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Stay at Home Wife and Mother

Home and Family from a SAHWM's Perspective

How to Redecorate Your Home Without Breaking the Bank

January 29, 2022

woman-decorating-flowers

If you’re considering redecorating your home but don’t have a large budget, you can still make a significant impact without spending many cash. Here are a few ways you can change the look of your home without breaking the bank.

Change the Accessories

Boost visual impact in your space by altering the accessories. Replace neutral rugs with modern abstract area rugs. Change the pillow covers on your decorative pillows and update old lampshades. You can also experiment with placing furniture pieces in different areas of the room. By changing the look of just a few key elements, you can easily breathe new life to a room.

Add a Feature Wall

If all the walls in your room are the same neutral shade, consider adding a feature wall by painting one wall a bold and contrasting color. If you prefer not to paint, you can get the same impact by using statement or Astek Home custom wallpaper or peel and stick wood paneling on one wall while leaving the other walls neutral. Alternatively, you can turn one wall into a large gallery featuring photos you’ve taken, artwork you’ve amassed or your antique china collection that’s been sitting in a box collecting dust.

Find New Uses for Things You Already Have

Another way to save money while redecorating is to find new ways to use things you already have. Can you refinish an old dresser and use it as a vanity in the bathroom? Do you have old wine bottles or mason jars you can use to display a floral centerpiece on a table? Before you redecorate a room, try walking through your house to see if items from one area can be repurposed in another.

Thinking outside the box when redecorating is the best way to rejuvenate the look and feel of your home without investing a lot of money.

Filed Under: Home & Organizing

Fun Things to Do During Kids Pajama Party Sleepovers

June 27, 2021

kids-sleepover-pajama-party-watching-movie

Have you thought of combating kids’ boredom during this pandemic with pajama party sleepovers?

The COVID pandemic, undoubtedly, brought unprecedented changes in our lives. Not only do we see physical, financial and economic problems, many people are also having social and mental issues coping with this pandemic.

Young kids are not immune to depression during these times. Anxiety, social isolation and forced time with others can be overwhelming for the kids, to say the least. Also, they will be super bored if they’re used to outdoor activities for kids. Since more people are getting immunized nowadays, with enough caution, an occasional sleepover or pajama party can be organized to help kids have time to socialize with their close friends.

Here are some fun things kids could do during a pajama party:

  1. indoor camping
  2. movie marathon
  3. playing card and board games
  4. pillow fights
  5. food, food, food
  6. (spa) face masks
  7. manicure and pedicure (for teens)
  8. photo booths and selfies
  9. classic games like would you rather, truth or dare, etc.
  10. blindfold makeovers

Pajama parties is a fun way for kids to try new experiences and socialize with their friends. They also help build up independence. Surely, most of them will love to spend time bonding with their friends after being isolated for quite some time already. Just to be on the safe side, if anybody doesn’t feel good (coughing, has fever, and/or showing other COVID symptoms), they should avoid joining pajama parties for now.

Additionally, if you think that it’s still safer for your kids to stay at home during these times, you can opt to have fun family pajama party sleepovers by yourselves. Put on some fun LazyOne family pajamas and make sure that you spend the night doing these fun sleepover party activities. It will relieve your kids with stress and anxiety even for the night.

Filed Under: Fun Time & Hobbies

Does Your Home’s Air Quality Suffer in the Winter?

April 12, 2021

indoor-winter

While the weather outside may be cold enough to freeze your nose hairs, not to mention creating slippery, hazardous road conditions, that air in your home might be worse than that frightful chill. That is because indoor air quality tends to go way down in the winter thanks to everything that has been done to keep the cold out and utility costs down, like high-efficiency doors and windows.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), studies of human exposure to air pollutants have indicated that indoor levels of pollutants can be two to five times, and in some cases over 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. That is a big concern with people typically spending 90 percent of their time indoors. If you purchased one of the Calgary homes for sale, it might be less of a concern than other cities simply because the air tends to be cleaner there as compared to most, but you are still breathing in more recirculated air rather than fresh. Moreover, that air carries not only pollutants, but also dust, mold spores, and pollen, all of which are continuously cycling throughout your home during the winter.

While being sealed up tight inside will keep you warmer, that stale indoor air combined with heating systems increases the mold spores circulating through the home, along with allergy-inducing pet dander and dust mites. Of course, it’s probably too cold to open up the windows and let the fresh air in, but while you wait for the weather to warm again, there are a few things you can do to help improve air quality.

Get an Air Purifier

An air purifier helps to remove pollutants in your home, with HEPA filters that are known to clean and purify the air by trapping particles that a vacuum would simply recirculate right back into the air. In fact, HEPA filters can remove approximately 99.9% of dust particles and common impurities from the air like dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold, among others.

Clean Regularly 

A clean house is a healthier house as it will help limit dust and dander. It’s important to frequently clean bedding and other items that attract allergens, washing them in water that’s at least 130° F. It’s also a good idea to use mite-proof covers on mattresses, box springs, and pillows. Be sure to keep your home as free of clutter as possible, too, as it tends to trap and hold dust. If you have carpets or area rugs, vacuum them at least a couple of times each week using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Getting rid of wall-to-wall carpeting and installing hard-surface flooring can also cut down pollutants in the home.

Limit Chemical Pollutants 

You probably won’t be able to eliminate all chemical pollutants as modern homes are filled with them, from cleaning supplies to carpets and paint. However, you can limit the amount in your home by reading product labels and researching healthier alternatives. There are many natural ingredients that can be used for cleaning instead of typical chemical-filled household cleaners, like lemon, baking soda, and white vinegar. When painting, choose low- or no-VOC paints and look for furniture and textiles with materials that contain no or few known pollutants such as formaldehyde.

Let Some Fresh Air In

Even when it’s cold out, you should occasionally open the windows to let fresh air in. If it gets too chilly, just bundle up for a bit, a much better option than continuously breathing stale air.

Filed Under: Home & Organizing

3 Historical Facts to Know about New Orleans

April 12, 2021

new-orleans

With such a rich and diverse culture, New Orleans has a large amount of history that made the city what it is today. Founded on French terms and diving deep into the French culture is what New Orleans is primarily known for, however New Orleans has an extensive history outside of its French heritage. Understanding a few historical facts will help you understand and appreciate the unique city of New Orleans.

Named After a French Ruler

New Orleans is famously known for its heavy French and Creole culture and cuisine. Named after the French ruler, the Duke of Orléans, is one of the main reasons why New Orleans adapted this culture. The Duke of Orléans ruled as Regent from 1715 to 1723 on behalf of Louis XV. Thanks to governor Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, in 1717 he decided to name the now land of New Orleans after the noble Duke.

The Civil War

In May of 1862, Confederate New Orleans was captured by Union troops. After the conclusion of the Civil War, the Reconstruction era evolved and focused on establishing civil rights for emancipated slaves. White supremacy eventually regained control leading to racial subjugation and segregation for more than a century. In 1896, a case called Plessy versus Ferguson was derived from a local New Orleans’ case and led to a legal sanction in the Supreme Court with policies regarding separate but equal rights.

Hurricane Katrina

Landing to the east of New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina was a category 5 hurricane that wreaked havoc in August of 2005. With more than 1,800 deaths and more than $125 billion in damages, the city of New Orleans never fully recovered from that devastating storm. However, the recovery efforts and comeback of New Orleans was no small feat. The flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina caused levees to fail and 80% of the city to parish. With the lack of response from government agencies during this difficult time, the failures of response lead to a series of reforms and improved efforts of preparedness for future storms.

The city of New Orleans is one of the most historical places in the United States. Like many historical places, people of New Orleans treasure their past but are focused on their present and future. New Orleans is a fascinating city waiting for you to stop by. New Orleans houses for sale are also plentiful if you are looking to make this a more permanent visit.

 

Filed Under: Featured

5 Things to Eat With Vegetables

April 12, 2021

fresh-vegetables

Are you looking to increase your vegetable intake but just can’t get past the boring taste? If you haven’t quite figured out what flavors work best with your vegetables, we’re here to help. We’ve come up with a few ingredients that are delicious with your next serving of veggies.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

A variety of choices can be used to fill bell peppers. A mixture of meat, beans, and rice stuffed into bell peppers and topped with a tomato sauce is a classic choice. However, if you’re looking to mix it up a bit you can really add whatever combination you come up with due to the mild taste of bell peppers that pair well with many flavors. For example, you may opt for cheesesteak meat with cheese or perhaps you would like to eat the bell peppers raw with cream cheese and sliced deli meats like ham for a different route.

Pepper Jelly

The perfect glaze to a few vegetables is a great way to add a bit of sweetness with a touch of heat to your carrots, roasted squash, and more. Your favorite vegetables can be sautéed, covered with pepper jelly and broiled for a few minutes to add a delicious taste and texture.

Meatloaf

The almighty meatloaf can also be used to hide a few vegetables. Typically made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings can benefit from a few additional vegetables. You can try chopping some onions, zucchini, spinach, or carrots for an added serving of vegetables.

Kabobs

The beauty of grilled kabobs is that if you can place something on a skewer and it can be grilled well, that makes it a kabob. Vegetables like bell peppers, onions, zucchini, mushrooms, or onions are all great options for a delicious kabob. In addition to vegetables, you can add meats like steak or chicken and even shrimp. For an added touch of sweetness, pineapples can be easily paired with most ingredients.

Make a Wrap

Lettuce can be a versatile vegetable that is sometimes overlooked. You can obviously go for the typical salad but creating a wrap or bun with lettuce can be just as tasty. Whatever type of sandwich or burger you enjoy, you can make a simple swap of the bun, tortilla, or bread for a lead of lettuce for a significantly lower amount of calories but greater amount of nutrients.

With options like these, vegetables can be easily added to your everyday meals. Vegetables don’t have to be boring if you are creative and consider what type of flavors you are trying to achieve.

Filed Under: Food & Recipes Tagged With: cooking, food

Christmas Tree Ideas

December 5, 2019

christmas-tree-kids
It’s twenty days to go before Christmas. If you haven’t geared up your house for the Christmas celebrations, a Christmas tree is a good place to start.

You can have a real tree or artificial ones; it depends on your preference. However, if you want a real tree, the Farmer’s Almanac said that the five most popular Christmas tree varieties are Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine and Colorado Blue Spruce. If you are in NYC, you can even opt for an NYC Christmas tree delivery from a plant shed to make it easier for you to start your Christmas preparations.

Here are some Christmas tree ideas that will hopefully get you in the mood for Christmas.

Filed Under: Family Life

Your Guide on Becoming an Esthetician

November 17, 2019

woman-esthetician

If you are passionate about skincare and beauty and want to help others achieve healthy, beautiful looking skin, a job as an esthetician, or also called as aesthetician, might be the perfect career path choice for you. In this position, you can expect to spend your days performing chemical peels and facials and educating clients on how to best treat skin problems among other job duties. Here is some helpful information on how to become an esthetician.

Education Requirements

The first step to becoming a certified esthetician is to complete a cosmetology program at a community college or technical school. These programs include both lectures and hands-on training to best prepare students for a career in the field. To earn licensure, this training must meet the requirements set by the state’s board of cosmetology, which often requires at least 600 hours of coursework followed by a state licensing exam. Some states allow an esthetician apprenticeship as an alternative to formal education.

Career Paths

Estheticians are employed in a wide variety of settings including salons, spas, medispas, and wellness centers. They may even be found working in a dermatology or plastic surgeon office. Some individuals choose to pursue freelance work and offer their services to cruise or travel spas, work on movie sets, or specialize in weddings. For individuals with entrepreneurial ambitions, estheticians have the opportunity to become business owners and open a clinic or salon of their own.

Industry Outlook and Median Salary

Awareness of the skincare industry has grown in recent years which has contributed to the field’s fast growth. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an expected 13.8 percent employment growth for estheticians and other skincare specialists between 2016 and 2026. The median salary for this career is $30,000, with most people making around $18,000 the first year and the top 10 percent making closer to $60,000.

Filed Under: SAHWM Random Thoughts

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