Feel Like Life is Moving Too Fast? Adopt These Traits of Slow Living!

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Life seems to be going by faster and faster every year. There doesn’t seem to be anything that can be done about the outside world moving so fast but within our own homes the ability to slow down and enjoy life more is within our hands. In order to help you out we found this article all about slow living. We hope it helps you enjoy life more!

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From the article:

What do urban gardens, the home canning craze, the resurgence of vinyl records and the renewed popularity of old-timey crafts have in common? They???re all ways of addressing the same issue: rushed modern life. Boiling farm-fresh berries on your stovetop for jam lets you experience the satisfaction of producing something for yourself that you would normally buy in a store. Knitting a scarf during your train commute helps you savor a sliver of time in your day that would otherwise be a chore. But crafts and cooking aren???t the only ways to access slow living ??? you can begin today with a practice as simple as looking up and noticing the clouds.

Why Go Slow?
A better question might be: Why on Earth are we trying to go so fast? There???s no need to move at a snail???s pace, but slowing down enough to move through your day with purpose helps calm frazzled nerves, make more personal connections and, paradoxically, allow you to feel you have more time than when you???re rushing around.

How to Begin
One of the first steps in learning to live slow is to recognize that slowing down is a choice open to us all. If this is a busy time in your life, it may be tempting to think that you don???t have time to slow down ??? but there are always ways to go a bit slower, no matter how much is on your plate. You can start small! As you read through the suggestions, make a mental note of one or two you???d like to try today.

The Roots of Slow Living
The slow-living phenomenon has its roots in the Slow Food movement, started by Carlo Petrini in the 1980s in Italy. Favoring mindful eating and conversation rather than what had become the norm ??? gulping down food and racing back to work ??? Slow Food aims to provide an antidote to fast food. Slow living is an expansion of this simple idea of slowing down enough to enjoy your life, from how you eat your meals to the way you get to work to how you spend your free time.

Ideas for Slowing Down Your Meals
– Sit down at a table and eat from a real plate, even if the food is takeout.
– Take a full, deep, centering breath before you begin.
– Put your phone/laptop/book away and simply focus on each bite.
– Invite coworkers to share a meal at lunch rather than eating alone at your desk.
– Make an effort to gather with your family at dinner.

Other Ways to Slow Down Your Life
Rethink your commute. The morning and evening commute can be quite stressful. One way to embrace slowness is to modify or even do away with a traditional commute. Could you ride a bike or scooter ??? or walk ??? to work instead of driving? Take public transportation instead of a car, or ask your boss about telecommuting one or more days each week?

If your current work situation requires a lengthy commute that really drains you, perhaps you could begin to explore other work opportunities closer to home. Even if you can???t do anything to ease your commute, see if there???s some minor tweak that would make it a more pleasant experience. For instance, you could leave earlier to avoid the worst traffic, or use the time to listen to a meditation recording or audiobook.

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Looking for fast cleaning tips? Checkout this article about fast cleaning tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53565478/list/slow-living-101-tips-for-turning-off-the-chaos

Looking to Get Rid of Stress in Your Life? Try These Ideas!

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

As parents we all have a lot of stress in our lives. Stress is just a fact of life but how we deal with the stress is most important. We found this article with 10 different stress busting ideas. We hope they help you deal with the stress in your life more efficiently!

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From the article:

The daily pressures of family life can consume our peace of mind as easily as they consume our energy. How can we find serenity amid the chaos — and hold onto it for more than a fleeting moment? Here are 10 strategies from the experts.

Be Here Now
Like the sixth-grader worrying about the SATs, our minds constantly bring future worries into the present. Richard Carlson, Ph.D., author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff (Hyperion), calls this “anticipatory thinking.” “The best way to avoid stress is to immerse yourself in the moment,” he says. And avoid the trap of comparing notes with other parents about how busy you are.

Take a Break
Let’s face it: We’re never going to finish everything on our “to do” lists. In fact, as director of the Stress Program at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Witkin finds that the average mother runs 21 minutes short per day. Usually, the first thing to go is relaxation time. “We’ll never have any downtime unless we schedule it,” she says. You should be able to complete this sentence: “What I do every day to relax is….”

Just Let Go
“We have to recognize that chaos is a part of life,” says Carlson. “Then we must recognize our own contribution to it. That’s the only part we can control.” The irony is that by taking steps that seem to signify giving up control — like “outsourcing” certain household jobs — you will actually be gaining more freedom to enjoy your family life.

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Looking to create a better work / life balance? Checkout this article with helpful tips for work life balance for busy parents that could be of interest to you.
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For all the ideas click here: http://www.parenting.com/article/10-stress-busting-tips-for-busy-moms

Love the Idea of Beverage Bar? Make Your Own!

Posted on December 7, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Having a place for beverages outside of the kitchen fridge is important in some homes depending upon the amount of drinks consumed. If you’d love one in your home take a look at this article we found on how one homeowner added one to their home. We hope it gives you ideas for your own home!

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From the article:

How to build a beverage bar: this is one of those projects that we all agree was worth it! This unorganized, cramped closet was really wasted space. It was a place for me to stash anything and everything that I didn???t want to look at or deal with at the time. This space is underneath the stairs between the dining room and hall to the kitchen. It was the perfect spot to create a beverage bar out of this closet.

Our kitchen counters are sort of chopped up so being able to move the coffee pot and supplies has freed up a section on the kitchen counters. The beverage bar will also be a great place to sit desserts when we hold family functions.

Here is the useless space before we cleared it out. This is exactly how it looked for years.

We bought the mini fridge and the slide in cabinet from Home Depot. The cabinet comes in different sizes so measure your space to see what size will fit.

The butcher block was purchased at Ikea. We drove to Charlotte and loaded it up. It was 6 feet long and was enough to make the top, a shelve and a couple of extra cutting blocks for my kitchen.

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Looking for storage ideas? Checkout this article about storage cabinet ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://athomewiththebarkers.com/how-to-build-a-beverage-bar/

Looking to Hang Some Pictures? Learn How Here Regardless of Type of Wall!

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Hanging pictures can really make a house a home. It also can be extremely difficult depending upon what type of material you are wanting to hang your picture on. In order to help you out we found this article with helpful step-by-step directions on how to hang pictures on a variety of surfaces. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Whether you’ve got plaster, brick, drywall, concrete, stucco or tile, this guide will help you hang anything and (nearly) everything on your walls hassle free.

Brick
Supplies: Brick Spring Clip, Measuring Tape, and Screw Driver
Steps:
1. Measure size of the wall prior to purchasing a spring clip to determine the size you will need.
2. Place the bottom of the clip at the base of the brick.
3. Push clip against top of brick until it locks in.
4. Hang picture and ensure it will hold weight prior to letting go of the frame.

Tile
Supplies: Cooling Oil, Anchor, Screw, Hammer, Painter???s Tape, Carbide or Diamond Tip Drill Bit, and Power Drill
Steps:
1. Measure and plot point on wall using painter???s tape.
2. Attach chosen drill bit and soak in cooling oil for approximately 5-10 seconds.
3. Start slowly drilling into painter???s tape on tile. Slowly apply light pressure and increase speed until you complete drilling the desired hole length.
4. Hammer in the anchor and drill in screw. Hang picture

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Looking to design your home? Then checkout this article about principles for interior design that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.sheknows.com/home-and-gardening/articles/1054127/how-to-hang-things-on-any-wall

Looking to Start Decorating? Learn How to Start Your Project Here!

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Redecorating a new or existing home can be a really big project. ALso depending upon how much you’re planning on doing it can cost a lot. In order to help you reduce the stress surrounding such a big project we found this article that breaks down how to start such a big project. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Congratulations. You???ve decided to decorate your home. Now what?

Whether you???re furnishing your first place or redoing the house you???ve owned for decades, decorating can be a challenging task, filled with costly decisions whose outcomes could haunt you for years. How do you figure out what style is right for you? Should you tackle the job yourself or hire a pro? How much should you spend? And what steps can you take to ensure you???ll be happy with the results?

In this series I???ll take you through the entire decorating process, from initial inspirations to final floor plans. We???ll talk about choosing colors, shopping for furniture, arranging furniture, where you should scrimp and where you should spend.

But before you do any of that, look around you.

Take a critical look at your current home. What do you like about it? What do you dislike? Are your feelings prompted by the aesthetics of the decor? The comfort? The fabrics? The colors?

Learn from that. Repeat the things you like, and don???t repeat the things you don???t like just because they???re familiar to you.

Write your list for Santa. Create a wish list ??? your Santa Claus list. Write down everything you would like to do if money were no object. Then figure out which things you can do, which things you can???t do, which things have to be done now and which things can wait.

???If you don???t have that master list, it???s hard to prioritize,??? says interior designer Amy Luff of Viva Luxe Studios in Bristol, Virginia.

Collect photos. Start collecting pictures of rooms you like. Even if you???re going to hire an interior designer, this will help him or her get a sense of your taste.

Naturally, Houzz is a great place to begin, as you???ll have more than 10 million pictures at your fingertips. You can save everything into one ideabook or make individual ideabooks for each room or each aspect of the design (wall colors, furnishings, fireplaces etc.).

Don???t try to do this in one sitting ??? give yourself a few weeks or months to compile your photos, as your tastes might evolve during the course of the exercise. Something that appealed to you on Day 1 might seem trite by Day 23.

Get your better half involved. For many couples there???s often one person who???s more interested in decorating than the other. The other person might say, ???Do whatever you want.???

Do not do whatever you want. Because as soon as you start buying things, Mr. or Ms. No Opinion will suddenly have an opinion. So make him or her spend some time with you at the very beginning just looking at pictures of interiors. ???Spend an hour or two on the computer and look at some things together and talk about them,??? says interior designer Alana Homesley of Woodland Hills, California. As you review each room, ask your partner, ???What do you like about it? What don???t you like about it????

Alternatively, you can each collect a file of images independently, then sit down and compare what you???ve chosen. This way your initial selections won???t be swayed by the other person. As you review your selections together, your differences and similarities will immediately become apparent.

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Looking for information on how much a redesign will cost? Checkout this article about cost to design that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26609229/list/decorating-101-how-to-start-a-decorating-project

Designing a Kitchen? Learn About the Different Countertop Choices Here!

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

There are so many different options of countertops out there. It can be hard to make the right decision for your kitchen or bathroom. In order to help you out we found this article that breaks down the different kinds of countertops. We hope it helps you make the best decision for you and your home!

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From the article:

From contemporary quartz to rustic wood, these stylish, durable countertops to complete any kitchen or bath.

Daltile
The newest expansion to Daltile’s One Quartz line is developed specifically for builders. Along with traditional 2 cm and 3 cm thicknesses, the Builder Series offers a 1.2 cm slab. The thin, lightweight slabs are ideal to match bathroom and shower walls and tub enclosures with thicker products used for countertops, the company says. The Builder Series is available in four neutral colors, provides a waterproof seal on installation, and is VOC-free. www.daltile.com

Caesarstone
Ten new colors in the Classico collection bring the look of natural stone and concrete to the firm’s quartz surfaces. Among the new patterns are designs with bold veins; colors that offer an interpretation of traditional granite a refined finish; and three concrete-inspired colors that mimic the material’s coarse texture. Engineered to be durable and low-maintenance, the slabs are non-porous, and heat-, stain-, and scratch-resistant. www.caesarstoneus.com

Windfall Lumber
Go rustic with Windfall Lumber’s solid-wood countertops, hand-crafted from various species of reclaimed and FSC-certified timber from the Pacific Northwest. Douglas Fir live edge countertops, made from reclaimed telephone poles, are designed to highlight the natural character of each piece of wood, the firm says. The live edge can be mounted up or down and four finishes are available. Countertops are made to order in sizes up to 3-feet-by-8 feet using 12- to 16-inch wide planks. www.windfalllumber.com

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Looking for more kitchen design tips? Then checkout this article about kitchen design tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.builderonline.com/products/finishes-surfaces/on-the-surface-five-chic-counter-options_o?utm_source=Social_FB

Considering Raised Garden Beds this Spring? Get Ideas Here!

Posted on November 23, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Now is the perfect time to start planning your spring and summer garden. Especially if you are wanting to build your own raised beds. In order to help you out we found this article with 65 different simple raised garden bed ideas. We hope they help!

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From the article:

Within the categories of garden, you can come across wonderful types. DIY raised garden beds are gaining popularity and more and more people want to have these kinds of gardens. This concept focuses on having a garden in suspended beds of soil. You do not have to spoil the garden for planting your desired veggies or fruits. You don???t have to buy these from the market directly; diy raised garden bed designs can help you a lot in this respect.

Raised garden beds, which are simply big, above-ground containers for growing plants, solve a range of garden problems. I???ll walk you through all the basics from choosing the right style, wood options, creative add-ons, free building plans, and unusual growing possibilities.

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Looking for more gardening ideas? Checkout this article about gardening ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://homeastern.com/2017/07/09/63-simple-raised-garden-bed-ideas-backyard/

Buying Your First Home? Learn What You Should Buy Here!

Posted on November 20, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

So you’ve bought your first home, congratulations! Now comes more joy and stress than you can imagine. In order to help you out we found this article with the things that you should buy for your new home. We hope it helps you make it yours!

From the article:

Whether you are getting married, buying your first home or simply moving into your first real place of your own, you will likely find yourself with some shopping to do. A plan can help you stay focused and avoid unnecessary purchases, saving money and time (not to mention clutter) in the long run.

Kitchen
What to choose: Hardworking multitaskers. High-quality stainless steel saucepans and saut?? pans, cast iron skillets, a great set of knives, a wooden cutting board and a Dutch oven that can go from stovetop to oven ??? these are the workhorses of the kitchen and are worth the investment. When it comes to cooking utensils, you can accomplish most cooking tasks with a pair of tongs, a few wooden spoons, a spatula and a ladle.

Small appliances can be quite useful, but think honestly about which you will use frequently and which you could do without. For some, a food processor is essential, while for others it would just sit in the back of a cupboard gathering dust.

What to avoid: Single-purpose tools and gadgets. Picking up specialty kitchen tools may seem harmless at first ??? but it???s a slippery slope, and before you know it you???ll have accumulated a drawer overstuffed with strange unitaskers you hardly ever use. If a tool you already own can get the job done, consider sticking with it rather than buying the ???special??? tool.

Dining
What to choose: Beautiful basics. You really can???t go wrong with classic stainless steel cutlery, white dishes and clear glassware ??? it???s worth shopping around to find sets you really love, because you will likely keep them for a long time. A good set of white dishes and clear glassware can be dressed up or down, and can elevate the everyday. A set of cloth napkins (cotton or linen) can be used every day or for dinner parties, and a tablecloth in a natural color can dress things up further.

What to avoid: China so fancy you???re afraid to use it. Beautiful china can be a lovely way to make a special occasion even more elegant ??? but be honest with yourself about how often you are likely to actually pull it out. Would you use it for a casual gathering with friends, for instance? Or would you ???save??? it for a once-a-year major holiday ??? if you host it, which you might not? Spending more on a really gorgeous set of everyday dishes is probably a better investment ??? and if you really want to add something extra special to your dinner table, consider a set of fancy dessert plates or a beautiful vase.

Decor
What to choose: Plants, mirrors and art. When you are first starting out, you may need to make do with some hand-me-down or budget furniture pieces ??? but everything will look better when surrounded by lush green foliage, colorful artwork and bright, light-enhancing mirrors. Healthy houseplants make any room feel fresher and more inviting, and they clean the air to boot. If you are worried about keeping houseplants alive, get some plant recommendations and care advice from a local nursery, and use a phone reminder to alert you when it???s time to water them.

You can find beautiful, affordable artwork (both framed prints and originals) from local galleries that feature up-and-coming artists, at student art shows and online.

What to avoid: Too many purely decorative items. Focus on getting the basics in place (like a great sofa and proper lighting) before spending on accessories. Even then, consider accessories with a purpose ??? like a big art book or scented candle ??? before picking up that sculptural object.

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Looking for garage organization ideas? Checkout this article about garage organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2016/03/04/what-to-buy-for-your-first-home/#73c041627014

Have a Small Laundry Room? Learn How to Make it More Functional Here!

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

If you happen to have a large laundry room count yourself blessed. Most people don’t have a very large laundry room. Which makes keeping it organized and efficient can be quite a challenge. In order to help the people our that have the smaller laundry rooms we found this article with 20 helpful space saving ideas. We hope they help!

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If you need Denham Springs vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Small laundry room design is about creating functional spaces where chores do not get procrastinated but get done quickly and efficiently. A small functional room is an essential addition to tiny, busy homes but a spacious laundry room requires efficient organization also, as any space can get messy quickly. Lushome shares space saving solutions, organizing tips, and a collection of beautiful and functional small laundry room ideas that are inspiring and useful for improving homes and creating attractive laundry room designs.

The smart interior design prioritizes storage and organization. While improving functionality, space saving ideas offer practical solutions reflecting on well-organized small interiors can be. Often laundry rooms lack light, compact layout, and areas to fold and hang clothing for long-term drying. However, every tiny room can be neatly organized and brightly decorated.

Small laundry room design is about functionality, organization, and efficient lighting. Light neutral color tones or bright room colors, clutter-free design, and practical materials are essential for improving functionality and overall appeal. A fresh coat of paint, a small trash bin, storage shelves, a space-saving drying rack, hangers, a laundry basket and a small ironing board which is perfect for folding clothing, are practical ideas for a room makeover. Some of these items can take up a lot of space, but compact models, space-saving layout, and clutter-free decoration work well for laundry room design while maximizing small spaces.

Open shelves and small cabinets with storage bins and baskets, light room colors and clutter-free decor are excellent ideas for small laundry rooms. Sliding doors and built-in cabinets with integrated washers and dryers help create attractive and functional areas for doing laundry, folding clothes, and ironing in style.

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Looking for more laundry room ideas? Checkout this article about laundry room ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.lushome.com/20-space-saving-ideas-for-functional-small-laundry-room-design/171197

Planning on Selling Your Home? Learn How to Make it Look Great in Photos!

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Selling a home is a big deal. It can be very stressful especially if it has to sit on the market for awhile. In order to keep that from happening we found this article on how to make your home look great in pictures. We hope it helps!

From the article:

A house hunter???s first view of your property is often online, and if the photos accompanying your home???s listing don???t impress, you probably won???t get a second chance to lure in that potential buyer ??? meaning your real estate photos are valuable assets when it comes to selling your home. The following tips can help your home put its best foot forward on picture day.

Check out agents??? listings. Before diving into photo-day planning, it???s important to be sure your real estate agent is prepared to deliver quality listing photos. Study a potential agent???s listings to get a feel for the quality of the photography. Here are a few questions you may want to ask about how the agent handles photos:

– Do you have a professional photographer on staff?
– If you take the photos yourself, what equipment do you use ??? professional camera and tripod or just a cellphone?
– Will the agent or photographer bring in additional lighting if needed?
– How much time is typically allotted for the photo shoot?
– What can I do to make my home look its best in photos?

Remove counter clutter. Gleaming, clutter-free counters will make your kitchen look more spacious. Put away everything, then clean counters well. It???s fine to leave out one or two small appliances, such as the toaster and coffee maker, but stash anything extra, as well as small appliances that have seen better days.

Hide toiletries and freshen bathrooms. Aside from a fresh bar of soap at the sink, the bathroom should be completely free of toiletries ??? too many products crowding the sink and shower suggest that there???s not enough storage space. Pull open the shower curtain, clean the mirror, put the toilet seats down and turn on the lights. Remove old towels and put out fresh, fluffy white towels if you have them. If not, just leave the towel racks bare.

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Looking for more home selling ideas? Checkout this article about home selling ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/83682567/list/selling-how-to-make-your-house-look-great-in-photos