Cleaning Tips for Keeping Your Home Happy and Healthy

Whether your home is on the coast or in the mountains, it can become dirty fast. Your house quickly fills with dust, and depending on the weather, you could have other foreign substances that make it harder to live in. Cleaning is a necessity, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Thankfully, with the right cleaning tips, you can keep your home happy and healthy for years to come.

Go Both High and Low

When cleaning, you go over a few spots you know you need to clean and then clean the other things you can see. This strategy works, but it can leave gaps where you fail to notice things. As a result, you may not give them the attention they need until way later down the line, making it a much harder task. When you’re getting ready to clean, be sure to look both high and low.

Whether you’re dusting, wiping surfaces, or just giving everything a good wash, don’t forget to do this. You may notice corners where there are cobwebs, baseboards that have collected dust, or fabrics you’ve neglected that need a fresh wash. When you stay vigilant, you can keep your home cleaner than it has ever been before.

Don’t Forget the Smaller Places

If you want to keep your home happy and healthy, you need to clean the smaller parts. Taking care of the carpet and dusting surfaces is important, but there are so many other, more forgotten, parts of your house that you must clean too. For example, when was the last time you considered cleaning out your crawl space?

Most people tend to neglect the crawlspace, even though it has a major impact on your home’s air quality. Thankfully, maintaining a healthy crawlspace with the right cleaning can actually be easy, so long as you know what to do and hire professionals when needed. In addition to your crawlspace, pay attention to any attic, garage, closets, storage rooms, or basement you have.

Pay Attention to Windows and Air Filters

Windows can become covered with dust and dirt over time. A thorough window cleaning every few weeks will help guarantee a clear view of the outdoors while keeping your home looking spotless. Implementing these cleaning tips for keeping your home happy and healthy will help you maintain a clean environment.

Additionally, it’s important to stay on top of regular maintenance when it comes to your air filters. Part of the reason things in your home, including your windows, get so dusty and dirty is that your air filters aren’t working as well. You need to regularly change your air filters to help maximize the clean air in your home and keep harmful contaminants out.

Keeping your home happy and healthy requires extensive cleaning, but when you know how to do everything properly, you can rest easy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Everything You Need To Know About Sustainable Luxury

Sustainable luxury describes high-end products or services that are eco-friendly. In simple terms, you can have nice things without hurting the environment. To dive deeper into this lifestyle, check out everything you need to know about sustainable luxury right now!

What Is Sustainable Luxury?

Sustainable luxury refers to the idea of living a luxurious lifestyle without negatively impacting the environment. With sustainable luxury, you can enjoy chic fashion, a lavish home, and nutritious food while still protecting the environment. The key is to find ways to obtain nice things while minimizing your carbon footprint.

There’s a misconception that you must sacrifice style for sustainability, but that’s not true! As consumers become more eco-conscious, brands are starting to recognize the demand for environmentally friendly things. That’s why many companies shift toward sustainability with a socially responsible mindset.

The Shift Toward Sustainability

Something you need to know about sustainable luxury is that it’s an emerging trend in many industries. As mentioned, consumers are becoming more eco-conscious, and they prefer brands that engage in sustainable practices.

To meet this demand, industries are finding ways to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing quality. For example, the fashion industry is starting to offer designs with fewer or less toxic materials. In particular, the brand Stella McCartney uses cruelty-free materials like organic cotton in their garments.

Of course, sustainability looks different for each industry, but more companies now understand their social responsibility to society. They’re transparent about supply chains and ethical sourcing practices.

Expect many high-end brands to deliver exceptional products while supporting the planet.

Ways To Live a Sustainable Luxury Lifestyle

It’s important to note that while sustainable luxury is expensive, it’s a worthy investment for the planet. You can achieve sustainable luxury through home upgrades, vehicles, fashion, beauty, and much more!

For example, European-style doors support sustainable house development because they offer insulation. They have polyvinyl chloride (PVC) laminate with high resistance to changing weather conditions. Your home will maintain its internal temperature, and you can use the thermostat less. And you’ll get to enjoy a beautifully styled home on top of it all.

Furthermore, you can upgrade to an electric vehicle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The cars don’t produce tailpipe emissions or need petrol or diesel gas.

Find brands with ethical supply chains, like companies in the fashion and beauty industries that use locally sourced fabrics or ingredients. Look for plant-based and animal-byproduct-free products. You can also choose items made from organic cotton or recycled materials.

Helpful Beauty Tips To Shape Your Makeup Routine

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Putting on makeup isn’t as simple as beauty gurus make it look! Not all products work for every skin type or tone, and application techniques are wildly important.

We’ve got the answers to your beauty questions. Use these helpful tips to shape your makeup routine!

Prepping the Skin Is Important

Makeup is unlikely to stay put all day long when you fail to prep your skin beforehand. Following the right order for makeup application requires you to start by cleansing, moisturizing, and priming the skin.

Cleansing rids the face of dirt and oil stuck in the pores. Your makeup is more likely to stick when you scrub away previous makeup or dirt. Moisturizing with a cream or hydrating serum then creates a soft base for the makeup.

The last beauty prepping step is to apply a primer. The clear product smooths pores, reduces wrinkles, and contributes to a dewy or matte base. Primer is the perfect beauty addition to shape your makeup routine because it gives each subsequent makeup product something to stick to.

Discover Your Skin’s Undertone for the Foundation

One of the trickiest aspects of applying makeup is finding the proper shade. Manufacturers create foundations with people’s undertones in mind. However, it’s nearly impossible to pick a suitable foundation without first understanding your skin’s undertone.

The three primary undertones include warm, cool, and neutral. There are a couple of ways to discover which option defines your skin.

Firstly, check your veins. Blue and purple veins result in a cool undertone. Green-ish veins indicate a warm undertone. If your veins look like a mix of blue and green, or the veins are hard to see, then you most likely have a neutral undertone.

The second option is to hold a white sheet of paper beside your face. Against white paper, cool undertones will create a rosy appearance. Warm undertones will make your skin look somewhat yellow. Once again, if you can’t notice a clear result, a neutral undertone is most likely the answer.

Stick to As Little Concealer As Possible

Foundation evens the skin tone and reduces the appearance of imperfections, but concealer works its magic by eliminating exceptionally stubborn spots. This product is great for covering blemishes and dark circles while highlighting other areas of the face.

However, there is such a thing as too much concealer. Overuse results in concealed spots that don’t match the foundation, highlighted fine lines and wrinkles, and dry patches.

Loading up concealer under the eyes can emphasize fine lines. Instead, apply just a little to the inner corner of the eye and blend it out to the center. If it doesn’t cover the dark circles entirely, add a smidge more product and continue blending thoroughly.

When covering up a blemish, add a small dab of product around the pimple. Use a detail brush to lightly cover the red bump. It should seamlessly blend into the foundation without resulting in a patchy appearance.

Watch Out When Using Mascara and Setting Spray

Setting spray is an additional precaution to guarantee your makeup stays on throughout the day. People often pump a few spritzes of setting spray across their faces before heading out.

Meanwhile, mascara is notorious for smudging. Some setting sprays can cause the mascara to run and ruin your whole makeup look.

There are two options to avoid this makeup disruption. Firstly, you can spritz the setting spray, then apply mascara afterward. The second option is to put on mascara and cover your eyes while applying the setting spray. Either option will guarantee an established makeup look that will last all day.

Interior Design Tips: Elevating Your Home’s Ambiance

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Walking into a space that immediately breaks down your walls, soothes your worries, and makes you feel cozy is an experience like no other, especially when it’s your home. Who doesn’t want to be comfortable and relaxed in their own space?

With plush seating and a feng shui layout, the ambiance transforms any room into a cozy space worth enjoying. Ambiance is the atmosphere of a space. Elevate your home’s ambiance with these interior design tips and tricks, and make your space the safest place to unwind.

Add Some Art Into Your Space

From paintings to sculptures, art plays an important role in your home’s design. The colors, symbolism, and essence can influence a space’s ambiance. Adding artwork to your home enhances its appearance. Pick art that emulates the sentiments you want, like floral art for an earthy and whimsical ambiance or beachy pieaces for a calming sensation.

Appease the Senses With Aroma

Your senses influence your experiences. Sights, sounds, and smells are the backbones of a curated atmosphere, making them important for establishing ambiance. Appease the senses and elevate the ambiance with aromatic scents. Lavender, bergamot, and cedar can soothe and comfort you. Whether you desire a calming, energetic, or intellectually stimulating ambiance, you can find a scent that achieves just that. Spray or diffuse smells in your home to elevate your space.

Keep Your Interior Aesthetic Cohesive

No matter your aesthetic—French country, gothic, or eclectic—the interior design shapes the atmosphere of your home. Keeping your interior aesthetic cohesive guarantees a more pleasing environment. When the details complement each other, you create a harmonious and comforting atmosphere. Cohesive aesthetics exude pleasantry.

Bring in Natural Elements

Nature and wildlife add character to landscapes. Bringing natural elements into your home elevates your interior ambiance with nature’s comforts. Incorporate plants into your space, choose wood or stone materials, and pull back the curtains to let in the sunshine. Nature radiates comfort and safety. Bringing in pieces of the outdoors allows you to introduce nature’s comforting qualities to your home.

A strong ambiance has a rich character. Elevate your home’s ambiance with these four interior design tips, and transform your space into somewhere safe and cozy to be yourself.

How To Ensure the Safety of Your Home’s Electrical System

Ensuring your home’s safety is vital for the well-being of your family and the protection of your property, and a key aspect of that security is your electrical system. Here, we will explore how to ensure the safety of your home’s electrical system.

Understanding Your Home’s Electrical System

Having a basic understanding of your home’s electrical system is essential. Familiarize yourself with the different components, such as circuits, wiring, and outlets—your electricians shouldn’t be the only people to know this. Knowing how electricity flows through your house will empower you to identify potential issues and make informed decisions about safety measures.

Conducting Regular Electrical Inspections

Regular electrical inspections are crucial for identifying and addressing potential hazards. As we mentioned, you should be able to do a certain amount of inspection. However, hiring a licensed electrician to periodically perform comprehensive inspections is equally important. They will check for faulty wiring, outdated components, and signs of wear and tear. They will also ensure outlets, switches, and cords are in good condition. Furthermore, you should know when to get a residential electrical load analysis, as this is an important element of comprehensive electrical safety you shouldn’t perform yourself.

Upgrading Outdated Electrical Systems

Outdated electrical systems pose significant safety risks. If your home has older components or uses outdated wiring, consider upgrading. Hire a licensed electrician to assess your system and recommend necessary upgrades. Upgrading to modern circuit breakers, grounded outlets, and proper wiring not only enhances safety but also improves energy efficiency.

Proper Use and Maintenance of Electrical Appliances

Using and maintaining electrical appliances correctly is essential for safety. Follow user manuals for instructions on installation, usage, and maintenance. Avoid overloading outlets and extension cords, which can lead to overheating and potential fires. You might eventually need to increase your home’s electrical capacity to safely handle the number of appliances you need to power, which is something an electrical load analysis will identify.

Ensuring the safety of your home’s electrical system is a responsibility you shouldn’t take lightly. By understanding the basics of your electrical system, conducting regular inspections, upgrading outdated components, and properly using and maintaining electrical appliances, you can create a safe environment for your family. Remember, electrical safety is an ongoing process, so stay vigilant and seek professional assistance.

