Tag Archives: weather

Fingerless Gloves Frenzy

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Fingerless Gloves Frenzy

Howdy! This past weekend, a trip to TJMaxx supplied me with oodles of gorgeous winter accessories. And one of my favorite accessories of all? FINGERLESS GLOVES!! Obviously, with my talon nails, going fingerless when it comes to gloves is a must. But they are just so cute that even without long nails, I would be obsessed with them anyways. Take a look at these darling Steve Madden gloves that I scored for FIVE DOLLA HOLLA and let’s discuss:

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When I saw these adorable little babes, I knew that I had to have them. And when I saw the five dollar price tag, I double knew that I had to have them. I am so in love with these gloves that it isn’t even funny. The creamy tan base color, the color pop of fun on the phalanges, a designer that I love – Hello, Steve Madden – all of these created a perfect whirlwind of an accessory in a getting away with robbery price that made these gloves impossible to say no to.

I’ve always had a strong drawing to fingerless gloves, even in my pre-talons years. I love that they are text friendly and way quirkier than your standard gloves or mittens. Not only that, but I drive a lot and I prefer fingerless when I’m behind the wheel of the Little Red Love Machine. I have accumulated a ton of pairs of fingerless glovies over the years that I love to alternate between, but I just know that these are going to be the fan favorite for this winter!

I am in a Fingerless Gloves Frenzy, but you can’t beat five dollars and cute as a button! Do you prefer fingerless or normal gloves? What is your favorite winter accessory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Monday Update: Netflix Game On Point Edition

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Monday Update: Netflix Game On Point Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! Okay, so I have been Netflix and chilling with myself a lot lately. It has been cold and damp in Ohio this past week, which is the type of weather that makes me want to curl up in a blanket burrito and emerge brand new in the spring. But, since this isn’t an option, movie marathons have been a total must once I’m finished with work for the day.

As all of you know, I am a horror movie junkie and October brought an amazing list of scary movies to the Netflix lineup. Saw one through seven, Hostel, Silent Hill, the list goes on. This past week on my day off, I treated myself to a Saw movie marathon and Taco Bell and it was honestly one of the best days ever. I am so looking forward to seeing the new Jigsaw movie hopefully soon, too!

I have also been really feeling Rob Zombie movies as of late, so the Halloween season gave me an excuse to watch 31, The Devil’s Rejects, and the Lords of Salem. Are all of the aforementioned movies for everyone? Absolutely not. But, to me, there is nothing better than snuggling up on a grey day with not much to do and binge watching the hours away.

Not only is a veg out session fun and good for the soul but the process of selecting movies is enjoyable too. Recommendations from friends, reviews from websites like hellhorror.com, or streaming services like Shudder are all beneficial in finding must watch scary movies. However, when I’m not feeling like doing a ton of research for a flick, I just like to scroll through at random and watch what I land on. It can be hit or miss but it keeps things interesting!

Halloween and the amazing seventh season of American Horror Story have put me in the spooky spirit, especially since I didn’t get to celebrate until this weekend by going to a haunted house! My upcoming Netflix lineup includes rewatching the first season of Slasher and then watching the newly released second season. And, of course, breaking up the gore fest with I Love You, Man and other silly comedies is definitely in order!

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Netflix Game On Point Edition! What is on your Netflix watch list? What other horror movies/TV shows do I need to see? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Hot Chocolate & Halloween, My Fall Favorite Things

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Hot Chocolate & Halloween, My Fall Favorite Things

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! This post is compliments of my friend, Geneva, from the blog GenneyDarling. You might remember this sweet little lady from her Mauve Maven OOTD during my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series. Today, Geneva is here to share her list of fall favorites with all of you. Cuddle up and get some inspiration for your next autumn outing with your friends:

Hot Chocolate & Halloween, My Fall Favorite Things

Hello followers of lifewithlilred! I am Geneva from GenneyDarling and I am writing to you guys today to tell you my favorite things about the fall season…

The fall scenery in New England: I love living in the North East region of the U.S. because of the fall time. The leafs changing colors and the brisk chill in the air leaves all of New England looking like storybook perfection.

Hot chocolate and tea: There’s nothing like a hot drink to warm you up on the chilly days of the season. Pull on your favorite fingerless gloves to keep from burning your hands, sip, and enjoy.

Pumpkin flavored everything: Now, I hate to be a basic white girl but pumpkin flavor is absolutely the best. I’m not the kind of person to get a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks every chance I get, though. I’m more of a pumpkin bread and muffin type of gal!

Halloween: One of my favorite holidays is Halloween. It’s always fun to dress up and decorate for Halloween even though I’m not a kid anymore and probably shouldn’t go trick-or-treating…OR SHOULD I?! 😉

Cuddling with your SO in warm blankets: Fall can be a busy season, so it’s nice to take advantage of a lazy day by cuddling with your boy or girlfriend and binge watching movies or a TV series.

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Cozy socks: This might be my absolute favorite part of fall. I LOVE thick wool socks. My feet are always cold so I constantly wear them around the house or with boots to go out. Sliding around on hardwood floors is another added bonus!

Sweatshirts and sweaters: Layering all of the things during the cold weather months is a must. You can always put more layers on but you can only take so many off. I love being able to layer clothes to keep me nice and snugly all day.

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Bonfires: Bonfires are fun in the summer, but are even better during the fall when it’s a little chilly. Fires are perfect for warming up and spending time with friends on a cold evening.

Baked goods: Another reason to love fall is that you can finally bake yummy treats in the oven without overheating the whole kitchen. In fact, you can use it to warm up the kitchen on a cold day. Plus, who doesn’t love eating pumpkin bread, warm cookies, and gooey chocolate brownies?!

Scary movies: I’ve never been a big horror movie person, but recently I have been learning to enjoy them more. Never mind the fact that I still have to look away at the suspenseful scary parts. A cold, dark fall night is the perfect atmosphere to snuggle up with your friends for a horror movie marathon – eyes shut the whole time or not!

I hope that all of you are enjoying the autumn season as much as I am!

Check out my other fall time posts below:

5 Nail Colors to Complete Your Fall Look

What I’m Listening to in October

Cosmic Love

Cranberry Apple Cider Smoothie

^^^ Thank you so much to Geneva for stopping by to guest post on lifewithlilred! What are your favorite things about fall? What are you being for Halloween? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Hats Off: Cheetah Girl Edition

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Hats Off: Cheetah Girl Edition

Hi everyone and TGIF! Fall finally appears to be in full swing, as Ohio is definitely enjoying brisk, autumn temperatures after almost the entire month of October treated us to summer like weather. With the drop in temperature comes the incessant need to accessorize with all of the fall cuteness, including scarves, hats, and fingerless gloves. A recent trip to Target brought me a darling new pom pom beanie to add to my collection, just in time for the hit of cold weather. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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I’m normally not a huge cheetah print fan, but there was something about this sassy sweet hat that spoke to me. I loved the cream, black, and gold color palette so much that the animal print pattern was something that I embraced, rather than shied away from. I’m also not one for pom pom hats, but the Pittsburgh Steelers colored puff was way too adorable to say no to!

Yellows and golds are both colors that I really enjoy wearing, especially as a top or an accessory that’s close to my face. The burnt gold of this hat looked so lovely on top of my red hair and it made the yellow in my hazel eyes really pop. I also loved that this hat had a cream base color instead of white, which gave this cute little number a more muted, fall look.

During the fall, I normally opt for my oversized floppy hats and Panamas, but I am so excited to throw this new addition on with my navy peacoat and hit the road. This hat is so sweet to me but the cheeky cheetah print adds just the perfect amount of sass, which made it a perfect add on to the landfill that is the Lil Red fall wardrobe.

So there you have it, the latest issue of Hats Off: Cheetah Girl Edition! What is your favorite fall accessory? What is your favorite animal print? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bright Ideas To Spruce Up A Gloomy Home

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Bright Ideas To Spruce Up A Gloomy Home

When summer is put behind us, it’s tempting to revert to dark, deep colors. Mustard yellows and soft browns are autumnal and reflect the changing leaves outside. However, if one goes too far with a deep color palette, a gloomy home can be created, which is somewhat depressing. Remember that the sun sets far earlier and that there is less sunlight during the autumn and winter months. Exploiting light to combat this is never as important as it is now and in the months to come.

Don’t fret, though, because sprucing up a gloomy house is by no means impossible. In fact, with the following tips, it’s pretty easy!

Paint It White:

The Rolling Stones are a fan of painting things black, but they’re rock stars and allowed to be miserable. The average person can’t pull off their attitude without a guitar in hand. So, as a rule, it’s better to use white when brightening up a home. The reason for this is the sheen. All paint is glossy, yet white has an extra shine, which gives it an added edge. Even lighter colors can’t compete because they are softer and not as bright. It’s okay to use non-autumnal colors. Use white as the foundation, and then you can accessorize the rest of the house with darker tones.

Glass Paneled Doors:

Removing blockages from the windows and using power light bulbs are simple fixes. Still, the light may not travel well from one room to another. The reason, quite simply, is the blockages within the rooms. Doors are a prime example because they are big and bulky. As soon as the light hits the wood or PVC, it will bounce elsewhere. With panels, the rays will travel straight through unimpeded and into the next area of the house. The doors don’t have to be paneled from head to toe because it’s overkill. Just install them halfway up the wood for excellent results.

Make It Fun:

You didn’t think to brighten up a home was all about light, did you? No, the right light settings are crucial but not the end of the line. To make a house less gloomy, it needs to be a place that you enjoy. Whether it’s relaxing or bright and poppy, there should be a stylish and practical nature throughout the property. Relaxing is easy, so let’s focus on having fun. If there is space, turn an empty bedroom into a games room. The best billiard tables can provide you with hours of entertainment. Make sure you get a mini fridge and an awesome speaker system, too! Finally, make sure that the house is accessible. Nothing is more annoying than struggling to move in your own home. Clear away the clutter and the boxes and watch the space and light flow better than ever.

Keep It The Same:

The above are useful tips if a gloomy house is a problem. But what if you love your house the way it is?! Keep everything the same if your home looks perfect. For one thing, it should be a reflection of your family’s likes and dislikes. Secondly, some people are winter people, as in they love this time of year. In that case, embrace the dark afternoons and freezing cold temperatures! Pull a Mick Jagger and Paint It Black and light some candles for a spooky chic atmosphere. Go all out, because nothing is cooler than a house that is completely and utterly you.

A murky home is not always doom and gloom. But if you do want to brighten things up, follow the above steps and let the sunshine in!

Featured Image By: PxHere

Nipping At Your Nose: Don’t Let The Cold Weather Damage Your Skin!

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Nipping At Your Nose: Don’t Let The Cold Weather Damage Your Skin!

Whether it’s something that you’re happy about or not, there’s no denying that summer is well and truly over and we’re already rushing headlong into those chilly winter months. For some people, this is what they’ve been waiting for all year long. And for others, it’s time to slog through miserable weather until spring finally rolls back around. Either way, there’s one thing that everyone needs to keep in mind: the cold weather can be a real nightmare for your skin. You might have been used to the summertime leaving your skin clear and glowing, but the cold weather can undo all of that if you’re not careful. Here are a few things that you can do to prevent that from happening, even as the weather gets colder and colder:

Find The Right Products:

The kinds of skin products that you use during the summer are often going to be fundamentally different to the ones that you use when it gets colder. In fact, other than sunscreen, you probably will find that you need to put a lot less product on your skin during the warmer periods. However, cold weather can dry out your skin seriously fast, causing all kinds of problems. Check out this page with ranking and reviews of the best retinol creams to see if you can find the best possible options for your skin. Everyone’s skin is different, and you want to make sure that you find something that is properly suited to you.

Dress Warmly:

Even if you’re a big fan of the winter, no one likes being cold, and your skin is no exception. By wrapping up warm, you’re going to make life much easier for your skin. The important thing is to keep your core warm. If you can do that, then your body can focus on keeping your hands, feet, and face at a somewhat comfortable temperature. This is especially important since your face is the only part of your body that is pretty much always exposed to the elements no matter what.

Get Enough Sun:

Of course, the temperature isn’t the only reason that a lot of people’s skin tends to suffer during the winter months. The other reason is simply that they don’t go outside nearly as much. After all, why would you? A walk in the park is a lot less appealing when you end up with frost forming in your eyebrows! However, staying inside all winter can lead you to not getting enough vitamin D. Not only can this have a serious impact on your skin but it can affect your overall health, as well. Make sure that you still take the opportunity to get out into the sun, even if it’s not exactly sunbathing weather. On the coldest, wettest, and most dreary days, you can also try out some light therapy within your warm and dry house. Red light therapy is particularly good for Vitamin D; have a read through of some Platinum Therapy Lights reviews to see how you can get this set up.

No matter what your opinion of the winter is, nothing will change its arrival, so the best thing to do is embrace it. Get your cozy sweaters on, make yourself a cup of cocoa, and curl up by the fire. And even if you really hate it, just remember that spring will be here before you know it!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Monday Update: Fall Fun Edition

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Monday Update: Fall Fun Edition

Hello everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. The fall season is officially among us and I, for one, could not be happier. Actually, that’s a lie, I could be happier BECAUSE IT’S BEEN NINETY DEGREES IN OHIO FOR THE PAST WEEK!!!! All of you know by now that I live for the fall and this heat wave is simply unacceptable. So now instead of participating in all of my favorite fall activities listed below, I will simply have to daydream about it until it cools down to autumnal temperatures. Let’s discuss some of my fave fall outings:

  1. Apple Picking: There are TONS of gorgeous orchards in Ohio filled with trees that are spilling over with crisp, fresh apples. I love going to orchards with my family, friends, or on a date and then making something delicious afterwards with the bounty like an apple pie or crisp. So fun and so yum.
  2. Haunted Houses: Ohio also has quite a few haunted houses that I’m always keen on visiting. Being a horror junkie, going to a haunted house during a chilly, pitch black fall night is one of my favorite things to do. I went to the Factory Of Terror last year and would love to go there again and definitely would like to make it to the 7 Floors Of Hell, too!
  3. Fall Cooking: Lil Red loves to cook all of the vegetarian delights, but I especially love making (and eating) fall comfort food. Soups, stews, breads, and huge dishes of mac n’ cheese are just a few of my go to meals. And the fall sweets aren’t so bad, either! Cinnamon rolls, pies, crisps, and cobblers?! Yes, please. Fall food is so hearty, rich, and flavorful, and it makes sitting down for every meal such a joy.
  4. Fall Shopping: This list of fall favorites wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t talk shopping at least a little bit! Can you say boots and peacoats?! I LOVE IT!! I’m pretty well flush for fall clothing, considering it makes up about 75% of my wardrobe but that never seems to stop me from buying all the booties and oversized sweaters. It’s a curse!
  5. Perfect Weather: Although the heat in Ohio is destroying my favored fall weather, I live for the mid 50s and 60s temps that fall usually brings. I love being that slightest bit chilly. The bite that the fall air blows around, which reddens the cheeks and leaves your hands tucked in your pockets is always what I prefer to scorching summers. One of my favorite things to do during a brisk fall day is throwing on a thick sweater and combat boots and exploring one of the many beautiful Metro Parks in Ohio.

Here’s to hoping that the weather in my neck of the woods makes a drastic change so that I can start enjoying some of my fall favorites soon!

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Fall Fun Edition! What are some of your favorite fall activities? What is your favorite season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

A New Day, A New Jacket

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A New Day, A New Jacket

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! Boy, does it feel great to be back on lifewithlilred after my vacation in Asheville, North Carolina. Thanks again to all of my fabulous Falling For Fall guest bloggers for holding it down while I was away! ❤

The fall is a very dark time for me. With all of the gorgeous cool weather clothing, shoes, and accessories that the stores have to offer, I turn into a woman possessed. I forget my name, where I am, and the fact that I don’t need any more clothes and go credit card crazy. I JUST CAN’T HELP MYSELF. If you guys pay an ounce of attention to my page, you’ll know that cool weather clothing makes up a solid ninety percent of my wardrobe. I love it all. Ahem:

  • Peacoats
  • Flannels
  • Sweaters
  • Skinny jeans
  • Thick tights
  • Moto jackets
  • Trench coats
  • Knee high boots
  • Thigh high boots
  • Ankle booties
  • Combat boots
  • Hats
  • Gloves
  • Scarves
  • Layering ALL THE THINGS
  • Sadly, the list goes on.

With this list in mind, it’s easy to see how I lose my bearings literally EVERY TIME I step foot in a store that sells clothing. It’s my cross to bear, I suppose, but hey – it could be worse!

The splendor of fall clothing, aside from the gorgeous jewel tone hues, is that if you style it properly, you can get away with wearing some of the pieces year round. Fall clothing gives you options. To me, there is nothing better than buying something that I can get away with wearing during most weather conditions (with the exception of heavier coats and sweaters). I always consider the Cost Per Wear (CPW) with everything that I buy, and year round appropriate clothing dwindles the CPW down significantly. You guys know by now that I try to get the most bang for my buck, which is why my wardrobe gravitates so heavily towards all autumn everything.

Blah, blah, blah – Just get to what you bought already, right? Sigh. Okay. Enough trying to justify my spending. I dug my grave and now I must lie in it, but first, let me show you my new jacket from Target’s brand, A New Day:

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Have you ever had a spiritual connection with a piece of clothing? You know, that feeling of “I could buy this right now and not even bother trying it on”?  I had that feeling when my eyes landed on this magnificent knee length A New Day coat. And, I have to tell you guys, I was nervous. To me, this jacket looks expensive as far as Target goes. Come winter, their coats can reach up to eighty dollars. And, despite my love for this beauty, I would not be comfortable spending that much for it. So, imagine my relief when I took a peek at the price tag and saw that it was half of that – forty bucks. Yeah, I can swing that.

The jewel tones, the length, the possibility for layering, and the warmth level between light and medium, ON TOP of a forty dollar price tag made this jacket such a steal. Frankly, I couldn’t believe it, because it really just seemed too good to be true. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and that purchase price sealed the deal. I ripped my moto jacket off, set my purse on the ground, and got the coat on all in under five seconds. It then took a literal glance of myself in the mirror to verify that this jacket was mine.

I absolutely LOVE the colors of this coat. The deep navy, violet, and mustard yellow are all shades that look stunning against my red hair and pasty pale skin. It makes everything that makes me, me pop. But what really got me about this A New Day piece is the shape of it. It has that shabby chic college professor vibe to it and I just love that. It’s just the smallest pinch oversized which gives the coat such gorgeous movement as well as the option to layer a thick sweater underneath it during the winter.

And, finally, this jacket will last me from the beginning of fall until it warms up in the spring because of its relative lightness. This piece is perfect. It’s the epitome of what fall clothing is all about and why I love dressing for the season so much. And also why I basically wrote a love letter to my new jacket in this post.

A New Day provided me with A New Jacket and I can’t thank the brand enough for it! I never knew what true love was until now and whatever. What do you love about fall clothing? How would you style this coat? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Protecting Your Home From A Hurricane: 3 Crucial Steps To Take

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Protecting Your Home From A Hurricane: 3 Crucial Steps To Take

I’m sure everyone has seen the devastating scenes from Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. It’s a truly tragic event that’s left so many homes destroyed and people on the streets. While this particular hurricane was a ‘100-year storm’ it does make us open our eyes and wonder if we’re prepared for any other hurricanes that might hit our homes. Trying to limit the damage to your home is crucial, and there are a few key steps that you can take to keep your property in the best shape possible when natural disasters hit your area:

Secure Your Roof:

Your roof is one of the parts of your house that suffers worse than most. When the heavy rains pelt down and the winds come roaring, it’s normally your roof that takes the brunt of the force. Not only that, but your roof can easily be damaged due to the way that it’s made. Roof tiles can be blown off or shattered, which will lead to severe leaks and a whole lot of property damage.

What you need to do is secure your roof properly. The first way to do this is by checking all of the tiles and ensuring that your roof is in good condition. If not, you should have dodgy tiles replaced or maybe a whole new roof fitted. As you can see with this roofing contractor, there are loads of different materials that you can build a roof out of. Pick one that you know is extremely durable and weather resistant. While you’re at it, get some hurricane straps, too, so you can keep your roof even more secure.

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Is your roof as secure as possible?

Block Any Gaps:

It’s very common for windows and doors to have tiny gaps in their sealant that can let in drafts of cold air or bits of rainwater. Normally, you don’t notice this, but you will when a storm hits. So, you must block any gaps and secure your windows and doors. Put a fresh layer of sealant around all of your windows to ensure that the wind doesn’t sneak in or rain doesn’t cause leaks. The same goes for your doors, too. You might also want to look into hurricane proof windows for further security and peace of mind if a hurricane hits. Any extra protection is priceless.

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Keep everything sealed tight!

Keep Your Front & Back Yards Bare:

Finally, it’s a good idea to limit what you have outside of your house. By this we mean; outdoor tables/chairs, a kid’s playhouse, garden tools, etc. This is because hurricane winds can blow them into your house and cause damage. When hurricane season hits, it’s best to move everything into indoor storage. Also, think about trimming down the trees that are in closest proximity to your home for extra security.

If you know that hurricanes are common in your area, follow these steps right away to get yourself prepared. And, as always, our thoughts are with everyone whose life has been turned upside down by Hurricane Harvey.

Featured Image By: Bit.ly

The Best Sports For The Whole Family

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The Best Sports For The Whole Family

Getting your kids to exercise often means fighting an uphill battle. Most of the time they’d rather be inside on the computer than outside moving about. The best way of getting them to be active is to find an activity that they’ll enjoy doing. Don’t forget about yourself, either, it’s just as important for you to get a good amount of exercise, especially as you get older.

Exercise is the best way to combat any of the health complaints that come with age, so it’s vital that the whole family gets outside and does some exercise on a regular basis. As well as getting exercise, sports teach your kids a lot of good values. They will learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship, which will stand them in good stead later on in life. You can have great quality time together by playing some sports. For families that are looking to explore a much wider range of hobbies, activities such as recreational riding may be interesting. Taking a look at equestrian reviews by Freddie Vasquez Jr
can also help to enhance knowledge of horses making it much easier to appreciate the beauty of riding. Here are some of the best sports for you to do as a family:

Baseball: Baseball is a good one to play when you first start exercising because you’ll get a lot of rests between bursts of energy. You can play at the local park with fairly limited equipment. As long as you have a bat and a ball, you can use pretty much anything to mark out the bases. Alternatively, if you don’t have a local park nearby and there isn’t space in the garden for a full game, you can just practice your throwing and catching skills. Baseball is a great sport for the family, which helps you get some good cardiovascular exercise as well as improving your hand eye coordination skills.

sportss#1 😀

Golf: People don’t always consider golf when they’re thinking of sports that are good for exercise, but you’d be surprised by how many calories you could burn on the course. You won’t be running up and down all day but you’ll be doing a fair bit of walking so it’s still going to get your heart going. If you’re going to play a family game of golf, you need to get all of the right equipment. A good set of clubs is vital, otherwise you’ll find yourself stuck in a bunker all day. Look for the most forgiving golf clubs, they’re perfect for beginners and they’ll help you to avoid missing all of your shots. If you get a bad set of clubs and it’s difficult for the kids to make any good shots, they’ll soon get frustrated and give up (Me.).

Before you go, check the rules at your local course because a lot of them have specific dress codes and they won’t let you play if you don’t have the right attire. Subscription boxes like Mullybox can provide golf course appropriate clothing as well as accessories to improve your game too. Golf is a good choice when the weather is particularly hot and you still want to get some exercise without doing anything too intense. You might soon find that golfing will become one of the family favorite activities. As all of you continue to progress, you can begin looking at more advanced gear like Ping golf clubs, electric caddies, and custom fitted gloves. As long as you remember that patience is a virtue, you’ll be going pro in no time!

Swimming: On those boiling hot summer days, the whole family can cool off in the swimming pool. It’s a brilliant way to beat the heat and it’s one of the best ways to exercise there is. When you swim, you exercise every single muscle in your body and get your heart pumping at the same time. It’s great for heart health, lung capacity, and general muscle strength. The cool water also means that you can sustain that exercise for much longer than you’d normally be able to. As well as being good exercise, swimming is an important skill for children to learn for safety so it should definitely be a part of your summer exercise routine.

sportss1Those shades!

Volleyball: When summer comes, there’s no better way to spend time with the family than down at the beach. You could spend all day sunbathing but that won’t keep you and the family healthy. A great sport that you can play at the beach is volleyball. It’s a very active sport that’s great for cardio in short bursts. Short bursts of energy, with small breaks in between, is one of the most effective ways to exercise and helps you to keep a healthy heart. You can get yourself a net if you’re serious about your game but a line in the sand will do just as well.

Quidditch: Quidditch started as a fictional game in the Harry Potter series but since then, fans have developed it into a real game. It’s not quite the same as in the books and movies, of course, but the basic rules and play are the same. It’s a great way of getting some exercise and the kids are sure to love it. To play a proper game, you’ll need quite a few people and lots of different balls so this is one that you could perhaps play with a few other families in the park. There are plenty of different positions to be played so by switching everybody around, you can keep everybody interested in playing for a long time. If you get really into your game, there are teams and leagues that you could consider joining.

sportss2Lol.

Insect Soccer: Although the name might suggest it, insect soccer isn’t a game of soccer played by ants. It’s a variation on a normal game of soccer that’ll make it much more fun for the kids. Group everybody into twos and threes depending on how many players you’ve got, and get each group to link arms, these are the insects. Each team plays against each other until one scores a goal, and they have to stay linked at all times otherwise they lose the round. This is the perfect game to play with the kids because it has all of the exercise benefits of a normal soccer game but it also teaches valuable teamwork and cooperation skills.

Basketball: When the good weather goes away, it can be easy to fall into bad habits and your exercise regime can fall by the wayside. One of the best indoor sports to play in winter is basketball. There should be a local indoor court that you can use but you’ll probably need to hire it out so check beforehand. Basketball is a good team sport for kids to play and it’ll massively improve their ball skills. If they enjoy it, you can carry on into the summer on a free outdoor court.

sportss3#Ballin

Summer time is all about going out and getting active – and what better way to do that than as a family?!