Tag Archives: winter

Jan3

Winter Fashion Ideas To Style You Through Till Spring

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Winter fashion can often be a time of the year where you play it safe with your wardrobe choices. Opting for comfort and warmth over style, and I totally understand that. After all, with freezing temperatures who wouldn’t want to remain warm and cozy under a big coat? But winter is an excellent time of year to take your style efforts to a new level, embracing accessories and other wonderful items you just can’t get away with in the summer months. In this post are some of the best winter fashion ideas to style you right through till Spring while keeping you warm and chic:

Embrace the Bobble Hat: The bobble hat is making a comeback and for those not in the know, it is a knitted hat with a pom-pom on the end. They look very cute and wintery! You may be thinking that you don’t suit hats but I think anyone can pull off this winter essential. On a different note, they are perfect for disguising bad hair days and still help you to look stylish. Above all else they keep your head and ears warm, so they are definitely a must for you to add into your winter wardrobe. There are some subtle combinations in black or gray or you could go for something bright with a crazy colored pom-pom. The choice is yours and they are widely available everywhere. Buy a few for some variety and hit the streets with the cutest hat and warmest ears around!

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Show Off Wrist Accessories: Much of you is covered up in the winter and, of course, for a good reason with plummeting temperatures. But your wrist is one area that you can still rock the accessories. Invest in a new watch or some fabulous bling bracelets to enhance your winter outfit. You could also browse for pre loved jewelry or second hand Audemars Piguet watches to be budget friendly. Antique and thrift stores are a fabulous resource for finding accessories at a lower cost. As a bonus, you will be hard pressed to find someone with the exact same watch or jewelry as you! A new trend is the wooden watch, giving your outfit a sense of uniqueness while embracing the season we are in. Look online to find out the best wooden watches around. Layer bracelets and watches over a long sleeved shirt to show off your best accessories!

Enjoy the Cozy Knit: No winter would be complete without the cozy knit jumper. You may have been embracing your festive spirit with patterned Christmas knits, but you can still rock the style right through till Spring. Just choose a plain design or something more neutral, rather than the usual festive fair isle pattern!

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So cute!

Skinny Jeans and Boots are a Match Made in Heaven: Skinny jeans and boots are definitely a combination made for the winter. Whether you prefer to wear ankle or knee high boots, teaming them with a pair of well-fitted skinny jeans means that no matter what else you wear, you will look stylish and winter ready in one fail swoop. Teaming this with an oversized knit is the ultimate winter outfit, for sure!

Make Your Coat a Statement Piece: Finally, you are going to need to wrap up in an adorable coat to tackle the weather. But, if you do, make sure you choose a statement piece that is timeless. A well-fitted wool coat always looks smart or you might choose to layer a chunky sweater over a sweet fall peacoat. Just make sure to have a waterproof jacket on standby for those severe rainy, snowy, sleety days where the wet goes right through you.

No matter the weather this winter, you will be sure to look super chic and stay warm with some of these tips! What is your must have cold weather clothing item? What is your favorite cold weather coat that you own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec30

Let There Be Light: How To Fight Dark Rooms In Winter

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The winter months are famously cold and dark, but this is no reason to let your house turn into a dark cave, too! It’s never easy to make the most of your home decor when the weather outside makes you feel miserable and trapped inside the walls, but there are a few tips to keep your house full of light and freshness. Remember, that natural sunlight is directly related to your mood, so the more light and fresh air there is, the better you will feel! Here are some of the tips that come from our Nordic friends in Sweden, Norway, and Finland where sunlight is very precious throughout the cold months.

Trim All The Plants: Plants, in your garden and your home will generally be trimmed in the winter so that they will come back stronger and healthier when spring arrives. While you may not be an expert gardener, it is important to know that your plants find their energy in the sunlight, and that by pruning them during the cold months you actively help them save their energy to keep growing and blooming when the temperatures rise again. Additionally, garden bushes and trees often block the sun warmth and light from reaching your house. As sunlight is precious and limited in winter, it is important to make sure that your windows are not hidden by garden vegetation.

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Take Care Of Your Windows: Your windows are where natural light enters your house. Consequently, in winter they will be your main access to sunlight, as it is not uncommon to stay inside when the streets are cold outside. First of all, a thorough cleaning of your window glass will make sure that you can let the maximum amount of light in. Additionally, while it may seem more comfortable to keep the windows shut throughout winter, it is essential that you renew the air in your house regularly by opening the windows at least once a week for a few minutes to refresh the atmosphere inside the house and avoid the apparition of mold.

It is not odd for many homeowners to discover that the house becomes more difficult to heat after you’ve refreshed the air. This can be caused by old windows that cannot provide a quality insulation anymore. You can test the insulation of your windows quickly: A cold breeze around the window area is a dead giveaway that you need to investigate replacement window brands for hermetic alternatives!

Use Light-Colored Interior Decor: A dark interior will naturally give the impression a dark room, which often has a gloomy impact on your mood. Making sure that you don’t use dark wall paint is essential. But this is not all! If you have a dark-colored sofa, an arrangement of light and natural colored cushions will immediately lighten up the atmosphere, for example.

Additionally, the use of mirrors will help to create a playful game of light in the room which can maximize the access of natural sunlight. Last, but not least, it is recommended to remove heavy curtains from your windows to guarantee that the light can easily get in. If you want to keep curtains around your windows, make sure to use light material for these so that they don’t occult the sunlight. Fairy light curtains are a nice alternative for dark rooms with limited sunlight. And they sound so pretty, too!

Dec30

Winter-Proof Your Home And Save Yourself A Fortune

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Christmas is over and the new year is here, and so it seems that we are heading into the coldest months of the year as we are in the depths of the winter season. But what we sometimes forget is that our homes are exposed to all of the elements day in day out, so it’s worth spending time protecting your home. You don’t have to be an expert in DIY or any drastic home improvements, because preparing your home for winter is easier to achieve than you think. Here are some tips to share that will help protect your home this season and they could even save you a hefty price tag for repair!

Let’s Think About the Exterior: One of the first jobs you can start to think about is clearing the gutters and drains. During the fall, we know that leaves disperse from the tree branches at an alarming rate. They tend to gather wherever they can, and the gutters and drains are just some of the places that can get clogged up easily. As there is an increasing chance of rain and snow, blocked drains could cause leaks and further damage to your home if not taken care of. Ensuring that there is good drainage for when the weather begins to turn may be last on your list of things to do, but it’s one of those tasks that you’d be silly to ignore.

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Clean those gutters!

Avoid Potential Disasters: Naturally, during the winter we will be cranking up our boilers and furnaces to provide much-needed heat to the home. However, as they may not have been used during the summer months, you may find that they are a little hesitant to fire up. The last thing anyone wants on a cold day is no heating. Getting your heating system checked over before the colder weather hits is a great tip to avoid future disasters.

Think About Your Walls: One of the easiest ways a home can lose heat is through the walls and roof. The reason may be down to the walls not being insulated correctly. It tends to be a more regular occurrence on older properties, as newer ones should have had insulation installed when being built. If you feel that your home just never seems to retain heat, this could be your problem. Insulation isn’t a huge job; you could consider it in the walls but also just lining your roof and attic space could save you a fortune in heating bills.

Protect Your Pipework: Pipes in and out of your home can be one of the biggest problems you face during the winter months. Pipes can freeze on the coldest days, and then burst as the temperature warms up. Burst pipes can cause huge problems with your plumbing system. Even pipes in your home like those in the attic can cause you issues when not protected well. So don’t let your attic pipes freeze and protect them. If you live in an area that is prone to those icey and snowy days, this could save you a lot of heartache in the future.

Plumbing problems are not the time to try and DIY it. This could end up causing more damage and costing even more money. You should always hire a licensed plumber when working with San Diego plumbers (or your local area) for check ups and repair.

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Stay warm and let’s get those homes ready for the cold months ahead! 🙂

Dec15

Everything You Need For The Ultimate Cozy Corner

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Everything You Need For The Ultimate Cozy Corner

The winter season is definitely here now. While the cold weather feels awesome and exciting leading up to Christmas, as soon as the holiday season finishes things can be a little depressing. I think we all need a cozy little corner to hibernate in through the grim months of January and February – and I think I have found the right ingredients for the perfect set up. Read on to find out everything you need for the perfect cozy corner – and snuggle up until the spring!

The Right Location: Technically, you can have a cozy den in any corner of your home or room – but not everywhere is 100% suitable. If you are lucky, the bedroom is the perfect spot. It’s private, quiet, and away from the ruckus and noise of the main living spaces. However, maybe there is a quiet room you could use instead? Or somewhere with a beautiful wood burner or open fire to give you the perfect atmosphere? A cracking fire can give you amazing light, a relaxing, chilled environment and they smell – and sound – great.

A Giant Bean Bag: There are some awesome giant bean bags out there right now – see this from Comfy Sacks for the perfect example. These comfy cool chairs are so fun and are literally high school me’s dream come true. They are the ultimate in Sunday lounging and perfect for settling in with a good book, movie, or to curl up and listen to music.

Lots and Lots of Blankets: It’s impossible to be cozy without blankets, right? So grab as many as you can and top it all off with a soft cotton or wool throw. It will keep the chills out, the heat in, and make you feel like you never want to get up again. If it’s extra cold, throw in a heating pad for good measure!

Books and Magazines: When you are hunkering down for a cozy session, you will need plenty of material to keep you going. Grab a pile of books – when the weather is harsh and cold, there is nothing better than getting lost in a different (maybe even sunny) world. Magazines are great, too – you can browse through them at your leisure, and if you are feeling sleepy, you can doze off whenever you like.

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DOG!!!!

A Tablet: While we’re on the subject of entertainment, we can discuss the tablet – which feels like it was totally invented for the cozy corner. You can snuggle in, throw on a pair of headphones, and be transported to any era, any place, and with any of your favorite actors whenever you like. I love to go for something a little spooky, thanks to the Kindle that my boyfriend got me for our anniversary!

Candles: Candles are essential for all things cozy, so don’t miss out on grabbing a bunch of your favorites. For extra comfort, find some scented candles and let the aroma take you away to somewhere from tropical to a cute little coffee shop depending on the scent!

Snacks and Drinks: OBVIOUSLY!! Once you are in the zone, you won’t want to leave. However, let’s be realistic – you don’t want to be hungry, either. So, before you start your cozy corner session, stock up on a few snacks – healthy or otherwise – and plenty of drinks to keep thirst at bay.

What are your cozy corner must haves? What is your favorite drink to sip on when the weather is cold? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Dec8

Feeling Good This Winter! How To Stay In Shape

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Over the winter, it’s tough to find the motivation to stay in shape. Not only is it dark and miserable outside, but it’s easy to swathe yourself in big cozy sweaters and forget about the body underneath. Here are some tips to help you stay in shape this winter:

Do a Cleanse: Cleanses are sometimes criticized by the media but the truth is that they can often really help you by helping you cut rubbish food out of your diet for a while. A lot of the time at the end of a cleanse you’ll feel great, with glossy hair, clear skin, and strong nails – and a few pounds down, of course! There are many cleanse programs out there, like Isagenix – and how does Isagenix work for weight loss, I hear you ask? It can reverse months of bad habits and make you feel far more healthy. Make sure that you don’t do a cleanse too often, because that lifestyle isn’t sustainable. Rather, start exercising more frequently and eat cleaner. Make your own recipes from scratch, along with your own dressings and sauces. Make sure that you eat a good breakfast like oatmeal with berries or an egg white omelette every morning and drink plenty of water throughout the day. (The water part is easier said than done – especially if, like me, you have to go to the bathroom CONSTANTLY to begin with!)

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 Yum!!

Go Hiking: You might think that hiking doesn’t sound like much fun in the winter – but on the contrary, you might just have a fantastic time if you wrap up warm and encourage your partner or some friends to come along. Put on a hat with ear flaps, mittens, and a warm thick scarf to keep yourself cozy along with some stout boots and your warmest coat, and go out to appreciate the frosty winter scenery. Go out for some lunch afterwards like a hearty soup along with crusty bread to celebrate your achievement. (Cafes with a fireplace are also a plus!)

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 DOG!!!!

Join a Fitness Class: There are a lot of fitness classes that you could join over the winter time. Even if you visit your local gym regularly, it’s hard to force yourself out of the door in the evenings to just go and work out on the machines by yourself. Going to a fitness class means that you have to go out at a certain time and it’s also more motivating to be encouraged by an instructor. Chances are, you might just make friends with some classmates and that will also encourage you to keep going! There is such a wide range of fitness classes that are available now. If you want something more active, try a cardio class. If you love dancing and you have some rhythm, go for Zumba. If you want to strengthen your core, try out pilates.

As you begin working out, it is so important to listen to your body. Pushing too hard and improper technique can cause injury and the last thing you want is to be laid down when you have the motivation to get moving. HIIT, for example, can be particularly hard on the body which is why the Lagree Method is becoming increasingly popular. This type of workout has a lower impact making it easier on your joints while avoiding excessive heart rate spikes. If this is something that you are interested in trying, simply enter a search for “lagree megaformer perth” (or your local area). Pay close attention to your trainer and give it your best shot!

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Get a Fitness Buddy: It’s so much easier to motivate yourself when you have someone to be motivated with. Whether you have a gym buddy who can spot you and encourage you or whether you’ve met some new pals through the above-mentioned exercise classes, it’s great to have someone to get fit with. Encourage your partner to do Couch To 5K with you. You could also do some fitness videos like Yoga With Adriene! Even if you aren’t very good, you’ll laugh a lot together and make some fun new memories.

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Dec8

Brush Away The Winter Blues With These Spring-Ready Sprucing Tips

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Brush Away The Winter Blues With These Spring-Ready Sprucing Tips

On the run-up to Christmas, we all love winter. The colder days and snowed in occasions can be bearable, because we’re so full of festive cheer. But, as Christmas winds down, the winter blues can start to kick in. When that happens, all we can think about is the promise of spring, milder days, and the beautiful blooms that go with it.

So, this winter, do things differently. Instead of letting the winter blues set in, beat them away. Think about some of the jobs that you’d usually do in spring and incorporate them into your winter revamp. It’s time to bring the spirit of spring into your home and spruce those winter blues away.

Begin With Basics: There are so many simple home improvements that you can do around the home that make such a difference to the overall look and feel of the place. By adding in a fresh lick of paint or giving everything a good old scrub, it could make your home feel like it’s had a complete renovation. It might seem like a big job at first, but as soon as you get started, you’ll begin to get excited about the result. When winter starts to feel a little stale, a quick clean or redecoration could make you feel so much more ready for spring!

Dress And Showcase: Next up on your home spruce, you’re going to want to show off what you can and work on the rest. Maybe changing up the accessories you have around the home is all it will take to add that little something that you’ve been looking for. Change the accent colors you have in each room or even add more accessories to create a look you’ve had in mind. If you’ve done all you can with the details, you might need to think big. If your furniture is starting to look a little shabby, why not upcycle it? Get a few ideas from Pinterest or on Youtube and sand, paint, and style away until it looks like something you’re proud to show off.

Replace Or Repair: Winter can make you think about the appearance of your home and forget about the functionality. You want it to look great, but glaze over the practical parts. But, if you prioritize them now, you’ll be grateful come spring. It’s so important to stay on top of the functional areas of the home, like your garbage disposal, oven, and even A/C systems. You might just need to give them a clean or routine service or they could need much more. If you require any repairs that need doing or need new appliances installed, now is the time. Ahead of spring, you can iron out all the kinks in your home to make it feel brand new.

Get Outside: It’s common for a lot of yard work to be saved for spring. By why not do it now and get a head start? There are so many garden jobs that you can get done in the winter. In fact, it’s the best time of year to do some things. And, you’ll even give yourself a break come spring as there will be less to do all at once. Then, you’ll have a clean and spruced up home that’s functioning fine and a gorgeous garden to go with it. And how could that not beat away those dreaded winter blues?

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Nov25

Don’t Make These Common Errors With Your Heating System This Winter

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At this time of the year, it’s vital to switch on your heating system. After all, the weather is freezing so you need it on to ensure that your family stays nice and toasty. However, a lot of people make errors when it comes to their heating system and they pay the price when their bill arrives. Here are some common errors people make with their heating system so that you can avoid them!

Not Getting it Checked out Before Switching it on: It’s easy to turn on your heating system and then walk away without a second’s thought. But do you know if your system is working efficiently? Before you switch on your heater, you need to make sure you get the heating system checked out by a professional. They will check for any problems and will make sure that you won’t end up with a high bill. Also, in between maintenance appointments, make sure you are changing your air filter which can become clogged up with dust over time which restricts the airflow. And as this feature explains, the longer it goes on, it will be harder to keep your home at the right temperature.

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Setting it to High All Day Long: A lot of people switch their heating system on high during the winter due to the freezing weather. But if you do this, you will end up with an expensive bill. Make sure you get a thermostat installed which will let you adjust the heating during the day. That way, it can be on low when your family is outside of the home. It will stop you from having to set it to high for the whole day. And remember, putting it on high won’t make the furnace heat your home any quicker so be patient with your heating system!

Not Replacing it When Necessary: You need to make sure that you are replacing your old heating system when it’s past its sell-by date. Furnaces tend to last around 18 years, but if you are noticing problems, it might be time to get a new one. Safety for your family is paramount in this situation. You can find lots of information online about new systems available such as on furnaceprices.ca. There are even some great high-tech options which would be perfect for your family!

Another thing to note is the importance of replacing the heating oil when necessary to avoid not having heat on a cold winter’s day. You can save yourself a lot of hassle in this regard when you look into the auto delivery benefits of getting oil bought right to your door once a month (or whenever you may require it).

Not Making Sure the Doors and Windows are Air Sealed: It can be frustrating when your home seems to be freezing even though your heating is on. But rather than turning the heating higher (it will cost a fortune), you should ensure that your doors and windows are properly sealed. That way, no air is escaping during the winter months. You can buy some excellent sealing products from hardware stores. And remember to keep doors closed while the heating is on to retain the temperature. Just don’t forget to keep hoovering as well-sealed doors and windows can cause the air to go stale. As I said before, during this time, you might find more dust in your home.

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***AND: Remember to get a good carbon monoxide alarm put next to your furnace. That way, it will alert you if there is an issue!

Nov21

Banish Dry Winter Skin

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Banish Dry Winter Skin

Every season presents challenges when it comes to keeping our skin healthy, but winter has to be the worst. Cold weather and winds topped off with drying central heating can lead to painful chapped lips and dry, uncomfortable skin. Thankfully there are some things we can do to protect against this and keep our skin healthy and in good condition throughout the colder months. Here’s how to go about it.

Physically Protect Your Skin: No one wants to stand outside in horrible weather but when you have no choice try to physically protect your skin. This means wearing gloves to stop hands from becoming sore and dry. Wear a scarf and pull this up over your lower face and lips. Shield yourself from the wind whenever it’s possible. This could mean standing with your back to the wind while you wait for the bus or finding shelter in a coffee shop or bookstore when the rain or snow begins to come down heavily.

Switch Up Your Skincare Routine: Fall and winter require heavier, richer products that are intensely hydrating. These provide much-needed nourishment to stripped skin and also help to protect it. Your day cream can be a little lighter as it still needs to sit well under makeup but your night cream should be rich and buttery. Choose a product that states that it’s highly nourishing and hydrating. Another essential product in anyone’s skincare routine but particularly in winter should be a good eye cream. This will keep the delicate eye area hydrated and also protect from damage and premature aging. There are more skin care tips on sites like Thank Your Beauty.

Pamper Your Skin: Along with your regular skincare routine, once or twice a week you should really pamper your skin, too. Using oils as a pampering treat is an excellent way to improve dry winter skin. These will deliver on moisture but will not leave the skin feeling greasy or clog up your pores. You could also treat your skin to face masks. Different masks are targeted to different skin concerns so do your research to find out what will work best for you. You could use a lip scrub to gently remove any loose and flaky skin and then follow up with a high-quality lip protector. Our lips lose more moisture than everywhere else on the face which is why they are the first to become dry and sore.

Use SPF: The sun’s rays aren’t just damaging in the summer. They can harm skin all year round and premature aging is just one of the adverse effects. You can prevent this by using an SPF all year round. Since this can be a tricky step to remember (especially when there is no sunshine in sight and everywhere is gray and drizzly!) choose products with SPF included. It could be in your day cream or your foundation. Either way, you kill two birds with one stone and can be safe in the knowledge that you are doing what you can to protect your skin.

What do you do to protect your skin in the winter? What are your favorite moisturizing beauty products? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Nov9

Coping With Christmas: Ways To Live Up To The Ideals You Have In Mind

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Coping With Christmas: Ways To Live Up To The Ideals You Have In Mind

We are now less than seven weeks from Christmas! Let that sink in for a moment. Less than fifty days away (http://emailsanta.com/clock.asp). Are you excited yet?

Of course, Christmas itself is a joy in most ways. But the thing about Christmas is that it happens in December. Right there in the winter, in the cold and the rain and, yes, the snow. So we can be excited for the season while simultaneously having a few fears about it.

What we need to do is focus on making Christmas as wonderful as the legend has it. To make sure that that happens, it’s important to meet the challenges that the season throws at you. And challenges there will be. So are you ready to roll up your sleeves and give it the best you’ve got? Of course you are! You might just need some guidance in that – and a refresher course in enthusiasm.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow: There’s no getting away from it – in the heart of winter the chances of heavy snow increase. It’s not the case everywhere but if you’ve got a White Christmas, then it may look like a picture-book. It may be what you want but it is also something you need to be ready for. Your yard can be treacherous to walk in – especially for elderly relatives. Snowblowers from the likes of http://snowshifts.com can make a big difference to keeping everyone safe.

Too Many Guests For Comfort? Christmas is a family holiday and it stands to reason that if you have a big family, you want a big family Christmas. Of course, if you happen to be the host for that gathering, it means your home gets fuller. And you may not see the damage until everyone else goes back home.

Your home is built for a certain number of people. When more cram into it and stay for a few nights, that’s more food being cooked. More dishes being washed, more showers being taken, and more people utilizing the throne room. It means pipes can easily get blocked – especially as colder temperatures could lead to freezing. So keep a plumber on speed dial. Overnight, turn off your main water supply – it makes freezing less likely.

Emotions Run High, For Better Or Worse: The fact that you have a lot of people in the home together can lead to some of the best memories you’ll make. And if the weather permits, it means the chance for some trips out and walks in the snow. But the longer a lot of people are cooped up together the more chance there is for discord.

So there has to be metaphorical cooling-off as well as the literal kind. If there tends to be tension between certain people, allocate cooler heads to them so groups can separate and steam can be let off.

When everyone has gone home after the family gathering, you want your home to still be that cozy refuge from the winter weather. But more than that, you want it to be somewhere you can feel happy and relaxed so you can enjoy the rest of the holiday season.

Featured Image By: PixaBay

Nov1

TJMaxx Fall Haul (Pt. 3!)

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TJMaxx Fall Haul (Pt. 3!)

You know how they say that you shouldn’t shop when you’re feeling emotional? Kind of like how you shouldn’t go grocery shopping if you’re super hungry? I call bullshit. This past Friday proved that emotional shopping is actually the best thing ever. Saying that my mom and I had a rough day is the understatement of the century. By the time the evening rolled around we were totally over wallowing about what a shitty day we were having and needed to get out of the house.

Naturally, the first place that came to both of our minds was TJs. We had a ten dollar gift card burning a hole in our pocket and after a day of complete crappiness, an evening spent among pretty things was much needed. There’s just something about going out and picking yourself out something nice that makes you instantly perk up. Finding a gorgeous new pair of shoes or simply a new winter scarf gives you back that “yes!” feeling and has you ready to take on the day again. Or is that just me?

Anyways, my mom and I decided to venture a little farther into Fairlawn as opposed to our usual TJs stomping grounds in Cuyahoga Falls. The Fairlawn location offers a more high end selection while the CFalls one is more of a value store. Neither one is better than the other, though, because I have gotten amazing hauls from both of them as well as completely struck out before at both locations, too. Our little evening trip ended up being totally worth it because we both walked away with new shoes, new winter accessories, AND some Christmas presents for our beloved pups. :*) Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • Leopard Print Booties: Circus by Sam Edelman
  • Tan Boots: Toms (My mom picked these out for herself! So cute!)
  • Pink Beanie: Kate Spade
  • Smiley Face Scarf: Nardi & Tagliaferri

I have been hooked on the idea of owning some kind of footwear with leopard print on it for a while. However, every boot, heel, or sneaker that I have come across always just ended up looking really cheap. I was pretty dead set on wanting to find a printed bootie since it isn’t exactly heels weather anymore so I was so happy when I came across my new pair of Circus booties by Sam Edelman.

I have always had a deep love for little black booties and have at least six pairs that boast various shapes, zippers, buckles, and styles. If I had to pick a favorite style though – I would have to say that I love buckles and a sharp pointed toe. My new pair of Sam Edelman’s offer all of that as well as a little peppering in of leopard print to help curb my current obsession.

If you ever come across a pair of booties in this brand that are similar to mine, I will say that they run quite big so I would go down at least half a size. I am normally a solid 6 1/2 and was really lucky that they had a size six. If not, I don’t think that I would have been able to purchase them because the 6 1/2 legit looked like clown shoes on me. Thank you for smiling on me, shoe gods!

The pair of Toms boots that my mom got were too freaking cute not to share, too! These boots were only THIRTY dollars which is crazy because I know that that brand of shoes costs a pretty penny. I love when my mom finds something new that makes her feel good and we always have the best time playing fashion show when we get home. That’s when I help her style outfits for work and play and if she’s feeling saucy she’ll even try and help me create a new outfit for school or work! So precious. ❤

And finally, my new winter accessories. The TJs that we were at had a gigantic section filled with gloves, scarves, hats, and earmuffs and all of them were unbearably cute. However, the problem was that they had a million of every single item that I liked. That is something that I really try to avoid because I like for all of my purchases to have a slim possibility of being worn by someone else.

So, I decided to utilize the technique that I employ quite often. It’s kind of like playing I Spy. You go through each row of items and you try and find something in there that doesn’t belong. Whether it be from someone shoving it in the wrong place or the fact that there was only one of the pieces left, it is a great way to find something that feels like it was there just for you. That is how I found my hot pink Kate Spade beanie as well as my Nardi & Tagliaferri (made in Florence!) scarf.

My mom and I are kind of in love with all things Kate Spade so when I found this hot pink beacon of a beanie popping out amidst a sea of creams and greys, I had to try it on. I actually don’t own anything hot pink because I’m just not that kind of girl but this hat is so darling! I love the bow on the top and it’s the perfect touch of girly among my normally all black outfits. Not only that, but it goes perfectly with my new scarf!

I only own one winter scarf and I have had it since freshman year of high school. (Eight years! Yikes!!) A new scarf wasn’t exactly a priority on my list of things that I want but when I was playing my I Spy game and found the cheeky smiley faces peeking out from all of the draping scarves, I knew that it was the one. I love, love, love heather grey and the scarf was the perfect mix between being too warm and not being warm enough. When I tried my scarf on along with the Kate Spade hat and the tan safari jacket that I was wearing, I felt so fall chic and fun that I couldn’t not get it! And of course, I love having things from Europe so the fact that it was made in Florence was a big plus for me!

Was this shopping trip to TJs with my mom absolutely necessary? I would say, YES. After such a successful haul as well as some quality time with each other, we were back to our chipper selves – just a bit more fashionable than before. Sometimes all you really need is an evening out with your mom at TJMaxx to shake away the blues of a bad day! Love you mama! ❤

So there you have it, my TJMaxx Fall Haul (Pt. 3!)! Who has started their holiday shopping already? Where is the best place to get some amazing seasonal deals? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah