Archives for 2019

About 40 percent of Americans admit buying a new home is the most stressful event of their adult life. But while finding the perfect home and making this big purchase may be stressful, outfitting your brand new space can be even more so. Luckily, with a little planning and a few tips, you can ease the transition. Keep reading to learn more.

1. First, Agree on a Unified Style

Whether you’re moving in with a roommate or your spouse, you’re going to be blending two styles into one. Unless the two of you have similar tastes, this will inevitably lead to having to get rid of at least some of one person’s belongings.

Choosing a style you can both agree on before you start moving things in is a great way to avoid those awkward arguments about what stays and what goes. If you have two totally different styles, consider starting over with entirely new furniture and decor, with a classic or neutral style that you can agree on together.

If you are moving into your first home on your own, you’ll still have some decisions to make. The style you had in your last apartment or rental might not feel right in your new home. Choosing a new

style ahead of time will allow you to sell or donate your old stuff before your move, which means fewer things to pack.

2. Then, Set a Budget

Before you started shopping for your new home, you likely figured out a budget. You thought about how much you could spend upfront, as well as what monthly mortgage payment you could afford. You should repeat this process before you ever start outfitting your new home.

Consider the many things you’ll inevitably need to make your house a home, like a bed and a mattress, couches, a dining room table and more. Then, decide how much you can spend upfront on these items. Consider your financing options as well; in fact, financing your big-ticket furniture can help you get everything you need right away, and then allow you to pay for it with affordable monthly payments.

If you’re on a tight budget, stick to the basics first. You can always buy decorative items and accessories later on when you’ve had a chance to build up your savings.

3. Finally, Invest Where it Matters

When you need to fill an entire home with furniture, it can be tempting to buy the cheapest items you can find. Unfortunately, these will still set you back a big chunk of cash. And because they are lower quality, they will likely need to be replaced within a few months or years.

While there are areas you can save, make sure you invest in quality where it matters the most. If you’re anything like the average American, you’ll spend nearly half of your life lying in bed, so buying a comfortable, high-quality mattress is a must. If you have a big family or like to entertain, your living room furniture will also see plenty of wear and tear. Choosing a sturdy, durable couch set will help you avoid tears and lumps after a short time.

Moving into Your New Home

Turning your new house into a home doesn’t have to be a challenge. By blending styles, setting a budget, and investing in the pieces that matter most to you, you can ease the stressful transition and create a space that you’ll love living in.

Clutter throughout your home can make it feel smaller and cramped, no matter how much space you started with. In addition to this, clutter can become a danger to anyone living in the home, especially kids and pets. If you’d like to cut down on the clutter so you can live more comfortably and safely, then the tips below can help. They’re some of the easiest ways to boost your organization and get the mess out.

1. Use Storage Bins

Storage bins can easily be packed and labeled to keep things stored together and moved out of the way. You can keep these in closets, underneath beds, or on shelves inside of your garage. These come in a wide variety of sizes, so you should easily be able to find some that fit in the space you have available. However, it’s important to always make sure you label these so you can retrieve what you need without having to search through several bins.

2. Sell, Keep, and Donate

Go through each room in your home and decide which items you’ll keep, sell, or donate for someone else to use. By doing this with everything that is taking up space, you’ll be able to get rid of more than you might think. While it might be difficult to let some things go, remember that they’re not benefiting you by taking up space. Most things can easily go to homes where they’ll be much more useful.

3. Find a Place to Store

Many people live in homes with very little extra space available for storage. Those in this situation should consider renting a self storage unit. These are available in a variety of sizes, so you can choose which works best for the number of things you need to store. Storage units are also beneficial because they are secure, easy to access, and can be climate controlled. With one of these, you bring belongings in and take them out as often as you would like.

4. Install Garage Shelves

The space inside of your garage can be used to keep storage containers, large pieces of decor, paint cans, and other items that just don’t fit inside of your home. To prevent damage, it’s recommended to install shelving along the walls of the garage. This will allow everything to be safely stacked in the most secure manner possible. What’s even better is that you’ll be using vertical space instead of floor space, so you can still have a place to park your car.

5. Find Functional Storage Furniture

Functional storage furniture is crucial for homes that have a lot of stuff without adequate space to keep it. Storage ottomans are among the most useful, as these can keep shoes, blankets, pillows, and other small items off of the floor. Fabric storage baskets kept in cubed organization shelves are also excellent for storage. You can use these in each room to keep everything from toys to clothes out of the way. Last, but not least, beds that are higher off the ground can offer a lot of storage space underneath them. You can use this to keep off-season clothing, decor, pillows, or toys.

Creating a More Comfortable Space

By cleaning out your home and implementing the storage solutions above, you can get rid of quite a bit of clutter. This can make it easier to walk around and safer for pets and kids to play. In addition to this, it can ensure you don’t have an overwhelming amount of “stuff” in your home that you won’t ever touch.

In his or her own way your dog tries every day to shower you with unconditional love and affection. From wetting your cheeks with sloppy kisses to running around and making you laugh, your pet strives every day to spoil you. Though it would be hard to put a value on the love and happiness they bring to your life, it doesn’t mean you can’t show them just how appreciative you are on occasion. 

Dogs love attention and affection which is probably why owners will go to great lengths to shower them with some of the finer things in life. Below, are a few ways to pamper your pooch. 

Designer Pet Clothes and Accessories

Pet fashion has really upped the ante over the past few years. Designers from Chanel to Prada and Gucci have started designing the cutest and most dapper outfits for dogs of all sizes. Perhaps your pooch would look great in a new wardrobe or an accessory like a diamond-studded collar. 

Pet Parties

You’d be surprised to learn how many owners throw their dog parties to celebrate special occasions. Is it your dog’s birthday? Are they expecting a liter? Perhaps they’re getting married? Whatever the case is, a party is a fun way to pamper your pooch. The socialization with other dogs is really beneficial for their wellbeing. It’s also a lot of fun to choose a theme, decide on a menu and order pet food online, select activities, and so much more. 

Doggy Spa Day

Humans aren’t the only ones who need a little spa treatment to unwind on occasion. Your dog will enjoy a day at a spa for pets. While each facility offers something different, there are services including doggy massages, saunas, and even aromatherapy treatments. 

Pet Salon

Rather than taking your pooch to a traditional groomer this week why not take them to the salon? They’ll enjoy getting pampered from the moment they walk in as they get a fresh cut, and, at some salons, even a manicure. 

Dinner Date

In an effort to appeal to a larger demographic, restaurants have really been doing more for dog owners. There are lots of establishments now that are pet-friendly where you and your pooch could sit and have a delicious meal together. 

Luxury Dog House

Pamper your dog by upgrading their dog house. Instead of a traditional small house with a hole cut out, you can build a dream home for your pooch. There are contractors that can work wonders and build your dog a mansion complete with enough space for all of his or her belongings. If not a luxury dog house, you might also consider designating a room for your dog and having an interior decorator come and add some style and decor. 

A Gym Membership

Yes, you read that right! There are actually dog gyms and indoor dog parks where you can take your pet to get their daily dose of physical fitness and socialization. There are obstacle courses and even personal dog trainers available to help your pooch reach their ultimate health and fitness goals. It’s a great way for you to take a break while your pooch works up a sweat and has a fun time. 

Plan a Luxurious Pet Vacation

Thinking of planning a vacation? Well, you don’t have to leave your pooch at home with the sitter. Thanks to pet-friendly establishments, there are lots of exotic and adventurous places to travel with your dog. You can check your pooch into their own hotel where they receive room service, grooming, and other services. Or, you can find a pet-friendly resort where you can all vacation as a family. Either way, your dog will love getting out of the house and getting just a taste of the finer things in life. 

Chances are you had no idea that there were all of these innovative ways to pamper and spoil your dog with the finer things in life. While it can be expensive to do all the time, showering your pooch with love here and there, is worthwhile and a lot of fun. Hopefully, you’ve got some good ideas on how to spread the love and a bit of luxury with your furry friend. 

Whether you’ve decided to take the jump or if you’re still on the fence about being vegan, maybe trying it a few nights at home will help you make your choice. It’s a serious life change and it doesn’t have to be a burden if you come into it with an open mind and, more importantly, a hungry tummy. Think fresh ingredients, prepared simply and with outstanding results. Get ready to get your socks knocked off!

The Ingredients

When it comes to eating vegan, you’ll need to find new and inventive ways to enjoy meals you have long consumed. Ingredients including beans, grains, nuts and dried fruits will be your go-to with a few additional items. These items will include soy-based products, tofu, and tempeh. As for liquids, your go-to will be plant milks. Almond, cashew, and oat milk are all easy to prepare from home or you can purchase your favorite from your local market. Fresh veggies are a vital source of nutrition when it comes to being vegan and you have plenty of options available. Simply pick up your favorites, research some recipes or try your hand at your own and taste the results. 

Stock Goes a Long Way

While being vegan is all about cutting out animal products, it’s not about losing flavor because of it. A great way to bolster the flavor in your homemade dishes is by using herbs to pack in more flavor per square bite than you thought possible. One way to do this is with stock–veggie stock to be precise. Here you can truly experiment with ingredient combinations. If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution without all the trial and error, here is a vegetable stock that is rich in flavor. Having a few handy stock recipes under your belt will give you the freedom to cook as you like without limitations. You can use your favorite combo to bring life to an old lentil or minestrone soup and to enhance the flavor of your rice dishes. 

Meal Ideas in a Pinch

Feeding your family a hearty meal in a hurry is a primary concern for many families. Vegan families are no different and it’s always good to have a few aces up your sleeve when the time comes. A great option that can be made in a pinch and is packed with flavor, is…drum roll, please… Chili. Yes, good old chili can be made quickly in a big cast iron dutch oven in about 15 to 20 minutes. But the base for chili is meat, you say? If you look deeper, the dish is heavily focused on tomatoes. Chopped, diced and/or crushed tomatoes in a tomato sauce fills the pot. Then your favorite veggies, herbs, and seasonings are added. It’s cooked for a short time and chili is born. Don’t believe it, try this vegan chili recipe and just taste the results. 

The same can be said for tacos and many pasta dishes. Just take a moment and remove the meat from the equation and look for an alternative to your dairy situation and new meals can be formed in a matter of minutes. Plus, don’t forget about pizza right? There are many vegan cheese options on the market to suit your needs so you can create wonderful homemade pizza everyone will surely enjoy. 

Being able to feed your family and yourself great tasting food with a healthy base is a great feeling. Providing for your children and keeping them safe is paramount. With food comes inspiration and with inspiration you can exceed any expectations put in front of you. Having a family inspires you to be better and to grow as a person. 

Quick Note: The steps you take to becoming vegan can go hand in hand with not only caring for the planet but others as well. So, if not only for your children but also the children around the world, take your new-found love and inspiration and focus part of that energy toward making the world a safer place for kids with child abuse prevention awareness. As you look to improve your personal health and life, be sure to lend a hand when possible for those that need it most and are unable to help themselves, the children. 

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

The winter chill is something that half the people in the U.S. have to deal with every year, and it can put a perma-chill around your heart. That doesn’t mean that you have to have your winter cheer frozen within your home. Keeping the cold outside is about more than just cranking up the temperature on your thermostat.

There are many ways to keep the warmth in and the cold out without raising your heating bill. Even your decor can have an effect on how cozy and inviting your home is during the winter and all year. Your comfort is the most important part of enjoying those chilly winter evenings with your family.

When you protect the structure of your house with home insurance by Allstate or any other insurance company, you can have some peace of mind that your home will be protected during

the toughest parts of winter. To enjoy some indoor peace during the chilly winter nights without raising your bills, try a few of these cozy tips.

Use Your Fireplace

If you have a wood fireplace there is no time like a chilly night to get a blaze going. Wood fires bring a wonderful dry warm and glorious smell to your home. Wood fuel is a cheap way to heat your home and give your furnace a bit of a break.

You can install a micro stove to any room and run it on wood pellets to add heat to rooms that often feel cooler in the winter. A great tip for maximizing the heat from your fireplace is to turn on the fan feature to your furnace to help circulate the warm air from room to room.

Candles

The delicate and warm light of a candle can add a cozy and inviting touch to any room. You might be surprised to know that just a single candle burning can actually help to heat up the area that you are in. Candles set in groupings, whether they are scented or not can add a dramatic and warm glow to your home.

Throw Blankets

Choose a colorful and luxurious throw blanket to lay on the back of your couch or favorite chair. Nothing is more comfortable than cuddling up with a book and a hot tea wrapped in a soft and furry blanket.

Heavier Curtains

During the summer and spring, you probably don’t use your drapes at all. In the winter, you can switch out your light fabric drapes for something a bit heavier and substantial. The extra insulation will help to keep the radiating cold of your glass windows out of your room and block any drafts.

Rugs

Nothing is worse than walking on a freezing cold floor in the winter. If you have wood or tiled floors you can add plush area rugs and runners around your home to help give you some underfoot comfort and warmth. A sassy area rug can make a bold statement and give your feet a break in any room.

Flannel Bedding

Slipping into a warm and soft bed and covering up with a bunch of heavy blankets is one of the perks of a cold winter night. Put your favorite set of flannel blankets and sheets on your bed to slip off into dreamland in comfort.

Conclusion

When the temperatures start to drop there is no reason that your energy bills should start to rise. Using some of these toasty warm tips to keep you more comfortable in the winter can help you save money and stay cozy all season lon