The Backpack Bag Trend: When This Style Works Best

It used to be that backpacks were packed with books and thrown over your shoulders before heading off to school – but not anymore. Backpack bags have taken over the classic style with added functionality, flexibility, and modern flair, offering you a new way to carry your essentials. With the hands-free capabilities and tons of cute options available, it’s no wonder it’s become a favorite alternative to handbags! But how and when do you wear this style?

Let’s just say you have more than one option when it comes to this trend—from traveling needs to professional work outfits, it can cover a wide range of looks.

As the Travel Staple

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Finding the perfect travel bag is far from easy. Add in trying to find something that has a little personality, and it’s next to impossible! Unlike your average carry-on backpack or duffel, you don’t need to sacrifice style or utility with a backpack. Lightweight while still providing you with storage compartments for your laptop, water bottle, and in-flight must-haves, a convertible travel backpack makes for the best companion for vacays. Slip it on rolling luggage to get through those never-ending lines at airport security, carry it on one shoulder (or both!) as you’re on the move, or pack it and bring it as your overnight bag. Travel ready? Check.

As the New Work Bag

person walking in the street carrying a work bag

From laptop messengers to totes, young professionals have plenty of options when it comes to work bags. But there’s a new contender in town: the backpack bag. They protect and carry everything you need in one bag, can double as an after-work gym bag, and provide great organization for your most important items.

Perhaps the best part? They make commutes easier than ever. If you commute via public transportation or even if you’re one of the unlucky souls that’ve accidentally spilled the contents of her bag on the way to work, you know how difficult things can be when you’re in a rush to the office. Backpacks are protective and hands-free, so you can stay balanced when riding a crowded train, bus, or subway. To choose your perfect work bag, make sure you consider a design and aesthetic that fits in with your workplace such as a vegan leather bag in a neutral or basic color, space, and material.

As the Go-To for Everyday

woman wearing a black backpack standing in front of a building

Who says that handbags are your only option for busy days on the go? When you have a day packed with grocery shopping, a trip to the bank, and laundry before heading out with the girls, you need a bag that can keep up. A vegan leather sling bag is your answer to having hands-free convenience, comfort, and contemporary style that’ll take you all around the city. There’s no need to take extra time styling your look before your busy day, either – these bags are as versatile as they are functional. Dress it up for a night out or wear it with your favorite athleisure or street style to take on that to-do list.

As the Modern Mom Bagwoman wearing a backpack and holding baby while walking on dock

Being a mom does not mean you have to carry a so-called “mom bag.” If diaper bags aren’t your thing, backpack bags are the alternative you’ve been searching for. Since there are so many options, you need to consider where you and your little one are headed for the day. Larger backpack bags are awesome for storing diapers, bottles, toys, and a change of clothes, while a sling backpack bag is best for those quick trips that only require a couple of diapers and wipes or moms of toddlers. Say hello to stylish, hands-free functionality.

As the Sightseeing Companionwoman with a black backpack walking across a bridge

If you have a city vacation or day trip planned, picking the right bag is tricky. Heading to the cutest little cafes, museums, and top attractions, you want a bag that’ll carry your essentials and give you the perfect complement to your Instagram-worthy outfits. Backpack bags are fashion-forward, while still giving you accessibility you need on the go. You could call them the perfect tourist bag: stylish, hands-free, and functional – without actually making you look like you’re a tourist. Don’t know which backpack bag to choose? Try going for a sling backpack or a mini backpack to avoid weighing yourself down around the city and to maintain your perfectly trendy travel style.

Trying the Backpack Bag Trend

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With their versatility and style, backpack bags are the ultimate go-to to have in your collection. It all just comes down to choosing the right one for your lifestyle! From work to nights out, the instant style and functionality of these bags will have you shopping for one for every occasion.

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Simple Changes That Help You Gain More Confidence

Confidence is an important thing that benefits people in life, but many people fall behind and end up with little to no self-confidence. There are many different variables in the world that can bring someone down, and without a solid foundation of confidence, they’ll struggle. Thankfully, there are some amazing and simple changes that will help you gain more confidence.

Get Off Social Media

Social media is an amazing tool that’s only gained more popularity in the last decade or so, but there’s also an incredible number of ways social media can hurt you. One of the biggest ways is through comparison—celebrities rarely put forward their authentic selves on social media, but some pretend they do. Models and millionaires show carefully curated glimpses into their life, and through the act of comparison, using social media can really bring you down. You start to question your own self-worth and your position relative to theirs—a bad habit that can quickly demolish any self-esteem or confidence you have.

If you want to gain more confidence, one of the first things you’ll need to do is get off social media. Or, at the very least, you must learn to look at social media uncritically and just find the things that bring you joy or connect you with your community.

Hack Your Brain

One of the best ways you can gain more confidence is by simply hacking your brain. There are definite strategies to pursue to make yourself more confident in yourself and understand your surroundings better, but there are other ways to trick your brain. For example, consider investing in stones or jewelry that help boost positivity and confidence. Chakra jewelry has numerous mental health benefits, with higher self-confidence being one of them. If you enjoy filling your life with items such as these, you can use these accessories to remind yourself to feel more confident and open.

Physical items are just one of the psychological tricks you can use to hack your brain and make yourself feel more confident. Repeating mantras, being careful with your word choices, and the reversal of negative assumptions are other great ways to hack your brain and make your confidence feel much more natural.

Set Realistic Goals

If you want to build more confidence, you need to set some realistic goals. Tied with social media, some people have unrealistic expectations and are ultimately disappointed when they cannot reach them. If you want to work on your confidence, it’s important that you set some realistic goals. Instead of saying you want to be a millionaire, set the goal of building your craft and finding a career you enjoy. Realistic and attainable goals can put you in a positive mindset where you can accomplish goals rather than focus on failures. Goals can still be challenging and motivate you, and when they’re realistic, you’ll come out on the other side, achieved and confident.

These are a few simple changes that will help you gain more confidence and give you a renewed lease on life. Too much confidence can hurt you, but in the opposite direction, too little confidence is a vicious cycle that keeps bringing you down. Learn more about yourself, find the tools that work for you to build your confidence, and pursue them.

Ways To Make Your Bedroom Feel Like a Hotel

Permanently settle into a five-star hotel with the luxe ambiance of a lavish bedroom. Check out these six ways to make your bedroom feel like a hotel. You won’t regret this upgrade!

Choose a Calm Color Pallet

Neutral color palettes create a calm, serene atmosphere. That’s why most hotels have monochromatic rooms with beige, white, and pale hues. Elevate your space with a calm color palette and repaint your room. Remember, neutral colors go beyond the walls. You can also incorporate neutral drapery, upholstery, and more.

Try the Triple Sheeting Method

It’s no secret that hotel beds are incredibly comfortable. Most five-star places incorporate mattress toppers, soft sheets, and other cozy bedding. However, a simple trick can upgrade your bed. Make your bedroom feel like a hotel with the triple sheet method. Layer a thin blanket between your flat sheet and duvet or comforter. This technique makes your bed look clean and crisp. It also adds an extra layer of warmth on chilly nights!

Add Fluffy Pillows

Feel like you’re on cloud nine when you sleep on hotel-style pillows. After all, they’re fluffy, soft, and luxurious. Choose pillows with 100 percent goose down or a mix of feathers and foam. Not only are they comfortable but they also support your head, neck, and spine. Say goodbye to stiff necks and achy backs when a pillow upgrade can improve your sleep.

Incorporate Indirect Lighting

Lighting sets the tone for any room. Create a hotel-like experience with indirect lighting from lamps, track lights, LED strips, and semi-flush fixtures. Ideally, you want soft illumination that adds to your calm environment.

Carefully Pick the Decor

High-end hotels don’t have rooms with tons of knick-knacks or accessories. Adapt this minimalist mindset to your room, and carefully pick some décor to match. The idea is to minimize visual clutter and incorporate statement pieces on medium to large flat surfaces. For example, a small vase of flowers or an elegant candle are great nightstand accessories.

Don’t Forget About the Closet

Think about every aspect of your bedroom, including the closet. Maintain a neat wardrobe for a clean and crisp space. You can also enhance your area with hotel-like scents. In particular, you can keep your closet smelling fresh with essential oils. Many hotels use scents like vanilla, sandalwood, aloe, cedar wood, and lemon blossom to maintain a relaxing atmosphere.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Tops Tips for Designing Your Backyard Pool

Designing a backyard pool and selecting each element are big tasks for anyone. Avoid getting overwhelmed during the design process by breaking down the key elements to focus on first. Here are some top tips for designing your backyard pool so you know which design features are most important.

Consider Your Pool’s Size and Style

The biggest factors to consider when first designing your backyard pool are how big you want it to be and where you want to place it. Charting your backyard’s dimensions will help you have a better idea of how large a pool you can afford to design and install. You should also consider any additional features you want your pool to have during this phase, such as an attached hot tub, a diving board, a deep end, and in-pool sitting areas.

Don’t Forget Safety Design Elements

Safety is crucial in pool design, especially for families with small children. Make sure your pool’s blueprint includes the minimum number of entry and exit points. These points must also include safety ladders and a shallow end for small children if needed.

The type of concrete or other material you choose for around your pool is also important for safety. Some of the best concrete choices for pool surrounds are textured and patterned concretes because they provide more traction when their surface gets wet.

Plan The Backyard Area Surrounding Your Pool

As your pool becomes a central feature of your backyard, it’s important to consider how this new layout will change your landscaping. You may need to replant various plants, shrubs, and trees to provide new balance to your yard. Your pool’s placement will also affect where you can place other installations, such as a patio, outdoor kitchen, and deck. Consider adding these spaces around your incoming pool to turn your backyard into a full summer getaway if you don’t already have those outdoor amenities.

Use these tips for designing your backyard pool to take care of the main bulk of the design. Once these elements are out of the way, you can move on to smaller, more detailed decisions like tile color, lighting, and other fun aesthetic elements.

How To Throw the Best Backyard Pool Party

What’s better than a day spent hanging at the pool with friends and family? If you ask us, nothing! We’ll show you how to throw the best backyard pool party so everyone has a great time.

Get Organized

Before your guests arrive, you need to organize the deck! As you know, keeping the water toys, floats, cleaning supplies, and towels in your pool house organized can be demanding. Luckily, there are many creative ways to keep your pool house organized with simple tools and supplies you can find around the house. An organized pool house means less time searching for toys and supplies and more time having fun with your guests!

Stock up on Towels & Chairs

If you’re expecting many guests, prepare enough towels and lounge chairs for everyone! For some people, pool parties are for relaxing in the sun and working on their tan. You don’t want the swimmers to feel chilly and air-dry after getting out of the pool, so prepare at least one towel per guest.

Create a Pool-Friendly Menu

You can’t throw the best backyard pool party of the season without a great food, snacks, and drinks menu! A pool party is ideal for a backyard BBQ, so clean up your grill, and break out the blender for some refreshing frozen drinks.

Fruits and vegetables are great snacks on a hot day; they help you stay hydrated while having fun. And don’t forget the frozen popsicles to beat the heat!

Get Some Pool Games

Prepare some pool games to entertain your guests throughout the day, especially the kids. While they can entertain themselves with games like Marco Polo and tag, you can also set up a few games like volleyball and basketball. You can also play pool float games, like ping pong or inflatable toss.

Fill the Pool With Fun Floats

It’s not a pool party without fun floats for you and your guests to relax in the pool. You can find practically anything you can imagine in floaty form! From animals to cars to hot dogs, there’s no shortage of pool floats for a fun day at the pool![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]