How to be a Boss at Renovating Your Own Home


Renovating your own home can seem like a daunting task. Learning how to do some basic DIY, woodwork, and interior decorating is no mean feat, particularly when you’re completing it on your own. While many of us would love to have the budget to hire someone else to do our renovation for us, we don’t always have the budget to do so.

Get creative with paint
It’s no secret that a brand new lick of paint can do wonders for any room. If you’re worried that your bedroom, living room or kitchen is looking a little tired, then it could be time to get out the rollers and drop cloths. If you really want to paint in style, it’s time to get creative. Taking your time to look through swatches and experiment with color could see you creating something truly unique. Pairing deep slate greys with pale yellows or bright creams with vibrant furniture could give you a home that looks as if it belongs in a brochure.

Make the most of small rooms
Small rooms often feel like the most difficult to renovate in many ways. While there’s less space to conquer, you often run the risk of accidentally cluttering the room. There are a few gospel rules when it comes to smaller rooms, and those include:

No dark paint
No busy patterns
No dark curtains

These focus on getting as much light into the room as possible, which is always a wise approach. You can also use clever tricks of the light to make it feel like a much bigger room. Adding mirrors is just one way of doing this, as they give a slight illusion of extra space, as well as bouncing light around the room.

Don’t be afraid of cosmetic changes
Cosmetic changes to a home can include changing the tiles in a room, re-painting a room, or adding wallpaper. While these jobs might require a bit of elbow grease, they are well within most people’s capabilities. There also some unique hacks you can try to spruce up some features in your home. Did you know, for example, that if you unscrew the doorknobs in your house and boil them with baking soda you’ll be able to get rid of any accidental paint spills? Don’t be afraid, either, to switch up some of those smaller features. Purchasing quirky and artistic doorknobs to fit in your home will give it a stylish boutique feel.

Be bold with your front door
It’s surprising how small aspects of a renovation can make it feel like a much bigger one. For example, changing your front door can have a surprisingly large effect on the overall appearance of your abode. If you can’t afford an entirely new front door, then why not paint it? Opting for a bold and vibrant color such as yellow will give your home an immediate sense of character.

Go bargain hunting
As you may have already surmised, renovating can be an expensive project. Cans of paint, new artwork, and new furniture can all come to quite an expensive price. This is where sales become your friend. Bargain hunting for materials way in advance could save you plenty of money. Take trips out to DIY stories and browse through online retailers’ stock until you find the best possible bargain. While there are some features that shouldn’t be scrimped on, items such as paint can be affordably purchased at a much cheaper price with very little consequence.
Leave the tough work to the professionals
If you find yourself wondering if it’s possible to fit a toilet by yourself or maybe do the re-wiring in your kitchen – don’t risk it. Some jobs are best left to professionals, particularly when the condition of your home is at stake. It might end up costing you a fortune to repair the damage caused. By searching “plumbers in my area” online you can find tradespeople to get the big jobs executed successfully.


The easiest way to be a boss at home renovation is to be brave. Get creative with your color use and accept the challenges that learning DIY can bring. While some bigger tasks are best left to professionals (plumbing and wiring, for example) there are still plenty of home improvements you can complete yourself. Start hunting around for inspiration and DIY sales; you never know what you might come up with.

Apple Dessert Recipes to Fall For

It is only August, but we have picked our first apple of the season and now I have all of the symptoms of seasonal obsession. I MUST MAKE ALL OF THE YUMMY APPLE THINGS!


Apple Dessert Recipes to Fall For



If you too suffer from seasonal apple obsession, you are going to adore these tips for picking the best apples and these awesome apple recipes I am crushing on this year.

Tips for Picking the Best Apples


  • Pick apples from the outside of the tree first, as these will be the ripest.
  • Select apples that are firm to the touch.
  • Fragrant apples are also a good sign of freshness.
  • Avoid bruises, nicks and apples that have fallen to the ground, as these may have insects feasting inside!
  • If an apple isn't quite ripe, it won't ripen more after picking. 



Now that you know what to look for in apples as you are picking them, let's get on to more important matters, what to make with these lovely apples!


Baked Honey Crisp Apples
Crockpot Baked Apples This is perfect for dessert on crazy busy days.
Apple Butterscotch Snack Cake
No Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Baked Apple Chips These are perfect for healthy snacking!
Apple Cheese Danish
Heirloom Apple Cake


Which of these recipes will you try first? I think it has to be the Baked Honeycrisp Apples for me! They look perfectly delectable! We made a really cute apple tree window cling last year you might want to make your own.

Find all of my apple posts here



Tips for Keeping the Kids Entertained on a Beach Vacation

There are a lot of convincing reasons to pack up the family and take a trip to the beach. The boost in vitamin D will have a positive effect on your mood, you'll have the chance to unplug, and you'll definitely get in a little exercise. However, that doesn’t mean everything about the beach is all sunshine and rainbows.
The beach can be boring too. Especially for children. Sitting on the sand and watching the waves crash on the shore day after day will make your kids want to return home, and nothing can ruin a vacation faster than whining!
Just because you’re planning a beach vacation doesn’t mean you have to lay a towel in the sand all day, every day. There are plenty of other things you can do that will keep you and the kids entertained.
Get Up-Close-And-Personal with Wildlife
At first glance, the beach doesn’t look like an animal-friendly place, but nothing could be further from the truth. Look a little closer, dig a litter deeper, and let your kids experience beach wildlife up-close-and personal.
Don’t think you have to stay on the beach to see beach wildlife. The kids will certainly appreciate taking a break from the sand and visiting a local zoo or aquarium for a few hours!
For example, the Myrtle Beach aquarium features a million gallons of water that is filled with fish, sea mammals, and more. The kids can touch horseshoe crabs, gaze at sharks up-close, and see a live show, making it a good way to take a break from the sand on the beach.
Go Shopping for Beach Toys
Beach toys are a must if you’re spending time near the water, but those toys can end up being just as boring as the waves that crash on the sand. Instead of packing all of the toys your kids need for the trip, go shopping for them when you get to your destination!
There are a lot of great beach toys that you can find in local stores, and even the hotel where you’re staying. A few ideas include:
A seaside sand baking set is perfect for little ones who like to play in the sand.
Water guns are a great way to keep older kids active.
Yard games are the perfect way to engage every member of the family.
Buy and fly a kite if your trip to the beach is windy.

Grab a rain jacket or two so when it inevitably rains, you can still get out and explore!
Rent a Boat
The beach is about more than just building sandcastles and running into the waves. If the kids are getting tired of swimming and playing in the sand, consider renting a boat.
Boat rentals are a little easier on lakes, especially for those who are inexperienced, but there are plenty of other boats you can rent whether you’re on the lake or the ocean.
Kayaks and canoes are popular rentals, as are paddleboats. If you’re looking for something a little different, try a standup paddle board. Paddling, rowing, or driving a boat is a great way for the family to spend the day on the water!

Grab a Bite to Eat
It isn’t uncommon for families to pack picnic lunches for the beach. It’s a great way to ensure you can spend as much time in the water as possible, and it can help you save a little money, but it’s a good idea to do something different if the kids are bored.
Leave lunch at home and plan to grab a bite to eat instead. You can wander in town and do a little shopping, all while grabbing breakfast or an ice cream cone in the afternoon.
Visit Different Beaches
The world is full of beautiful beaches, but most coastal cities have more than just one beach to offer. Even many lakes have more than one swimming area for visitors!
Instead of spending all of your time on the same beach just outside your hotel room, consider trying a different beach. A rocky beach is a great way for the kids to practice skipping rocks, boardwalk beaches are a great way to go for a stroll, and hidden beaches are a great place to see wildlife in its natural habitat.
A beach vacation is fun and relaxing, but that doesn’t mean the kids will think so if that’s all you have planned for days on end. Instead, think outside the box and plan activities that go beyond sitting in the sand and swimming in the waves.

Give the Perfect Gifts to the Whole Family

Be it a holiday, a birthday, or no special occasion at all, I have found some amazing ideas that make for great gift ideas! Make sure you pin this post to your gift board for later!



Gift giving seems to have gotten complicated over the last decade. With so many sites, shops, stores and suggestions, the perfect gift can be elusive. Gift cards are always popular, but they are so impersonal. Instead of going that route, I have found some really cool gifts for a variety of people on any gift list. You are bound to love a few of these options.







Sheets are always a great gift idea. Sheets are one of those things most people can use, and new sheets make a good night's sleep easier to catch. I got a pair of great new sheets for my birthday from Bamboo Sheets Australia and I can't stop telling anyone who will listen about them. They are soft,  smooth and come in so many colors! Almost anyone will appreciate this gift!


For a special guy in your life from a good friend to your husband or even father can appreciate the gift of a James Butler Flask. A gentleman usually has a flask to pull out at the right moments in life. This is an ideal flask for those moments. 


Wearing a watch will never go out of style, so anyone can appreciate the gift of a high quality Westhill Watch Box. This is the perfect way to store and display fine timepieces. This is a great gift for graduations, holidays or a just because for someone special who appreciates a lovely watch.

Sometimes the perfect gift is a quirky gift. Empire Chopsticks make for a totally unforgettable gift idea for any occasion. If your gift recipient likes Chinese food, they will love these chopsticks for all of their culinary adventures.

Any lady, young or old will adore anything from April May Jewellery Boxes. This is a great gift because it gives ya girl a place to store her pretty things in style. I love that you get a free tote with every specialty jewellery box ordered.


Lumi Night Lights are the coolest night lights I have ever seen! Available in so many styles, any kid or kid at heart would love to have a night light from Lumi in their room.

If you have a great gift idea I want to hear about it in a comment. Which of these ideas is your favorite? I love them all!




Play Doh Pie Counting Activity

Play doh pies are the perfect way to make learning a hands on activity. Little learners will love getting a good grasp on counting and number recognition.


Harper is my go to girl for all things to make or bake. She loves to get involved in all of my projects.
We made a chocolate chip cookie pie a few weeks ago and she was hooked on pie making! She asked me everyday for a week if we could make another pie.


Finally, I came up with an idea that thrilled her and satisfied her desires to make a whole bunch of pies.
Play doh pies are great for fine motor play, rolling the dough into little balls is fun!
Adding a few wooden numbers turned the activity into a counting lesson too.
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Supplies:
A mason jar lid
play doh tool for cutting




Directions:
Roll out a can of yellow play doh
Cut the doh to fit a mason jar lid to form your pie shell.
Use any leftover doh to cut strips. These will form your lattice crust.
Encourage your child to roll a can of play doh into small balls.
Select a number you want to work on counting to.
We decided on number 6.
Have your child count the selected number play doh balls to the pie shell.
Now have your child count the number of leftover crust strips.
Have your child add the selected number of lattice strips to the top of the pie.

Repeat with other numbers.




We loved this activity, it was easy to set up, encouraged learning and hands on play, and kept Harper busy for several afternoons. Play doh is our favorite learning tool these days!



If you are looking for more play doh ideas here are a few reader favorites: