Tag Archives: winter

Eos Heal + Repair Body Cream Review

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Eos Heal + Repair Body Cream Review

Hello! I don’t know about you guys, but it is about that time of the year for me to start experiencing extremely dry hands. Every morning when I walk my sweet pup, Archie, I step outside knowing that my hands are going to be raw by the time I get back. Combined with the fact that I have spent almost every day of the past three weeks Pureling constantly at the Cleveland Clinic and washing my hands a lot after interacting with the bunnies, my hands are awful by the end of the day.

I have tried many a lotion to combat dry skin and have been pretty impressed. However, I recently started using the Eos Heal + Repair Body Cream that I was gifted with by my bestie last year and I can confidently say that it blows every other lotion that I have tested out of the water. Let’s discuss:

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^^^ This product is cruelty free!

Before we get into the details, we must start with how good the Pomegranate Raspberry scent smells. The tart raspberry is counterbalanced by the soft pomegranate notes and it makes for a perfectly light fragrance. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind a more powerful scent but this one is just right to use before bedtime because it’s comforting rather than stimulating. Before I rub the lotion in, I always have to take a whiff because it seriously never gets old! πŸ˜€

When it comes to my dry skin, it takes form on my hands through noticeable redness and parched skin. I never use a lotion expecting it to be a cure all to this issue on the first go so you can imagine my surprise when I woke up to see my hands back to their normal shade and totally hydrated. My hands felt so touch-ably soft and smooth and it almost made me forget how bad they were prior to using it. This was not a one off occurrence but an every use thing and I am marveling at the results even now as I type this.

While I am a huge fan of cocoa butter based creams, I have learned through trial and error that my skin responds better to shea butter and this cream has it in spades. A huge plus about this product is how easily it absorbs into the skin without a greasy residue despite the shea butter base. From my time working at The Body Shop, I learned that cocoa butter bases tend to have a thinner consistency than shea and this was a concern for me. I am a very tactile person and can’t stand when lotion doesn’t absorb fully. This was not the case with the Eos cream at all and it melted into my skin with ease even with a thicker texture.

I have been using the Eos Heal + Repair Body Cream since the beginning of November and I will be so sad when it is all gone. It is, hands down, one of the best creams that I have ever used and I would highly recommend it if you are experiencing winter skin too!

What is your favorite body cream or lotion? Do you prefer cocoa or shea butter? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

3 Ways To Save On Your Heating Bill

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3 Ways To Save On Your Heating Bill

Staying comfortable and warm in the winter doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. There are several tips and tricks to keep your energy bill as low as the winter temperatures outside! Let’s discuss a few ways to keep you cozy and snug all season without ruining your holiday shopping budget. Before we begin, it’s worth the reminder that maintenance appointments for HVAC fill up quickly as the weather cools. Get an appointment scheduled quickly by entering a search for “hvac service st louis mo” (or your local area) so your home has reliable heat when you need it most. This is not the time to wait till the last minute!

Consider How You Use Your Heating:

Prices go up and down because the oil market isn’t stable. This hurts many people who heat their homes with gas in the winter. Even though it’s feasible that rates will go down if the oil price goes down, it’s much more likely that they will go up. So, making the switch to electricity could save you money right away.

If you want to make big changes to your heating, you will need to buy a lot of new equipment. But saving money over time is a financial benefit that more than makes up for the cost at first. Electric radiator prices vary from shop to shop and don’t forget to add in how much it will cost to have a professional install them. Find out how to heat your house in the most efficient way. It may be tempting to choose a smaller heater because it costs less, but will it actually heat the whole room? Each size of the radiator can only heat a certain size of the room, so radiators for bigger rooms need to be bigger.

Looking After The System:

People who use gas furnaces or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems need to have them checked and fixed regularly. Making an appointment with your heating company every fall is the best thing to do. Technicians carefully check the equipment to make sure it is running as well as it can. Normal wear and tear is fixed, along with any basic maintenance problems that come up. This keeps them from getting worse and making future repairs more expensive. Make sure you call a company to arrange hvac maintenance before winter hits.

When you take better care of your heating system in advance, it will work when the first cooler fronts come. So, you won’t have to pay more for power stations because your hardware is broken or not working. Don’t wait until winter to try out your heating system because heating companies will be hectic and it might take a while to get a service call scheduled. To get an appointment in the books, simply enter a search for “HVAC contractor in Largo, FL” (or your local area) to get a professional in before inclement weather hits.

Check The Insulation:

To keep your heating bill as affordable as possible, it’s crucial to keep warm air inside and stop cold air from coming in. When there is too much airflow between the interior and exterior of your home, your heating system has to work harder to maintain the temperature. If the house has good insulation, this might not happen. A lot of energy can be saved when the roof and walls of a house are insulated. A professional installer can save you several hundred dollars on your energy bills when you use your heating or cooling system.

You can also keep your house warm with cost free fixes. First, make sure all of the doors and windows close tightly. Repairing cracks in the roof will also be most helpful. Glass also helps heat through so on sunny days, people should open their curtains and drapes to let heat into their homes. Close the curtains and drapes at night to keep warm air from escaping through the windows.

Keep your house warm with the tips above and save big when the dreaded bill comes every month!

Featured Image By: Mikhail Nilov at Pexels

Simple Solutions For A Pest Free Home This Winter

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Simple Solutions For A Pest Free Home This Winter

Pests are not something that anyone wants to have around the house. However, these little creatures sneak into our homes when the weather outside is cold and dry. They look for places with minimal airflow and humid conditions as these help them thrive in such situations. Keeping your home pest-free duringΒ  the winter is not an easy task.

However, typically, the best way in which to prevent pests from sneaking into your home is by, first, checking possible entry points at all times and, then, if you discover a problem, enlisting the services of a Pest control service in Heath, TX (or elsewhere) for quick and painless removal. Here are some further tips to keep your home pest-proof this winter:

Maintain a clean and tidy home:

Cleaning and tidying up your home are essential to keeping your home pest-free. As a part of your regular cleaning schedule, keep your house free of clutter. Make sure to eliminate all messes that may be providing shelter to pests. Pests love dark, humid, and warm places filled with tiny particles. Regular cleaning will help you keep favorable conditions for your family and not pests. Remember that pests will always be in search of food so clear countertops and sweep regularly. Common signs of raccoons in your home can often circle back to a food source, so be diligent.

If you are having a problem with pests, a deep cleaning can go a long way in helping. This is understandably a tough job that you might not have the time for. Should this be the case for you, consider using the services of www.wecleanhomes.co.uk (or a similar company in your local area). Once a cleaning service has provided a good deep clean, it will be so much easier for you to maintain what they have done. A clean home is a happy, pest free one!

Seal up your home correctly:

Doors and windows are the most common entry points for pests. Make sure there is no gap between the window and the frame and that house doors are tightly fitted against the jamb to prevent pests from entering your home. Roofs and foundations are other areas where pests can quickly enter your home. Make sure there are no gaps or cracks in these areas too.

Use pest control services:

If you cannot control pests on your own, hiring professionals for pest control services is a good idea. They will help you identify the pests that have entered your home, determine the best way to remove them, and prevent them from returning. If you opt for pest control services, make sure to do your research and learn more about the services available. You should look for companies with a good reputation, eco-friendly chemicals, and knowledgeable staff.

Bear in mind that depending on where you live, you will need full expertise of the pests in your area from the pros you choose. For example, you might need scorpion pest control in Arizona or help with mosquitos if you live in a humid climate. This might call for a more specific pest control company as opposed to a general one.

Use essential oils:

Essential oils are natural and non-toxic. They can repel pests without causing any damage to your furniture, carpets, or walls. Moreover, they do not leave any harmful residue behind. They have a strong smell and can be used to keep pests away. You can place them in a diffuser or even use a cotton ball to rub them on door knobs, hinges, or any other area where pests might enter your home. Apart from pests, these oils can also be used to repel mice and other insects. Choose peppermint, eucalyptus, or lavender to help keep your home pest free this winter.

Pests are a real problem that can affect the health of your family. Keep on top of the tips above to keep any unwanted guests at bay!

Featured Image By: Pexels

A Night At The Theater OOTD Bloopers

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A Night At The Theater OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to some bloopers from my Night At The Theater OOTD! Before Johnny and I hit up Playhouse Square to see Jesus Christ Superstar last Saturday, we went to Lakewood for a delicious dinner at Pepper’s. When driving to the restaurant, we passed the skull adorned doorway that I posed in front of and I wanted my pictures taken there SO badly. Johnny told me that it was a bar called the Funhouse and if we had time, we would go there for a drink before the show.

Good to his promise, we stopped at the Funhouse after dinner and like the amazing blog husband Johnny is, he braved the cold to snap some shots – The good, the great, and the yikes lol:

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Our big night out just happened to be a frickin freezing one and So. Many. of the pictures that Johnny took ended up being blurry because he was shivering! This provided for a lot more not so muches than stellar shots and is also why there aren’t any bonus pictures for this OOTD. While scanning through the pictures he took when we got our drinks, I was less than satisfied and this sweet man of mine took even more pics once we were done even though it had started snowing. Best blog husband EVER! ❀

I wish that we had more time at the Funhouse so you all could have seen the inside because I wanted to take all of the pictures. It was basically the coolest place ever and their alcohol slushies were nothing to sneeze at, either. We are both itching to go back when we visit our friends in Lakewood because the bar also has arcade games and a huge basement that we didn’t get to explore. Johnny and I also love playing ski ball and were so disappointed that we couldn’t squeeze a match in, which is also a main selling point for going back. πŸ˜€

Although crunched for time and freezing cold, Johnny always manages to make my OOTD shoots happen and I am so appreciative of that. We had the best time on our date night and have still been reminiscing about it as if it just happened yesterday! ❀

What is your favorite arcade game? What is the coolest hang out in your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Shout Out!!

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Shout Out!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TJMaxx Winter Haul: Japna Tie Back Top

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TJMaxx Winter Haul: Japna Tie Back Top

Hello everyone and welcome back to my TJMaxx Winter Haul! Today, we are going to be discussing a top by Japna that is, admittedly, not appropriate for winter at all but I can’t wait to rock it come warm weather. This new top is identical in shape to one of my favorite purchases from Altar’d State so I knew that it would be a winner when I saw it. And, if it wasn’t, it would have been no harm no foul because it was only seven bucks on clearance! Check it out:

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When first trying on a top like my new Japna one during my Altar’d State haul, I wasn’t so sure about it:

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My main fear about this kerchief style top was that it would be too much skin, too much bra strap, and that it wouldn’t be flattering in the slightest. So, imagine my surprise when I was in the Altar’d State fitting room and it worked perfectly. The tie back covered up the back of my bra completely, it wasn’t too revealing in the midriff, and best of all – it showcased all of the tattoos on my back that never get seen.

This top was one of my absolute faves to wear last summer and I have been on the hunt for more like it ever since. I never had any luck finding a similar top until my past TJMaxx haul and I was So. Freaking. Excited. about it. Not only was it the same shape but it was black and snakeskin patterned which made it EVEN BETTER! πŸ˜€

As you all know, I love snakeskin anything and everything so I felt like I won the lottery when I found this little Japna number for under ten bucks. As soon as warm weather hits, it is so on and I might just alternate between it and my Altar’d State top all summer long. Not really, but I am pretty stoked about it lol.

Pairing my Japna top with my black shorts from American Eagle Outfitters and my new Barbie pink platforms (Which you will see soon!) will definitely be the move. To accessorize, multiple bracelets, huge sunglasses, and a big tote bag are a must. Can it be summer now or?

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

TJMaxx Winter Haul: Fringe Shawl By Laundry

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TJMaxx Winter Haul: Fringe Shawl By Laundry

Hello! I had a wonderful winter haul from TJMaxx and I am so excited to begin incorporating all of my new goodies into my wardrobe. One item that I am particularly thrilled about is a shawl by Laundry By Shelli Segal. This little number was originally forty-eight dollars and I got it for seven bucks on clearance! I have never seen anything like it before and have a feeling that I will be wearing it all of the time to spice up my OOTDs. Check it out:

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When it comes to accessorizing my looks, I am always on the prowl for unique pieces to take things to the next level. I love bold, chunky jewelry, platform boots, scarves, and anything faux fur. I’m not sure what to call my new Laundry shawl because it isn’t, really. But, whatever it is, I’m obsessed and know that it will make amazing appearances in my OOTDs.

If this shawl were just the lace part, I probably would have passed on it. However, the fringe and hanging tassels take this piece over the top into something cool and edgy rather than, dare I say it, a bit old lady. The details on my new shawl are divine and it doesn’t feel flimsy in the slightest, which is something that I was worried about.

I cannot wait to wear this over top of my silk camis and other sleeveless tops and dresses come warm weather. It will also be a clever way to conceal visible bra straps because wearing one is a necessity for me. I am envisioning pairing my new wrap with short shorts, a cami top, gold jewelry, and some funky wedges for a summer date day with my husband!

What is your favorite accessory? What is your favorite store to shop at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

TJMaxx Winter Haul: Talia Benson Dress

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TJMaxx Winter Haul: Talia Benson Dress

Hello everyone and welcome to the fashion part of my TJMaxx winter haul! Today, we are going to be discussing a gorgeous dress by Talia Benson that is delightfully reminiscent of my wedding dress. The best part? I don’t have to get married to wear it! I cannot wait to wear this dress literally all of the time and it is one of my favorite TJs purchases ever. Check it out:

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I don’t know about you guys, but any articles of clothing with an attached slip or cami drive me nuts. I kid you not, it took me a solid five minutes to figure out the best way to get this dress on properly and I almost just said “forget it” to save me the frustration. However, once it was on and I showed Johnny he told me how much he liked it and that “beauty is pain”. It was just the pep talk I needed because, damnit, I liked it a lot too!

Now that I know how to get this dress on in the easiest way possible, I can’t believe my weakness almost made me return it. It is beautiful!! The polka dot mesh overlay on top of the slip is stunning and I love the tiered bottom, tied back, and ribbons on the sleeves. It is the perfect amount of extra and I am looking forward to wearing it on a date with Johnny when we step out in our goth best. And, yes, I absolutely plan on carrying my black lace parasol with it.

I have no idea what the original price was for this Talia Benson number but I know that it had to be way more expensive than the forty dollars I paid for it. My new dress is of such high quality. The slip is thick so it doesn’t have the sheerness that sometimes comes with that territory and the mesh overlay is delicate without feeling like it’s going to rip every five seconds.

I plan on wearing my new dress with my red Bamboo platforms, bold gold jewelry, and my parasol for the ultimate Princess Of Darkness OOTD. Be sure to keep it posted for pics because that it going to be my outfit when Johnny and I go see Jesus Christ Superstar later this month! πŸ˜€

How would you style this dress? Have you ever returned something because it was too difficult to put on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

TJMaxx Winter Haul: Go Away Doormat

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TJMaxx Winter Haul: Go Away Doormat

Hello! Thanks to generous Christmas gift cards to TJMaxx, I had an online haul with some darling clothes and shoes which will be discussed later. I did have some returns to make, however, so ended up spending some time shopping in store for the first time in what felt like ages. It was great! I was able to make an exchange for some new skin care, birthday gifts for my niece and mom, a new sweater, and this amazing doormat that I couldn’t pass up on:

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I never go into TJMaxx with set ideas of what I would like to buy, rather, the store tells me what I need. When making my rounds through the home goods section, I wasn’t expecting to find this Fiesta doormat for a whole eight dollars and I just had to have it. I have been looking for something like this since I moved into my apartment and have never seen one in store before. I also didn’t feel like spending twenty plus bucks to order one online.

Not only did I really want this mat, but it was also a necessary purchase. Mine and Johnny’s “Come back with a warrant” doormat has seen better days and basically does nothing to help remove snow from our shoes upon entering the apartment. The nasty slush always ends up making its way into our entryway, which results in a ton of additional cleaning so this was eight dollars well spent. The course bristles and sweet sentiment will go a long way for the rest of winter! πŸ˜€

I am so excited about all of my new goodies from TJMaxx so keep it posted for more from my winter haul. Tomorrow, we will be discussing skin care and then all of the fashion afterwards. See you then!

What is one of your favorite TJMaxx purchases? What is your least favorite chore around the house? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Snowy Saturday OOTD Bloopers

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Snowy Saturday OOTD Bloopers

Hello! I am never too proud to post OOTD photo shoot bloopers as an exclusive look to mine and Johnny’s photography process. Despite my Snowy Saturday OOTD being a very speedy shoot, there was still plenty of blooper shots to be had during Johnny’s rapid camera fire session. When scrolling through the pics post shoot, there is always a healthy collection of great shots, average shots, and So. Many. Shots. of me talking to Johnny or coming towards him to check on the progress. Like the following:

Johnny encouraging a “strong man” shot:

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Adjusting sunglasses, which took a shockingly long time and then ended up in the pocket of Johnny’s cheetah print bathrobe:

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Talking to a neighbor…

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Getting my phone back:

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IT’S SO COLD!!!:

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Three cheers for Step Brothers:

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Lol, photo content is a blogger’s bread and butter and, in my case, this includes the good and the “wtf” too. I promise all of you that every single blogger or influencer has a huge cache of photos after just one shoot. Ninety percent of them are multiple shots of the Same. Exact. Picture – which we are all guilty off but we’re looking for the diamond in the rough! The other ten percent are a mixture of adjusting, lol moments, and “I didn’t know you were still shooting”. πŸ˜€

There are an endless supply of blooper shots during my photo shoots with Johnny because he always makes me laugh or tells me to do something silly! He really is the best husband/blog husband ever, though, and is game whenever I need an OOTD series taken. His work seen above obviously speaks for itself! ❀

What does your camera roll look like after you do a photo shoot? What is your signature pose? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah