Advice For Upgrading Your WFH Station In 2022

 The past two years have caused major changes in all parts of our lives, from day-to-day issues like mask wearing and social distancing, to larger changes such as not being able to go on holidays or see all your family. 

But, one of the biggest changes to our lives seems to be one which people seem quite happy to continue with and that is working from home. As more and more people have been working from home, many have discovered that they prefer to work from home rather than commute into an office.

For many workers who are working from home, their work from home set ups isn’t ideal. Due to the short notice behind from work from home, lot’s of workers have impromptu work stations set up in their home. 

So as we’re approaching 2022, lots of people see the perfect opportunity to upgrade their work from home set up, whether changing their home office décor for a nicer work environment or making practical changes to be more comfortable and productive. So, let’s find out some ways you can upgrade your work from home set up for 2022!

Have A Work Only Room If Possible

First things first, with so many impromptu work from home stations set up in living rooms and kitchens, we have to acknowledge that this isn’t ideal. Spending all day working in an area of your home then having to relax in that same room can have negative effects on your productivity and mental health.

So, if it’s possible, you should look at relocating your work from home station into a room dedicated just for work. While not everyone has this luxury, if you have a guest room or other room going unused you should use that exclusively for your working, allowing you to separate your personal time from working time easier and not face distractions at work.

Buy A Proper Desk & Office Chair

Again, as most of us started working from home we didn’t have much time to prepare which has lead many people to use their dining tables, sofas and beds as an impromptu office space. While this is okay for a few days or weeks of working, none of these spaces are designed for work and can lead you to develop issues with your posture and be more susceptible to RSIs.

So getting a proper desk and office chair should be a priority, your spine will thank you! With a proper ergonomic set up, you won’t be having back pain after spending a day at your PC and when you’re more comfortable at work, you are in turn more happy as you aren’t dealing with the physical impacts of a poor work station.

Get A Smart Speaker Assistant

Smart speakers have been all the rage for the past few years now for personal use at home, but did you also know that they make handy personal assistants for office work too? Smart speaker devices like Google Assistant or Amazon Echo Dot can be used as a great way to streamline your work days.

With a smart speaker you can set up your work calendar or schedule, allowing it to notify you of upcoming meetings or calls; control other devices allowing you to use them without leaving your desk; give you work alerts, notify you of emails and even assist in making calls. Of course with a smart speaker you also get all the usual functionality like being able to play music or the news whilst working.

Easy Cement Ring Holders

These easy concrete ring holders have a delicate fern implant, and a pretty gold finish for a luxe look, on a budget. Make a few for your jewelry and a few to share, because everyone is going to LOVE these pretty and functional ring holders.

I love to make things with cement. From garden stones, to garden mushrooms to functional patio coasters and lots of things in between. I wanted to find a way to bring my love of cement into the house, but was stumped on a functional way to do so. I was stumped for ideas and kind of dismissed it altogether. Then one day, the kids were eating snow cones and it was like a light bulb went off in my head. 

This is such an easy project. All you need is a few paper cones, concrete and some plant life to complete it. The paint is optional, but I think it gives a nice touch to the finished product. You can make a dozen of these for about $10, so they are perfect for gifting, and add a nice touch to the home. You could use these are ring or bracelet holders, paper weights, or a decorative accent.

I picked these plants from my yard. I have no idea what they are. They have always come up in the flower bed on one side of my house. They might be a weed, or maybe a fern of some sort? I don't know, but I think they are pretty and were a good fit for the project. Use whatever type of plant you have on hand for your ring holder.

Supplies:

Cement

Water

Paper Snow Cone Cones

Cooking SPray

Plants

Sturdy Cups to hold the paper cones during dry time

Mix the cement according to the instructions. You will not need to use a lot of cement for the this project. Start with 5 cups of cement or so.

Place the paper cones into a cup for support. 

Lightly spray the inside of the paper cups with cooking spray.

Gently lay the plants you wish to imprint in your ring holders on the side of the paper cup.

Carefully fill the paper cup with cement making sure you don't displace the plants from the sides.

Allow to dry for 24-48 hours in a warm dry place.

When the cement is completely dry peel the paper cone away. 

Brush the fern from the cement with your hands, or a toothbrush.

Paint the ring holder in your desired shade, using a good quality spray paint.

If you enjoyed this cement project you might also like

Cement Spoon Garden Markers

Grass Imprinted Garden Art

Easy DIY Activities To Do in Lockdown

 

Easy DIY Activities To

It’s now 2021 and in the UK our national lockdown looks like it’ll be in place for the foreseeable future, so we’re all stuck at home with time on our hands and the need to be productive could drive you mad if you don’t have things to do.

So now is the perfect time to get some DIY done around the house, not only will doing some DIY help you burn through some time, you’ll also make your home look better and create a nicer environment for you to spend your days in.

To help you get started on your DIY crusade, I’ve found a few easy and cheap DIY projects you can take on without needing to leave your home and that can be accomplished by a DIY beginner with limited access to tools. So, strap yourself in, chuck on some old clothes and let’s talk DIY activities.

Make Some Family Art To Hang

First up on our list is an activity you can get your children involved with, so this is great for parents who need some activities for their children in lockdown. All you’ll need is to find some cheap canvases and paints online that can be delivered to your home.

Once you have what you need, gather up your family and paint away, what you paint is up to you, but some good starting points would be a landscape of maybe some flowers or a bowl of fruit. The goal here is to get some personal painting to hang around the home, with your own paintings up you’ll brighten up your home and have some keepsakes to remind you of this time.

Brighten Up A Room With New Blinds

Second on our list is a grown ups only activity, but can still be a fun experience that brightens up your home nonetheless, simply swapping out your old blinds in a room for a new set can make a world of difference in the look of a room and can even be practical, for example: if your children are struggling to sleep a set of blackout blinds can make a world of difference.

Getting and installing blinds has never been an easier task, all you need to do is measure how big your blind will need to be, find a blind you like and order it online. Once you have your blind at home you can easily install it in less than 10 minutes. So really the hardest point of this sit choosing what blinds you’d like, personally I’m, a fan of horizontal blinds, but what you choose should be a personal style choice.

Craft With Your Kids For The Living Room

Next up, we’re back to child friendly projects, a nice bit of arts and crafts to occupy your time and create some nice accessories for your living room. Again, you’ll need to search for supplies online, but it’s relatively cheap and easy to get what you’ll need to make cushions, blankets and throws.

Taking some time to create something as a family will form a personal connection to these accessories and make your living room feel even more cozy and homely. If you’re looking for a starting point, making and embroidering some cushions is a great fun place to start off your craft adventure!

15 Fabulous Fountains for the Garden

Add an elegant touch to your garden this summer with a fountain. These options are classy, functional and best of all, affordable!

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Water Pump Cascading Fountain
This fountain stands at 32 inches and creates a relaxing atmosphere. Water pours from a vintage style pump to fill the aged buckets with gently cascading water. It makes for a lovely sight and sound in any garden.

3 Tier Garden Fountain
This 45 inch fountain has a nice aged appearance and would look at home in the most elegant garden. It is made of fiberglass and requires no plumbing at all, as the water recirculates.

Tuscan Garden Fountain
This fountain stands 54 inches high and looks like it came straight from a Tuscan garden. It will add lot of elegance and charm to your garden, no matter where you live.

Stacked Stone Tiered Bowls with LED Light
These stacked stone bowls offer a modern look to your garden. I love the added bonus of an LED light to add even more charm after the sunsets.

Rustic Jugs Fountain
Three rustic jugs make the perfect vessel for cascading water. This low maintenance fountain would look fantastic in a country garden!

Modern Sphere Fountain 
With a curve and  sphere, this modern fountain is elegant, artsy and ideal for adding a special touch to your outdoor oasis.

Faux Marble Bowl and Pillar Fountain
This fountain has a very classy appearance with a faux marble look. This fountain features LED lighting to add another wow factor once the sun goes down.

Rippled Slate Fountain
This fountain is visually stunning with a spotlight and copper accents. It will add a sophisticated feel to your garden along with peaceful sounds of falling water.

Wishing Well Fountain
This cute fountain adds a touch of charm with its wishing well design. At under $100 it is perfect for small gardens or as an accent to the beauty of your outdoor space.

Curved Cascading Fountain
With a super quiet pump, this curved beauty is nothing short of garden art. No one would ever believe it retails for under $150!

Two Tiered Zen Fountain and Bird Bath
This fountain brings a lot of zen to any outdoor space. It is peaceful and will attract birds for even more natural beauty in your garden.

Peeing Boy Fountain Statue
These fountains are classics, with an antique finish, no one would ever suspect this fountain didn't come from a historic estate.

Cherub Fountain
With an LED light, this timeless cherub style fountain adds a sweet touch to you garden. Low maintenance and under $100 make this a great choice for any garden.

Farmhouse Watering Can Fountain
This watering can style fountain is chic and stylish. With a metal tub and multiple watering cans, this fountain looks great in any farmhouse garden!

Virginia Rock Fountain
With lovely rocks and cascading pools, this elegant fountain adds an element of relaxation to any garden area!

Rustic Water Barrel Fountain

This fountain features 2 barrels for soothing water to cascade into. With a rustic look, this would be an ideal fountain for a farmhouse or a cabin, but would look charming in any garden!

Imperial Lion Fountain

This fountain is regal and charming and adds a touch of classic sophistication to any outdoor living area. Standing tall and proud like any lion should, this fountain will capture the attention of anyone to view it.

15 Wonderful Windchimes

Windchimes are nice, but this collection has some of the best that money can buy. Melodic and visually appealing, these would add such a nice touch to your outdoor space!

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Amazing Grace Wind Chimes
This wind chime is tuned to play the beginning chords of amazing grace for a lovely sound every time the wind blows.

Pachelbel's Canon in D Wind Chimes
Measuring 32" long, this wind chime is tuned to Pachelbel's Canon in D. It creates a lovely sound your ears will delight in all summer long.

Wind Chimes for People Who Like Their Neighbors
This bamboo and aluminum and chimes plays a unique variation on the G-major Pentatonic scale. It is literally, music for the ears!

Classic Havasu Large Wind Chime
This large and unique wind chime is tuned to the E-major Pentatonic chord, but includes a adjustable striker to help you set the ideal tone for your garden.

Corinthian Bells Wind Chimes
Measuring at 44 inches, this wind chime provides rich, deep tones in the C chord. This wind chime sets a relaxing tone to your outdoor space.

Bamboo Wind Chimes
Peaceful bamboo chimes are perfect for the backyard. They are sturdy, beautiful to look at and provide a peaceful song everytime the breeze blows.

Brass Wind Chimes
This unique set of chimes provides the sound of bells ringing and is said to be known as a money bell for good fortune.

35 Bar Chimes
This large set of wind chimes contains 35 metal bars for an incredible sound that makes it worth every penny of the $120 price tag. The wood parts of the chimes is gorgeousin contrast with the metal.

Baritone Wind Chime
The baritone wind chime is a part of a series. You can pair this with 7 other chimes for a musical masterpiece, or enjoy the chimes one on one. This is the middle voice in the set and provides a really pleasing sound with the breeze.

Neptune Wind Chime
This chime provides low tones from the 54" bronze tunes. This sets the tone for a peaceful and serene garden. While the chimes are close to $100, they are an investment in peace and calm for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors.

Fine Tuned Healing Chimes
This fine tuned set of healing chimes gives the illusion of more tones than tubes for a melodic effect that is a treat for the ears.

Tuscany Wind Chimes
The Tuscany chimes is a 27 inch set that has been tuned to the notes of a Verdi aria from La Forza del Destino. The chimes provide a completely elegant sound for your outdoor area.

Heroic Windbell
Featuring a 40 inch windchime this heroic bell sounds lovely in the wind. You can also use it to call the family to dinner for an added bonus.

Tibetan Prayer Chimes
A lovely sound awaits with these chimes. They have been tuned to 5 notes that make up the principal motif of a work by composer Toru Takemitsu for a zen escape anytime the wind blows.

Bells of Paradise Wind Chime
This set of chimes is tuned in several chords to create a harmonious effect anytime the wind blows.

Mumkins

Over the weekend I scored a great deal on mums. They were not in the best shape, but they were $1 for a big bunch! The farmer also had some lopsided pumpkins priced to move, and an idea that I have loved but never got around to trying popped into my head.

Out of my bargain shopping, a mumkin was born.

This was such an easy project! All you need are:
A pumpkin
Some mums
A drill with a 7/16th bit

Simply drill holes into your pumpkin, be generous with your holes!

Snip the mums to be about 2" long, insert them into the holes you drilled.

And there you have a mumkin!



This is a perfect activity for preschoolers. I made one live on the Quirky Mama page with Harper and we had a ton of fun with it! I loved that making a mumkin gave her a chance to work with natural materials and to use her fine motor skills in the process.

The mumkin is a very chic and classy option for Halloween decor without going the route of spooky and scary! I can't wait to make more with the kids!