A subscription beauty box you will love Adore Box

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Adore Box

Have you ever found a subscription box that just seems to read your mind? I have been in love with Adore Box for a while now, one thing that I love it that always seems to be just what I need when I need it. When I was really in need of a new lip liner and did not know where to start I opened my Adore box and ban the perfect lip liner was right there. This month I was looking at new air fresheners and jewelry and Bam I got this beautiful ring in my box and a new air freshener for my car.

Adore Box

I was truly stunned. This was the perfect box at the perfect moment. I love that Adore box not only gives you beauty products, but you can also get great jewelry and other products. The box always has great products that I love. When you are looking for a subscription box that is affordable and has great products make sure to check out Adore box they will not disappoint you.

Adore Box Adore Box

I have come to not only love the products I get every month in my Adore Box, but also love the price. This one box will cost you less than 3 cups of coffee. I can say without a doubt you cannot go wrong with the Adore Box.

I got this free in exchange for an honest review.

Have you checked out COOLA yet?

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“I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post
my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may
contain affiliate links.”

COOLA

Weather its summer or winter the sun can be very harsh on your skin.  Having the right sun black all year round can make a huge difference in the future.  I like to find a sunblock that does not leave my skin greasy.  I need one that is going to soak right into my skin.  The COOLA SPF 50 sport spray and the COOLA Sport tint were both fantastic.  They went on very smooth and soaked right in.  They both had a nice fresh scent that did not overpower my perfume.  They also worked great I was outside working in the garden for a few hours and did not get burned at all.  I also love that it gives your skin a little coating, if you get sun sick make sure to have the right sun block it will help.

COOLA     COOLA

The Makeup Setting Spray was fantastic.  I have used a few others in the past that when you use it, it feels like you have added a sticky thick mess to your face.  This one did not leave my face feeling heavy or sticky at all.  My makeup stayed perfect all day long and my face felt fresh.  When you first spray it on you will get a little of alcohol smell, no worries this goes away fast.  The makeup setting spray leaves just a fresh smell when it dries.  This is truly a must have product for any makeup lover.

COOLA       COOLA

For all our lip gloss lovers, the COOLA SPF 15 is a must have.  This left my lips so soft and smooth.  The scent was peppermint and vanilla.  It smells fantastic.  It glides right on and lasted for quite a while.  If you are like me and always have one in your pocket make sure to stock up on these.  A great sun protectant and your lips will be in love.

I was truly impressed with COOLA products and will be using them for years to come.

 until September 30th and offers 20% off on coolasuncare.com Using code Willette20

Turn a House into a Home

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Whether it’s your first home or your sixth, moving into a house is an exciting time for many people. However, it’s only natural that you want to transform your house into a home, and put your personal stamp on your new property immediately. Unless you designed and built your house from the foundations up, the color, fixtures and room arrangements were chosen for someone else in mind. It can, therefore, feel overwhelming when trying to redecorate and refurbish a whole new house. It takes time, patience and perseverance to create the perfect home. Through projects big and small, here’s how you can personalize your new dwelling.

The Exterior

Many people focus on the inside of the house, but what’s the point in spending all your efforts and money transforming the interior, if you forget about the exterior? Depending on your building’s type (paneling, brick, etc.), personalizing the outside of your home can range from difficult to easy.

For a quick fix, paint the front door. Choose a color that best suits you, and change the locks, door knocker and letter box. Not only does this give a fresh look to your home, but changing the locks is also highly recommended for safety reasons. Also apply a new coat of paint to your windows, and if you have paneling, update the paintwork there, too.

If you’ve got a green thumb, also dedicate a few weekends redoing the front (and back) yard. Remove dead plants and weeds; cut back trees which cast a shadow over your home, and replant flowers which are colorful and easy to look after. Even if you decide to buy a wooden garden bench for the back yard, this can make such a difference to the overall aesthetic. If you don’t have a lot of free time to be spent in the garden, hire a gardener. For garden pathways or driveways, implement outdoor lighting such as spot lights or lanterns.

Keeping the exterior of your home well-kept will not only improve your curb appeal, but it will also make your property more welcoming to you and your neighborhood.

The Kitchen

An entire kitchen refurb can be expensive, however, if it’s in your budget and you don’t like what’s already in place, rip it out and start over. If you’re not blessed with a large kitchen and dining room, consider knocking down any walls between the two, and implement a breakfast bar or island. Keep your kitchen open and airy, and have appliances placed appropriately. You want your fridge near open worktops, and for ease of use, having your appliances lifted off the ground is not only better for your back, but having a raised dishwasher makes loading and unloading much easier and it looks aesthetically pleasing, too. You should also replace your cooker unit with built-in ovens, and have a separate hob which is placed on a worktop if you want a more modern kitchen. The modern aesthetic is becoming a popular look for any contemporary kitchen. Just as with other types of kitchens maintenance is quite important, so you may want to find a repair service similar to Jiffy Appliance Repair who may be able to help you with fixing any appliances that might require maintenance in your kitchen.

The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in the house. It gets the most foot traffic, and people will be using it throughout the day and night. An entire refurb to the kitchen that is completely personalized to your needs can make your house feel much more like a home. For example, if you’re big into your wine, move the washing machine somewhere else and use the space to store your bottles.

However, if you cannot afford a complete refurb, simply change countertops, the doors of cabinets, and the kitchen faucet.

The Living Room

Living rooms are designed for us to relax in – for us to sit down on comfortable couches and watch TV or read a book after a long day’s work. It’s also the room with the most choices and refurb opportunities. A living room can be whatever haven you wish it to be; it can be light and airy, with cream walls and fluffy rugs, or it can be it can be cozy with warm fireplaces and towering bookcases. It all depends on your individual tastes.

However you wish to design your living room, there are a few easy ways to personalize the space. Rugs come in all shapes, sizes, patterns and colors. You will always be able to find one that speaks to you. Additionally, coffee tables and vases of fresh flowers can work wonders when personalizing your living room; the same goes for cushions, throws and the artwork you hang on the walls.

If you’re lucky enough to have a living room with a bay window, you should also spend time upgrading this space. Bay windows are highly sought after, and utilizing the space will not only improve your property’s value, but it will also make you and your home envy to your friends and family. Repaint the setting, and insert comfortable seating. Have cushions placed at each end so you can comfortably lean backwards, and keep the windows fresh and clean. Have a light blind, such as a bamboo or a Roman blind, so there are no heavy curtains getting in the way.

The Master Bedroom

For starters, the bed is the most important feature in the master bedroom. It is a necessity, and you should opt for the most comfortable and ideal bed for you. Once your bed is in place, personalize your room through details dotted around the room. Customize and design your bedding from VisionBedding.com by ordering a duvet cover, bed sheets and more, showcasing your favorite photo. Hang a mirror, place a chest of drawers and position succulents and cacti on top, sat in mismatching pots. Wrap fairy lights around your bed’s headboard, and if space permits it, hang some artwork. Make sure your bedroom is light and breezy, and place scented candles around the bedroom – studies show that the smell of coffee reduces stress, therefore, fill a candle holder with some coffee beans and place tea light in the center.

Like the living room, include a rug, cushions and blanket for extra touches – especially if your bedroom has hard wood flooring. You want your bedroom is be as comfortable as possible, ready for those colder winter months. Colorful accents such as hanging a tapestry and mismatching furniture can also add charm and sophistication to your bedroom.

The Bathroom

Bathrooms are one of the most important rooms in the house. Nowadays, it isn’t simply a room for washing and freshening up, but it is also a place for pampering, and a room to further showcase your personality. If you’re lucky enough to have a large main bathroom, you have the opportunity to install a walk-in waterfall shower and impressive bathtub. You can also have large cabinets and mirrors. However, to personalize your bathroom, you will want to focus on the details. For example, if you’re working with a smaller bathroom, make sure you choose a light color to open up the space. Although this may seem boring, including your personality through the small ticket items means you won’t overwhelm the space. Upgrading taps, cabinets and light fixtures can transform the whole room without spending money on bathroom refurbishments or making the room too busy. It can also determine your room’s overall style. For a modern approach, have lightbulbs simply hanging from the ceiling and black or bronze faucets instead of the typical silver. Hang an impressive and unique mirror; include flowers such as a miniature terrarium that can withstand the steam coming from the shower. You don’t want flowers to wilt.

The Hallway

Many people forget to fully utilize their hallways. They think the space is merely a means of getting from one room to the other. However, there is a lot of unlocked potential; you just have to unlock it carefully to avoid a cluttered finished product.

Hanging artwork is an effortless way to personalize your hallway, but isn’t as exciting. Instead, hang interesting light fixtures, include a long runner rug, and place some small but quirky cabinets. Place vases filled with flowers and ornaments on these cabinets, and hang a mirror or two. However, make sure you don’t place too many objects on the wall.

You can place a wooden bench in the entrance hallway, near the front door, and have shoes neatly placed beneath it. Additionally, you can put up wall hooks and carefully select what hangs from them. If it’s summer, only have a light summer jacket and a straw hat; maybe have your favorite bag hanging there too. When the seasons change, replace the coat with one more apt for the weather. You don’t want to have too many coats in the hallway, otherwise it can become too cluttered, but having your fashion on display can add a personal touch to the room.

Although not considered a ‘hallway,’ the stairs can also be adapted to your tastes. Regardless to whether they’re stripped or covered in carpet, you can easily personalize this space. If they’re wooden, paint them all one color, and then paint the tops of the steps another; alternatively, tile the base of the steps and leave the tops of the stairs one color. For stairs which are carpeted, replace the carpet, or have a runner running up the middle. For extra personalization, and for those who have extra space, place a vase or ornament at the bottom of the steps, up at the top, or somewhere in the middle.

Adding A Smart Thermostat To Your Home

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According to the most recent statistics available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, heating and cooling accounts for 48 percent of all energy consumption in U.S. homes. Naturally, lowering this percentage could also help you lower your utility bills every month.

Upgrading to a smart thermostat is one of the easiest ways to improve the energy efficiency in your home. As with most new technologies, however, choosing one can be confusing for people. Consider the following three factors when you’re thinking about upgrading to a smart thermostat.

Think About Ease of Use

Image via Flickr by brendan-c

One of the reasons many families spend so much money on home heating and cooling is because they aren’t vigilant about adjusting the thermostat before going to bed or leaving the house. Programmable thermostats exist for this reason, and they have been around for many years now. Unfortunately, these thermostats aren’t making as making as much of a difference as most buyers hope. Check out this post by my trusted contractor for more advice on thermostat placement and problems.

To see results, you need to use programmable thermostats correctly and consistently to lower energy consumption, but too many people aren’t cooperating. One study found that only 47 percent of programmable thermostat owners left their thermostats in “program” mode.

Smart thermostats are capable of doing a great deal on their own. They are easier to use than programmable thermostats in many ways, but you still want to make sure to choose one that is easy for you to understand. They are a great way to turn your home into a smart home, and if you want to learn more about this, check out this guide to smart homes.

Check Compatibility With Existing HVAC Units

Smart thermostats will work with many existing HVAC units, but each brand has its exceptions. You can usually find this information on the manufacturer’s website for the unit you’ve chosen. Until now, you have relied on your HVAC to do a number of different things, such as heating and cooling down your home. Getting in touch with a company similar to these Indoor Comfort Specialists can help to ensure that your system is effectively working in the meantime, as well as being able to tell you everything you need to know about your system, in order to increase the chances of your HVAC being compatible with a smart thermostat. That’s why you need to know what type of unit you have.

  • Zoned HVAC: A single HVAC unit individually controls heating or cooling in different areas of the home.
  • One-stage heating and cooling: This type of system applies if you have different units for heating and air conditioning,
  • Two-stage or multi-stage heating and cooling: These staging tiers work for units that have both high and low speeds.
  • 24mV: This unit type often coordinates with a fireplace, wall, or floor furnace.
  • Direct line voltage: Some older homes have 110 or 240 direct current power source to run the thermostat.

Research Usage Information

The main difference between programmable thermostats and smart thermostats is that smart thermostats adjust themselves to your behavior instead of requiring you to tell them how to behave. For example, smart thermostats can tell when the house is empty and they will shut themselves off.

Basically, smart thermostats are always gathering data about your behavior, and they share that data with you so that you can see where you need to make changes to your home energy use habits. Even better, some smart thermostats such as the Carrier Cor smart thermostat will give you precise reports on your heating and cooling consumption that can help you save more money on your utility bills.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Smart thermostats have all types of cool features, such as the ability to control them with a smartphone or other devices when you aren’t home. But to get the one most suitable for your needs on the first try, keep the above three considerations in mind when you’re comparing models and manufacturers.

9 Essential Fitness Tips for Golfers

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Improve your golf game

Some people play golf as a hobby while others consider the game their weekly exercise program. There are people out there who attend golf school, in the hopes of perfecting their skills to even one day play professionally. Consequently, many golfers are physically unfit, yet they play for hours every week. Professional golfers have excellent skills in using different clubs to hit balls in all the holes with a few strokes. They perform better when they have more energy and are under less fatigue so it’s important they have good fitness levels and use the electric Mgi Golf caddy to conserve energy. The need for skill in golfing does not eliminate the need for physical training. Golfers, like all athletes, require regular exercise to play well. If you work out consistently outside of the golf course, you will improve your golf game over time. Exercising boosts your strength, control, and improves your flexibility. However, you need to know the right target muscles with your exercise to improve your game. If you are extremely unsure of where to start when it comes to fitness then you might want to get yourself a personal trainer (like this one in London) who can make your regime specific to your needs. Here are some essential fitness tips that every golfer should know about.

1. Eat a Balanced Diet and Stay Hydrated

The need to eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water every day cannot be overemphasized. Golfers cannot depend on exercise alone to boost their health and fitness. Fitness starts with eating the right diet. Golfers spend more than 4 hours playing 18 holes on a golf course. The athletes require enough energy to cover all the holes, especially when playing in extreme weather. A balanced diet gives the body enough energy for a whole day of golfing. Otherwise, golfers will feel lethargic in the middle of the game, which reflects on their scores.

Staying hydrated is important, especially during hot seasons. Drinking water in small amounts throughout the day improves your physical health and mental state. Always pack several bottles of clean drinking water when going out for a game.

2. Work Out the Arm, Leg, and Back Muscles

Even if you invest in the best set of Cleveland golf irons, you’ll need to work on your arm and back muscles for that perfect swing. The muscles should be strong and in good shape to survive the multiple swings in a game. Toned leg muscles are equally important for stability and excellent swings. Rotational lunges with a 3-6 pounds medical ball is the perfect exercise for strengthening the arm, shoulder, and back muscles. Alternative exercises for strengthening the upper body include pull-ups and pushups.

Conventional weight training can help you increase your overall strength and power. Weight training enables you to work on different muscle sets at the same time. The good thing about weight training for golfers is that you do not have to lift the heaviest weights in the gym. Mild weight exercises are effective as long as you vary the movements. Some of the exercises that you can do with weights include bicep curls, bench presses, and tricep pushdowns.

3. Improve Your Flexibility and Balance

You can improve your swing by enhancing your muscle flexibility and body balance. The target during balance training is getting your left shoulder and right hip to work in unison. This pattern applies to right-handed athletes. For left-handed golfers, the target is to get the left hip to work in unison with the right shoulder. You can swing the club with the greatest force when you are stable.

Flexibility training is different from stretching before a game. Stretching improves your muscle flexibility temporarily. Flexibility training, on the other hand, helps you achieve permanent flexibility. You may pull a muscle if you ignore flexibility training. A simple way to improve your flexibility is to swing your golf club repeatedly while imitating your usual swings.

4. Do Cardio Training Exercises

Your exercise regimes should cover all aspects of your physical fitness including cardio training. In addition to toned and strong body muscles, you need a healthy heart rate and breathing mechanism on the golf course. A healthy breathing mechanism and heart rate help in building the endurance needed for the intense physical activity. Cardio training is particularly important when playing in a competition because of the prolonged physical activity.

Most gym trainers recommend cardio exercises as part of the warm up before the intense muscular training. A jog around the golf course before a game or on a treadmill at home will improve your breathing, circulation, and heart rate. The advantage of using a modern treadmill is that you can monitor your heart rate on the screen. Consistent cardio training throughout the week keeps you energized in every game.

5. Exercise the Core Muscles

Golfing involves an intense use of the core muscles. You depend on the strength of your core muscles for a perfect drive on the ball. As you exercise your upper body and leg muscles, do not ignore your core muscles. Do exercises that improve the flexibility and strength of your core muscles. You can hit the ball further with strong core muscles. Be careful with the core exercises to avoid hurting your spine.

Intense abdominal crunches have minimal effects on your core muscles and pose high risks to your spine. Consider alternative core exercises such as circle planks, climbing rope, sit-ups, and knee fold tucks. Another easy way to strengthen your core is to do leg raises while lying on a bench. The secret to getting the best out of your workouts is to use a wide range of motion. You will not only get better results on your target muscles, but also tone other muscles.

6. Start Your Game with a Real Warm up

Trainers recommend daily exercises combined with a healthy diet. The reality is that few golfers can exercise every day. You may choose specific days to do the workouts recommended here for all the muscle groups. However, it is important to start each game and workout session with a real warm up. You can stretch your muscles further if you do a proper warm up. Your upper body, legs and core muscles need a good warm up to minimize the risk of injury on the golf course.

Your warm up does not have to be intense to be effective. It may take just a few minutes before leaving the house to get your body into shape for a new game. For instance, arm and leg swings are good warm up exercises. You can swing one leg at a time while standing on the other and holding onto a table for support. Use forward-back and side-to-side movements for both legs and arms.

7. Stretch

Your muscles get fatigued after walking and swinging for hours. Your body muscles will also lose their flexibility when you go for a long period without exercising or golfing. Stretching gives you a full range of motion, which is necessary for the perfect swing. Pay more attention to your hips and shoulder muscles when stretching. It is important to work with a trainer for the first few periods to avoid pulling your muscles.

Other areas that you should stretch for better flexibility include the abs, back, legs, glutes, and hamstrings. Generally, you need flexible muscles throughout the body for any physical exercise. Some of the stretch exercises that golfers can do at home include the fold-over stretch, hip flexor or quad stretch, and butterfly stretch. Again, we emphasize the need to learn the right stretch movements from a qualified trainer to avoid injuries.

8. Work on Your Posture

Few golfers think about their posture and its effect on their game. The right posture helps when hitting the ball. If you observe experienced golfers in a game, you will realize that they try to get the right posture before hitting the ball. Practice hitting the ball while in the right posture at all times. A good posture minimizes your risk of injuries and prevents fatigue. You use more energy to hit the ball while using the wrong posture.

Practice bending your hip joints instead of bending from your waistline, which is the easiest movement. Bending the hip joints gives you a good posture for a perfect strong drive on the ball. Your feet should be shoulder width. However, you can add or reduce a few inches depending on the type of irons that you are using. A short iron will require you to reduce the width by two inches while a long iron requires two additional inches.

9. Do Not Look for Quick Fixes

We have outlined some of the exercises that golfers should include in their workout regimes to boost their physical fitness. Achieving meaningful results from these exercises requires patience and consistency. Many athletes lack the discipline to follow an exercise through until they see results. Do not expect overnight changes in your strength, endurance, flexibility, or range of motion.

Getting the right equipment is important in golf. However, you cannot depend on the equipment alone to get better. You need to improve your strength first to improve your game. Cultivate the discipline to work on your muscles consistently, and take the time to improve your body’s flexibility. If you follow all the fitness tips we have described in this article, you should start to see your scores improving gradually – you’ll also be a lot less tired after a round on the green.

Jewelry Candles Giveaway

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This post is sponsored by TheHoppingBloggers.com

  I love jewelry candles.  You get the great candle and a great piece of jewelry in the middle.  This would make a great gift for any woman on your list this year.  Don’t forget to check out the awesome coupon code on the bottom of the post.  #JewelryCandles #ad  #THBgiveaway

I’ve teamed up with The Hopping Bloggers to bring you a pretty amazing giveaway. You may have heard of Jewelry Candles and Bath Bombs already, but now is your chance to learn more and win something from them! When it comes to unique gifts, Jewelry Candles has the most extensive line of candles with jewelry inside, jewelry bath bombs, cash money candles, jewelry roses, jewelry sugar scrubs, and so much more!

Five lucky winners will each receive a prize thanks to these great sponsors. The five items up for grabs are:

1. Cash Money Candle

Feelin’ lucky? Try your luck with Cash Money Candles! Win a mystery cash prize in every candle, every single time. Every candle will receive a minimum of a genuine $2 bill INSIDE THE CANDLE; and how often do you see those around? Every Cash Money Candle has a cash prize ranging from the minimum of $2 to all the way to $2,500! The most amount of ACTUAL cash you can win in your candle is up to a $100 bill. If you win over $100 you get a $2 bill plus a code that you can redeem for GRAND prizes – which can be up to the $2500! Simply burn your candle down, and find your cash prize! Every candle is a winner because you are GUARANTEED to get at least a (1) $2 dollar bill in your Cash Money Candle!

 

2. Jewelry Candle

The Jewelry Candles all have amazing scents, and a beautiful piece of jewelry that will dazzle just like you, darlin’! Like buried treasure, burn the candle & find your surprise! A Necklace, a Pendant, Earrings, a Ring, or a Bracelet – it’s a total surprise! Jewelry values from $10 to $7,500 – yes, $7,500! You may choose the “surprise me” option and your jewelry be a total surprise OR choose the jewelry piece of your choice! Want to choose your ring size with these amazing scents? Check out the Ring Candles! Pick from the most popular scents like Birthday Cake, Baked Apple Pie, & Black Raspberry Vanilla!

 

3. Jewelry Bath Bomb

Inside every jar of Jewelry Bath Bombs you will get 2 Jewelry Bath Bombs – EACH with a surprise jewelry piece inside! Long after the bath bombs are gone, the beautiful jar they come in will make a wonderful keepsake that you can reuse and or re-purpose! The jewelry retail value of the pieces you will get in your bath bombs will have a minimum retail value of $10 all the way up to $7500! You may pick between a ring, a necklace, a pendant, a bracelet or a pair of earrings in your jar of Jewelry Bath Bombs. If you select a ring you may choose your ring size from size 5 through 11!

 

4. Cash Bath Bomb

The amazing Cash Bath Bombs are bath bombs with real cash inside! Each and every Cash Bomb will have a real $2 bill inside it! You also have the chance to get more than the $2 bill inside every Cash Bath Bomb! These Cash Bath Bombs are a fun, novelty item, not a lottery. While, they do not give odds, they do guarantee that each one will have at least a real $2 bill in it. Cash Bath Bombs that have more than the $2 bill in it are chosen totally at random.

 

5. Jewelry Slime

Jewelry Slimes are the brand new way to relieve stress & look fabulous, with (of course) a piece of beautiful jewelry inside! Jewelry Candles chose their most popular Jewelry Bath Bomb scents & transformed them into something completely unique. You can sling, punch, stick, poke, smash, and squish your way into a fabulous, stress-free state of mind!

Shop for these items and more at JewelryCandles.com and BathBombs.com. Save 15% with the code HOPPING!

Which prize would you like to win most?

Enter to win one of these five prizes using the giveaway tool below – and GOOD LUCK!

If you’re a blogger looking to connect with brands: Join The Hopping Bloggers database and get started today!
If you’re a brand looking to work with a network of professional bloggers: Check out the creative campaigns The Hopping Bloggers has to offer!

Why you must try Babo Botanicals

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babo

When I first saw babo I knew our family would be in love.  They have a wide range of must have beauty products that are cruelty free.  The first product that caught my eye was the 3- in 1 face and body cleansing wipes.  Normally when you buy wipes they are either for the face or the body.  It’s very rare that you can buy one product that does both.

babo       babo

During the summer months these are especially a must.  Not only does my face get greasy so easily, but now I can use them on my body too.  When I get covered in dirt or just when we are in the car all day.  I hate that dirty been traveling feeling.  A lot of times when we get where we are going, the second we get there it’s time to play.  With these great wipes, I can freshen up a little when I get there and not have the grimy feeling all day long.

babo       bao

When it comes to sunscreen I have to be truthful.  I always forget.  I know this is bad, but normally a lot of them are very big containers and I don’t even think about it till we are already out in the sun.  Now that I have Dylan I really feel bad about this.  I want to make sure I not only protect my skin but especially his.  I love that this one was small enough I can keep it in my purse.  When I do forget I still have it with me when it hits me that I need it.  The Clear Zinc Sunscreen was not greasy at all.  I used this for a few days on a row and it did not clog my skin up at all.  It went on very smooth and soaked right in.  I also love that it is water resistant for up to 80 minutes.  So, I don’t have to keep on slathering little guy every 30 minutes.   I would completely recommend the summer scent.  It was a light fresh scent.

 

I have fallen in love with babo Botanicals.  I would completely recommend them to everyone. I would also like to note for all of us who have kids going back to school.  They have a lice prevention line.  This is going to be a must have in our house.

 

I got this free in exchange for an honest review.

Stylish ways to improve your home

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Is it time to liven up your living room? Perhaps you’re tired of your fatigued-looking bedroom, or is your kitchen’s lack of color giving you the blues? Looks like it’s time to consider redecorating.

Before the thought of spending thousands on interior improvements gives you a cardiac arrest, take a deep breath – giving your living space a new lease of life doesn’t need to break the bank. Some improvements can be extremely cost-effective, whilst other things may cost more. The sort of improvements you can do will depend on your budget. If you’d like to do more dramatic improvements, you would need a strong budget to cover these costs. Some homeowners could always take out a loan to help them fund these improvements too. Recently, a lot of people have been using secured loans in the uk to fund home improvements and renovations. By getting a loan against their home, these people can achieve the funds to cover their house improvements. Once the loan is paid off, the house will return to the individual’s ownership. That might be one way of funding a larger home renovation project. However, if it’s smaller renovations that are wanted, here are some cost-effective DIY furnishings that work wonders in any room of the house.

Ladder shelving units

Ladder shelving units look great in virtually any environment – from hip cafés to suburban living rooms.

While adding one of these units to your living room, bedroom, or even kitchen may not be wholly original, you can customize it to be more “you.” After all, the beauty of shelves is that you can put anything you want on them.

Though ladder shelving unit prices can escalate at the high-end boutique stores, there are DIY versions that cost next to nothing.

Re-paint

Never underestimate the power of a new paint job. Adding a lick of color can transform even the drabbest room into a stylish space with a new look and feel.

Even if you don’t own your property, many landlords are amenable to re-painting (it saves them a job and some money, after all), so there’s no excuse for living with chipped, peeled, or worn walls.

Make sure that you choose neutral colors for the main color scheme – navy is a “fashion neutral” color that’s very popular at the moment, though be aware that it will make a room without much natural light even darker. If you opt for a colorful feature wall, make sure that the tone you choose complements the furniture in that room.

DIY tier-on-tier shutters

Ever since one of my friends got herself some custom shades a few weeks ago, I have been tempted to refresh the windows in our home. Adding tier-on-tier shutters to your windows will help give any room in your home a fresh new look. Check out a website like https://www.shuttercraft-devon.co.uk/ to see what options you may have for shutter installation in your home.

There’s also no need to splash your cash on professional shutter installation – the DIY versions of tier-on-tier shutters are reasonably priced and take only minutes to assemble and install.

Once up on your windows, these plantation-style window adornments will give your room an exotic feel – perfect for keeping the summer sun at bay.

Add plants

Greenery never goes out of style, and adding plants can change your mental perception of a room; white lilies will brighten up your bathroom, while large-leaf plants can give your dining room an al fresco feel. A rack of potted herbs on your kitchen window ledge looks great and doubles as a handy supply of fresh ingredients.

Putting more plants in your house is also proven to have mental and physical health benefits. Not only do plants clear your home’s air by absorbing airborne chemicals, but they’re also proven to reduce blood pressure, help us feel more relaxed, and can even help improve cognition and memory.

Money doesn’t grow on trees, so it’s a good thing that plants grow in abundance – there are plenty of cheap options. Your nearest garden center will have a range of low-cost, low-maintenance houseplants that will bring some life to your home.

Photos

What better way to enliven a room than by bringing your memories to life on its walls? How about printing out photos of your friends, family, places you’ve visited, and even places you haven’t? A well-placed photograph can really tie a room together and serves as a reminder that your house is also a home. They can also distract the eye from parts of the room that are still in need of some TLC – such as worn skirting boards.

Many big box stores offer photo printing facilities, and your local copy shop will certainly be able to help if you want to put up a larger print. A standard-sized print can cost you just a few cents – especially in black and white, which looks amazing on any color wall and can create a timeless look for your room.

Vintage photo frames can be picked up cheaply at yard sales and on online auction sites – even though the same thing might cost a fortune at a high-end store.

Lighting

Stylish lighting can transform the look and feel of even the dullest room, so consider adding a floor uplighter or bistro bulb fairy lights, especially if your room doesn’t get much natural light – both can be picked up relatively cheaply from hardware stores. They’re both flexible in terms of where they can be placed and don’t require the assistance of a qualified electrician. If you were feeling particular techie, you could look into getting some electrical components at websites similar to Octopart.com to make some of your own custom lights for your home.

As you can see, there are a number of stylish ways to improve your home – what will you do first?

Tips on Choosing the Best Outdoor Lighting for Your Backyard

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Lighting can make or break an area in your property. You can alter the ambiance and feel of a room just by altering its lighting setup. This principle also applies to the exterior of the house, mainly the front and back gardens. The right outdoor lighting setup can give you the spacious, comfortable patio area you have always wanted.

Choosing outdoor lighting is slightly different than choosing lights for the different rooms inside the house. If this is something you are considering, checking out sites like https://www.hoselink.com.au/collections/home-solar-garden-lighting could help make the decision process a lot easier.

After speaking with several experts regarding new lighting for my own backyard, here are my top tips on choosing outdoor lighting you can try.

Understand the Challenges

The first thing you want to do when trying to add lighting to the backyard is reviewing the present setup. Do you have fixtures already installed in certain areas? How big is the garden? Are there certain areas you want to accentuate? These questions can actually be more complicated than you first imagine them to be. Therefore, you may want to take these concerns to a professional team such as Eden Design Landscape Architects as they specialize in solving these problems for their clients in order to provide a bespoke landscaping service.

These details will greatly determine the kind of lighting you should use depending on the ambiance you want to create. For a small remodeling project with a relatively limited budget, for example, you want to use as many of the old fixtures as possible. If you want to go with something classy and unique, you could make a feature in your outdoor space out of a rustic and antique looking lamppost (lampadaire exterieur).

Size matters too. You can place the right number of lights – and select the correct light output or power for the area – depending on the size and shape of your back garden. Don’t forget to consider corners and receding lines commonly found in back gardens, since they will alter the required lighting setup greatly. So you may decide to go for little spotlights in the garden, or go as big as a Lyktstolpe! Whichever you chose, ensure it fits in with the look and aesthetic of your garden.

Mood and Type of Lighting

Next, it is time to determine the mood you want to create. The majority of homeowners – myself included – want their back gardens to look warm and welcoming. This is part of the reasons why warmer outdoor lights are more popular on the market. That said, you can still opt for daylight lights if you want a brighter, more functional tone.

As for the type of light, you can save a lot of money in the long run by opting for LEDs. LEDs are more reliable these days. They are also designed to be easier to install. You can even find kits such as an outdoor LED wall pack lighting set or even a solar-powered garden light. These kits are designed to meet even the most complicated lighting needs.

Plan Ahead

The last thing to figure out is placement. I discovered that the best way to get the lighting placement right is through trial and error. Don’t install lights permanently right away. Instead, use rubber tacks or double-sided tape to secure the lights in their positions.

After the lights are installed, try the setup out and make adjustments as you see fit. Make sure all essential areas are well-lit before marking the position of each light. You can have the lights installed permanently the next day.

With these tips in mind, you know you will get the perfect lighting setup at the end of the process. Regardless of the kind of lighting you want to have, start with getting to know the space and figuring out the details carefully. This will help you get the result you want.

Holidays you can Celebrate the Earth

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Many people celebrate Earth Day in April. However, that isn’t the only time of year that humans should tune their focus into saving the environment. Plenty of other holidays out there exist, with the greater purpose of helping the earth. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your impact on the environment, here are a few events you should make sure are on your calendar.

Switch It Off Sundays

While this isn’t an official holiday, it’s still an important one. Electricity takes a huge amount of resources to produce, putting a strain on your city’s power plants. Combat this by making Sunday your day to unplug. Turn off all of the appliances in your home, including the computer, televisions, and phones. Instead of using the stove or oven, try your hand at grilling outside. Better yet, get out of your house and spend the day frolicking in the park. While it might be hard to adapt to this at first, you’ll find the rewards are refreshing.

Meatless Mondays

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Just like electricity, meat is a huge resource guzzler. Around 1,850 gallons of water are required to curate a single pound of beef. To put that in perspective, only 39 gallons of water are required for a pound of vegetables. Therefore, make Monday your day to try out the vegetarian lifestyle. Americans eat four times the amount of meat than the rest of the world, so by cutting back a little, you can help to reduce greenhouse gases, reduce fuel dependence, and preserve clean water.

World Water Day

Speaking of water, World Water Day occurs every year on March 22. This is an important holiday, as 1.8 billion people around the world do not have access to clean, feces-free water. How can you help? Take the time to learn more about wastewater and how it’s unsafe, and donate to the cause. Also, use this day as a reminder to not waste water, even if you live in an area that has plenty of it.

Junk Mail Awareness Week

In the first week of October, Junk Mail Awareness Week takes place. If you have a mailbox, chances are it’s constantly stuffed with unwanted flyers, credit card offers, and free magazines. Instead of just tossing this stuff into the trash to rot in a landfill, take action to put an end to it. Sign up for do-not-mail lists or contact the companies that send you the most junk to ask them to stop.

International Day for Biological Diversity

Because humans have tampered with the natural order of things, there’s a ton of problems with biological diversity out there. The International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22 is meant to address these issues. Celebrate this day by learning more about the natural habitat where you live and what plants and animals used to thrive. Try planting some rare or eradicated species in your garden to foster the return of diversity.

By spending more time focusing on the earth, you’ll be doing your part to preserve resources for future generations. Even better, you’ll find that your own life becomes more fulfilling along the way.