{MOVING} How To Reduce The Stress Of Moving House

*This post contains affiliate links to essential oils and other products I talk about in the post. Purchasing them here from my blog is no extra cost to you but I do earn a commission that helps in the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support! Read full disclaimer here.

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Moving house is a very exciting and fun time, but it can also be extremely stressful since there’s just so much to do and take care of and sometimes it genuinely feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done that needs to be done.

The good news is that it just doesn’t have to be this way, and you can get through the process of moving in a relatively calm and stress free way.

In this post, we’re going to share with you some very useful tips on how you can reduce the stress of moving house.

Have a plan:

Like everything else in life, if you leave things chaotic and disorganized then you’re just setting yourself up for nothing but a huge amount of stress, and this is really not something you need when trying to move house. When you know you’re going to be moving, then the first thing you need to do is make a plan. That can include everything from organizing the moving company, decorating the new place and even getting boxes together so that you can assign them to each room.

Get your paperwork organized:

Paperwork is something you’re going to be seeing and hearing a lot of during a move. Especially if you’re buying a place and you’ll be expected to have all the paperwork ready for the place you’re selling as well, so make sure you look this out in advance and keep everything organized in one, easy-to-find place, so that you can access it when needed because you’re definitely going to be needing it a lot throughout the process.

Fix up anything that needs done in the house:

If you’re planning to sell your house and want to make sure that it sells quickly, then a good way to increase your chances of that happening is to fix up any last minute things around the house that you’ve been putting off. Things like giving the living room a new coat of paint, fixing that leaky tap and replacing that door in the bedroom that’s looking a bit worn are all great ways to add value to your house that could make for a quicker sale.

Have a clearout:

It’s easy to find yourself stuck with years worth of stuff that you don’t really need or want anymore, and moving is the perfect excuse to have a huge clearout. The less stuff you have to move with you, the less stress you’ll find you have. So, if you want to get rid of all those old dresses you no longer wear or take a look through your stainless steel kitchen appliances and see which ones you really need, then this is the time to do it.

Call in help:

Moving is certainly not something you should be approaching on your own - especially not if you want a stress free move. Don’t be afraid to call in the help of friends, family, professionals and even neighbors if you have that kind of relationship with them to help you make the process a bit easier and less stressful

{HOME} Building A Better Home Made Easy

*This post contains affiliate links to essential oils and other products I talk about in the post. Purchasing them here from my blog is no extra cost to you but I do earn a commission that helps in the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support! Read full disclaimer here.
Every homeowner has aspirations of unlocking the full potential of their property. However, knowing where to start can feel like a minefield. Thankfully, once you’ve got those plans in place, the whole process becomes a lot simpler.

Focus on the following 10 areas to turn your homeowner dreams into a reality.

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1| Storage

We all wish we had a bigger home. In reality, the best thing you can do is learn to make the most of the space that is available. Finding hidden storage with hooks behind doors, shelving, and creative thinking will work wonders. When supported by related ideas like selling unwanted junk and fixing a TV on the wall, the overall impacts are huge.

The perception of increased space can only have a positive influence.

2| Bedroom comfort

It’s easy to get caught up in the quest for luxury additions. However, the simple comforts are often the most significant. Given that you spend more time in your bed than any other part of the home, it’s vital that you learn to make it comfortable. A new mattress, thicker drapes, and comfy surroundings will all have positive influences. Underestimate it at your peril.

Sleep well to unlock increased energy and happiness.

3| Roofing and windows

Structural elements such as the roofing and windows impact the insulation, look, and comfort of the home. The https://roofingwarnerrobinsga.com guide to roofing will help you make the right decisions on materials and styles. Most importantly, you need to keep it in good health. Failure to do this causes danger for everything below.

The windows are similarly important, double glazing is advised.

4| Modern tech

Technology influences our lives in a whole host of ways, not least when it comes to the home. Staying entertained is immensely important as you need to fight the boredom. With the right smart tech features, there’s no doubt that the property will become a better place. Moreover, incorporating those modern ideas today will prepare the home for many years to come.

Without those features, you’ll always feel underwhelmed.

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5| Advanced security

It’s impossible to relax inside the home until you know that your family are safe. Preventing burglaries is a major issue, and the latest surveillance cameras will help. These can be supported by alarm systems, external lighting, and safer door locks.

A safer property is a happier property. Don’t forget it.

6|  Save money

Every investment should be made with money in mind. When dealing with your home, green upgrades are often the best. The products pay for themselves by reducing your energy bills. Moreover, the sense of satisfaction gained from doing your bit for society is something that can feel very rewarding too.

Besides, those savings can be reinvested into other additions for the home.

7| Plumbing and electricity

Good plumbing and electricity are very basic features, but are essential elements for a happy home. Therefore, if you’ve spotted signs of a leak, it’s vital to act right away. You can learn what to look for at https://comfortecphc.com. Meanwhile, boosting the water pressure and other features can also be incredibly beneficial.

As for electricity, ensuring that you gain a reliable service is key. Adding new sockets is ideal too.

8| Garden function

The backyard has the potential to become a truly stunning part of the home, but only if you give it a little TLC. Adding a deck, summer house, or BBQ area can completely transform the outside area. Likewise, planting some flowers can beautify the space to provide an additional source of smiles all year round.

Just remember to add some lighting so that you can enjoy the evenings too.

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9| Change the color schemes

Painting the internal walls is arguably the easiest home upgrade of all. Crucially, it might be the most significant too. The color sets the tone for the entire room and is the first thing you’ll notice on a subconscious level. When the decisions are made to suit your personal tastes, the property takes on a far more homely vibe.

For the best results, couple this with versatile lighting choices.

10| Keep it clean

It’s one thing to make the home look nice, but keeping it that way is another altogether. Cleanliness is next to godliness, and staying on top of these aspects is crucial for ongoing success. A few quick and easy cleaning hacks for the home should allow you to maintain control. Even if things start to get a little hectic, you must find time to make it happen.

Again, it may seem like a simple task, but it really makes a difference.

{HOME} 4 Precautionary Actions to Keep Your Home Super Safe

*This post contains affiliate links to essential oils and other products I talk about in the post. Purchasing them here from my blog is no extra cost to you but I do earn a commission that helps in the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support! Read full disclaimer here.
Everybody deserves to feel super safe in their own home, so you should to everything you can to prevent accidents and unexpected incidents from happening whenever you can. Your home should be a stress free and enjoyable place to be without any ongoing hitches and glitches getting in your way. There are many precautionary actions you can take to ensure your house is always running optimally. Whether you’re looking to save money on bills or keep your house in tip top condition, here are a handful of ideas to get you started.

1. Nip Cracks in the Bud
If you’re worried about any small cracks or flaws that are visible on the walls of your home then now would be the ideal time to get them taken care of. You might need to seek out professional house foundation crack repair, before it gets too out of hand and unsafe. Foundation settlement and cracking can sometimes lead to major structural problems so it’s always best to nip these problems in the bud and seek out a repair company who can strengthen your home. You want your house to be a stable and safe place to live so you don’t have any potential worries hanging over your head.

2. Eco-Friendly Hacks
If you’re looking for a sustainable way to keep your household running smoothly, then you should definitely consider some eco-friendly methods. Try to save water when possible by turning off the tap when you’re not using it; you can also have a special device fitted in your toilet to reduce water waste when you flush. Keep your home as insulated as possible too so that you aren’t wasting money on your bills every month. These hacks will make your home more ecological and cheaper to run.

3. Cleaning is Cool
That feeling when you’re greeted with an unsightly pile of washing up is a heart sinker. When you allow your household chores to build up over time it can seem like you’re trying to climb a mountain in order to get over them. Stay on top of your washing up, laundry and cleaning tasks and you’ll never have to worry about them getting out of hand.

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4. Super Safety Features

If you’re in any doubt about the safety of your home, then you should definitely consider investing in some top notch security equipment. There are many cameras that can link to your phone so that you can see when anybody even comes near to your property.

So if you’re hoping to keep your household running without a hitch, you should definitely think about taking action on some of these ideas. Investing in a reputable security system or incorporating some eco-friendly changes into your day to day routine, will help to keep your home super safe and efficient. Remember that staying on top of things around the house before they get out of hand is definitely the way forward. Preventive and precautionary actions are there to keep everything in order so that everybody within your household feels safe.

{DIY} 9 DIY Beauty Gifts To Make For Friends And Family

*This post contains affiliate links to essential oils and other products I talk about in the post. Purchasing them here from my blog is no extra cost to you but I do earn a commission that helps in the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support! Read full disclaimer here.

Photo by Tiara Leitzman on Unsplash

Gift giving is an incredibly difficult thing to do when you’re shopping for someone who has absolutely everything, right?

Well, I think that there’s nothing better than giving a homemade gift so I thought I’d share some of my favourite DIY beauty gifts to give to the person who already has everything they need.  From coffee scrubs to homemade perfumes, these incredible DIY gifts will make even the hardest person to shop for happy!

 1. DIY Exfoliating Coffee Scrub

Over the last few years, coffee scrubs have become increasingly popular. Whilst it doesn’t seem like the best use of coffee, scrubbing it all over your skin is actually a great way to exfoliate. To create your own scrub all you need is ground coffee, coconut oil and your choice of arinatherapy oils.

2. DIY Lip Balm Collection

If you know someone who absolutely loves lip balm, making them own personal scented one is a really cute idea for a gift that means something. Based on your friend or family members favourite scent, you can easily make a lip balm using beeswax, cocoa butter, honey and essential oils.

3. DIY Bath Bombs

Did you know making bath bombs is even more fun than it is to use them? With the increase in bath bomb popularity, there are now lots of different moulds you can purchase online, meaning no matter what shape bath bomb you want to make, you can probably make it. For inspiration and detailed instruction on how to make your own bath bombs, you can visit this website here.

4. DIY Sugar Scrub

Similar to the coffee scrub, a sugar scrub is a great way to exfoliate - especially if you make your own. Using sugar, coconut oil and your choice of essential oils you can make a range of different sugar scrubs to hand out to your friends and family - personalising each one to their favourite essential oil scent.

5. DIY Exfoliating Oat Bars

Oats are a great ingredient for DIY beauty gifts as not only do they make a product smell amazing, but they give it a little bit of extra texture. The perfect way to show this is by making DIY Exfoliating Oat Bars. Whilst they may look like a breakfast snack you can eat, these incredible little bars are great for exfoliating your skin in the morning.

If you’re feeling extra creative you can create a range of different scents, looks and designs when it comes to these exfoliating bats. The secret is keeping it so that absolutely every single bar is unique in its own special way.

6. DIY Creative Soap

There are lots of different ways to get creative with soap so if you’re feeling like you want to give something a little bit extra, try your hand at making your friends and family their own soap gift sets. Depending on whether you are making your soap for adults or children, you can tailor your gift exactly how you want. From bright colours and cartoon characters to sophisticated and well designed, you can make the perfect soap for just about anyone.

For inspiration, you can visit this website here.

7. DIY Bath Salts

Creating your own soothing and relaxing bath salts couldn’t be easier! All you need is sea salt, Epsom salts, baking soda and essential oils. Combining this mix together makes a bath salt mix that will help soothe and relax even the toughest of muscles - so give this to someone who you know really needs to relax this year.

8. DIY Homemade Perfume

Perfume is a really expensive gift to buy so if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, why not consider making your own? Once you have all your ingredients you can really get creative and make it a scent that reminds you of them.

Top it all off with gorgeous packaging and have the perfect gift for absolutely anyone! I mean, who wouldn’t want their own personalised perfume that is one of a kind?

9. DIY Scented Beach Spray

If you know someone who absolutely loves going to the seaside and getting those natural beach waves, then this may be the gift for them as it creates the most gorgeous beach curls. Made using salt water and infused herbs and spices, this is a gift that not only looks beautiful but smells it too.

Do you love making DIY beauty gifts for your friends and family? Which ones are your favourites? Let us know in the comment section below and maybe we will feature them in another DIY gift post!

{HOME} Everybody Chill! You Don't Have To Spend A Fortune On Your Home Over Winter

*This post contains affiliate links to essential oils and other products I talk about in the post. Purchasing them here from my blog is no extra cost to you but I do earn a commission that helps in the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support! Read full disclaimer here.
Home is where the heart is… It’s also where the heat is. And the light. And the comfort… And they’re all extremely important commodities as we move into the last month of the year. Because, as they say in Westeros… Winter is coming! Over the coming weeks and months we tend to brace ourselves for outrageous energy costs. We assume that we need to spend a fortune to keep our homes warm and cosy until spring sets in.

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However, a warm, cosy and comfortable home needn’t cost us a fortune. We can lay a lot of the groundwork now to ensure that your home is winter ready in the coming months. Before things get really cold, you might want to look at the following...

Is it time to rethink your radiators?

When your heating system is on, take a walk over to your radiator. Does it feel as warm to the touch as it should? Is the heat evenly spaced all around your radiator? If you feel cold spots here and there you may need to bleed your radiators (here’s how). If this still doesn’t work, don’t worry. You don’t need to replace your radiators, simply add a radiator additive. This expands when mixed with the water in your radiators and has a greater surface area than water meaning that it absorbs more heat.

Take a good long look at your water heater

Your water heater is at the heart of your home’s central heating system. However, (just like us) as they get older they are less able to work their magic efficiently. When a water heater goes bust it can be extremely expensive to replace or repair. It can also create a serious health hazard. On the other hand, getting ahead of the problem can save you a small fortune. Your heater / boiler may need a little TLC from a trained plumber like Edwards Plumbing, LLC if the pilot light burns yellow instead of blue, you notice strange smells or sounds emitting from it or it seems to take longer and longer to heat up your home. A little expenditure now can save you a small fortune later.

Winterize your pipes

Many of us don’t give our pipes a great deal of thought over winter, but if we forget to winterize our pipes, they can actually burst in an extremely cold snap and result in an extremely expensive repair. This is one December drama that you seriously don’t need. Make sure that you winterize your pipes. It’s relatively quick and easy and can save you a lot of money and inconvenience.

Spend some quality time in your attic

Your attic insulation is pivotal in preventing heat from escaping through your roof and taking your hard earned money with it. Take a look in the attic with a flashlight and look for anything that might indicate that your insulation is compromised like holes (likely burrowed by mice, rats or squirrels) bite marks in your rafters or droppings. If you see any of these, you may want to replace your insulation as quickly as possible and lay down some humane traps.

{HOME} Is Your Home In Need Of Some Fixing Up?

*This post contains affiliate links to essential oils and other products I talk about in the post. Purchasing them here from my blog is no extra cost to you but I do earn a commission that helps in the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support! Read full disclaimer here.
Some of you are going to have mixed opinions of this. Because it might be easy to think that your home is perfect, and it might be easy to think that any moment it’s going to fall apart. It all depends on how you perceive the problems you have, and how bothered you are about sorting them. Because we promise you now, no home is perfect, and if you really search hard enough, you will find a nice amount of issues waiting for you to fix. But who has the time or patience to go round the home and check for all of the issues. We bet you’re thinking ‘why would I do that to my mental wellbeing?!?!’. Well, without you even realising it, you will be picking out all of the things, and you will be burying them to the back of your mind. Even if it’s just the issue of a broken bulb that you’ve decided to ignore for months now, it’ll still be there in the back of your mind, workings its magic on your stress levels along with any other minor issues your home has. Until one day you just snap, and you go into meltdown thinking that your home is about to fall down. So, let’s stop you from ever getting to that meltdown stage, and give you some solutions to the most common home issues.

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The Exterior

The exterior of your home is definitely something that you can pick out faults with. Sometimes the seasons that we go through just play absolute havoc on even the most modern and sturdy of homes. But we get why it would be easy to ignore the exterior. Afterall, your main focus is always going to be on the inside. It won’t be often that you’ll find people staring at the outside of your home, so why would you focus on making it look pretty? Well, it’s not always about the aesthetics here. Just one little thing could go wrong and you could have an absolute nightmare on your hands, especially in terms of your roof. If you have tiles lose, or perhaps some of the storms we’ve had have damaged it, all it takes is for a little bit of pressure from some snow, and you could have a huge issue on your hand. Not only that, but lose tiles leave holes, and holes let out all of that warm air that you’ve been trying to keep in now that winter is here. A roofing contractor is the best person that you can speak to for all of your issues up to, but it’s not only up top that you have to focus on. Sometimes we neglect the outside of our homes so much, that it gives a negative view of the inside. You have to admit that if you’ve drove past a home that looks a bit tatty on the outside, you’ll instantly think the same of the inside. So, take some time to do up the front of your home. Paint the exterior, put some hanging baskets out, and generally just get rid of any faults that you can find!

The Interior

If the interior needs fixing up, then we know it’s going to be driving you mad. It’s easy to have a few things break when you have an older home as well, so we know that the issues might just be mounting up and up. Common interior issues we think that most people have will are the little things like lightbulbs, switches, or electrical items. But how easy are all of these to change? It really doesn’t take long for you to change a lightbulb, and all you have to do is change a wire in the switch to get it working. If you don’t consider yourself as much of a handyman, then surely you do know someone who can give you a hand if you gather all of the tools together! It’s also really common at this time of the year for things like the central heating to break, so make sure you have a gas engineer on standby for any emergency situations.

The Most Costly Of All Issues

Finally, we want to talk about one issue in particular that’s going to cost you a fortune if it does go wrong, and it usually goes wrong when you ignore the issue. Anything to do with your plumbing needs to be solved asap. From a drain that doesn’t drain, to a toilet that doesn’t flush. It’s just so important that you’re addressing issues as and when they come in!

{TRAVELING} Peace Of Mind In Leaving Your Home Behind: Protecting Your Home While You’re On Vacation

*This post contains affiliate links to essential oils and other products I talk about in the post. Purchasing them here from my blog is no extra cost to you but I do earn a commission that helps in the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support! Read full disclaimer here.

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When you take the family on vacation, you want to know that your home is safe and sound. But is your property as secure as it could be? When you make casual upgrades to your home, do you give due consideration to how much like Fort Knox you can make it, or is it all about the aesthetics? Don't beat yourself up, we all want a good-looking home; but the big problem with a good-looking home is that it attracts a certain caliber of thief. So, with that in mind, when you are making your home as stylish as possible, you need to give consideration to making it as safe as possible. What are the best ways to do this?

Keeping Social Media Posts To A Minimum

It isn't something we would think about normally, but your vacation time would consist of numerous social media posts. After all, you want to show off to the world how much of a great time you're having. But if you don't have particularly secure methods when you're posting online, and your friends list is as long as the Magna Carta, are you leaving yourself open to break-ins while you're away? This means that, if you suspect anybody on your friends list as being capable of breaking into your property, then you might want to think about deleting them! If you got a million great photos that you want to share with others, think about doing it when you get home. And also, if your social media profiles have any information about you that can be linked with your address, such as your phone number, it's important for you to perform a swift delete!

The Various Home Security Methods

Protecting your home these days is than ever before. If you're going away, especially for a few weeks, and you don't have any neighbors that can keep an eye on the property, you need to have home security methods in abundance. There are so many options available to us these days, companies like LifeShield don't just provide the basic security methods; they are more akin to a smart home. This means you can program your door locks, turn your lights on and off, as well as have access to your security camera. So even if you believe a security camera to be insufficient as far as a deterrent is concerned, you can program your house lights to come on at a certain time, therefore giving the impression that somebody is in the property. The great thing with live video security systems is that you can access it from your phone, giving you the opportunity to witness what's going on in real time.

How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors?

Some of us don't know our neighbors as well these days, and for so many of us, this is just the hallmark of the world we live in. But it is additional peace of mind when you are heading on vacation for a few weeks, and you may have all of the security systems in place, but you want a human eye to be kept on proceedings. And if you get a lot of random parcels delivered to your door and hidden behind the bin, having a neighbor with a spare key can help keep up pretenses. After all, you want to give the impression that the house is being continually maintained, so thieves don’t target it. So if you've got plants out the front that need constant care, asking a neighbor or a family member nearby to sort out these little duties every couple of days. This will help to keep up the impression that you're still there.

The Little Things…

And while having a neighbor keeping on top of things will benefit you in so many ways, it's about the little things that can go a long way when you are away. A good example is the mail, making sure that you put a hold on any deliveries, like newspapers because a letterbox stuffed full of cards and papers is a sure fire sign that nobody is there. In addition to this, if you're after more peace of mind, you must give thought to the habits you usually have at home. If, for example, you're not one to close your curtains all the time, but when you decide to go away you think it is common sense to shut them so people can't look in, but this is a dead giveaway. This is where automating your lights to come on at a certain time will help too. And if you've got a home security system, you need to advertise it as blatantly as possible. Thieves will always try their luck, and even if they manage to set off an alarm after breaking a window, they've still gained access to your property. The best deterrent is having it as obvious as possible. Other little things that ive you some peace of mind can include having a safe installed, especially as far as your valuables are concerned, as well as making sure that the spare key you usually hide is nowhere to be found. It may be a last minute thing, where you're rushing to get to the airport on time, but if you usually leave a key under a plant pot, be sure to take it with you or post it through the letterbox. Thieves will always look for that hidden key, and they will find it!

Nowadays, it's easier than ever to protect our home while we're away, but it seems that crime is through the roof, especially in smaller neighborhoods. It's not just about protecting your home with the most up-to-date equipment, but it's about being clever in the other methods. Neighborhood watch schemes can help, but if you are new to a neighborhood, or you just don't know the people that live nearby, you can't run the risk of placing your trust in these people just yet. You want your vacation to be a happy time, so give yourself that peace of mind and protect your home as best as possible

{HOME} The Tech Dummies Guide to Setting Up a Smart Home

*This post contains affiliate links to essential oils and other products I talk about in the post. Purchasing them here from my blog is no extra cost to you but I do earn a commission that helps in the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support! Read full disclaimer here.

Smart homes are becoming more and more popular. You can automate everything in your home, from lights to televisions, and more and more smart gadgets and appliances are being released all the time. But what if you want a smart home, and you're not very tech savvy? If you feel like you're not very good with technology but you want to have a smart home, you might be intimidated by all of the technical jargon that seems to come with buying smart items and setting them up in your home. However, you don't need to be put off. It's easier to create a smart home than you think.

Picture credit: Public Domain Pictures

Call in the Professionals

Firstly, if you don't want to try and get your head around all of the smart technology, think about calling in some professionals. You don't need to know how something works to use it, so leave all of the technical stuff to someone else. Desert Valley Audio Video can set everything up for you so that it's easy to use. With the right setup for your automated home, you should be able to use it intuitively. No technical skills should be necessary for you to use a smart thermostat or turn on your smart TV and sound system at the same time.

Research What You're Buying

You don't need to have a lot of technical knowledge to buy smart technology. It can be a little confusing when you're trying to buy something and you don't understand some of the terms being used. However, a little bit of research can go a long way. You don't need to get into the highly technical stuff, but it helps to know things like how an item connects to other items. Does it use Bluetooth, WiFi or perhaps something else? Some manufacturers have their own systems for connecting their products. It's a good idea to know what you should be looking for and why.

Picture credit: Pxhere

Try Things Out

Before you buy anything, it's wise to try something out. It's not always easy to find the opportunity to do so with electronics and appliances, but there are ways to try before you buy. You might know someone who already owns something that you're thinking about buying, and who could let you try it out or see how it works. Some things are possible to try out in-store too, or perhaps in a showroom. However, if those options aren't available, even watching a video can help you to understand how something works.

Pick Easy to Use Gadgets

Some smart gadgets can be easier to use than others. If you're buying new items for your home, start with those that won't be difficult for you to start using. Many things are designed to be "plug and play", basically getting you set up right away as soon as you plug them in. Something like a smart thermostat or light switch, or even a home assistant like Amazon Echo, should be fairly easy to start using.

Setting up a smart home doesn't have to be difficult. With a bit of help, you can do it easily.