always, it’s better safe than sorry.

Featured Image By: Maxpixel

Mar2

Hello, Spring!

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Hello, Spring!

Hi everyone!! A few days ago when I was walking my pups, I noticed some lovely little flowers poking out from underneath the layer of leaves that are still damp with melted snow. It was such a sight for sore eyes, especially because the sun was shining and it was FIFTY DEGREES at the end of February. Oh my goodness, guys, it was amazing.

To walk outside with a light jacket on, with my pups keeping up pace beside me and the sun shining on my face was such a treat after a long and grey winter. And, then, to make things even more glorious, I look down and see bright yellow crocuses and another yellow flower that I’m not sure what it is popping out to say hello:

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Of course, it’s not quite lovely spring time yet. But, on that day, it felt that way and I could literally feel the crippling weight of seasonal depression on top of normal old depression being lifted from my shoulders. I was so happy to be breathing in fresh, clean air and looking up to no clouds in the sky. And seeing the first promises of spring flowers in tiny yellow buds peeking out just added to the delight. It was a great day.

Are any flowers popping up in your neck of the woods? What is the weather like in your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan13

Scarf Series: Wet Seal Edition

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Scarf Series: Wet Seal Edition

Ooooooh, Wet Seal. Who remembers that store? When I was a teenager, I could always get down with Wet Seal, Charlotte Rousse, and Aeropostale. Now, as a twenty-something  fashionista by trade, I cringe at the names of all of those stores – how times have changed! But, all of those stores catered to a teenager’s budget and tastes and, for that, they served their purpose well. Especially when my absolute FAVORITE cold weather scarf is from Wet Seal.

….Wait, what?

Isn’t that crazy? Lol, check it out and maybe you’ll see why:

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I think that I was fifteen or so when I bought this scarf, and I’m fairly confident that it was about fifteen bucks from Wet Seal. I vividly remember going shopping with a friend with the twenty dollars that my dad gave me tucked safely in my pocket (“Don’t spend it all in one place!”). We visited store after store and nothing spoke to me, that is, until I saw this magnificent highlighter pink scarf with…

What is that?? SKULLS?!

Ohhh yes. Lil Red loves and loved* her skulls. Even back in the day (Almost a decade, but that’s neither here nor there!), did I love all skulls everything and this scarf was a MUST. I remember being So. Freaking. Excited. about this Wet Seal find and wore it as often as I could. The colors, the fringe, the patterns – it really was true love. So, extra special shout out to my dad, because I know that my fifteen year old self would have been PISSED if I didn’t have any dough to buy it!

I honestly don’t think that I will ever get rid of this scarf and, although I have other cold weather scarves, this one always seems to be the one that I gravitate towards. And, because I sport an all black everything ensemble most days, this scarf pops like a florescent beacon when its worn. A beacon that says, “Not everything that I bought as a teenager was completely awful, AND HERE’S THE PROOF!!” You know, something like that.

What was one of your major fashion faux pas as a teen? Do you still own any clothing or accessories from when you were a teenager? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah