Maintenance of one’s home is a significant duty, but it can also be extremely satisfying. There are many various areas in your home that need to be maintained, and some require more frequent maintenance than others. Carrying out simple tasks more frequently will help you save money on your electricity bill, prevent greater expenditures from accruing over time, and keep your house comfortable and safe for many years to come.
Here, we look at some of the home maintenance tasks you should be keeping on top of.
Cleaning out your refrigerator
Your refrigerator can account for up to 15 percent of the overall electricity consumed by your home. If your coils are not kept clean to ensure maximum effectiveness, that figure can rise significantly. If you are wondering how to clean the dark and confined region beneath or behind this item, the answer is surprisingly simple: vacuum it. This should be done once or twice a year.
Changing the filters on your HVAC system
A duty that varies from family to household is changing the filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ( HVAC ) system. Filters may need to be changed every 2-3 months if you have a smaller home with fewer air pollutants – fewer people and no pets – but you should still check them once a month in larger homes. Seasonal changes might also have an impact on maintenance. For example, during the winter months, when a family is more likely to stay indoors, the quality of the air will be more significant.
Filters come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Filters that are less expensive will last for a shorter period of time than more expensive filters. There are also reusable air filters available, which will need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Cleaning the vents and ducts in your home on an annual basis will help to extend the life of any filters you may have in your home. If you have an issue with your air conditioning units, don’t try to fix them yourself; call out a 24 Hour AC Service to sort the problem for you.
Clean out the gutters
Gutter cleaning should be performed twice a year at the very least. The best time to clean them is late fall, after all the leaves have fallen, and early spring, when you are doing your spring cleaning. However, the gutters should be visually inspected at least four times a year, if not more frequently. Checking for sagging and leaks or holes can be done by walking around the house and looking for signs of damage. After each season, climb a ladder and inspect your roof and gutters to make sure they are free of debris and damage as well as your home.
With more trees growing around your property, it is important to keep an eye on your gutters more frequently to make sure they are not becoming clogged with debris. For homeowners in cooler regions, keep an eye out for ice dams, which can form and allow water to seep into your home’s attic.
The best Vintage Shopping has come to the Hamptons. This year’s market started originally in Palm Springs California, and this summer they decided to bring their love for all things vintage and hand-created to Southampton. Each market day is filled with music, food trucks, and the most interesting vendors traveling from across the globe.
You are sure to find a new treasure that you absolutely do not need but simply can’t live without.
The market’s community is made up of creative individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
The carefully curated Vendors will display a wide range of unique goods from vintage furniture, to vintage clothing, to collectibles, to hand-crafted items.
The next Hampton Flea will take place, rain or shine, on September 19th from 10 am to 4 pm outside on the grounds of the Southampton History Museum located at 17 Meeting House Lane.
This is one of my favorite vintage jewelry vendors, Samara of Impulse Control Vintage! Follow her!!
I met two new vintage friends. I loved them so much I hung out with them on Monday too!!! Follow @lillydvintage and @uppereastsidevintagenyc
If you want to take your outfit to the next level, then accessories are the answer. You can dress up your outfit with rings, scarves, hats, and other pieces of jewelry. Here are some tips to help you make a statement with your next outfit.
Types of Accessories
There are several different categories of accessories, some more worn than others. For example, shoes may be the accessory that almost everyone wears every day. There are many types of shoes in varying styles and colors. You should choose shoes that add to your wardrobe, fit properly, and fit into your lifestyle.
Finding the right jewelry for your outfit may depend on the type of outfit and the occasion. There are many places to find jewelry, like a jewelry store. You can either have fine or fashionable jewelry, depending on your needs and budget. John Hardy earrings by master artisans are always your best bet if you’re looking for a statement piece. You’re sure that what you are wearing is uniquely made and crafted by skilled hands. But if you’re already wearing an outfit with a lot of details, the rule of thumb is to tone down on accessories. A simple silver or pearl earring will do the trick. Let people appreciate your look, and they won’t be able to do that if there are so many things going on. Earrings, necklaces, and rings can all bring a little sparkle to your outfit. You can choose what sort of jewelry you like. You can have dainty pieces, statement pieces, or something in between. Earrings, like hoops or statement pieces, can make a casual outfit shine. There are many to choose from, like studs, dangles, ear climbers, and the list goes on. Watches are another accessory that can be both functional and attractive. Watches come in various designs, from smartwatches to classic, luxury watches.
Belts, handbags, and hair accessories are all other things that can elevate your outfit. An elegant hair scarf or headband can make your clothing classier. A leather handbag can also show understated elegance. Belts come in a wide variety of colors and styles to go with your clothes. These accessories can be fun or whimsical as well. It all depends on your clothing style and what you want out of your wardrobe. Where you live might also dictate what sort of accessories you wear. In a cold climate, a wool scarf may be appropriate. These scarves can be as fun or neutral as you want them to be.
How to Use Accessories With an Outfit
Accessories are a finishing touch to your outfit. They can add a pop of fun, color, or luxury to what you are wearing. Much like a signature fragrance, a signature accessory can be something you are known for wearing, like a hair scarf, jewelry piece, or handbag.
Use accessories to make your office outfit into a night-out outfit. For example, a blouse and trousers may be what you wear during the day. For the evening you can put on a sequined jacket, hoop earrings and a pair of heels. You now have an outfit appropriate for dinner or dancing. You can even bring a small evening bag with you that you can switch out later.
Accessories can also take a plain, neutral outfit to new heights and make a casual outfit classier. If you are wearing jeans and a t-shirt, try putting a blazer, earrings, and heels on to make it dressier. If you are wearing all black, adding a fun belt or sunglasses can make the outfit more interesting. You could even try having a small bag of accessories in your car or desk in case you need them in a pinch.
What you wear can set your mood for the day and communicate to others what kind of style you have. Accessories are fun, small ways to add a pop of style to an outfit and make it your own. A simple wardrobe can instantly look classier or more fun, and elegant clothing can look even more so with these small pieces. Whatever your style is, find what accessories you like and add them to your wardrobe to give you more versatility and style.
I’ve been hearing amazing reviews about @defenageskincare, and I was thrilled when they offered to send me some products to trial, and also host a giveaway so that one of my special followers can test these products along with me! This giveaway includes the DefenAge Clinical Power Trio, worth $380. Are you ready for an overall glow? This trio is DefenAge’s signature, clinical-study tested, and award-winning skincare. Let’s just say it’s a game-changer! To enter:
- Go to my INSTAGRAM Page
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The giveaway closes at midnight on Monday, August 30th.
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I keep seeing a bunch of “dump cake” recipes on Tik Tok and decided to try my own. I found this one and brought it with me to a friend’s house. It was so easy to make and came out great. I find it is best to serve this cake right after it comes out of the oven. It would be great for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Stay tuned I am working on some of these Dump Cakes in fall flavors for fall celebrations too.
- 2 bags frozen mixed berries
- 1 box french vanilla cake mix
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup salted butter melted
- Heat oven to 350° and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread out frozen berries in the bottom of the dish (
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix ), oats, and melted butter. Stir together until thick crumbles form. Sprinkle evenly over the frozen berries. (If you are watching carbs you do not need to add the oats!!!)
- Cook for 50-55 minutes. Crisp topping will be a golden brown and the berries will be bubbling.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
Did you know that certain foods can boost your immune system, work as a remedy for sore throat and congestion, and even shorten the duration and reduce the severity of the common cold?
While medications certainly help, you can support the healing process by eating certain foods.
Foods like garlic have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, while citrus fruits have high amounts of vitamin C to help you feel less miserable and get better faster.
Next time you’re beginning to feel under the weather, remember these eight foods to eat when you’re sick.
1. Chicken or Other Broth-Based Soup
Broth-based soups are great for when you’re feeling under the weather. Chicken soup has been touted as the best food to eat for colds and flu since the 12th century, and research backs this claim up.
Chicken soup has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties due to cysteine, which is an amino acid found in chicken that is thought to thin mucous in the lungs.
The steam from chicken soup also helps moisten nasal passages and reduces inflammation in the throat. Research has also shown that chicken soup and the thick vegetables and broth that go into it inhibit neutrophil migration in patients with upper respiratory infections.
2. Fermented Food
According to research published in the British Journal of Nutrition, fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut contain probiotics that can help prevent colds and even shorten their duration.
Fermented foods can help you feel better when you’re sick because they contain live “healthy” bacteria that support your gut biome. More and more studies are suggesting that a healthy gut biome aids digestion and supports a strong immune system.
Other fermented foods include cultured plain yogurt, fermented soy, pickled vegetables, kombucha, and miso.
3. Hot Tea
Hot tea is a great way to stay hydrated when you’re sick, and the steam can also clear your sinuses and soothe a sore throat. Some teas have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which can also help support your immune system.
According to the Journal of Complementary Medicine, there is evidence that drinking Echinacea tea can boost your immune system and shorten the duration of the common cold – and a squeeze of lemon and spoon of honey in your tea can help ease other symptoms, too.
4. Garlic
Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and immune-boosting properties – it is a powerhouse when it comes to fighting colds and flu.
You can add freshly-pressed garlic cloves to soups and stews or you can try a garlic-infused tea. To make garlic tea, chop three cloves of garlic and infuse them in hot water – try adding honey and fresh lemon juice to disguise the pungent garlic flavor.
5. Raw Honey
Like garlic, honey is another powerhouse for fighting colds and flu. 100% pure, raw honey contains an array of antioxidants to fight inflammation of the nasal passages and throat. Honey also has antibacterial and antifungal properties because it naturally contains hydrogen peroxide. Manuka honey kills germs and reduces the duration of infections.
Raw honey also boosts the immune system, helps treat digestive issues, and has also been shown to work as well as dextromethorphan (found in cough suppressant cough medicine) as a natural cough suppressant.
6. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which – according to studies – may reduce the length and severity of the common cold. Citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit also contain flavonoids, which reduce inflammation and give your immune system a boost.
Eating foods that contain high amounts of vitamin C is always a good idea, however, be cautious if you are feeling nauseous or if you have a sore throat because the amount of acid in these foods can irritate your throat and stomach lining.
7. Popsicles and Sorbet
Although it may seem counterproductive to eat something as cold as popsicles or sorbet when you’re feeling ill, they are a great way to stay hydrated. The cold temperature soothes a sore throat by reducing inflammation, and staying hydrated when you are sick helps your body thin out mucous and reduce congestion.
The healthiest popsicles and sorbets to eat when you’re sick are made from 100% pure fruit, and choosing orange and other citrus fruit flavors will give you an extra dose of vitamin C and flavonoids, too.
8. Bananas
Bananas are mild in flavor and bland enough to eat even when you’re feeling nauseous. Bananas contain essential nutrients like potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, soluble fiber, and several antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. Bananas are also great for gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus.