Archives for 2019

Plumbing and heating problems are inevitable and will happen to you at a point in your life whether you like it or not. In fact, they are the worst nightmare for every homeowner. This is because they can result in floods that can damage home appliances and other belongings. Besides that, they can trigger certain diseases and attract some pests such as fleas and mosquitoes. Fortunately, it’s possible to handle minor plumbing issues on your own, but if the task needs a professional, LA plumbing experts and similar companies in your area, are perfect for the job.The advantage is that you will end up saving a considerable amount of money. All you need is a set of wrenches, gloves, screwdriver and plumbing tape. In addition to that, you have to be willing to get your hands dirty. Here is a list of tips that can help you remedy minor plumbing problem in your home.

1. Inspect the Manholes

When you notice that the water from the bathroom or the toilet is taking ages to drain away, the first thing to check is the manhole. If the manhole is clogged, waste water will definitely flow away as usual. Since manholes are usually dirty, it’s important you wear gloves when opening the lid. Besides that, you should take some time before moving closer to take a look. This helps in ensuring that you don’t breathe in the toxic gases. You should also avoid smoking around the manhole when the opening is not covered because some of the gases might be highly flammable. If there is stagnant water inside the manhole, it’s recommended that you use a snake rod to remove the accumulated clog by pushing it in a circular motion. Once water has drained out of the manhole, you should cover it with a lid to prevent pets and people from falling into the filthy hole.

2. Overflowing Toilet

A faulty toilet tends to flow even when it has not been flushed. Such a continuous flow can cause you to end up paying a high water bill at the end of the month. But how do you stop your toilet from overflowing? You should inspect the cistern tank because it’s the common culprit in such cases. If the ball valve is not closing the water inlet when the tank is full, you should adjust the valve nut accordingly until it’s able to do so when the ball valve is raised. If the water in the bowl is not clearing, you should consider using a plunger to unblock it. A plunger actually functions like a suction pump.

3. Kitchen Sink

Kitchen sinks tend to be blocked every now and then. These frequent blockages are caused by accumulated grease that originates from cooking pots when they are being cleaned. The first thing to do in such a case is to flush the sink with hot water. The logic behind this trick is that the hot water will melt the grease and cause it to disintegrate. While doing this, you should ensure the tap is closed. In fact, you should wait for at least five minutes before opening the faucet. This action should be complemented by using a plunger when there is some water in the bowl of the sink. In case the clogging persists, you should use a wrench to open the bottle trap tap that’s usually located beneath the sink. If the bottle trap is clogged, you should use a small rod to remove the grease and any other filthy stuff.

4. Leaking Faucet

A leaking faucet causes water to flow under low pressure. You can actually take ages to fill a container when your faucet is faulty. Besides that, it causes wastage of water. At the end of the month, you will be billed for water that you have not used. Moreover, such leaks usually damage the walls by causing mildew. Repairing leaking faucets is pretty simple. This is because you will always spot a pool of water below the faucet. Before getting started, you should first close the main valve so that you don’t mess with your working area. If a faucet is faulty, you should uninstall it and replace the washers that are beneath the nuts. You should then tighten such nuts and turn the faucet off to see whether the leaking will stop.  

5. Call a Plumber

When a plumbing problem persists, you should consider calling in a reputable plumbing contractor. Such a professional will be able to rectify the problem once and for all. However, you should only deal with a plumbing professional that’s insured and licensed to avoid unforeseen liabilities. Besides that, you should narrow down to a professional whose skills have been tested and tried. This means you should ask for recommendations from your inner social circles to avoid disappointments.

The first thought that comes to mind when you think about your home should be comfort. Unless you work from home or are a full-time parent, you probably spend more time outside than you do in the house. When you do get home, you want to feel welcomed by a nice atmosphere and also want it to be visually appealing. To achieve this, you should adopt the habit of maintenance and also switch things up from time to time. Here is how you can make your home more comfortable on that note.

Add New Scents

To make your home feel more comfortable, start by adding new scents. This is one of the first things that you’ll perceive when you enter your house, so it’s a detail worth paying attention to. The lovely thing about scents is that you can choose from a range of different ones, and each can make you feel a different type of way.

Put a Citrus Scent in the Kitchen: Seeing as citrus is bright and fresh, it can be an ideal scent for the kitchen. This is especially true as you tend to do a lot of cooking in there and it can help eliminate odors. More specifically, fragrances that you can explore are lemon, lime, and orange.

Use Lavender in the Bedroom: Your bedroom is one of the most intimate places in your home, so be sure to choose the most relaxing scent for this space. Lavender or romantic rose are ideal scents, and you can use candles. In addition, lavender, as well as chamomile and sandalwood, promote relaxation.

Try Cedarwood in the Living Room: As the living room is a space where you’ll have guests every so often, you want an agreeable smell there. Cedarwood with a hint of vanilla is a relaxing scent to consider.

Update Bedroom Furniture

Since your bedroom is where you sleep after a long day, you want it to be comfortable. Updating the furniture you have in there is one way to achieve this. Start with your mattress, especially if you’ve had it for some time, and it’s become dated. Some signs that you need a new mattress are sagging as a result of broken down springs or lumps in your mattress because the padding has shifted.

Aside from the mattress, look into getting new pillows. Some of the best pillows you can get for your bed in 2019 are the Le’vista Hotel Collection, the Royal Hotel Goose Down Pillow, and the Leesa Hybrid Pillow.

Maintain Your Cooling and Heating Systems

The temperature of your house can also contribute to how comfortable it is. Although you’ll use your heating and cooling systems more during different seasons, be sure you check them regularly. Below are tips you can use to maintain both that should help.

Cooling system: If you live in a warm country, then you should use your air conditioning on a regular basis. To maintain it, routinely replace or clean its filters as clogged ones can affect airflow and efficiency. Cleaning the coils and the drains should help as well. In case you have more complex issues, put “air conditioner repair near me” in your search engine, and find a reliable company to help fix your problem and get your air conditioning unit working again.

Heating System: To maintain your heating system, make sure your radiators work correctly, and there are no cold patches. To prevent frozen pipes which can stress your central heating system, lag hot water cylinders and pipes.

Get New Throw Pillows

Pillows can not only do wonders when it comes to making the bedroom more comfortable, but it can also do the same for your living room. If your throw pillow are no longer plump and comfortable, think about getting a few new ones. When choosing throw pillows, if you have comfort in mind, then you want to choose the right texture. Velvet, cotton, and linen are a few so decide which is more suitable for you. Additionally, you want to pick the right filling as that influences the feel of your pillows. The best two choices are either down feathers or down and feather mixes.

Keep it Tidy

Although everyone’s area of expertise isn’t tidying up, when your space is tidy, it can create greater levels of comfort. Having said that, come up with a system that helps you maintain a tidy space. This could mean that you purge more often, prepare for the next day every evening and allocate each day to deep cleaning a specific area of the house. Remember that you don’t have to overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything at once.

Start by taking these vital few steps to create a house that feels more comfortable. However, the most important thing to remember when making these changes to your home is that you are enjoying the process. Make the most of this time improving your house, and it will feel all the more better when you are relaxing in a place of comfort.

Two things that you likely don’t get enough of as a mom is time with your friends and alone time. You’re so busy working and being a great mom that you often don’t have time for your own social life and interests. If your friends are also mothers, then there’s a high chance that they feel the same. So, what better way to kill two birds with one stone than to host your very own spa party and invite the girls over?

Never thrown a spa party before? These party planning tips will lend you a hand. 

Make Arrangements for the Kids

Trying to have a relaxing evening at home with the girls when kids are running around is a nightmare. It’s best that you find someone to watch them for the night. Talk with your partner about taking over those duties or another relative. If not, look for a reliable sitter that would be willing to watch your children. Some may even be open to watching all your friends’ kids as well so you can assure everyone will be in attendance. 

Choose an Area

Where are you going to host your spa day with the girls? Do you have a large living or family room? Would you prefer to do it in your bedroom or guestroom? As you decide where to set everything up think of capacity, comfort, and convenience. The space should be large enough to accommodate all the girls, comfortable to create a spa-like experience, and conveniently located near other parts of the home they may need like the kitchen or bathroom. 

Set the Mood

Part of the reason that spas are so relaxing is because of the serene environment they provide to their guests. You want to try and recreate this same mood in your house. To do so you will need to buy some scented candles, aromatherapy diffusers, and download a soothing music playlist. Consider dimming the lights or keeping brighter lights off for the occasion as well. 

Spa Supplies

You can’t have a spa night if you don’t have the necessary supplies. First, think about the types of spa treatments you want you and your guests to experience. Then, create a list of items you’ll need. If you’re doing manicures and pedicures, you’ll need a foot massager, foot soak, lotion, nail polish, polish remover, and cotton balls. Plan on giving out massages? You’ll want fresh linens, essential oils, and a massage table or chair. For facials, you can purchase facial masks from a drug store. Just be sure to purchase various types of face masks because everyone’s skin is different.

Don’t Forget Food, Drinks, and Snacks

You and your girlfriends will need something to keep yourselves nourished throughout the night. Since you’re going with a spa theme for your night in, try to keep the same healthy vibe going with your food and beverage choices. For instance, you could serve infused water or herbal tea for beverages. For snacks, you might have fresh veggies and hummus or yogurt and various toppings to create your own treat. For a meal go with something light like mixed greens and a healthy protein like chicken breast or salmon. And, if you really want a bit of a treat you can’t go wrong with dark chocolate. You can order gourmet chocolate bars online of different varieties and place them out for your friends to indulge. That with a nice glass of wine or champagne will have you feeling like you’re in heaven.

Entertainment Can’t Hurt

Besides indulging in the spa luxuries and catching up with the girls, what else can you do at your spa party? A little entertainment could add to the moment. Just try to keep it all relaxing. If there’s a chick flick you guys have been dying to see stream it and watch it while soaking your feet or painting your nails. If you or one of your friends takes yoga classes perhaps you could show everyone a few moves. Maybe you have a backyard with a beautiful view? A few moments of meditation on the back porch is breathtakingly refreshing. 

Don’t Forget the Party Favors

What’s a party without sending your guests home with a token of your appreciation? There are tons of ideas you can give the girls that flow well with the theme of the day. You can give them some bath salts, facial masks for home, small massage devices, body scrubs, homemade soap or shampoo, or candles. All of these things will come in handy when your friends are dying for a bit of relaxation throughout the week. 

As mothers and women, you and your besties do a lot. You’re responsible for the household, children, your relationships, and your career which often forces you to put your own self-care on the back burner. If you’re overdue for a little rest and relaxation make arrangements for the kids and throw your very own spa day at home. You get to relieve some stress, spend time with friends, and prioritize your health. A party like that seems like a win-win.  

Most women dream of the day they’ll get married since they were little girls. They already have some idea of what they want their wedding day to look like and revel in the idea of being able to bring their dreams to life. For men, however, wedding planning isn’t necessarily something they’re stoked about. Most prefer to show up the day of and play their role as the groom-to-be. 

While some women have no problem keeping their beaus in the back seat, others would like the wedding planning process to be something they complete together. It’s a day that both of you will share and look back on forever, and having his input means a lot. One way to get the groom-to-be involved is to find wedding ideas that actually interest him.  You can look for ideas at StrictlyWeddings to get those wedding planning conversations started.

If you happen to be one of those brides-to-be that would like more input from her fiance, you don’t have to go to great lengths to get him to appreciate the wedding planning process. Simply get his input on things he’ll really appreciate such as these listed below: 

• The photographer

Finding a wedding photographer has never been easier.  You can easily on Google or any social media site and find a wedding photographer northampton (or elsewhere more applicable to you). But with photography being a hobby for many, and some even doing photography as a business or a side business, it will be hard to pick one who is best suited for the task. Ensure you have a look at their portfolio before settling on one specific person, even if it’s someone you know! It’s always best to take a second to check out their work before entrusting a special day to them.

• The Budget

Long gone are the days of tradition where the bride’s family footed the bill for the wedding. In most instances, the couple getting married is financially responsible for covering the cost. With that in mind, your groom will appreciate you keeping him clued in on the budget. Since he’ll have to help you come up with the funds, the budget is something that should be discussed early on in the wedding planning process. 

Sit down and assess your household budget to determine what, if anything, you have to contribute without having to borrow funds. Then, review your credit histories to see whether you have the necessary credentials to borrow money if necessary. You should also discuss how you’ll repay the loan or line of credit so you’re not struggling with debt as newlyweds. 

• The Rings

Your fiance may have surprised you with your engagement ring, but when it comes to the jewelry he’ll be wearing for the rest of his life, he’d probably appreciate you cluing him in. You’ll want to know what size ring he wears and what his preferred styles are. While some men might prefer a traditional gold band or something white gold with diamonds, men who work a lot with their hands may prefer silicone rings which won’t get dinged up or hurt him while he’s working. 

Schedule a day for you and your groom-to-be to visit a jeweler. While you’re there, have his ring finger sized. Then, browse the selection of wedding bands for men to get some ideas on which ones he prefers. If you’d like it to be somewhat of a surprise on your wedding day, have him narrow his ring selection down to three. You can then revisit the jewelry store and purchase one of the three. 

• His Attire

Not too many grown men like the idea of having their girlfriends pick out their attire for their wedding day. They’d prefer to choose their own fashions like a tweed suit, wedding suit. So, don’t deprive him of this step during the wedding planning process. Give your groom-to-be total control over what he and his groomsmen will wear for the wedding. You can have some input such as the colors, but the rest is up to him. 

Let your fiance know that he should choose a day where he and his groomsmen are free to visit a suit shop. There, they can try on different suits and tux styles to determine which they’d like to wear. Again, you can give them something to go off of such as the theme of the wedding, the color scheme, and even show them some ideas on bridesmaids fashions so they can complement their style. 

• The Booze

If there’s one thing your fiance will enjoy on his wedding day it’s partying hard at the reception. This is where he gets to let loose and celebrate with friends and family with good food and even better drinks. While a few mixed signature drinks might suffice for the ladies, men tend to like harder booze, so you should certainly get his input. Ask him what kinds of beers he prefers? What alcoholic beverages he’d like offered at the open bar, and even get his input on signature drinks so he can request something a bit stronger for the men. 

• Entertainment

What’s a wedding reception without some fun entertainment? Your husband-to-be may not care much about the decor and menu options offered at the reception, but they will want to be entertained. Choose things like the DJ or live band together. Write down a list of songs he’d like to have played at the reception. You might even ask for his input on overall entertainment. If your fiance is especially talented, he may want to do something like play a song, dance, or some other form of entertainment for the wedding. 

Your groom-to-be may not be as thrilled as you are to plan your wedding day. He may not care about the invitation details, the venue, menu, or the wedding dress, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to do anything. Try your best to include him in the wedding planning process by getting his input on things he’ll appreciate. In doing so, the two of you can put together a ceremony and reception you’ll remember forever.   

Introduction

Buying flat pack furniture can save you quite a bit of money and allows you some customization options to your space. However, you need to remember that flat pack can be quite heavy and some if it may be bulky when assembled. Follow the tips below to make your assembly process successful.

Measure

Carefully measure your space before you make your final purchase to be sure that your furniture choice will fit. If you’re not certain how to do this, be aware that there are flat pack services who will come to your home to help with this step.

Inventory

Inventory as soon as you open the box. Depending on how heavy the piece is, you may have to open the box and move pieces one at a time, so find the parts list and check to make sure you have everything before transporting. If the pieces are not clearly marked, find some masking tape and mark them before you move them to the assembly site. Post-its should be taped on for extra security.

Move

Move the pieces to the room where you want your flat pack furniture piece to go. If you have the room, lay them out in an exploded view so you can start to visualize where the sides are, what the top looks like and where the base should go.

Get Help

Having someone nearby to help you hold things together can be very useful. If you don’t have any help, you can use clamps to hold pieces together while you line up screws or other fasteners. Misalignment or cross-threading the connectors during the assembly may result in a piece of furniture that isn’t as stable as you’d like, so take care to get the first assembly steps right.

Hire Someone

There are several services and individuals who can help you put together your flat pack furniture. Not everyone is interested in or capable of DIY, so be ready to step back and let a pro help out. To get a better understanding of what’s available, visit Flatpack assembly services.

Work With Sliders

Once the piece is fully assembled, it will be just as heavy as the original carton as well as bigger and bulkier. When you finish the assembly and stand the piece up, consider investing in carpet or bare floor sliders so you can easily maneuver the piece around your space. Remember that the fully assembled unit may be top heavy. Work from the center to move it against the wall. Pushing on the top may tip it over and pushing against the bottom may bring it down on top of you.

Conclusion

Flat pack furniture assembly can be done by a beginner. If you’re serious about learning how to do this, consider purchasing something small to make sure you can manage the weight. Watch videos on how to line up tops with sides so your piece is stable and safe to use.

Your lighted mirror is most likely going to be the centerpiece of your bathroom, so you want to make sure that you pick just the right one! If you’re not sure how to get started on picking out the ideal lighted mirror for your bathroom, check out these 5 great tips on things to consider while you shop around.

1. Mirror and wall size

The size of your wall is key in determining the type of lighted mirror you’ll want to get. If you go for a mirror that’s too big for your wall, it will consume the space and make your bathroom feel cramped. On the other hand, if you pick a mirror that’s too small, it will look off when it’s the only thing mounted on a large wall.

If you have other elements on your wall such as floating shelves or cabinet storage, then you’ll have a bit more wiggle room in terms of mirror size and can probably get away with something smaller.

2. The number of mirrors you want

You may not realize it, but there’s usually no reason for you to feel like you have to limit yourself to just one mirror! If you have ample wall space and a wide vanity, then your bathroom might benefit from two lighted mirrors instead of just one.

One key thing to keep in mind is that, while there’s certainly an exciting variety of different lighted mirrors to choose from, you’re better off picking one design and sticking with it while shopping for a single bathroom.

3. Already-existing light distribution

Another important aspect of working with interior lighting is considering what you already have in place. Unless you’re planning to renovate your entire bathroom when you upgrade to your beautiful new mirrors, then carefully consider how light is distributed by the fixtures you already have.

When lighting bathrooms, you want to create a soft, bright glow that lights all areas without building to the point of becoming harsh or overpowering. If you crave the ability to adjust the lighting according to your mood, then dimmer switches will lend flexibility to any lighted mirror you choose.

4. Bathroom storage space

If your old bathroom mirror had a traditional cabinet behind it, then you’ll want to consider your bathroom’s storage spaces when you go to upgrade. If you have more cabinet space than you need or fully utilize, then you might be all set to trade your mirrored cabinet out for something sleeker that sits flat against the wall.

On the other hand, if you’ve always appreciated the convenience of being able to reach behind your bathroom mirror for commonly-used items, then you might want to keep the best of both worlds by opting for a lighted cabinet mirror.

5. Mirror shape

Shape is a key aspect of defining the look and feel of any space, and your bathroom is no exception. If you’ve got a lot of sharp, square edges in your bathroom, then a round mirror might soften things up. For bathrooms with more lavish, decorative fixtures and hardware, a rectangular mirror can balance things nicely by lending a more modern edge.

You can also use tall, narrow mirrors to add some extra lift to your space and accentuate the height of the room. This can modernize the space even further and create the delightful illusion of your bathroom being roomier than it actually is.

Working mothers tend to give their all in the workplace and at home. While you may be the master of juggling responsibilities, the truth is that all of the stress eventually adds up. Over time, trying to balance your work schedule with your family’s needs can leave you feeling drained. These tips are specifically designed to help you stay happy and healthy while maintaining your role as a working mom.

Create a Realistic Schedule

A routine helps you and your family know what to expect each day. For example, having a set time for your kids to go to bed and wake up eliminates those stressful family squabbles. You should also have a bedtime for work nights that helps you get enough sleep to have the energy for the next day. Once you have the start and end times set, add in the rest of your activities. If your schedule looks overfilled, then you may need to drop something such as a sports event that does not make your kid happy.

Practice Responsible Drinking

Nights out are your chance to be surrounded by other adults, and you may use this time to network or find a relationship if you are single. While happy hour is a great time to connect with other working parents, you also need to remember to avoid overindulging. The relationship between a hangover and anxiety is well-established, and drinking too much can lead to issues the next morning that slow down your productivity. Always limit your drinking to one or two beverages and consider having a glass of water in between.

Make Time for Exercise

Physical activity helps to alleviate stress through the release of hormones called endorphins. It doesn’t matter whether you work out in the morning, at night, or on your lunch break to benefit from exercise. In fact, you might even have time on your lunch break to take a brisk walk that helps to reset your mind to positive thoughts. Exercising also helps to prevent other health issues since it revs up your immune system. Being well helps you keep up with all of your responsibilities.

Get the Kids to Help With Chores

You may feel like you should do it all, but your kids can also help out around the house. Try assigning older kids chores such as to vacuum the floors or help put dishes away. Even the youngest children can help to wipe down tables and countertops and put their toys where they belong. Try establishing a regular time at night when everyone does a household task. Family clean up days on the weekend can also help you get a handle on messy bedrooms and cluttered closets.

Take Time Out for Yourself

Everyone deserves a break, and you need to find ways to take some time for yourself. However, this may mean sneaking in little self-care breaks throughout the day. Try storing a novel on your phone that you can read while you are sitting at your kid’s sports practices or waiting for an appointment. You can also enjoy a bubble bath in the evenings or just listen to a favorite song during your commute. These little moments of happiness help you to stay on top of your daily stress.

Your life as a working mom requires you to always be ready to handle anything that comes up during the day. Taking a greater focus on developing healthy practices in your life helps you stay calm and stress-free. Remember that your kids are always watching, and finding ways to balance both work and family helps them learn the importance of staying healthy.

There are only a few more weeks before school is back in session. Though you’ve likely started shopping for items they’ll need, you can’t help but notice that your teenager is acting especially strange. Perhaps they’ve become silent and more isolated than usual or they get easily irritated when you start talking about going back to school. Whatever it is, you know it’s not normal and you want to help. 

Normal Jitters or a Cry for Help?

Everyone knows that the start of the school year always brings about a bit of anxiety. Yet, for teenagers, it can be on an entirely different level. They’re worried about the pressures of fitting in, the growing demands of academic success, doing a good job for their parents, and somewhere in the midst of all that, finding themselves. It’s a lot. And, if there are other issues going on socially or academically, your teen may be feeling the pressure of that as well. 

While some back to school anxiety is normal, for some teenagers, the anxiety continues. They might become extra irritable, extremely tired (or struggling to sleep), they might avoid hanging with friends and start spending more time alone, some, even turn to drug and alcohol use to cope. 

Ways to Help Your Teen

If your teen has reached that level of extreme it is important to get them adolescent treatment in California for substance abuse and/or mental health problems. Otherwise, consider the advice below to help your teen adjust to going back to school this year: 

Talk to Your Teen

If your teen really seems beside themselves about the upcoming school year, talk to them. Speak from a place of love and find out what’s got them so nervous. Express that it is normal to be nervous, but if there is something bigger going on, you’re here to help. Do not force the issue, however, but simply be open to whatever information they offer.

Visit the School

If your teen is just going to high school or has recently been transferred to a new school, the anxiety may simply be the fear of not knowing what to expect. Contact the school office to find out if you and your teen can take a tour of the premises and meet some of the staff prior to the start of the year. 

Consider a Tutor

Once you reach high school, the academic demands seem to triple. This can often have your teen trying to absorb tons of information in just a few short weeks. If they’re concerned about making the grade or falling behind, ask if they’d like to get a tutor. They can start meeting with the tutor now and throughout the school year to help them with, especially troubling subjects.

Talk to Guidance Counselor

If your teen had an especially troubling time last school year like with bullies, a fight, or other social issues teenagers go through, they may be anxious about how they’ll be perceived when they head back. You can try and help them with these anxieties by talking with the guidance counselor. Together you guys can meet with other parents, teachers, or students to try and resolve any issues before the school year begins. 

Spend Quality Time

Sometimes a little TLC is all your teen needs to feel a bit better about the upcoming school year. All the back to school shopping and prepping can really get stressful and cause anxiety. So, once you’ve got everything prepared, take a day or two off and simply focus on your teen. Go have fun doing something you guys enjoy, maybe even get them a gift and don’t bring up school at all. 

Create a Routine and Practice

The hustle and bustle of the morning rush are enough to make anyone anxious. If you want to help your entire household out, create a routine for the school year and practice before it starts. Choose a time to get up, eat breakfast, and get dressed so that they get to school without having to run into the classroom or leave something important at home. 

Back to school anxiety is very common. Typically, it goes away after the child has been to school for a few days, but for some children, it can last longer. If you’ve noticed your teenager seems to be a bit different just weeks before school starts, sit down and have a talk with them about what they’re feeling. From there, you can make a decision on which of the above solutions would work best to ease their fears.