Home Improvements That Will Improve Your Life

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Hi lovelies,

Your home is your safe space; your sanctuary. It is the one place on this earth that you should be able to live as freely and as comfortably as possible, but for many of us, it just isn’t that way. We’re overwhelmed by clutter or always too cold and it really impacts the quality of our lives. It’s time to change that by making a few key home improvements that really will improve your quality of life, and here are a few places you might want to start.

Declutter
The first thing you absolutely should do if you want to improve your life at home is to declutter. That is not to say that you need to get rid of absolutely everything you own that is non-essential, but it does mean that you should make an effort to curate your home. Work out which items you do and do not love and need, and get rid of the excess.

How will this improve your life? It will give you more space in your home for one thing, and for another, it will mean that you aren’t always getting stressed out about the mess or how much cleaning you have to do just to keep the place in shape. Decluttering is great for the soul, so give it a go, simplify your space and see how amazing you feel.

Invest in more storage space
In a similar vein, you should absolutely think about investing in more storage space in your home. When there is a place for everything and everything is in its place, you will feel much less stressed and anxious, and far more relaxed than you would when stuff is bulging out from everywhere. So, whether you put up more bookshelves or invest in more hidden storage like ottomans and storage beds, do what you can to make a place for as much of your stuff as possible. 

Get home security
Having home security installed is a great way to improve you and your family’s peace of mind. There is nothing quite like the feeling of violation that you feel when someone has been in your spade uninvited, and nothing so devastating as having your possessions were forcibly taken from you, not to mention the impact that being threatened in your own home can have. So, if one thing’s for sure, having home security installed is sure to improve your life significantly.

Landscaping
If you are lucky enough to have outdoor space, you should really make the most of it. Numerous studies have shown that time spent in nature can boost your mood, lower your stress levels, and your blood pressure, and boost your immune system amongst other things. You might not think of your yard ads being a good example of nature in all its glory, but it could be if you landscape it. Plant trees, create a wildflower meadow, invest in a comfy seating area and grill and your quality of life will be so much the better for it.

Install insulation panels
Insulation panels will absolutely improve your quality of life by making your home cozier and more comfortable not to mention less likely to get damp. These days, insulation is more affordable than ever before and in some cases, you can even install it yourself, which means it could be one of the best investments you ever make.

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A kitchen makeover
Have you ever noticed, that when buying a house, most people will make a beeline for the kitchen? That’s because the kitchen is the heart of a home and most of us spend so much time in there that the better the kitchen is set out, the more enjoyment we will get from it.

If you can afford it, anything you can do to give yourself more space in the kitchen, a better layout, that allows you to cook more efficiently, and an area where you can all sit and talk together in a cozy environment, will definitely improve your quality of life, as will things like stainless steel worktops that are easy to clean and the biggest sink you can afford, to ensure cleanups are as effortless as possible.

A bathroom makeover
Similarly, making over your bathroom can be a really good way to improve your quality of life. The bathroom is a good place to really relax and let your hair down, so investing in a power shower or a blogger bath with water jets, that can really get rid of your aches and pains, will surely make your home a pleasanter place to be.

A powerful air conditioner
If you live in a part of the country that regularly gets hot and humid, installing the most powerful air conditioner you can afford is always going to improve your life. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re going to melt or overheat and explode in your own home… well maybe the feeling when you have to peel yourself off a leather couch, but a decent air conditioner will help with that too.

Bigger windows
Bigger windows let in more light, which is very good for you. Natural light has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and obviously, it will help your home to appear lighter, brighter, and maybe even bigger than it actually is, which is never w bad thing. You may not want, or be able to afford floor-to-ceiling windows, but if your windows do need to be replaced and you can afford to do so, going bigger will undoubtedly make you relife that little bit better.

Hydrotect ceramic tiles
Hydrotect ceramic tiles, manufactured by TOTO are the tiles of the future. How will they improve your life? By dissolving the pollutants in your home. Yes, really! Hydrotect ceramic tiles have a special titanium-dioxide coating that can kill pollutants, including bacteria and mildew on contact, which means you don’t have to work so hard to keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean, and you won’t have to worry about breathing in so many nasties that can make you sick either.

A hot water faucet
If you drink a lot of hot drinks, whether it be green tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, ditch the microwave or kettle for a hot water faucet that will decant your water at a range of temperatures so you can always have the hot beverage of your choice at lightning speed. It might just be a little thing, but all those minutes saved will add up to a lot of extra time for you and your family over the months and years.

Install a wireless doorbell
You may think that good old-fashioned manual doorbells are perfectly fine for the job, but you’re dead wrong. How can a fancy wireless doorbell improve your life? By showing you exactly who is at the food, and allowing you to speak to them even if you aren’t at home, which means no more answering the door to salesmen or missing packages because you aren’t home. It’s also great for checking on your home when you aren’t around, so you can keep the palace as secure as possible.

If you make even one of these home improvements, your quality of home life will improve immediately. Make lots of them and you’ll finally be living the dream - a home that is as comfortable and efficient as possible for you and your whole family.

Do you have any home improvement ideas that will also improve your quality of life? Let us know what they are.

4 Ways to Give Your Home A Touch of Luxury

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Hi lovelies,

Do you ever go into a state of the art hotel and just wish you could live in that level of luxury all the time? There are plenty of pros and cons to living in a hotel, but realistically, it’s not a decision that many people have to think about. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t get some of the pleasant touches of a hotel into your home. In this blog, we’re going to look at some useful tips that’ll push you in the right direction. 

Light and Spacious
There’s something to be said for a cozy and intimate place, but that’s what you should aspire to have in your home only during those chilly winter evenings. You’ll enjoy most of your time at home during daylight hours, and if your property was too cramped or dark, then you would feel very far from luxury! Your aim should be light and spacious. That means letting in as much natural light as possible and opting for a minimalist approach. Does everything that you can see in your home need to be there (or at least on display)? If not, then move it elsewhere. Tall ceilings, natural light, plenty of space...it’s what we all need in life!

Statement Pieces
You might have your regular couches and other furniture, but it’s a good idea to keep the room alive by having a statement piece. It doesn’t really matter what it is, so long as it brings the room together. This could be a work of art, a great rug, or a vintage chair. Another option is to look at some of the grand pieces that you would find in a hotel. For example, could you have a bold lighting fixture in your hallway?

High-Quality Materials 
Luxury is all about the detail. If your home is filled with items made with low-quality materials, then you’ll struggle to really feel like you’re living in luxury. This is something you can change simply by investing in the very best. You can apply this principle to every aspect of your home. Rather than just getting a regular dining table, get a marble dining table. The linens you use for your bed? Spend a little extra to ensure they’re as soft as possible. If you buy the best for your home, then you’ll certainly feel the difference.

Focus on the Senses 
If you make your home decisions based on what your senses would want, then you’ll be on the right track. It can touch everything! You might work on your lighting arrangement based on what your eyes would want to see. Yoru bed and couch can be made with what you want to touch. And you can add some pleasant aromas based on your sense of smell. If all your senses are activated when you’re at home, then you’ll know that you’re living well!

Conclusion
There are more ways to improve a home, but these are the ones that’ll have you feeling like your home is luxurious! 

A Routine Home Safety Checklist For New Mothers

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Hi lovelies,

Bringing a baby home is a momentous occasion, one that you’re not soon likely to forget. It’s also a time of great organization and planning, as you and your partner try to divide the duties or simply try to make do with much reduced sleep each night.

Of course, it’s also worth making sure that your home is baby-proof from the offset, even if they’re not liable to start crawling around or (shock-horror) walking at the speed of light around your house - which happens sooner than we may expect.

For this reason, going through a simple home checklist to make sure our house is perfectly arranged and all threats have been locked away or protected against is important. Of course, certain advice is obvious, and you’re likely to hear it everywhere. For instance, storing your cleaning products higher than a bottom-floor cupboard is essential, as well as thinking about everything they may have access to near the floor. Remember, babies like to explore the world with their mouths, and they’re very good at making trouble out of nothing.

With the rest of our advice, your baby will be as safe as possible:

Socket Care & Electrical Repairs
Making sure that your sockets are protected against (and blocked using false plugs if not in use), is important. A crawling child can, unfortunately, find access to power sockets and it’s important to make sure that despite their best efforts, they simply cannot access them. Furthermore, making sure that you use electric repairs services to ensure that somewhat lose sockets are tightened, and that your circuit is inspected and safe in each room. This helps you avoid any unnecessary risk and ensure electrical repairs are assured.

Safety Gates
If you have more than one storey in your home, then your crawling child can find themselves trying to access the staircase, no matter if crawling up or down, that’s bad news. You can also safety gates to block them from entering certain rooms, such as your utility room where access to the washing machine, cleaning products, and where your pets may eat, drink or use the litter tray is commonplace. Safety gates can also prevent unwanted access not only for your baby, but to your baby, too. For instance:

Pet Protections
It’s important to consider the fact that sometimes, pets aren’t suitable to be around babies. This is especially true of large dogs, who, despite having a nice temperament, may not know how to control their weight or handle themselves when getting excited. It’s also important to make sure that your cats don’t have access to the room where your baby is sleeping, as they have been known to jump up and lay on top of a child while sleeping in their cot thanks to their warmth - this is terrible to think about for obvious reasons and must be protected against. In that respect, you’ll be making sure your child is as protected as they can possibly be.

With this advice, we hope you can make sure of a routine home safety checklist for the better.

Wedding Gift Ideas for Your Friends

Hi lovelies,

When your friends are getting married, it becomes so hard to choose a gift for them. Isn’t it? And the idea ends when our parents tell us to give them a crockery set, coffee maker, or even a waffle machine so that they can prepare their breakfast after the wedding easily. But we know that you don’t want to end up giving the usual stuff to them. Right?

Let’s be very honest that as a friend, we know the secret desire and fantasy of our friend. They are the ones with whom you have spent the drunk nights, you prepared strong coffee together to get rid of the hangover and planned what your life would be like after the wedding and what you will do. So hey! You know better what to give your friend. If still, you are getting confused, then we will help you with it; scroll down to know some fantastic wedding gift for your friend:

Personalized wine or beer holder
For all the drunk nights you have spent, and the next he/she will be spending with the better half. So gift them the personalized wine or beer holder where they can keep their bottles easily and enjoy the first night with that lovable toast.

Gift them an all-expenses-paid dinner reservation at a place
This will be very heart-touching for them. How? Well, we all share our after-wedding activities with our friends; similarly, your friend must have discussed with you where he/she would take him/her on the first date after the wedding. You need to book that place in advance and gift them their first date. This would be very thoughtful and special.

Bridal Lingerie
This is very common among girlfriends. They discuss and sometimes even window shop their bridal lingerie together. So why not visit the store from where your friend desires to buy her bridal lingeries and get gorgeous bridal lingerie sets for her. Not only this but even wrap it in a classy way so that it doesn’t depict what is inside the package. Let it be a big surprise for her.

A Personalized Name Plate For The House Or Their Room
These days you get plenty of options online to create personalized nameplates. It gets engraved on a wooden plate, and you can even add some creative work around the names. If they are going to shift into a new house, then add some memorable lines on the nameplate. It will be very special for them, and they will feel loved.

Frame their story with the help of Google maps
Another very creative idea is to frame their story. As a friend, you must be aware of the places and situations that happened. So you just need to create them with the help of Google Maps, and don’t forget to use some signboards to explain the story. This will warm their heart.

Final Words
Yes, we know that finding a special gift for a special friend’s wedding is hard. But when you know them deeply, then you just need some guidance to create that perfect wedding gift for them. So follow the idea, and you will be able to make the special day of your friend more special.

5 Unconventional Decor Ideas To Style Your Small Living Room

Hi lovelies,

Most apartment dwellers and small homeowners struggle with space constraints, and a tiny living room is often the most significant concern. It is the part of the house where you entertain guests and spend time with your family, so you expect it to be spacious and comfortable. Fortunately, a small living room need not always look cramped and cluttered. You can use some creativity to give it a larger appearance while adding to aesthetics and functionality. Here are some unconventional decor ideas you can try to style your small living room.

Pick space-saving furniture pieces
You have to be judicious about the furniture pieces if there isn’t much space to accommodate large ones. Consider swapping the large sofa for smaller cozy armchairs. You can add a bench for some extra sitting room as it will not take up a lot of space. If unexpected guests arrive, you could throw some large cushions on the rug and create a warm little low seating for them.

Get smart with lighting
Surprisingly, the right lighting solutions can create an impression of spaciousness even for a small and enclosed area. Choose wall lamps and hanging lights so that you can save the floor space yet have a bright and happy-looking room. Good lighting also brings dimension to the walls, so the room ends up looking a lot bigger than its actual size.

Build a swanky little nook
A fireplace is an essential element of a welcoming living room, but you may have to give up on the cozy nook if there isn’t enough space. Luckily, you don’t need to do it of you how to build an electric fireplace enclosure with a modern alternative to the traditional wood-burning fireplace. The small appliance fits in a limited space, making it is easy to build a swanky little nook in your tiny living room.

Invest in built-in shelving
You can make the most of the available space by investing in built-in shelves as they double up as storage and give you room to display some artful decor pieces. Moreover, the vertical decor makes the area look larger as it takes the attention away from the floor space to the walls. Keeping shelves of the same color as the walls will give an illusion of extra space to the smallest rooms.

Cover the floor with a larger rug
It may sound counterintuitive, but a larger floor rug can work well to make the room look much bigger than its real size. Expert designers recommend picking a bold pattern and large size. Such rugs do not break up the floor visually, which is sure to happen if you opt for smaller area rugs. Additionally, they serve as the staple piece you can use to design the rest of the room.

These simple and affordable decor ideas can go a long way in creating an impression of openness to the smallest of living rooms. The best part is that you can design the space on your own, without depending on a decor expert.

Want To Learn More About Reducing Your Environmental Impact? Read These Tips To Cut Your Carbon Footprint

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Hi lovelies,

The effects of global warming are becoming increasingly more apparent in daily life, as temperatures around the world are beginning to rise, and extreme weather events are happening on a scarily regular basis. Though of course a large proportion of the blame lies on big corporations, individual actions still contribute towards climate change, and each person has their own carbon footprint that can rise and fall depending on the way they live. Luckily, learning how to reduce your carbon footprint needn't be as difficult as you might expect, as there are several simple tips that you can make the most of to make a positive difference today. 

Say Goodbye To Plastic 
Plastic is having a serious impact on the environment as a whole, as the ocean is nearly filled to the brim with both large plastic items and microplastics that have ground down over several decades. Saying goodbye to plastic in your daily life can reduce your impact on the natural world, and you can start off with a simple hack of finding suitable eco-conscious replacements of your usual plastic items. The kitchen is often the worst place for plastic, as many food containers and cups are made from plastic, whilst food packaging likely contains plastic too. You can easily swap cups and food containers for glass replacements, whilst utilising paper bags in the grocery store rather than plastic to keep your fruit and veg safe.

Change Your Energy Provider 
The energy that you use on a daily basis inside your home contributes massively to your overall carbon footprint, so it's important that you can uncover a few simple methods which help to fight back against environmentally un-friendly decisions. Installing your own set of Tesla solar shingles may just be the upgrade that you've been searching for, as utilising a renewable energy source such as solar power can cut your impact dramatically. If you don't think you have the cash to invest in a whole new roof, you can just as easily swap your energy provider to one that utilises renewable sources, rather than purchasing nuclear.

Adapt Your Diet  
The food that you eat can either save the planet or help to speed up its downfall, so there's no time like the present to adapt your diet to better suit the modern day dilemma. Opting to consume a plant based diet that's made up of totally vegan food options is the best choice that you can make, and it's often said that avoiding animal products can cut your carbon footprint like nothing else can. Rearing animals takes considerable water and energy, whilst each cow and pig produces masses of near-toxic waste that eventually finds its way into the local ecosystem. 

Learning how to cut your carbon footprint has never been so simple when you can take the time to utilise the many brilliant tips and tricks that have been carefully detailed above. There's no time like the present to reduce your impact on the environment. 

Converting A Long Distance Relationship Once You're Together

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Hi lovelies,

The idea of a long-distance relationship is not as new as we might imagine it - while the internet and social media have brought a new wrinkle to it, people have been pining over loved ones overseas for centuries. Either because they were members of Royal families waiting for the promised day, or because a partner had gone away to war, or for any other reason, pained love-letters have been winging their way across oceans for as long as there has been mail.

So the idea of a LDR has been with us for some time, even if the reasons aren’t always the same these days. But while there is a lot of advice out there for how to keep an overseas love from falling by the wayside, one thing that is often lacking is information on how to deal with the situation when that distance is closed. If your love’s secondment to an overseas company comes to an end, or your saving and fundraising reaches the target where one of you can move, you need to be prepared for the next step. Because, as much as you may have been dreaming of this moment, the reality still needs to be prepared for.

Keep the best elements of your LDR once it becomes SD
There are always parts of a long-distance relationship that both partners like - in truth, they wouldn’t survive to this point if there weren’t. In the case where you’ve finally been able to unite as a close-distance or even co-habiting couple, it’s a good idea to keep some of those elements. Maybe you met half-way for city breaks together, or texted funny things you saw in the course of your day to one another. Those little things helped your relationship stay above water in the tough times, and it’s a good idea to keep them as part of your life now.

Acknowledge that it won’t all be easy now
When your relationship distance is removed, it will be tempting to think that it was the one thing holding you back and that with it gone, everything is going to be easier. Maybe it will - but it’s helpful to recognize that where once your biggest challenge was how to send flowers to another country on your partner’s birthday, proximity can bring its own issues. When your time together was a few hours on Skype every night there wasn’t much time for wrinkles to appear. You still have to work at making a relationship work, and that’s not a bad thing. Coming through tough times is what forges the best relationships.

You can also take the help of a Daily Horoscope to get to know how you relate with each other and understand your partner better to increase your chances of having a deep, fulfilling, and lasting relationship.

Don’t romanticize the “before times”
The early days of a relationship are something we’re conditioned to look back on with real fondness: the swoon and the specialness of falling in love, those are what we remember. We often airbrush out the panicky feeling we experienced when we didn’t hear from our new love for five minutes, or the incredible paranoia that they’d suddenly just back out of the relationship. In a similar vein, don’t look back on the long-distance times in an idealistic way. Almost everything about being in love is easier with proximity, and even the hard times are easier to resolve. Keep what was good about the LDR, but don’t idealize it, because it wasn’t ideal.

Tiny Lifestyle Changes To Boost Your Health

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Hi lovelies,

In terms of health, your lifestyle choices can determine how well you will be.  Adopting positive lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on your well-being. Developed countries like the USA spend huge sums of money on healthcare; experts think that U.S life expectancy numbers are not good enough because of various issues. If you want to boost your health, consider making these lifestyle changes.

Move around more
Staying physically active is a tiny lifestyle adjustment that can make a big difference in your well-being. Rather than sitting at your desk or on the couch non-stop, you may want to step out and move more. Keeping fit improves a lot from your blood circulation to your stress level. By incorporating more movement into your lifestyle, you will likely avoid the unhealthy consequences of sedentary habits. Start using the stairs more, brisk-walk during your lunch break, and hit the gym if you can.

Wash your hands and stay hydrated
The benefits of drinking enough water are endless, including healthier skin and more energy. Some fitness gurus even claim that water helps in weight loss. Besides that, you should wash your hands with soap under running water to keep them clean. If these are not available to you, use good hand sanitizers like Zylast to protect yourself, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Zylast reviews show that it’s effective at killing germs.

Learn how to handle your stress
Over one out of four Canadian workers report feeling either extremely stressed or, at least, a bit stressed up. Stress is a pretty typical emotional problem that affects a lot of workers. However, high levels of stress can drain down your productivity and expose you to severe psychological issues. Everyone has their own source of stress, but your ability to respond to it can determine how far it affects you.

One way to lower your stress is to get enough sleep, which is usually seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Skipping a good night’s sleep can harm your physical and mental health. Meanwhile, your work performance and social life may worsen. Take a break from your electronic equipment to find your peace of mind. You may also want to communicate your feelings with your friends and family for assistance.

Avoid smoking, and reduce your alcohol intake
Believe it or not, there is no such thing as a “safe level of smoking.” Your best bet to healthy smoking is not smoking at all. Moderate your alcohol consumption, as too much alcohol, is poisonous to your liver health. For women, an average alcohol intake lies between 5g and 15g per day, standing around 5-30g for men. Researchers have established that people who meet the criteria for healthy habits such as keeping fit, eating balanced diets, maintaining healthy weights, moderating alcohol intake, and stopping smoking – live longer than those who do none. Individuals who ignore the above positive lifestyle changes are far more likely to lose their lives to cancer or cardiovascular diseases.

What You Need to Know About Hand Hygiene

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Hi lovelies,

What You Need to Know About Hand Hygiene
Medical statistics indicate that 80% of communicable diseases are hand transferrable. This proves that human hands carry a host of germs that are responsible for several diseases. It also explains why 67% of people adopted hygienic hand practices to limit harboring unwanted pathogens even before the pandemic. How well do you wash your hands, and have you considered some factors that are crucial to protecting your skin in hand washing routines? Here are a few to keep in mind.

Water temperature 
The usual practice is to open the tap to wash your hands while oblivious to the water’s temperature. According to Florida City Research, some microbes remain on the hands even after washing with soap, as some pathogens require some amount of heat to be eliminated completely. The research findings further stated that the water should be at least 100˚F (38˚C) and combined with soap for a successful hand wash.

Supporting these findings is additional medical research that proved that certain types of bacteria could only be killed off by heat. However, the guiding rule is for you to wash under a water temperature you can comfortably tolerate. The last thing you want is to end up scalding your hands in an effort to clean them. Therefore, whenever there’s a need to wash your hands, opt for a temperature other than cold.

Soap and alcohol dry the hands
The frequent washing of hands with soap and water eliminates natural oils that protect the skin’s surface, resulting in dry, cracked, or chapped hands. In extreme cases, some people may react to the chemicals in the soap. Again, another notable culprit for uncomfortably dry hands is the alcohol hand rub. Although these products are designed to deal with harmful microorganisms, they can be harsh on the skin too.

Fortunately, some alternatives work perfectly when dealing with hand cleaning without the harsh element. Zylast is an antiseptic lotion that protects the hands from harsh skin reactions while eliminating disease-causing agents. Read more on Zylast reviews to gain insight into what users think about this product.

The type of soap used matters
Soaps come in different forms – i.e., liquid, gel, bar, or foam. Indeed, they’re all effective in hand washing routines. However, did you know that some are better than others, depending on where they’re used? For instance, in a public restroom, liquid, gel, or foam soaps are preferable because there’s a lesser risk of transferring infections. The bar soap tends to harbor remnant bacteria because it’s handled directly by the user when rubbed into the palms. Even in households with large families, the best option for handwashing shouldn’t be bar soap.

Additionally, some manufacturers add fragrance to soaps to heighten their appeal, while others don’t. Indeed, fragranced soaps are usually to enhance the allure. Have you heard the debate about plain soaps and antibacterial ones? According to the Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, antibacterial soaps are no more effective than plain soap.

Although they’re infused with additional elements to stop bacteria from multiplying on your hands, they don’t kill off germs per se. Therefore, even though you may wish to use an antibacterial product, you can’t ignore the role plain soap plays too.

Having these factors at the back of your mind will help make your handwashing techniques more effective and friendly on your skin.

4 Ways To Bring Sustainability Into Your Life

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Hi lovelies,

Last year was difficult for everyone. 2020 showed us that climate change truly had an impact on your world. The takeaway is that there are a variety of almost effortless ways to make a difference every day that will make you feel good about yourself.

Solar Energy
A positive move towards energy efficiency and environmentalism is the installation of solar panels. Whether you initiate the installation of solar panels at your home or business or buy into a community solar initiative, it is a win for your bottom line and the earth. Choosesolar.com offers a lot of information and statistics about the benefits of solar power projects for the communities it serves. Solar power is a great addition on a smaller scale, as well. It has the added benefit of making your garden greener in more ways than one!

Thrift
What’s old is new again for many people right now. There is a positive trend towards revisiting past styles and gently used clothing that are found for reduced prices at a local thrift store. Sites like Depop have seen a significant increase in traffic as people look for trendy items. The adventure of the hunt is part of the fun, too.  

DIY is everywhere these days. Visit a local second-hand store to find a coffee table that is waiting for an Instagram-worthy makeover debut. It can be a fun opportunity to try your hand at a new skill and repurpose it in the process.

Reduce 
If you take the simple step to reduce single-use plastic usage in your life, it can have a significant impact on the environment. Whether you purchase your produce at the local supermarket, bodega, or farmer’s market - always bring reusable mesh produce bags with you. This easy action will eliminate the need for those flimsy throw-away produce bags that can clog up the recycling machines. Another helpful thing is to have a supply of reusable water bottles that you can keep in rotation and bring with you everywhere. Bringing your own travel mug to the coffee shop on your way to work, post-pandemic, of course, is another economical and sustainable option.

Plants
Add some plants to your home for a lovely and lively refresh. The greenery adds a splash of color and natural living art. Plants help filter out the air by taking in carbon dioxide that you breathe out and release oxygen into the air for you to breathe cleaner. You can even try your hand at a green thumb and begin a traditional outdoor garden. If you lack space, start a container garden inside. Some easy indoor options are herbs such as basil, parsley, cilantro, and mint. You will enjoy not having to run to the store for ingredients for your favorite tacos and save money and gas as well.

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Get on board with the sustainability initiatives in your community and across the globe. Every little thing you do will make a positive difference in the world. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to environmentalism. Don’t stress about having to do more. Do what you can and feel good about that.

Health, Happiness, And A Better 2021

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Hi lovelies,

Two things that go hand-in-hand are health and happiness. If you’re in good health, you’re more likely to be happy. If you’re happy, it will give your health a boost too! After all, stress really is the root cause of all things evil. Therefore, by nailing both your health and your happiness, you’re going to be on path to having a much better 2021, that’s for sure. Considering that, in this blog post, we have put together a collection of ideas that can help you to be both healthier and happier in 2021. 

Begin by thinking about what really makes you happy
The obvious starting point is thinking about what truly makes you happy. Spend some time thinking about your life and when you are your happiest. What puts a smile on your face the most? What makes you feel good about life? You can grab a pen and some paper and make a list. Once you have got this list, you will know what you should be focusing on more in your life. After all, we should all be doing those things that make us the happiest versions of ourselves. By dedicating more time in your life to doing things that make you feel good, it can only have a positive impact.

Get familiar with general wellbeing and understand common allergy and flu symptoms
In order to boost your day-to-day wellbeing, it starts with education. You need to have a good understanding of the common risk factors in terms of illness, for example, being overweight. You also need to have an understanding of common flus and illnesses and what causes them. The same goes for allergies. By getting a better comprehension, you will be best placed to manage your health and make sure you do not suffer as a consequence. You can use resources like Allergy Insider for this. In fact, there are a lot of great resources online if you want to learn more about your general health and managing certain conditions. However, it is critical to make sure you do not believe everything you read, as anyone can write something online. You need to do your research and take your time to make sure that the source is credible. 

Be kinder yourself and say positive affirmations on a daily basis
Being kinder to yourself is something you should prioritize. The truth is that most of us are too hard on ourselves. We don’t give ourselves the break that we deserve! Instead, you need to set aside some time to focus on number one. One of the recommended options here is repeating positive affirmations on a daily basis. You can tell yourself that You Are Enough, for example. Repeating positive affirmations is a great way to make yourself feel better. It may feel a bit odd at first, but we encourage you to stick with it. After some time, you will start believing those words and you will feel a lot better about yourself. You will confident and ready to take on the world.

Try out new methods of relaxation and healing
There are so many exciting ways that you can relax and de-stress these days. Well, excitement and relaxation probably don’t go well together, but we are sure you get the point. Creativity really is flourishing when it comes to healing and relaxation. You can try everything from Espom salt baths to ASMR, yoga, hot stone therapy, and so much more. There really is something for everyone. This is something that you should embrace, as it gives you the opportunity to try new things and you never know which one is going to hit a cord with you. ASMR, in particular, has become very popular. For those who experience ASMR, they get a tingly, relaxing sensation, which can help them to fall asleep. It is great if you’re feeling stressed and in need of comfort. You can easily watch ASMR videos on YouTube, so it is easy to do and it won’t cost anything. Of course, there are also meditation apps and you can listen to sounds of the ocean or sounds of rain if this is something you find to be more relaxing. 

Perfect your sleep routine
In addition to the suggestions that we have discussed so far, something else that we recommend doing throughout the year is really perfecting your sleep routine. You can use the likes of a FitBit or another fitness watch like this to track your sleep performance and set sleep goals. It is really interesting to track sleep performance so you can see how often you get to enjoy a truly restful sleep throughout the night. If your sleep performance is not at the level it should be, there are a number of different things you can do to amend this. We have already spoken about the option of listening to relaxing sounds while you doze off. You may also want to consider adding aromatherapy oils to an ultrasonic diffuser. Scents like lavender are great for helping people to dose off. Aside from this, you need to perfect your bedtime routine. It is vital to make sure you go to sleep at roughly the same time every night and wake up around the same time every morning, including on the weekends. This is vital because it gets your body into a sensible body clock, which will help you to drift off to sleep on an evening. Aside from this, it is important to watch what you eat and drink before you go to bed. Avoid anything that contains caffeine in the afternoon and evenings. It is also advisable that you do not exercise within the few hours leading up to your Zzz time! The suggestions do not end there when it comes to making sure that you get a good night’s sleep. Another thing that you should consider doing is avoiding technology for an hour or so before you go to bed. This is because technology stimulates the brain, which can make it more difficult for you to fall asleep. 

Focus on your posture and invest in ergonomic desk equipment 
One of the greatest sources of pain in people is posture problems. If you do not adopt a correct posture, it means you are in an unnatural position, and this can start to cause issues for your body that will only get worse and worse as time goes on. This is why it is important to take the time to learn about body posture and what sort of posture is right for you. The good news is that you can also get ergonomic furniture and equipment today that can help you with this. From ergonomic desks and chairs to ergonomic keyboards and mouses, the options are endless, helping you to create a safe and comfortable work environment, whether you work from home or at an office.

Don’t sit at home and ignore any problems
One thing a lot of people are guilty of is sitting at home when they have any sort of health issue and hoping it will disappear. Yes, it can be tempting to bury your head in the sand. Yes, you probably don’t want to go to the doctor during a pandemic. However, if there is a problem and the symptoms are worrying you, you should always get it checked out. It is better to be safe than sorry. 

Keep a journal and write in it before you go to bed every evening
The final tip that we have for a healthier and happier 2021 is to keep a journal, and write in it every evening. This is a good way to offload any sort of thoughts or feelings that you have. You can also use this as an opportunity to make some notes regarding anything that you may need to address the following day. A lot of people carry their thoughts and their worries with them when they go to bed. This can stop them from getting a restful night’s sleep. This is why it is a good idea to write them down so you can take the weight off your shoulders. This will help you to stress less and you may also find that it is a lot easier for you to get to sleep as well - both of which will be of benefit to us all. 

To conclude, there are plenty of different things you can do to make sure you have a happier and a healthier 2021. If you try to implement even a few of the suggestions that have been mentioned above, you should notice a considerable difference when it comes to your overall wellbeing and your happiness too. It can be hard to feel happy at present, that is for sure, as there seems to be so much doom and gloom around us. However, happiness is definitely something you can work on, as is being healthier. With the two combined, nothing will hold you back. 

How Does A Biophilic Design Help You And How Can You Achieve It?

Hi lovelies,

It’s important to understand how much the design of your home can impact your well-being. If you don’t make the right choices here, then you are always going to struggle to remain stress-free and relaxed. One of the options that you should explore is biophilic design. Biophilic design is based on ensuring that you bring the outside into your home. Various research suggests that there is a profound and wonderful connection between nature and humans. When we started to live in cities, filled with concrete and far from forests, we lost that connection. With a biophilic design, you can bring it back and gain the benefits of doing so. 

What Are The Benefits Of A Biophilic Design?
There are a few key benefits of biophilic design. For instance, you might find that when you reconnect with nature through the design of your home, you do feel more relaxed and comfortable. If you are working from home or focusing on your passions, this could lead to a higher level of productivity which is fantastic. 

Studies have also suggested that the right focus on a biophilic design can also lead to higher levels of creativity. So, whether you’re working on your music or bringing your home business to life, a biophilic design could almost definitely be key to your success. 

If you are selling your home, research also suggests that a home with a biophilic design is seen as more expensive and luxurious. As such, there is a wide range of advantages that you can dive into here and that could be relevant to you. So, the big question is how can you achieve this type of design in your home.

Bring In The Plants
One option would be to add plants to the inside of your home. By adding plants, you can make sure that you can improve the air quality inside your property. This means that you are going to be able to think more clearly and breathe easily. You won’t have to worry about contaminants and dust particles in the air impacting your breathing at all. You might also want to consider how plants in your home can bring a space to life and make it feel more welcoming. This won’t just impact you, it will have a positive effect on anyone who might be spending time in your home. 

There is a massive range of plants that could be perfect for your home. You just need to make sure that you think about ensuring that they are in a place where they will get the right amount of light and warmth. 

Wall Options 
You can think about changing the walls in your home to add to this type of design too. One choice to explore here would be grasscloth wallpaper. This is made completely from natural materials and that comes with a beautiful scent of fresh grass that is impossible to replicate. We found out this information here and there are lots of great sellers online that can provide you with wonderful wallpaper options like this. 

If you don’t want to change the wall completely, then you can think about adding some liveable art instead. For instance, you can think about adding moss as art to your wall. This provides a wonderful smell of its own and will always look incredible. 

Natural Lighting 
Finally, another big way that you can incorporate a biophilic design in your home is with the right natural lighting. You should focus on natural lighting instead of adding artificial lighting to your home. In other words, you need to spend some time designing your home windows. There are a massive variety of different choices when it comes to your windows. You could consider sliding windows that disappear completely when they are open. It’s a great way to ensure that you can bring the outside into your home. 

If you are worried about privacy, then make sure that you choose the right type of drapes. These will let the light through while providing the full privacy that you want. 

We hope this helps you understand the key benefits of biophilic design and how you can achieve it in your home. If you take the right steps here, you can guarantee that you feel more relaxed, protecting your mental and physical health at home. Don’t forget, a biophilic design can be achieved in any type of property that you can think of. You can use it in your office space, your home gym, or anywhere that you need to improve your wellbeing and commit completely to self-care. 

15 Tips for Getting the Best Wedding Photos

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Hi lovelies,

The photos taken on your wedding day will become memories you cherish forever, so it’s important to get them right. Invest in a professional photographer and plan the pictures together carefully. Think about the different locations and settings, and have a contingency plan in place if the weather changes. This way, you should get a range of fantastic indoor and outdoor photos that you can share with your friends and family. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box either and try something original. It’s your day and the photos should reflect your unique personality and style. Here are fifteen tips for getting the best wedding photos.

Hire a professional
Even if you’re planning a budget wedding, it’s worth spending money on a professional wedding photographer. They will have plenty of experience in taking the type of pictures you want and it will make the day less stressful. You can relax and rest assured that your photography is in the hands of an expert. You could look for a photographer online, read some reviews and see if their portfolio aligns with your personal style. Here are some more tips on how to choose a wedding photographer.

Choose a theme
In order to plan your wedding photos, you could decide on a theme. This could be related to the time of year, especially if you’re getting married during the holidays. If you’re getting married abroad or in a historical location, you could include aspects of the local culture in your theme. It’s entirely up to you. Here is a guide to wedding themes to help you. Speak to your photographer as well as they will be able to provide you with professional insights and ideas.

Find original locations
When you’re choosing a wedding venue, bear in mind locations for photos, indoors and outdoors. Research the local area and see if you can find more original locations for your photos. This will add a more unique touch. Find a setting that resonates with you or that reflects your personality. Original backdrops could be anything from industrial architecture to street art.

Avoid clichés
If you would like to take less than traditional photos, original backdrops are a good place to start. You could also consider different poses and more candid, natural photos. Here are a few more tips on how to avoid taking cliché wedding photos. The most important thing is that you show a touch of your true character. Try to relax and enjoy the day and you’ll avoid awkwardly posed photos. If you’d rather cut out the classics such as the throwing of the bouquet, find an alternative to carrying a bouquet altogether. It’s your wedding, so anything goes.

Set up the getting ready area
A classic getting ready photo is one many couples go for, however. You want this to look natural, but it’s a good idea to prepare the setting first. Tidy up the room where you’re getting ready so you don’t end up with socks on the floor in the background. If you’re eating and drinking, get rid of empty plates and glasses and instead set up a pretty table with champagne and treats. Once you’ve tidied up the space you can relax and get some natural getting ready pics.

Get natural mingling photos
Mingling shots are the best way to get candid photos of all your guests having fun. Your photographer will be an expert at doing this. You’ll never even know they were there and will wonder where the photos came from. If you’d like to mix things up a bit as well, you could ask your guests to take pictures. It’s up to them to document the fun times they had at your wedding. You might even get some nice reunion photos of family members that haven’t seen each other in a while.

Embrace the weather
Everybody fears rain on their wedding day but in fact, it can make for some very original photographs. If you’re worried the weather might change on the day there are few things you can do to be prepared to still get great photos. Talk to your make-up artist and hairdresser for any beauty secrets that will make your look more weather-proof. Then be ready to embrace it and take photos outdoors. Rain makes a beautiful backdrop, and you could even get some matching umbrellas to have on hold just in case. Don’t let the weather put you off getting amazing outdoor photos on your special day.

Take care of your photographer
Remember that your photographer is an experienced professional so listen to their ideas. They will know how to get the perfect pictures for you so their input is important. This is why it’s essential to build a good rapport with your photographer. Get to know them before the big day and ask them if there’s anything they need. The wedding will be a long working day for them so be sure to treat them to refreshments and plenty of quick breaks. It’s a good idea to agree on an appropriate schedule ahead of time too.

Allow plenty of time
Don’t try to rush things. Allow plenty of time for taking photos and discuss a realistic timeframe with your photographer. This is especially important if you’re using multiple locations. Wedding portraits can take time to set up if you want to get them right. Take your time walking down the aisle and hold certain poses for longer, such as the first kiss, for example. This will allow your photographer to get a few different shots and you can choose the best ones.

Make a mood board
If you’d like to give your photographer a visual of your personality and style beforehand, you could make a mood board on Pinterest. It’s very easy to do by dragging and dropping images onto a template of your choice. This will give them an indication of the theme and type of photos you want. Don’t be afraid to discuss your ideas with them as they will be able to help you plan your photos. 

Create action shots
Action shots are a fun choice for weddings. The classics include throwing confetti over the newlyweds or the catching of the bouquet. If you’re planning a more eco-friendly wedding, there are also plenty of sustainable alternatives to confetti. These include dried flowers, leaves, and herbs. You can ask your guests to throw some of these into the air instead. That way you’ll be able to get your action shots guilt-free with zero environmental impact.

Consider the time of day
There’s a term known by photographers as the golden hour. This is in the early evening just before sunset or right after dawn. It’s probably more typical to have a sunset wedding, so bear the time in mind. This type of lighting is said to be the most flattering and romantic. Sunset times will vary depending on the season so if you want to take advantage of the golden hour, check what time the sunsets are at the time of year when you’re getting married.

Emergency touch-up kit
If you’re worried about your hair and make-up while traveling between different photography locations you could always carry a small bridal touch-up kit. You can carry all the essentials you need and a small mirror. This way even if you opt for more spontaneous pics, you can freshen up quickly on the go. It’s also useful if the weather changes unexpectedly. An emergency touch-up kit, if nothing else, will give you peace of mind if you’re feeling self-conscious of how you look.

Lighten your load
Sometimes carting around too much stuff is tiring when you’re trying to take wedding photos. Consider how you’re getting to your chosen locations and whether you need to rethink any part of your outfit or accessories. Bouquets are delicate and it can be a challenge to keep them in a perfect arrangement all day. A hoop bouquet, for example, is a much more convenient choice. It’s really up to you, but your comfort is the most important thing. 

Relax and enjoy it
The only way to get truly amazing photos on your wedding day is to relax and enjoy it. Have fun creating original shots and poses. Look for curious and interesting locations and experiment a little. Your photographer is a trained professional so they’ll be able to work wonders in any setting. Ditch the stressed serious attitude and remember to smile and laugh. This way you’ll look more happy and natural in the photos. 

Your wedding photos will tell a story of a day you’ll never want to forget. Professional photography will help you capture every detail, from the place settings to the boutonnieres. When looking back at your photos you’ll remember every feeling, sounds, and even smells of the moment. They allow you to relive the magic of your special day. This is why it’s important to choose the best photographer, locations, and time of day to get your pictures just right.

Why Does A Concrete Driveway Add Value To A Property?

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Hi lovelies,

Adding value to your home is essential, regardless of whether you plan to move or stay put. Move and you’ll use the extra money to invest in your new house. Stay, and you borrow more against your property due to the increased equity. Plus, the features you implement will make your home a nicer place to live.

Usually, it’s the big stuff that property owners regard as significant. However, something as simple as a concrete driveway can provide the value you’re looking for without breaking the bank. Why? Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of a concrete driveway.

It’s Cheap

Part of adding value is saving as much money as you can. That way, the earnings are greater because you haven’t wasted money. Typically, hiring a contractor and paying for labor and materials will result in a sizable bill, yet this isn’t the case with concrete contractors. Not only are they affordable, but you generally only need them once since the material stands the test of time. Therefore, the savings you stand to make are bigger as it’s an upgrade that doesn’t require a bottomless budget.

And Durable

Another feature homeowners love is the fact that it’s durable. A concrete driveway might last for decades before it requires attending to professionally. For buyers and sellers, this means they don’t have to worry about the stress and hassle that comes equipped with other home improvements. Maintenance is required, yet it’s as simple as brushing the top layer to remove dust and dirt, scrubbing it with a brush and warm, soapy water, and adding a sealer. All three of these things add more protection, meaning the likelihood of the driveway breaking down are slim to none.

New Techniques Make It Pretty

The thing you have to worry about is the aesthetics. Unfortunately, concrete has an industrial feel, which isn’t what buyers look for regarding a new home. They prefer it to be warm and cozy, on the inside and the outside. The good news is, new methods ensure it looks stunning. Whether it’s color-etching and stamping, you can incorporate patterns and designs that give the driveway originality. These techniques do cost extra. However, you need to outweigh the final bill against the amount of value it will add to the house. If the former is bigger than the latter, it’s worth every penny! Don’t forget that concrete is cheap, so you should have more to play with financially.

You Can DIY
Concrete is a material you can use even if you’re not a professional. Typically, it’s better to hire people with experience, especially for big jobs. But, a driveway is a relatively small task. All you need to do is dig down deep enough to lay the concrete. Once it’s mixed, it’s ready to go, and you can leave it to set. There could be problems, but this doesn’t matter as long as they are commercial. Most people won’t care as long as the structure is fine, and you can stencil the top to hide imperfections.

Do you need a concrete driveway in your life?

Improvements To Do On Your Home Next

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Hi lovelies,

We all want our dream home, it is just natural to want to have your space exactly how you want it. When we are young we always dream about how we want our houses to look and what features we want them to have. Tastes and desires will always change over time but we will always be thinking about how we can better our homes, get with the times as people say when trends and designs change fashion, and just make it our own. Our homes are where we relax, have and raise our children, make memories and take pictures that will last a lifetime. So it is only natural we want it to look nice and meet all of our needs. We also need to look at keeping things safe, secure, insulated and so many other things. If you find you want to move house eventually, updating the curb appeal will be on your radar too! 

Tiled Floor Designs
Carpets as warm and fuzzy as they are, are slowly becoming outdated in some parts of the house. A lot of people will choose wooden flooring and a beautiful big rug to make the space nicer and easier to clean and changeup. So if you want to change the color of decor in the room you just get a new rug and don’t need to update the whole carpet. Another great trend people are doing now is having beautiful and mismatched designs from tiles on their kitchens, bathrooms, and walkways. It adds a lot of character to the room and as there is so much happening on the floor the walls can stay relatively plain and just be painted with some artwork hung up. It is a lot less effort but looks a whole lot better/ 

Upgrade Your Roof
The roof is a very important part of the house. It insulates, keeps everything sheltered, and takes the brunt of bad weather. If you need to have your roof updated it is important to speak to roofing experts as they will be able to give you real expert advice on what you do or don’t need, costs, and how having a new roof will benefit you. If your roof isn’t up to scratch it can help mold grow which can really affect people's health especially if they have underlying respiratory issues, to begin with. 

Gloss Over Things
Now, we don’t mean just to ignore things but any woodwork you have in the home, doors, skirting boards, and maybe the staircase. These things can get worn over time and can make your home look messier and as if it isn’t looked after. It is a simple and cheap solution to go over things. Get your varnish, gloss, or emulsion and do a quick coat to give it a nice shiny new look. It won’t take much time, you can probably finish it in 1 day depending on how big your house is and you will notice a big and instant difference.

All These Things That Need To Be Done Before You Move!

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Hi lovelies,

If you are going to be moving home soon, then you may have been thinking about all of the things that you need to get done before then. There are so many things that you are responsible for as the person living there right now, and you might not even know what they are. But, by the time you have finished reading this article, you will have all of the information that you could possibly need, so keep reading down below to find out more.

The Home Inspections
The first thing that you are going to need to do is make sure that all of the home inspections are carried out. If you want someone to buy your property, then you need to ensure it is in good condition. Nobody wants to pay full price for something that they either don’t like the look of, or something that has faults but they are hidden. This is the problem. A survey is going to be done anyway so you might as well go around and get the home inspected before this happens so there are no surprises. 

You should make sure that the roof inspections are done, and that one is up to the landlord for as long as they own the property. That is the one good thing about rent. You don’t have to pay for things such as injections because you do not need them.

A Good Clean
Another thing that you are going to need to do before you move out is clean the home. We don’t just mean on a basic level where you clean the kitchen by wiping all the visible areas with a wipe. We are talking about each and every room, the oven, and even those hard to reach places that nobody has really tried because it looks like too slim of a gap. As such, you’re not really doing much then other than going to the shop is fun.

If you think that you are going to struggle with this then there are plenty of companies you can hire to clean the home for you. It depends on your budget but certainly check it and get back to me.

Declutter All Of Your Items
Finally, you’re not going to want to take everything that you own to the new place you’re going to be living. As such, you need to go through all of the items that you own and decide what to keep and what to stay. At the end of the day it is an opportunity so give yourself a chance to finish getting packed up without having to try and cram all of your stuff in one bag. It’s a fantastic plan.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you are going to need to get done before you move. It’s a big task, but it’s got to be done otherwise things are going to be left behind, the place isn’t going to be ready for the next person and a whole bunch of other issues. 

How to Start Renovating Your Home After a Fire

Hi lovelies,

When you go through something as life-changing as a fire in the home, your first priority is making sure everyone is alright. When that box is ticked, you’ll want to confront the damage to your property, however great or minor it might be. Safety and being able to return to life as normal are probably the two things that are most important when you’re doing this, so reed on to find out more about the renovation process.

Get the Insurance Issues Sorted Fast
First of all, you need to make sure that you’ve been in touch with your insurance company and the process of making a claim on your home insurance is already underway. Making sure that’s the case will make it a lot easier for you to get the renovations underway because the money you’re owed under the terms of the insurance policy will cover your costs.

Use a Professional Cleanup Service
One of the first things that needs to be done in order to make the home safe and inhabitable once more after a fire is to have a professional cleanup carried out. You can find professional teams that offer cleanup property smoke damage services and you should make the most of them. Smoke damage can be extensive after a fire, but it can be cleaned up with the right help.

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Make it Safe
Making it safe is one of the most important aspects of all this, in fact, it is the most important aspect of all. That means addressing any structural issues that might have been brought about by the fire and ensuring that the structure of the home is fully safe before you return to it. Having the home inspected by a safety inspector is a good idea so any and all issues can be dealt with head-on.

Have the Electrical System Repaired by a Professional
The wiring and electrical system in the home will need to be repaired too. In most cases, this will suffer greatly in the event of a fire, especially if the fire damage was extensive. And when it comes to the wiring of a home, you can’t afford to take any risks because it’ll present a range of safety issues that could lead to serious injury or death if they’re unaddressed.

Aim to Create an Outcome Even Better Than Before the Fire
When it comes to addressing the aesthetics of the property, your aim should be to make it look better than it ever has before, even before the fire happened. That way, you can start to move forward in a positive way and feel good about your home after an event that will have no doubt caused you immense stress.

Renovating your home after a fire is a huge process and it might take time. But it’s certainly worth throwing yourself into that process and taking the time to get it right. That’s what’ll serve yourself and your whole family best over the course of the long-term, so remain focused on that fact.

Is Your Home Your Happy Place?

Hi lovelies.

Many of us are spending the vast majority of our time at home. Over the course of the last year, the importance of having a safe, comfortable home has become increasingly apparent. If your lockdown experiences have prompted you to consider making changes, or you’re looking for ways to turn your home into a serene sanctuary, this guide should prove useful. 

Updating your decor to create a home you love
Since lockdowns became part and parcel of our everyday lives, there has been a sharp increase in DIY sales and searches for online tutorials and articles about interior design and new trends to try. Freshening up your decor and injecting style and flair is a brilliant way to personalize your home and create a space that makes you feel happy. Perhaps you’ve never got around to redecorating after moving in, or you’ve never really had the time to think about what your home could look like with a bit of TLC and imagination. If you’ve decided that it’s time to make a few changes, celebrate your individual style, explore different design ideas and choose pieces of furniture, colors and wallpaper prints and statement features that make you smile. Whether you love the idea of a romantic, indulgent, decadent bedroom with a Murano glass chandelier, or you long for an achingly cool, modern kitchen with an eye-catching dining set and bright colored walls, now is the time to fulfil your interior design fantasies. Take inspiration from magazines and blogs, experiences and adventures you’ve enjoyed and places you’ve visited and mix and match elements to create unique, special spaces. 

Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/assorted-gold-plated-table-figurines-1099816/

Making time and space for rest and relaxation
Our homes have morphed into workplaces and classrooms over the last 12 months, and this means that it can be increasingly tough to escape emails and separate work and play. It’s essential that your home is a happy place, rather than a base you associate with feeling stressed or having an endless to-do list. To embrace peace and tranquility and revel in moments of calm and serenity, create areas that enable you to get away from work and settle into a slower pace of life. Try to keep workspaces separate from social areas and turn your phone off after a certain time. Make space to relax, enjoy activities that help you to feel calm and enjoy time away from your desk. Even if you only have a corner of the living room, you can create a cozy, quiet space to retreat to with a book and a cup of tea.

Image by https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-woman-with-coffee-writing-in-notebook-on-bed-4132326/

Indulging hobbies and interests
Most of us can’t get out and about as much we want to at the moment, so it’s great to be able to indulge our hobbies at home. Set aside space to get creative, to read or write, to listen to or play music or to hang out with your family or catch up with friends virtually. 

Picture from https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-brown-scoop-neck-long-sleeved-blouse-painting-933255/

Is your home your happy place? If it’s not quite ticking all the boxes at the moment, there are some simple ways to turn a house into a haven. 

A Few Things Every Romantic Escape Needs

Hi lovelies,

There are so many things that you need to take into account when executing any travel plans, but there are even more when you’re planning a romantic escape for you and your partner. It’s the kind of thing that you really want to get right and plan out in advance in order to get the most out of it. We’re going to discuss that and more here, so read on to find out more.

Time Alone Together
The first and most important thing that your romantic escape will need to offer you both is time alone together. If you don’t have that, then it won’t be much of a romantic escape at all. So be sure to make plans that allow you to have plenty of free time together and that give you the opportunity to share special time together in a way that you might not otherwise have the time to.

Beautiful Landscapes
It’s so much easier to get into the romantic mood with one another when you’re located in a place with stunning views and beautiful surroundings. Of course, that’s entirely subjective. A tropical beach might work for you but for other couples, overlooking the skyline of a huge city might be more appropriate. Just make sure that the setting for your trip is the right one.

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A Throwback
It’s always nice for your romantic getaway to offer some sort of throwback experience. That means revisiting something that’s special, relevant and meaningful to your shared relationship. Of course, this is something that only you and your partner can know and decide on. It could be about revisiting the place where you first met or shared another first, it’s entirely up to you.

A Private Hot Tub
Choosing a hotel that offers something a little more and a little different in terms of your stay is obviously really important. A hotel with hot tub in room in Ohio could be exactly what your getaway needs. Who doesn’t love relaxing with a glass of champagne in hand in a warm, bubbling hot tub? There’s no better way to relax or share some special moments with the person closest to you on your romantic getaway.

Something Fancy
Finally, you should find a way to incorporate something a little fancy and a little special into your travel plans. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to push the boat out and maybe spend a little more money than you usually would on something like this. After all, this is about enjoying time together and also celebrating your relationship in some way. And you have to be a little fancy when doing that.

If you make the most of all the ideas discussed here, you shouldn’t have any trouble at all planning a romantic escape that you and your partner will remember for a very long time to come, and that’s what matters more than anything else here. Be sure to put in place these things and enjoy the time you get to spend with one another.

2 Ways To Make Your Bedroom Easier To Sleep In

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Hi lovelies,

For most of us, the main purpose of a bedroom is to relax and fall asleep. If the vibes in this room aren't perfect, you'll lie awake tossing and turning every single night. As a consequence, this affects the rest of your life as you have no energy, your skin starts to look worse, and you generally feel run-down. 

There are lots of things to consider when homemaking, but the bedroom setting is one of the main concerns. Here are two ways you can turn your bedroom into a better place to sleep...

Control the temperature
Trying to sleep in a room that's too warm or cold is a big task. You lie awake struggling to find the perfect temperature balance. Do you have the covers on or off? It's challenging, but you can rectify this by improving your ability to control the temperature. One idea is to put your heating on a timer that goes off half an hour before you fall asleep. This will keep your room warm during the colder months. 

What about when your room is boiling? Two ideas spring to mind, one of which is to open your windows. Here, it helps to get some sort of protective netting to hang on your windows as mosquito control and to prevent other bugs from flying in. The wider you open the windows - and the more windows you open - the cooler your room gets. If you don't like this idea because it's too noisy outside, you could either wear earplugs or try a different approach. Buy lightweight bedsheets that are designed to give a cooling effect. This should help you avoid overheating in the middle of the summer!

Buy a better mattress
Secondly, you need to buy a better mattress for your bed. The majority of people will solve all of their sleeping issues with a better mattress. Unfortunately, this is where things get tricky. There's no way of telling you what mattress you should buy. In all honesty, it depends on each individual and your body's preferences. 

For example, some people with back pain might benefit from a firm mattress to provide more support. Similarly, some people with bad backs prefer softer mattresses. It's quite difficult to make the right decision, so here are a couple of top tips. Start by doing as much research as possible, looking for mattresses depending on your particular issues. This should help you see a selection of mattress types that suit you. Next, try to buy mattresses that have a trial period. Companies like Simba tend to offer money-back guarantees where you can use the mattress for a week or so, then send it back if you don't like it. Doing this can help you try different mattresses before finding the ideal one. 

Just like that, you've created a bedroom that helps you relax when you need to sleep. It's all about controlling the temperature and ensuring you have a comfortable mattress to lie on. This should help you get to sleep faster and for longer!