6 Ways to Do Things Differently for Your Engagement

Getting engaged to be married is one of the most significant steps you can take in your relationship. It's different for everyone; some people don't want to get married, while others might skip the engagement stage. But if you do want to be engaged before getting married, it's a period you can enjoy as you plan to make your commitment more serious (and legally bound).

I remember my proposal like it was yesterday. It was a sweet and intimate moment shared between the two of us. If you know anything about my husband, he’s quiet and doesn’t like a lot of attention.

There are traditions and trends that go along with getting engaged, but only some people want to follow the crowd when it comes to their relationship or any part of their personal life. If you and your partner like to do things differently, you can choose to veer away from tradition and approach engagement however you want to. At the end of the day, it’s about the two of you.

Do Away with the Proposal

The proposal part of getting engaged is arguably the most important part for many couples, but not everyone is very enthusiastic about the idea of a flashy proposal, especially in public. When a proposal occurs, you should know that you both want to get married anyway. There shouldn't be any doubt about whether the person being asked will say yes, which to some, might make the proposal itself kind of pointless. If you're a more relaxed couple, you might have a discussion and decide that you want to be engaged instead.

Look at Non-Traditional Rings

Engagement rings are another big tradition to consider when you're getting engaged. Some couples might decide not to bother with any rings, but there's something to be said for having a symbol of your promise to get married. If you do want to find the right ring (or two of them), but you want to be a little different, you might look beyond the traditional styles. You could look at different gem colors instead of sticking with traditional clear diamonds. A pink diamond could be a fun alternative—you can find out more about them and what they look like to decide if they could be for you. Or you can consider alternative metals or materials, especially if you're someone who works with their hands a lot.

Get Engagement Gifts for Both of You

Traditionally, women wear engagement rings. But what if you and your partner are the same gender? Or what if you don't like the idea of just one of you having a symbol of your engagement? Maybe you don't like the idea of a ring at all. Consider engagement gifts for both of you so you both get a little something out of being officially engaged. You might decide to exchange rings, or there are other wearable items you could consider. Watches, necklaces, or other gifts could all work. Anything could be an engagement gift if you want it to be.

Spread the News Your Way

Making an announcement about your engagement is a fun way to share your excitement. You have to let people know at some point, especially if you want them to come to the wedding, but not everyone wants to make a big fuss about it. Maybe you want to announce your engagement on social media or even, more traditionally, through a newspaper. But if you'd rather keep it more low-key, maybe you'll tell a few people and allow it to spread. There are ways to get creative!

Take Time to Enjoy Being Engaged

It's natural to start thinking about the wedding as soon as you're engaged, but there doesn't have to be any rush to get married. Some people are engaged for a couple of years or even longer before they go through with the wedding. You can take the time to enjoy being engaged, let the excitement build, and plan your wedding. The longer you're engaged, the more time you have to save and plan your wedding budget.

Focus on the Marriage, Not the Wedding

Another way to use your time as an engaged couple is to think about your marriage. The wedding will be important, but it's really just the start of your journey as a married couple. What's much more important is what your marriage will look like. Now is the time to make sure you're talking about the big issues, from finances to children, careers, and what you want your future to look like.

Don't feel you have to follow tradition. You can do things your way when you get engaged.

The Complete Guide To Purchasing An Engagement Ring

Thinking about proposing but not sure how or where to buy an engagement ring? Then you’re in the right place!

Purchasing jewelry of any type is not a fun experience. It's a lot more complicated and requires more thought than most people realize. Shopping for jewelry is easier when you have a good idea of where you want to go, the types of jewelry you like and want to buy your own style, and the event you'll be wearing it to. Many of these things might be stressful, but nothing compares to the pressure of shopping for an engagement ring. There is a lot riding on these events, and it's easy to see why. They represent the pinnacle of a relationship and provide a foundation for the rest of your lives together. Yet you can handle this stress by having a strategy ready to implement. In order to make your search for an engagement ring as stress-free as possible, I have come to help you today. What follows is a comprehensive guide on purchasing an engagement ring.

There are a few considerations you should make when purchasing an engagement ring. The first option is the one you should prioritize when making a purchase. You'd be hard-pressed to find a jewelry store or an internet site like Brilliant Earth review click here that doesn't sell engagement rings nowadays. That's why it's not a good idea to just go inside the first shop you see. Because there is such a wide variety of options available, you will need to put in the required work if you want to discover the ideal ring that you and your significant other want to wear together. I think it's a good idea to visit as many jewelry stores as possible. As a result, you'll be able to decide on the best stores and rings based on your own research and evaluation.

Buying an engagement ring online is another option. As a result, you may have much more leeway and experience much less stress. Many avoid stores while looking for one of these because they have an irrational fear of being judged or of picking the wrong one. This isn't a problem when you do your purchasing online. You'll be able to examine pictures of every available ring, in stock or not, so you can make an informed decision. When you do your shopping online, you may narrow your focus on certain sites. This means you may narrow your search for a suitable gemstone by specifying its desired price, size, or type of stone. If you do this, you'll have a lot more options available to you.

Keep in mind that the importance of the ring is not the only factor. After all, if your significant other doesn't like it, they're the ones who will have to wear it. Do they have a favorite stone, for example, that you might include in the ring's design or selection? Using this as a checklist, you might be able to narrow down your search for the ideal engagement ring.

Turning Our House Into A Home: Part 2 - Creative Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of my home, but it hasn’t been functioning as I need it to. For the last year, I’ve been trying to figure out how to make it work. I reached out to Brittanie of DownHomeBliss for guidance, and we devised a plan! If you’re new here, we’re a large blended family, and there are ALWAYS kids or a dog around. We started remodeling an old home in 2020, and it’s still a work in progress. We must make our current space work until we’re ready to expand.

Our kitchen has a lot of length with limited width and includes a dining room area. Creating separation has been a big deal for me. The room quickly feels like one ample space, and no one knows how to use it properly. The plan was to split the room in 3 ways; kitchen, flex/creative area, and dining room.

I have dubbed this project the creative kitchen space. It’s a space that I can use for work, meal prep, and occasionally eating. I have always wanted a kitchen island, but due to our limited space and layout, I can’t have one that is usually in the center of the kitchen. Instead, I decided to keep our current kitchen cart that doubles as an island. At the start of this project, we had previously painted the Modernist Gray, and I thought I loved it, but the way I wanted to use that space, it felt closed in. 

Getting Started

woman with paint swatches

Creating a budget and having an inspiration board was vital in making this project come to life. I knew what I was willing to spend and had an idea of what I wanted, but I was also open to inspiration. Brittanie offered some great suggestions and was very patient as I figured out exactly what I wanted. She’s why we have a colored pantry door - I know I would have NEVER thought to do that, but we LOVE it! 

Check out my Pinterest board for this makeover.

Budget: $1000

Timeline: 30 days

Results - We came in under budget, but it took longer than 30 days due to choosing paint colors, timing, etc. Total $622

Project Budget Breakdown

The Process

Settling on a design plan and estimating cost was the first step in getting this project started. I knew shelving was high on my list and was willing to invest in quality shelving. I found these shelves at Wayfair, and they are great, we did have a little trouble with getting them aligned, but after a few minor adjustments, it worked out well.

Paint Swatching

I have never known the importance of swatching paints until this project. I made a mistake twice with my living room and kitchen paint colors and was determined not to make it again. Ultimately, I went with Valspar’s Ultra White for the wall and Palisade Blue for the pantry door. 

I picked up my paint swatches from Lowes Home Improvement store and used a foam brush to apply them to the wall. Allow the paint to dry completely and wait at least 24 hours before deciding on the color. This will allow seeing the color throughout the day.

Styling/Decor

small kitchen island with shelves

I wanted to keep everything neutral with the option to change things out for the seasons. Currently, I have it decorated for fall, and I love the way the colors flow together. {This post is waaaayyyy overdue.} I can’t wait to see how the space transforms over time. 

Before and After

I still can’t believe I actually did this! You never know what a little hard work can turn into.

This is your sign to start that small DIY project you’ve wanted to do.

Turning Our House Into A Home - Part 1: Vinyl Plank Floors

Wow, this post is long overdue, but I finally wanted to share some house updates! I’ve decided to break it down into a series as we have done several things and it will be easier to follow along.  As many of you know, we opted for a remodel instead of a new build. It just made sense with our financial goals and getting married at the time. The house needed a lot of work, but the pros outweighed our cons. Our goal has been to tackle a remodel for under $20,000 - by doing most of the repairs ourselves. 

When we initially walked into the house, it was a literal nightmare, we almost second-guessed ourselves so many times, but we knew it could be done. With lots of love and hard work, we would start turning our little ranch-style home into one we would love forever. Our first major project was the floors.

There was carpet in the home that had been there for over 20 years and needed to be removed. We rented a dumpster and got to work. When tackling a large home remodel project like this, I highly recommend renting one. We were able to rent a dumpster for $300 for a week and cleared all of the carpet and old materials left behind by the previous tenants. 

After much debate, we decided to go with vinyl plank flooring throughout the home. Getting carpet would just be too messy and carry germs. However, we have found that the planks require tons of sweeping but are pretty easy to keep clean. We were able to find the best pricing on the flooring at bestlaminate.com - the prices were affordable and we spent $3,500 for a 1600sqft home. The color we chose was Vintage Oak White, it’s a very pretty light grey color and matched the clean look that I was going for.

We received several quotes to install the flooring, ranging from $4,000 - $8,000 and we were not interested in doing that. My husband and I have never installed flooring before but felt pretty confident after watching a few youtube videos. Thankfully, my husband has worked construction and knows his way around a few power tools, and had a general understanding. Otherwise, we might have been stuck. 

Friendly Tip: I highly recommend tackling a small space before attempting such a large project as we did. 

After removing the carpet, we had to inspect and repair the subfloor. There was a lot of damage and we were able to repair some spots by using Kilz and others where we needed to completely install a new subfloor to level out the area. We also painted the subfloors that we didn’t replace with an oil-based primer to remove the odor. 

Our floors used a beginner-friendly locking system; slide and lock into place. We didn’t have to use a lot of power tools but we did find the Vinyl Floor Cutter to be incredibly helpful. I was able to cut the planks and determine the design while my husband laid out the pieces. It allowed us to work quicker and smarter. Some videos will say to use a box cutter and snap them - while you can do this it’s time-consuming. 

We also opted to remove our baseboards and replace them after the flooring was complete instead of using the quarter rounds. 

Overall, we are happy with the way our floors have turned out. We learned along the way and realized how we could have done things differently, and better. Currently, we have a few repairs to make only due to our lack of knowledge but it’s been over a year and the floors look amazing!

Things To Keep In Mind When Planning Your Wedding

I’ve been married for a little over a year now, and I still can’t believe how much planning it took to accomplish it, but it was all worth it for the day to go off without any major complications.

Planning a wedding can be an incredibly daunting task. There are so many things to keep in mind, and it can be challenging to know where to start. The following blog will outline some of the most important things to consider when planning your wedding.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

1) The First Thing To Consider Is Your Budget

Weddings can be costly, and it is essential to have a clear understanding of how much you are willing to spend before you start planning. There are many ways to save money when planning a wedding, so be sure to do your research and find the best deals.

If you are working with a limited budget, don’t worry! There are still plenty of beautiful and unique weddings that can be planned on a tight budget. Just remember to be creative and resourceful when searching for ways to save money.

Some helpful tips for saving money include:

-Choosing an off-peak date for your wedding

-Selecting a less popular venue

-Asking friends and family to help with DIY projects

-Limiting the guest list

Make sure you’ve factored in all of the elements that come within the budget of a wedding day. It’s worth detailing every single thing you’re intending to buy. From the bridal dress to the bridesmaid’s robes and the catering. There’s a lot to think about and it’s important to budget for everything. Leave no stone unturned!

2) The Second Thing To Consider Is The Guest List

Another essential thing to consider when planning your wedding is the guest list. It is necessary to decide how many people you want to invite before you start making any other plans. This will help you stay within your budget and make sure that your wedding is precisely the size that you want it to be.

If you are having trouble deciding who to invite, try making a list of must-have guests and then trimming it down from there. It is also essential to keep in mind that not everyone will be able to attend, so don’t get too disappointed if some of your invitations are declined.

3) The Third Thing To Consider Is the Transportation

If you are having a destination wedding, it is essential to make sure that your guests have transportation to and from the wedding. Louisville car and chauffeur service is a great option that your guests can consider. You can either provide transportation for your guests or give them clear instructions on how to get to the wedding location.

Another thing to consider is where your guests will be staying. If you are providing lodging for your guests, be sure to make all of the arrangements in advance. It is also a good idea to put together a welcome packet for your guests with information about the area and things to do during their stay.

4) The Fourth Thing To Consider Is The Ceremony And Reception Venues

One of the most important things to consider when planning your wedding is the ceremony and reception venues. It is essential to choose a venue that is convenient for your guests and fits within your budget.

If you are having a destination wedding, be sure to research the area in advance and make sure that there are plenty of activities and attractions for your guests to enjoy during their stay.

When choosing a reception venue, it is essential to consider the size of the space and whether or not it can accommodate your guest list. You should also think about the type of atmosphere you want to create at your reception. Do you want it to be formal or casual?

In conclusion, there are many things to keep in mind when planning your wedding. Be sure to consider your budget, guest list, transportation, and venues when making any plans. With a little bit of research and planning, you can be sure to have the wedding of your dreams!

4 Ways To Make Your Health A Priority

Almost a third of Americans put off a trip to the doctor. We say we have no time, our problem is not important, or that we’ll book an appointment tomorrow. But our biggest resource is our health, and without it, we leave ourselves at risk. Here is why your health is so important, and four ways you can make your health a priority today.

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Book A Dental Appointment

A basic check up can be booked every six months without you needing to wait until you have a toothache. There is an affordable dentist out there you can visit, and with a regular check up you can avoid a sudden health emergency that racks up a high cost. The benefits of regular dental appointments are that you get to keep your teeth for longer, minimize the risk of severe gum disease, and even reduce the time spent off work for more severe issues. 

Manage Your Stress Levels

Your stress levels play a vital part in your daily life. Stress can derail your healthy eating plans, stop you from wanting to see friends, and even change your perception of yourself. Simplifying your schedule can help reduce stress levels, so you can better manage your time and wellbeing. 

Long term stress can significantly impact your physical and mental health, so if you do find yourself feeling stressed a lot of the time, take steps to unwind throughout the day. Simple steps to reduce stress include going outside, planning things like meals in advance, and taking the time to do the things you enjoy.

Set Realistic Fitness Goals

95% of our New Year's Resolutions are health-related, yet over 40% of us give up on them after less than a month. So why do so many of us give up so quickly? Most of our fitness goals are unrealistic. People want to run five days a week rather than one or lose lots of weight rather than a little bit over time. When you set fitness goals, try to make them realistic. There’s no point setting yourself a goal you’ll not only give up, but feel bad for failing afterward.

Make Time To Prioritize You

How much time do you schedule in the day for looking after yourself? One of the main reasons why our exercise or healthy eating plans fail is because we don’t make enough time in the day to actually carry them out. Prioritize yourself by making self-care an actual slot in your diary. You can only be efficient for so long. If you keep focusing on work above yourself then there will come a day when you feel burnt out and run down.

Your health matters. You deserve self-care, health checks, and manageable stress levels. Try to make it a natural part of your schedule to visit the dentist, and be realistic with the goals you set yourself. If you were giving advice to a friend, what parts of life would you tell them to prioritize? Make your health a priority today, tomorrow, and into the future.

6 Things You Need To Do To Start An Online Business

Starting your very own online business can be a very exciting and rewarding experience. However, it is important to do your research and plan ahead before taking the plunge. This article will cover some of the most important things you need to do to start an online business.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

These Things Include:

Choose Your Niche:

The very first step in starting an online business is to choose your niche. This is the market or industry you will target with your products or services. There are various factors to consider when choosing your niches, such as your interests, skills, and experience. Once you have chosen a niche, you can narrow down your focus and target a specific audience.

Find Your Target Audience

The next step is to find your target audience. This is the group of people who are most likely to be interested in your products or services. There are a variety of ways to find your target audiences, such as online research, surveys, and focus groups. Once you have identified your target audience, you can begin creating marketing materials that will appeal to them.

Create a Website:

The third step in starting your own online business is to create a website. Your website will be the foundation of your online presence and will be used to promote and sell your products or services. When creating your website, it is important to choose a domain name that is relevant to your niche and easy to remember. Additionally, your website should be designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate. Take a look atWordpress’s exclusive coupon.

Promote Your Website:

The fourth step in starting an online business is to promote your website. There are a variety of ways to promote your websites, such as search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and social media marketing. By promoting your website, you will be able to attract more visitors and potential customers.

Start Generating Sales:

The final step in starting an online business is to start generating sales. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as setting up an e-commerce store, creating a subscription service, or selling products or services directly from your website. Once you have started generating sales, you will be able to experience the rewards of owning your own online business.

Keep Growing And Evolving:

As your online business grows, it’s important to keep growing and evolving with it. Keep track of your analytics and make changes to your marketing strategy based on what’s working and what’s not. Continue to create valuable content to help attract new customers and keep your current customers coming back. Finally, and most importantly, always stay focused on your goals and what you want to achieve with your online business.

Conclusion

Starting an online business can be a very exciting and rewarding experience. However, it is important to do your research and plan ahead before taking the plunge. This article has gone over some of the most important things you need to do to start an online business. By following these steps, you will be well on your way to owning your own successful online business.

Wedding Ideas To Make Your Day Stand Out

Everyone loves a unique wedding, but coming up with ideas that can make your wedding stand out and impress those attending can be a tough task. It is because you will start thinking about the fashion moments, to the wedding décor which can take everyone's breath away.  A wedding can feel daunting to plan, but never fear, you’ve got this! Remember, you’ve found the love of your life, agreed to spend the rest of your life together, and found the perfect hidden halo yellow gold engagement ring for your proposal. You’ve already won, so there’s no need to worry, just have fun! Incorporating unique wedding ideas at your wedding can be considered a surefire way to ensure your guests will never forget the experience and fun.

Take Song Requests

In this case, you can ask those invited to write down some of their favorite songs or have the song emailed to the DJ. Then the DJ can compile the songs that have been requested into a playlist, and your guests can enjoy them.

Make It Your Own

Make sure you start by including your personality elements into the big day. Your wedding day is your special day, and through this, it's good to make the most out of it. Ensure you've featured your interest, photos, and best memories. Make sure your guests leave while happy and while they've made memories that will get treasured.

Telephone GuestBook 

An audio guestbook is an awesome alternative guest book you can use at your wedding. It will allow your guests to leave personalized recorded messages that you can cherish forever. At your wedding, your visitors can start recording their messages which can make you laugh and warm your heart, and the messages will help you remember the day in the future.

Consider Leaf Place Setting

In this case, you can opt for the season-appropriate place cards. If it's summer, you can look for fresh green leaves, and if it's autumn, you can consider blazing orange leaves. Then you can write the names of the guests in gold pen on the leaves to get a pretty setting.

Toast During the Ceremony Instead of the Reception

Since it's your wedding, you can prefer the speeches at the beginning of the ceremony. It can help set a great tone for the whole day, and everyone can have the opportunity to hear your loved ones giving the speech and the sweet words since there will be no distractions.

Use Childhood Photos

Your decor will look unique with the childhood photos of the two of you. You can make this fun and cute at the same time by having photos of different ages that can correspond with your table numbers.

Give Each Reception Table a Name

You can opt for a name for each reception table related to your courtship, for instance, Anne Avenue. Then, make sure there are tent cards on the tables with short explanations.

How To Have a Unique Wedding

Your wedding day should be all about you and your partner. Many times we focus on doing what others want or trying to keep up with trendy styles but never forget to make it unique to you!

If you’re going to spend large amounts of time, energy, and money on putting on a wedding day, then you’ll hope that it stands out from the crowd. While all weddings are special, they’re not all unique. Some just follow the tried and tested formula. While there’s nothing wrong with that approach, it’s possible that you’re looking for something slightly different from your big day. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do that’ll help to make your wedding stand out from the crowd. In this blog, we’ll look at some of the most effective tips.

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Picking the Right Venue

The venue will have a massive influence on the overall feel of the day, so it’s important that you get the selection just right. There’s no shortage of places to choose from, of course. A good starting point is to think about what type of theme you’re looking for. You might decide that you want something outdoorsy, something traditional, or something modern. There’ll be something available for you, even if it means that you need to travel a couple of hours away. The trip will be worth it!

The Look

There are plenty of things that will influence how people perceive your wedding. One of the most important elements will be the overall look. This refers to both the look of the venue (such as the decor) and your style. For your style, it’s best to look at custom options. That’s the only way to ensure that it’ll be truly unique! There are companies that can help to create custom engagement rings, dresses, and suits. For the decor of the venue, it’s best to hire a specialist (rather than leave it in the hands of the venue). They’ll know just how to make the space pop.

Surprise Elements

There are some things that all weddings have. The reception, dinner, and selection of wedding DJ songs are present on every big day! While you’ll want to have those things, it’s also important that you work on putting together a few surprise elements. These will be the things that people really remember about your big day. It could be games, cocktails, fireworks, or anything else. So long as it’s fun and cool and rarely seen at other weddings, then you’ll be on the right track. 

Look For Inspiration

The wedding world is big. There are people doing exciting things all the time! As such, it’s recommended that you look online for some inspiration on ways in which you can make your wedding day stand out. If you took the top tips, then you’d have a big day that you and your guests absolutely love.

Make It Your Own

Finally, be sure to include elements of your personality into the big day. This, after all, is your special day, so why not make the most of it? Your interests, photos, and best memories could all feature. The goal is to have your guests leave thinking that the wedding that they’ve been to could only have been yours. 

Ideas to Create the Perfect Backyard For Family

When it comes to the backyards of your home or apartment, this can be tricky. You want it to be open, inviting to your guests and a place where you can enjoy nature. There are many ways to make your backyard perfect for friends and family and below are a few ideas to help you create a backyard oasis. Actually, there are many studies that show both adults and kids benefit from spending time outdoors. Creating a kid-friendly backyard is a great way to not only encourage your kids more time outside in the fresh air and sunshine, but also allow them to play and keep them active. Look at a few ideas to help you transform your backyard below to help.

Include A Play Structure: One of the more age appropriate play structures is a good way to encourage being physically active while having fun. Kids and their friends are sure to love spending swinging, sliding, climbing and playing right in your backyard. If possible, choose a structure that can grow with your children and you can allow a few more years out of your investment. 

Add a Sport/ Climbing Wall: Do your kids love golfing, climbing or soccer then you can customize a small area to encourage them to continue this passion. Add an artificial grass putting green for an ideal little area for golf or if basketball is more their sport, build a full or half basketball court that they can enjoy. A soccer goal allows a small practice area for them to run around and enjoy, while a climbing wall can add them to work building. If you don’t have room for this, it could be worth moving so you can find an area with more amenities. Reed Pirain can advise you on the best areas to live in if you want to know more.

Image: Daniel’s Lawn Tree LLC

Incorporate Landscaping: When it comes to landscaping, you want to make sure that your backyard is not only kid friendly for your little ones but also for adults coming over too. Let’s say your backyard has way too many tree stumps and you need it to be flat so they aren’t tripping over them. Daniel’s Lawn and Tree, LLC are there for all your landscaping needs. They offer mulch, plants as well as tree care in the New Castle area. This friendly staff is there to help you every step of the way to work with your vision to make your backyard the perfect oasis for your family to enjoy more space. 

Incorporate Chalkboard Walls: Do your kids love to draw? Chalkboards are great for encouraging creativity and providing a space where children can express themselves through words and images. Purchasing a chalkboard designed for outdoor use is super easy and extremely convenient. If you choose to paint it onto a wall or fence, keep it mind that chalkboard paint can be purchased in your local craft store and will not be able to uphold the elements when used outside. Be sure to look for paint that is intended for outdoor use. 

Have Great Lighting: As adults, it might be easy to have everyone gather around the firepit but it’s also important to have good lighting to make sure that everyone is safe and make playing areas simple to enjoy when the sun goes down. The best way to light the space might be with a few café lights strung above play structures so the kids can see or fairly lights wrapped around. You might even include path lights that lead to the play area or mark the edge so they don’t get hurt. 

Repurpose Household Items: If you are looking to save money, find a new use for things that you no longer need or have around the house. For example, if you lost many kids to some of your plastic food storage containers, use those to stock an outdoor play kitchen. Do you have plenty of old jewelry or hats that you aren’t using? Create a dress-up play area in a playhouse or the covered patio area for your kids to enjoy. 

There are many other ways to create the perfect backyard for your kids and family members to enjoy. Adding comfortable furniture, cozy pillows, and rugs to make an area more inviting to sit is also another way to enjoy your backyard. Do what you can in doses if money is tight, ask around if any friends or neighbors are getting rid of old furniture, and enjoy getting the backyard ready for the warmer weather. 

Hobbies That Can Be Fun For Everyone!

There are so many things in life that we can enjoy if we take the time to do so. A lot of the time though, we tell ourselves that we have no time for these things, even when that isn’t strictly true. For example, if you have time to sit around on social media for what adds up to hours every single day, then you have time for a hobby. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the fun hobbies that you can consider taking up instead, so keep reading to find out more.

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Sports

First, have you ever considered doing sports? Sports are a fantastic way to keep your body moving which is important, help you manage things like stress, and provide you with a whole range of fun. It’s not like there is a shortage of sports for you to choose from either, so if you don’t like one, you can always try another one. Depending on what you want, you can either look into a team sport or a single person sport. If you choose a team, then you can meet some pretty awesome people along the way who become some of your best friends.

Baking

Another thing that you should consider is learning to bake. If you love delicious treats and everyone else in your home or around you does too, then this is a fantastic choice. It’s true to say that baking can be a lot of fun as you get to try out a range of new flavors, and when you are done there is always something yummy waiting for you. If you want to get better at baking faster and you don’t want to teach yourself, there are always online baking classes that you can take to enhance your skills. 

You just need to make sure that you are being careful and you are being safe when you are baking. Take the necessary precautions to ensure that everything is as safe as possible.

Art

Finally, art is a fantastic hobby that you should consider taking up. Art is especially good for those people who are stressed as it provides an outlet for them. There are so many different types of art that you are bound to find one that you are good at and that you enjoy. Painting, drawing, sculpting, and so many more are available to you. Try to remember that not everything that you create is going to be perfect, so don’t give up your hobby when this happens.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the hobbies that can be fun for everyone! There are so many options when it comes to choosing a new hoby but these are some of the most common, appealing to the most amount of people. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you find a hobby that you can enjoy sooner rather than later.

How to Make a Home a Space that Enhances Your Wellbeing

It can be a huge deal to turn your house into a home. You want it to reflect who you are as a person! When we look to decorate and update our homes, do we do so with our happiness in mind? Is it more about aesthetics and less about comfort? Happiness can mean different things to different people, and feeling at home can be subject to both our conscious and subconscious minds. We spend a lot of our time and home, and it can have a profound impact on our mental health. But that means we all have the power to update our homes to enhance our sense of wellbeing, both in the conscious and subconscious realms. Let’s have a look at a few ways:

Create Balance

If you work from home, you need to find a balance between your working life and home life. If having a home office is not possible, use effects such as large plants, furniture like an open bookcase, or a sofa to break areas up. This will give you a clear distinction between the relaxing zone and the work zone. You could also use some special lighting effects, such as ambient or accent lighting. The idea is that when you stop working, you switch off. Being constantly reminded of work can lead to more work stress. 

Create Calm

Being overworked and constantly stimulated can negatively affect our wellbeing. We can use our homes to reduce stimulation. To do this, add calming effects, perhaps digital-free minimalist zones, and embrace plants. Think calming colors, too, and perhaps paint a wall with one of those colors. 

Enhance Natural Light

If you want something simple to boost your mood, you can’t go wrong with enhancing natural light. It increases serotonin in the brain, a happy chemical, and helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle, which is very important to your health and happiness. To make the most of the light you have, ensure your windows are free from obstructions, including dark and overpowering curtains. You can add mirrors to reflect light. You can even paint walls a light color which helps maximize the light. Both these methods make the home appear larger too.  

Embrace Minimalism

Minimalism is a great way to combat many forms of negative wellbeing, such as stress and anxiety. If your home is cluttered, this can cause you a lot of stress. It constantly hits the psyche with a lot of stimuli and doesn’t allow the mind to relax. Certain pieces of clutter can have the effect of transporting you back to a point in the past, which doesn’t allow you to move on so easily. It can make it difficult to find things, and it can also mean your house becomes full of mold. Often after a sincere attempt to declutter, people need Mold Damage Restoration Services to fix walls and flooring that has been neglected. Mold in itself can cause negative health effects, so decluttering is not only good for your mental health but it is good for your physical health too, especially respiratory issues. If decluttering is a difficult process for you, start small, with the obvious rubbish, then work up to the larger items.

Finding the Home That Best Suits Your Family

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Are you looking for a family home? You have quite the journey ahead of you. Finding a family home can be a long process that requires a lot of thought before the search even begins. The good news is that the more you think about what you want from your family home before getting the house hunt underway, the better chance you have of finding the right property as soon as you see it. Here are a few considerations to help you along the way.

Price

Of course, we’d all love to live in a mansion with plenty of space and all the mod cons. But the first step you need to take when considering a new home is budget. How much do you have available to spend on a house and, consequently, what mortgage can you likely be approved on? You can get a better idea of this using a mortgage calculator and by getting a Mortgage Quote.

Size

Another key consideration when looking for a family home is size. How big do you need the property to be to properly accommodate your family? Generally speaking, the more people you have to shelter, the bigger the property will have to be to provide properly for them and their needs. Ideally, all children should have their own bedroom to provide them with privacy and space to call their own. Before looking, you should also consider whether you plan on having even more children in the future. If you are, you may want to choose a property with enough space now rather than having to up and move again when the new arrival lands down the line. You may also need to consider things like guest rooms or home offices at this point too.

Location

You need to know where you want to live before you’ll be able to search for a property. There are all sorts of considerations to bring to the forefront of your mind when considering the location of your home. Do you need your home to be close to a specific school? Do you want to be close to family and friends? Do you need to be close to work? Is the area you’re considering safe for your children to live in? Are there good transport links? Are all amenities nearby and accessible?

Parking Space

Many people forget to consider garages when searching for a house, but a garage can prove essential for families with valuable or multiple cars that they want to store securely overnight and while they’re not being used. Alternatively, a garage space may be essential for storage purposes.

Gardens

If you have kids, chances are, you’re going to want a garden for them to play in. The same goes for if you have a dog or other pet that enjoys spending time outdoors. Having a safe and secure outdoor space for your little ones and pets to play in can be an essential tick box for many.

Focusing on the above areas can really help you in your house hunt. Hopefully, some of the information will come in useful for you!

Stop Clockwatching: Preparing Yourself for a Brighter Future

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Everyone wants to be happy but we also need to remember that it's not just about the present, but about preparing ourselves for the future, and when we think about what this journey we call life is all about, sometimes, we need to remember that we are in charge of shaping our future. So what are the things that we need to bear in mind in order to prepare ourselves for a bright future? 

How Would You Feel If You Only Had One Day Left to Live? 

Sometimes we can place a lot of importance on very, very far into the future. Ultimately, this is why many people take part in a tarot reading because they want to see what the future holds for them, but if you only had one day left to live, would you have any regrets? Because if you don’t change anything in your life or you have endless excuses, you have to remember that if you don't work on your future, you will have a lot of regrets. Nobody has extra time, it's about making sure that you have the power to change your life now. 

What Are the Things That Occupy You Right Now?

Specifically, are they actually important? This is especially true when it comes to the working life that we lead. Many people live to work rather than work to live. Look at your commitments- realize that if you are pursuing a certain goal, and if it is to line someone else's pockets, are you really going to be happy years down the line? Sometimes, you have to think about what will make you happy, and this is not necessarily to do with money, but it's about making sure that you are living the best life possible. 

Look at Your Lifestyle

Does your lifestyle actually help you to create the well-being that will support you? You are the one that's in control of your health, and if you are not looking after it, whether this is your physical health, mental health, or emotional health, you only have yourself to blame. Nutrition is one of those things that can be a massive pillar with regard to our health and happiness. It doesn't have to be an expensive thing, but it's about making sure that you are feeding yourself the right things, this also means in terms of your emotional health. 

Are You Putting Your Life on Hold? 

Sometimes when we are looking at what the future holds, we may find ourselves waiting for something better. The reality is that if you really want to make a big change in your life, you are the one that's in control, and if you want to start doing something, there is no point in waiting until the stars align. Because if you stop putting things off, this becomes a habit that will hinder your life in many ways. We should not necessarily wait for the clock to strike, but it's about making sure that we are in charge of our destiny.

Things To Consider Before Getting A Piercing

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Thinking of getting a piercing? Here are some of the main things to consider before you go ahead.

Where should I get a piercing?

The most traditional and popular place to get a piercing is the earlobe. Other types of piercing have become more mainstream in recent years. On the ear, there are other areas such as the tragus, helix and daith. Alternatively, you could go for somewhere else on the face such as a nose piercing, septum piercing, snakebite piercing or tongue piercing. There are also various intimate areas around the body to consider such as the nipples or belly button.

Some areas are more painful than others, may need to be more carefully looked after or may have practical disadvantages to consider. Take your job into consideration - some employers may not allow piercing jewelry to be worn in the workplace for health and safety reasons (i.e. restaurant kitchens) or they may deem them unprofessional (although this is becoming less common due to discrimination laws). 

Who will do the piercing?

A piercing should always be carried out by a professional using sterilized equipment. This greatly reduces the risk of infection, keloid scarring or other complications. It’s best to visit a body art studio with good reviews. Ideally the piercer should use a needle and not a piercing gun.

Don’t try to pierce yourself. Similarly don’t rely on a friend unless they are a professional themselves. 

What type of piercing jewelry should I opt for?

It’s worth considering the type of piercing jewelry you plan to wear. Obviously you can switch between different types of piercing jewelry, however you may want to start with a certain style. The important thing is to make sure that you buy them from a trusted store. If you’ve had metal allergies before, you may want to consider a hypoallergenic metal.

There are lots of online stores where you can shop for piercing jewelry. Studs, barbells and rings are easy to find. For industrial earrings, shop the collection here. More specialist jewelry may require a more specialist jeweler. 

Is now a good time to get a piercing?

There are times when it could be better to delay a piercing. This could be due to your age or simply due to the recovery process. In most cases, you should delay getting a piercing if:

• You are not at the legal age of consent to get a piercing. A professional piercer will require you to be over the legal age. Different states have different age limits regarding different types of piercing. For many types of piercings in many states, the legal age is 18.

• You’re pregnant/recently been pregnant. Pregnancy affects the immune system and often increases the risk of infection following a piercing. Most professional piercing parlors will not pierce you if you are pregnant.

• You have plans to go swimming soon. Swimming in a pool should be avoided directly after getting a piercing as it can expose it to bacteria and chemicals which may increase the risk of infection. If you’ve got a swimming event lined up or you’re just about to go on vacation, consider delaying your piercing. 

Tips on How To Market Your Business Successfully

Marketing is an essential component to the successful running of any business, no matter how large or small the enterprise is. Even if you are a one-person operation, without the proper marketing, you will not succeed. That means you need to give a lot of thought to your marketing strategy in order to make more sales and revenue. If you hope to expand your enterprise, then these tips will help you on your way.

Your Website

Whether you currently have a website or not, your website is a key component of your overall marketing strategy. It is, in effect, your shop window, and if it does not look right people will click off. So before you pay for any sort of marketing, you need to work on your website first. Remember all your material will have your website address on it, so it has to be top-notch. Perhaps, when you really investigate, it needs a complete overhaul. Fortunately, there are plenty of web design tools to help you if you are struggling and in some cases starting again using something like WIX or WordPress makes perfect sense. Think about your customer journey, is the site easy to navigate, is the content images, and text all coherent and to the point? Also, you need high-quality SEO (search engine optimization) to ensure your site is discoverable on search engines through organic searches.  

Think Social Media

Social media is a potent marketing tool that needs to be strategically employed by every business to ensure its success in the modern world. Social media allows businesses to develop deeper insight into their target customer base and use this knowledge to create better products and more effective and targeted marketing campaigns in the future. You need a presence on several of the platforms, and the best way to post is to create high-quality content that tells a story or focuses on a problem you are solving. The content is designed to get people to engage. Think about posting two or three times a day, not more. You do not want to make customers bored of your brand before you have even started. If people comment, be sure to respond in a timely fashion. Each interaction should be seen as a way to boost brand awareness, develop an understanding of your companies core values, and highlight key areas you want to express. Social media has the scope to give you a reach far beyond previous methods of marketing. 

Speak to the Professionals

If marketing is not your forte, then it may be worth your while getting help from a professional service. Remember to fully research the company you intend to work with before diving in. Also, think about hiring a suitable business service such as elitelawyermanagement.com who are specially created to help lawyers and law firms manage and market their businesses effectively. Whatever business you are in, there will be someone out there who has all the expertise needed to make your next marketing campaign a success. 

Subtle Home Improvements That Will Transform Your Home

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Home improvements can take many forms, shapes and sizes. Simply tidying up and lighting a candle can be considered a small home improvement; on the other end of the spectrum, you could build an extension to your existing home or convert an entire room.

If you aren’t into making huge shifts but do want to change the way your home looks or feels, there are subtle home improvements that will change your home beautifully. 

Here are 3 subtle home improvements that will transform your home!

Replacing windows.

Your home’s windows affect the way your house looks and feels more than you could imagine. Your windows control the amount of light that is let into your home; if your windows are small and badly placed, it can change the whole ambiance of the room. 

By speaking with a window installation contractor and having your windows replaced in the key rooms, such as your living room and kitchen, you can transform your home completely. More light means a more spacious feeling in your home, and can even boost your mood during grey, wintery days.

Adding splashes of color to each room.

Contemporary styling in many homes uses one color scheme: grey and white. If that’s your thing, great - but if you feel your home needs more life to it, you should add splashes of color in each room. 

This splash of color could be in the form of soft furnishings, such as a brightly colored rug or throw blanket; alternatively, you could invest in this further by painting a wall a bright color or designing your furniture to bring bright life to the room. 

By adding a splash of color to each room, you are drawing the eye more carefully to the key pieces in the room. A colorful rug under a glass coffee table, for example, invites a person further into the room and creates intrigue. Bright colors also make us feel happy inside, and can be immeasurably powerful in boosting your mood.

Personalizing your home. 

Personalizing your home goes beyond picking out furniture and painting the walls. If you want to make a subtle improvement that will transform the home space, you should consider having a few custom items that really make the place yours.

Having professional family photographs framed up in the home for everyone to see, or personalized posters made with your favorite family slogans, can really make a house a home! These are cost-effective ways to transform your generic home space into something truly unique and special.

Final Thoughts

If you love home improvements but only want to make subtle changes, these three tips are sure to make a big impact on your home. 

You don’t have to spend thousands or have months of construction to make your home feel like a totally different place - by using your imagination and implementing these subtle changes, you’ll be amazed at the difference they make.

Tidy up those cables!

For many of us, the cables we have lined around our homes from appliances, consumer electronics, our computers and home media centers can spool themselves everywhere, leading to trip hazards and a generally messy appearance.

This is why it can be so useful to utilize Singular Sound cable managers, especially if you have instruments you play or thicker cables you use to power specific lighting arrangements. Tidying up your cables helps reformat the space, allowing it to look cleaner and more like the design you had envisioned.

Use this guide and check out our other blog posts for more advice about home, love, family and life!

How to Get Your Employees Excited For an Upcoming Office Event

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Working in an office can be a great experience, but it is also necessary to have some fun. When you are working hard on your computer all day, it is easy to forget other people around you. That's why this blog shares some ways that will help get your employees excited for the next office event!

Host a Pre-Event Planning Meeting

A pre-event planning meeting is an opportunity for the different departments to come together and decide what they would like to see at the upcoming event. In addition, these meetings will help with logistics so that you don't have many bored at the event. If you are at a loss, learn more here. 

Ask for Employee Input

They are also great because it gives employees a chance to brainstorm, and you might get some great ideas that way. It's always good to ask your employees about their thoughts on upcoming office events because they can give you some great ideas! It's also a good idea to ask people for input because it will help you get organized and be prepared.

Share the Plans Beforehand

If you are planning an event, everyone should know about it. Share the plans beforehand on social media or internally with an email to give your employees a chance to ask questions in advance and not feel like you sidelined them on a big event.

Since it can be overwhelming to take on the task by yourself if you are planning an event, please make a list of all your tasks and delegate them amongst teams so that everyone feels involved. Therefore, make sure that your employees know about upcoming events by dropping a note at their desks. 

Include Fun Games or Competitions

Competitions are always exciting, and they make the event more personal, so include them at your next office event. They could involve getting dressed up in costumes or even competing in a race to the top of your building.

Another way to create excitement for an upcoming event is to have little competitions or prizes beforehand. For example, if there is a race happening, you can have the winner of that get to choose their prize first.

For example, scavenger hunts are a great activity to have at any gathering - even if it is just among your employees! A scavenger hunt will help get people out of the office and help with team building.

Include Food or Refreshments

Events are more fun when there is something good to eat! Plan out what kind of food will be available beforehand and make sure there's enough for everyone. Particular types of food like sweets might not appeal to everyone, so it's crucial to choose a few different options.

Conclusion

These are some of the ways that you can get your employees excited to attend an upcoming event. It's important to remember that people work hard and deserve a break. So the next time something is going on, try one of these ideas so that everyone has fun while they're at work.