Embrace the joy of Dry January with an array of zero-proof delights courtesy of Ripe Bar Juice mocktails. These alcohol-free alternatives, featuring Classic Cosmopolitan Mix, Classic Cranberry Mix, and Classic Lemon Sour Mix, promise to turn your month into a refreshing journey of zero-proof pleasure.
- Cosmo Zest: A Zero Proof Symphony
Begin your alcohol-free odyssey with the Cosmo Zest mocktail—an exquisite symphony of flavors that boasts zero proof without compromising on sophistication. Combine Ripe Bar Juice’s Classic Cosmopolitan Mix with sparkling water, a hint of orange juice, and garnish with an orange twist. This vibrant zero-proof concoction captures the essence of a classic Cosmopolitan, ensuring your January is filled with zest, sans the alcohol content.
- Cranberry Bliss Burst: A Festive Zero-Proof Treat
Indulge in the Cranberry Bliss Burst mocktail—a zero-proof treat that combines tart and sweet goodness in a single glass. Mix Ripe Bar Juice’s Classic Cranberry Mix with ginger ale, toss in a handful of fresh cranberries, and garnish with a sprig of rosemary. This zero-proof delight not only satisfies your cranberry cravings but adds a festive touch to your Dry January celebrations, proving that you can have a burst of joy without a drop of alcohol.
- Lemon Elation Spritz: A Refreshing Zero-Proof Experience
Experience a refreshing zero-proof elation with the Lemon Elation Spritz—a mocktail that keeps your spirits high during Dry January. Blend Ripe Bar Juice’s Classic Lemon Sour Mix with club soda, add a drizzle of honey, and finish with a twist of lemon. This effervescent zero-proof beverage brings a burst of citrusy delight to your palate, leaving you energized and ready to conquer the month without the need for alcohol.
Let Ripe Bar Juice mocktails redefine your Dry January experience with zero-proof delights. The Classic Cosmopolitan Mix, Classic Cranberry Mix, and Classic Lemon Sour Mix offer a diverse range of options, ensuring your journey is not just dry but also filled with zero-proof pleasure. Here’s to a blissful and alcohol-free January—where every sip is a celebration of zero-proof joy!
First up – congratulations on deciding to build your first home. It’s not just about laying bricks and mortar; it’s about creating a space that’s uniquely yours. Let’s dive into six essential chunks of wisdom to help you navigate this exciting journey with success from start to finish.
Via Pexels
The Art Of Budget Balancing
Budgeting is one of the most important aspects of home building. It’s less about counting pennies and more about making your dollars perform acrobatics. Remember, a budget is a living, breathing thing – it needs care, attention, and sometimes a bit of tough love. If not cared for correctly, it’ll be there one moment and gone the next. You need to follow strict plans and guidelines when setting a budget for your project, or else you’ll find yourself with just a structure and nothing more.
Choosing Your Land Wisely
The land is the canvas for your masterpiece. It’s not just about the view – though that’s a nice bonus – it’s more about choosing a spot where you want to build a home for your family, where you can see yourself living for years to come. Think about accessibility, the neighborhood, and whether the local coffee shop makes a decent espresso. These details matter because you’re crafting a lifestyle, not just building a house.
Design Dreams Meet Reality
Designing your home is like being in a candy store with a limited budget – everything looks tempting, but you’ve got to pick what truly satisfies your sweet tooth. Practicality might not be glamorous, but it’s the foundation of a home that feels right. So, prioritize, personalize, and prepare to make compromises that don’t compromise your vision.
The Construction Rollercoaster
Construction is the stage where your dreams start taking shape in the real world. It’s thrilling, nerve-wracking, and a little bit messy. So embrace the chaos. Visit the site often, but don’t be that person who micromanages every nail and tile. Trust your team, the contractor, the plumber, the roofer, the tiler, the electrician, and everyone else needed to make your dreams come to reality.
Interior Design: Your Personal Touch
Now, for the fun part – making the inside pretty! This is where your personality gets a chance to shine through. It’s like painting on a blank canvas – let the fun begin. But remember, trends come and go – so be careful when following specific interior trends. What matters most is creating a space where you feel at ease, whether it’s a high-tech kitchen or a cozy reading nook – do what makes you happy and relaxed in your home.
The Final Stretch: Inspections And Adjustments
The final phase of home building is about dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. It’s time for inspections and adjustments, ensuring everything is up to standard. This stage requires patience and an eye for detail. Think of it as the final polish on your new gem. So get yourself a snag list and some tape, and get going on finalizing the last bits and bobs!
Welcome Home!
And just like that, you’re ready to step into your new home. Building a house is a journey filled with challenges, learning, and triumphs. It’s a testament to your vision, determination, and hard work. So, take a moment to bask in the glory of what you’ve created – a space that’s not just a structure, but a reflection of you.
Photo by Rachel Claire: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cozy-fireplace-in-light-minimalist-living-room-48
Do you wish your home was somewhere you enjoyed spending your time during the winter? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
To love winter at home, you need to make your space as warm and cozy as possible. This will encourage you to spend longer at home and be sure to keep everyone happy and healthy.
Using this guide, you can be sure to make your home as warm and cozy as possible.
If the heating is broken, get an expert to repair it
It is never good when the heating system packs up and stops working mid-winter. To make sure that this issue never interrupts the safety and coziness of your home, it is good to have experts on hand to help you repair it. With Balance Point Heating & Air Conditioning, you can seek expert assistance with your heat pump repair and guarantee to keep your home as warm as possible in the winter.
Changing the color palette
Look at the color palette in your own home to find a warm color. Warm colors—deep reds, rich browns, and earthy tones like deep yellows and golds—work well because they add to the visual warmth of a space. Warm colors also, to a psychological level, add warmth: They make the room feel cozier.
Add some more texture and softness to your interior
If your tactile elements are lacking, you may want to invest in some new, textured, soft, and cozy items for your home. Purchase a fleece throw blanket, snuggly winter pillar candles, wool blankets, or faux fur cushions to give your home a warm, inviting feel. Not only will these points add physical warmth, but they will also give the appearance of warmth and comfort in your living spaces.
Consider new lighting
The lighting is something that can change the mood. When people just use the harsh overhead light, it doesn’t light up the house nicely. The floor lamp, table lamp, and string lights add a nice feel to the home. The more lighting the house has, the better because you can see the details of the home. Get a lamp for every corner because it will make it a warm and cozy house. The bulbs of the lamp are something that you should also think about. You should buy warm bulbs because they make you feel comfortable.
Move your furniture around
Rearrange your furniture to create intimate, cozy spaces; for instance, instead of lining chairs along the walls, bring them closer together for easier conversation. Furnish your home with large, comfortable furniture that will make you want to curl up. Oversized, plushy sofas and armchairs are perfect for all of your family members to spread out and relax or take a nap.
Fireplaces are something you need to take advantage of
If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace in your living space, don’t leave it in the corner. Arrange furniture around it to make it your focal point. Fireplaces are inviting. They’re warm. They’re comforting. If you don’t have a fireplace, make one. Electric fireplaces are powered by plugging them in. Gas fireplaces are just as warm and cozy but involve slightly more installation.
Scents can make a difference too
Another creative way to warm up a living space is by using a variety of scents. Scents can make your guests comfortable and relaxed. Use warm, inviting scents such as cinnamon, vanilla, and cedar. Spruce up the room by adding candles, essential oil diffusers, or potpourri throughout your living room to make the familiar feeling even more specific than before.
Cozy corners are a win
Create cozy hideaways and reading corners where people can snuggle up with a good book or just escape and relax. Provide comfortable seating, soft lighting, and warm blankets to create spaces that are cozy and inviting and that promote moments of refuge and retreat.
Rugs will warm up your feet and the space
It’s hard to stay warm when your feet are freezing. Throw rugs give your home that extra coziness you need from the floor up. Look for rugs made of warm materials like wool and shaggy textures for maximum comfort while you enjoy your coffee in the morning or watch TV in the evening. Rugs also add a layer of interest on top of boring carpets or linoleum.
Festive and wintery decor
When decorating, think about different types of shapes to make something out of! Trees in the winter typically have no leaves on them! Make more wintery porch pots using spruce, pine, or cedar. Make it cozier in your space by adding objects with a winter theme, like a pillow with a snowflake on it or a knit blanket displayed over a chair. Use a seasonal wreath on a headboard, front door, or even outside at the end of a driveway.
Warm drinks all around, please
Set up a coffee and tea station so hot drinks are just a turn of the kettle away. This practical (and popular) addition to your home encourages family members and guests to unite over a cup of something hot. Collect a variety of teas, coffee, and hot chocolate options so there’s something for everyone’s tastes.
Cozy up your space with personal touches
Make your space your own with things that remind you of your life. Frame family photos or display your children’s artwork to make you see your space as your own. Placing things around your living space that have memories or special value to you is going to make you feel happy and in love with your home.
Make the outdoor space warm too
Extend that warmth outside by creating cozy outdoor spaces. Consider adding outdoor heaters, fire pits, or warm blankets to your patio or garden so you can enjoy the crisp winter air while staying cozy.
Now that you are all experts on how to create a warm and cozy home, you can guarantee to enjoy spending your time there. You can stay healthy and never question the time you spend at home. How could you want to spend time elsewhere when you have all you need and are warm?
Welcome to this week’s roundup of the hottest and most sought-after products making waves in the market! As we dive into the latest trends and customer favorites, get ready to discover a curated list of best-selling items that have captured the attention and hearts of shoppers. From innovative tech gadgets to fashion-forward must-haves, we’ve compiled a diverse selection that showcases the pulse of consumer preferences. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or just curious about what’s creating a buzz, join us on this journey through the top-selling products of the week. Your next favorite purchase might just be a scroll away! Click on the descriptions below for more information or to purchase an item!
From Left to Right:
These free-people pajamas are so cute. I reader saw them at Nordstrom and sent them to me!!
I love these J Crew statement earrings…
I bought this cute silver sequin bag at J-Crew over the holidays. Its so pretty in person.
How great is this leather jacket? Love the shape and color.
I fell in love with this vintage bow Chanel bag. It’s also a great price for Vintage Chanel.
This vintage Prada bag, also a great price, is a total wardrobe staple!
We spend way more time indoors during the cold and dark months of the winter time, which means that the heating bill that you have is about to go up. Nobody wants to have to spend more than necessary, and the cost of living is already becoming slightly unbearable, depending on the income of the household that it’s pertaining to. Ideally, you should be able to maintain your warmth through the winter months without having to be too far out of pocket, but that’s not always the case.
Fortunately, while we can’t control what companies are charging for people to live comfortably inside their homes, we can control just how much we are looking after our homes to keep it warm. For example, if you are investing in furnace repair, you might find that your house is more comfortable for longer because you are keeping up with the maintenance of one of the hardest items in the home. That being said, let’s talk about some of the ways that you can warm your home this winter that won’t leave you feeling like you are shivering inside the building.
- Prevent the heat from escaping with heavy curtains. Your windows may be beautiful to look outside of, but when the cold air comes into the home, you’re going to have to deal with the heat escaping through the windows. With heavy-lined curtains that extend far below the window frame, you will be able to insulate the windows and keep the warmth where it should be. Whether you buy them from somewhere or you make your own, there are plenty of things that you can do to keep your curtains in place too. You could even add an extra layer with a set of blinds right behind them so that your home is always going to stay warm no matter what.
- Add some more insulation. Your house should have insulation in both the attic and the ceilings and the walls, but if you are struggling to keep warm, then there’s every chance that the installation just isn’t working the way that it’s supposed to. A well-insulated house is actually able to use up to 45% less energy for both heating and cooling, and that’s not something that you can pass up. Installing insulation should be a priority for you.
- Seal the gaps. In the average home, there will be more cracks and gaps than any other. It’s usually the equivalent of having a meter-by-a-meter window open all the time if the cracks in your home are not put back together the way they should be. The good news is you don’t have to have a home with cracked walls and cracked ceilings, especially when you can head to your local hardware store and buy the right filler paint and sealant to ensure that the cracks do not widen and get worse.
- Add some door snakes. You might have seen them before at your grandma’s house, but door snakes can really make a difference to the amount of air that’s coming into the home. You want to be able to keep the heat in and the cold air out, and the easiest way to do it is to ensure that you have rolled up snakes by the door to prevent any leakage. When you do this, you will ensure that your home stays warmer and you feel more comfortable as a result.
- Keep an eye on your thermostat. You should try to keep your thermostat at a 20° steady temperature all winter long. When you do this, you will be able to maintain a comfortable inside temperature while also feeling comfortable on the outside. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat on your heater, then you should make sure that you have a thermometer in your living area to keep an eye on the temperature.
- Keep the doors closed. If you’re not using specific rooms of your home, you do not need to have the doors open. A good way to make sure that you keep the heat in is to shut the doors of the rooms that you are not using so that the heat cannot leak out. It’s not always ideal to have the doors shut for every room, so just make sure that the rooms that you are not using are kept closed and the heat kept sealed inside.
- Let the sunlight in. While you may want to keep your curtains closed all the time, you do need to let some sunshine in if you want some natural heat to warm the space. If you make a point of opening the window so that the UV radiation passes through the glass, you’ll be able to warm up the space in your home and still feel that throughout the day. Just make sure that as soon as the sun starts going down, you close the curtains so that you can keep that UV radiation trapped inside.
- Insulate your hot water pipes. You should wrap all of your external pipes in insulating tape to reduce the heat loss that could occur from your hot water tank. When you do this, you ensure that your whole building stays warm and that you are able to maintain hot water and hot showers when you need to.
- Focus on keeping the people warm, not necessarily the house. It’s so much easier to warm yourself than to warm an entire room, so make sure that everybody in your home is wearing warm slippers and thermals when they are inside. A snuggly jumper can really help to keep their heat in as well, and it could save you hundreds in utility bills.
- Maintain the heaters. Getting all hot water appliances serviced is important if you want to maintain the heat of your home. It’s vital that you are speaking to professionals about this, however, because you don’t want to try and fix anything like heaters by yourself. That’s where things can definitely go wrong.
The expression ‘new home’ is a weird one, as more often than not, the home isn’t exactly new (even though it is new to you), and may have had several people living there before you. And while moving into a new place is a very exciting time, it can take a while for it to feel like yours – someone else did choose the decor after all!
But that feeling of being in someone else’s home won’t last long, and you’ll soon be putting your own stamp on the place. To help you out, here are 10 simple ways to personalize your new home so you can make it feel more like yours.
Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons
1. Clean from top to bottom
It might sound strange, but sometimes a house doesn’t feel clean until you clean it yourself. And this is especially true when it comes to buying a new home. It’s time to pull up your sleeves and use some elbow grease to clean your house from top to bottom. Pay attention to all the areas that can be overlooked, such as the top of cabinets and above the doors. Use your usual cleaning products to help bring some familiar smells into your new home.
Establishing a regular cleaning routine will soon help you become familiar with your new home,
2. Change up your entrance
A new entrance is a great way to help give your home a fresh start – think of it as a new chapter for the property. Investing in a full-service entry door replacement will transform the look of your home and give it your own personal touch. You could also add a new house number, and mailbox and dress up the front of your property with plants, flowers, and lights to give you the perfect welcome when you come through the door.
3. Bring in a new color scheme
One of the simplest ways to transform your home is to paint it. Painting can be an affordable and simple upgrade, helping you to bring your own tastes and personality to your home. Even if it’s just temporary, some fresh paint can make a big difference and help you settle in quickly.
Check out some of this year’s hottest paint trends to help you find some color ideas for your new home.
4. Use fragrance to make it more personal to you
Never underestimate the power of fragrance. Scents are there to be enjoyed, but they can also help bring a sense of familiarity. Fill your new home with your favorite fragrances to help it feel like home. From candles to diffusers, add touches of fragrance all over your new home to enjoy that wonderful familiar feeling when you walk through the door.
5. Put up some photos and prints
Another way to help make your new home feel more like yours is to put up some photos and prints. Make them personal by choosing prints that reflect your interests, and of course – family photos. Adding these touches to your walls will soon make you feel more at ease and comfortable in your new space and is one of the ways you can achieve peak coziness in your home.
6. Make changes to your window treatments
You may not have given much thought to your windows, but they are a fantastic way to transform your home. Many people leave drapes and shutters behind when they move out, but if they’re not to your taste, then switching them up can make a big difference to how your space looks. Explore some window dressing ideas to give you some inspiration.
7. Refresh your flooring
Unless you’re moving into a home with some luxury wooden floors or tiles, you may want to think about refreshing your flooring when you move into your new space. A fresh new floor feels wonderful, especially when you choose a fluffy new carpet. It can also make your home feel newer, as though nobody else has lived there.
If new flooring isn’t an option for you, you can always use a carpet cleaner or hire some professional carpet cleaners to help you restore your home’s carpet to its former glory.
8. Add some houseplants and flowers (or a pet)
Plants and flowers bring some life into your home, which can instantly make it feel warmer and more inviting. You might need to move them around to help find the right space for your houseplants to thrive. You could also consider getting a pet if you don’t have one already – they make excellent companions and will soon turn your house into a home.
9. Focus on changing one room
Making big changes to your home can become very expensive, especially when you factor in your moving costs. Instead of trying to change every room, why not focus on changing one room? This will give you at least one space that will truly feel your own after your move, and will soon be followed by others. You can move through your home, complete one room at a time to fit your budget and schedule and enjoy getting to know your new home in the process.
10. Start making memories
Finally, the simplest way to personalize your new home is to start making memories in it. From family dinners to parties or even your regular weekend movie night, your new home is just waiting for you to start enjoying it. While you may have fond memories of your previous home, it’s time to start a new chapter and make the most of it with your family.
Moving into a new home can feel unfamiliar and strange – especially during those first weeks and months. When you move into somewhere that’s been lived in before, it can almost feel as though you’re still living in someone else’s house. But making some changes to personalize your home will soon make it feel more familiar, and in no time at all will feel like home. Your home may not be brand new, but it will be to you, and it’s important that you make it feel like your own.