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July 27 2021

How to Buy Your Family a Vacation Home

We could all use an escape from our daily lives’ stress, yet the most we can do is take a vacation once a year. If you owned the property you were visiting; these excursions could be infinitely less expensive! After all, who doesn’t want to get away now and then? If you’re curious about what it could be like to own your own vacation home, here are the steps to guide you towards that purchase.

Decide on a Where

What city or activity comes to mind when you think about a vacation. Are you a beach partier, or do icy slopes make you want to look at Banff homes for sale? This may be the easiest item on the list, but it’s still a difficult and deeply personal idea.

If you have a family with kids, where would your family get to spend the most time together? What would inspire everyone to settle in together and connect? Consider everything about the ‘where’ before you move forward.

Figure Out Your Budget

How much money per month can you afford to use? As long as you make three times what your house payment and a potential vacation house payment would be: you should be fine! In recent years, many have started to say that you have to make at least four times the amount you’ll have to pay, but as long as you’re financially secure, that’s not necessary.

Window Shop Online

Look at homes in your prospective area! This could mean glimpsing at websites to see what’s available or following influencers on Instagram who live in that area to get to know what people own in the area. If you’ve visited before, you’ll know what to expect, but you should still window shop online to try to find a price point that feels feasible to you. Many areas are in a sellers’ market right now, so if you want to avoid that, you can consider putting off buying until later or bargaining to lower costs.

Consider Visiting In Person

Visiting the location in person again will allow you to look at properties more hands-on. You can talk to local agents and realtors this way and see if they’ll be willing to send you listing and video tours of homes if you don’t find something before you return home. It’s important not to rush a decision and buy a house just because it’s available. Think about all of your options thoroughly before you put a plan into motion.

Don’t Forget to Barter.

Being long-distance when buying a property may destroy our perception of what’s a good decision to make. Instead of allowing yourself to purchase a property that’s overpriced just because it’s available, look at the property values of similar homes, and try to place a competitive bid. Allow yourself to save some money and purchase a home that your entire family and yourself will love to enjoy for every vacation.

Home buying, while a long and complicated process, with careful planning and a good agent, you’ll catch a break and the hope of your dreams.

July 24 2021

9 Great Tips to Decorating your Bedroom

Angela Home 0

It is said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, but the bedroom is at least as important.

Properly styled, you can make your bedroom feel both cozy and exclusive. And it’s not very difficult to fix – as long as you know the right tricks.

For most people, it is important that the bedroom radiates a calm and cozy feeling. After all, this is where we calm down and gather energy after a long day and also the first thing we see when we wake up in the morning.

Is your bedroom in need of a little extra love and restyling for a more cozy feeling? Let’s dig into these smart and simple tips that turn a simple room into a cozy oasis without have to make a complete renovation.

Decorate with lots of layers

The bed plays a central role in every bedroom and with the help of the bed, pillows and bedsheets, you can add to the cozy feeling as much or as little as you want.

Invest in pillows in different sizes, sheets, covers and pillowcases in luxurious, comfortable materials and finish with nice sheets or blankets.

Feel free to let all parts of the bedding be visible – the sloppy hotel bedding is the trendiest thing you can have right now.

Choose the right curtains

Beautiful curtains have a great effect on the look and feeling of your bedroom.

Sheer, curtains that let in daylight or heavy fabrics with a beautiful, luxurious feel? No matter what style you prefer, the curtains set the standard for how the bedroom is experienced.

A trick is to opt out of the traditional curtain rods in favor of discreet rails that are attached to the ceiling. Not only is the ceiling perceived as higher, the fabrics also get a nicer, stretched, appearance.

Set the mood with lightning

A lamp in the middle of the ceiling can undoubtedly be practical, but it hardly gives a comfortable and cozy atmosphere and feeling.

Complement with extra lighting in the form of bedside lamps, window lamps and perhaps a decorative spotlight. A benchmark to follow is five to nine light points per room, depending on the size of the room.

Put the bed on a carpet

The right carpet not only makes a difference to the living room, but also in the bedroom. As a matter of fact, the cosiness factor can be raised significantly with a little textile on the floor.

Place a handsome rug at the foot end of the bed, a few decimeters under your feet. The rug should preferably be as wide as the bed – possibly a little wider – for the best results. It will be extra nice to supplement with a full-length bed cover in heavy cotton or linen fabric.

Muted colors

Muted colors – regardless of color – help to create a calm in the bedroom.

Do not want to paint or wallpaper an entire room? Invest in a background wall in a dark shade and feel free to let details, such as curtains or bed sheets go in the same color scheme. In this way, the bedroom gets a more consistent and matching impression.

Decorate with sitting furniture

The bed is obviously the most important furniture in a bedroom. But a nice and well composed bedroom should be used for more than just sleeping in.

If you have enough space in your bedroom, put a nice armchair or seating in the bedroom. Color-match the shades or do the exact opposite and choose a color that stands out from the rest of the interior. Both ways are right, it just depends on what expression and look you are striving for.

Make the bed the highlight

Have you ever considered that the bed is always the first thing you notice when you step into a hotel room? Move your own bed to the middle of the room and you will notice the effect immediately! A basic rule is to make it possible to step into bed from both sides.

With a centered bed, it is also possible to play with symmetry to increase elegance.

To make it even more elegant, you can place two identical bedside lamps on each side of the bed for the ultimate hotel feeling.

It is easy for the bed to “disappear” in a large bedroom. You can avoid this by placing it opposite the doorway. The bed becomes the obvious eye-catcher, and really comes into its own – complementing with matching interiors.

Choose carpet instead of wooden floors

Bedrooms with stylish carpets are not only more comfortable to walk on, but enhance the hotel feeling and make the room feel more cozy. Invest in a neutral color so you do not have to change the carpet if you decide to redecorate the room in the future.

Get a headboard

Wall-mounted or integrated with the bed? Regardless of the design, a headboard becomes a magnificent element in the bedroom and also does not have to break the bank. Choose colors, patterns, and materials that blend in perfectly with your room. If you want, you can even put on your carpenter pants, bring out your electric tools including the screwdriver, and make your own, if you are handy of course.

July 17 2021

3 Ways to Liven Up and Brighten Your Home’s Sunroom

Angela Home 0

Whether you are looking for a comfy nook to unwind in with family and a good book, or you want to entertain guests in a new space, designing your perfect sunroom doesn’t have to be tricky. If you would like to build a sunroom that showcases your home’s interior style, there are a ton of appealing design options that may be right for you. Not sure where to start? Here are three sunroom design ideas that will inspire you to make your dream sunroom spot a reality.

When redesigning any room in your home, you want to cover all of the bases. In other words, setting a budget, choosing the right lighting, and structuring the layout of the room are just some necessities to consider before you design your home. Just like any other room, these factors are important to constructing your sunroom.

Brighten with a Fresh Color Scheme

To highlight the natural light that streams in through your windows, pair it with a fresh coat of paint. Hire a local professional to re-paint your walls or go the DIY route with a can and paint roller. You may want to consider darker tones if you have sun-facing windows or a more neutral paint color if you would like to spice up your sunroom with bright furniture. Choosing a light paint color will open up the room and make the space feel airy. Don’t be afraid to be bold and get colorful with your paint choices!

Furnish With Outdoor Decorations

If you’re planning on hosting guests or spending time with family in your sunroom, adding in the right amount of seating arrangements is important. Opting for a comfortable couch or a hanging chair for playful seating will amp up your whole sunroom. Be aware of the climate where you live and humidity in your environment when choosing furniture like outdoor wicker furniture in a sunroom that supports plant growth. Before you know it, even your neighbors will be asking you to save them a seat in your sunroom for happy hour.

Entertain Your Guests

Why not plan to host an event in your sunroom? Installing a small bar with comfortable seating or mounting a television on one of the walls in the sunroom will ensure that your guests have a great experience. Get creative with appliances, decorations, and other amenities that you think match your style and personality. Imagine the family barbecue with full access to a kitchen just a step away in your sunroom. You can go crazy with designing an area that will meet all of your and your guests’ needs.

If you think that your sunroom could use some remodeling, visit Angi for more tips on how to create a brighter and better sunroom for you to enjoy.

July 8 2021

How to Teach Your Children to Do Laundry

Angela Parenting 0

Laundry is a household chore that can be burdensome and time consuming, especially if you have young children producing heaps of dirty clothes. You may not have thought about the best time to start teaching your children how to do laundry, but it’s actually a good idea to start early.

Involving your kids in the laundry process from a young age teaches them responsibility and prepares them to be able to do their own laundry and ease the burden on you. Here are some strategies for teaching your kids how to do laundry in a way that’s both safe and fun.

Sorting Clothes by Color

Introduce your toddlers to the laundry process by teaching them to sort their dirty clothes. Most people sort their laundry into dark, medium, and light colors to avoid colors bleeding in the wash. When your kids are ages 2-3, you can start teaching them to sort their clothes by color.

Some strategies for this include setting up separate bins for toddlers to deposit their clothes in as soon as they wear them, or creating a fun game for them to sort their dirty clothes at once such as shooting clothes into appropriate laundry bins basketball-style.

Folding Clothes

Once your kids reach school age, you can start involving them in more of the laundry process. Kids ages 4-9 should not operate dryers and washing machines yet, but they can begin assisting with loading and unloading the machines, and they can learn to fold their own clean laundry.

You can make folding clothes fun for your kids with activities such as this printable game to teach kids how to match socks. You can also use resources such as this printable cheat sheet to help them learn and remember how to fold different clothing items.

Operating the Laundry Machines

By the time your children reach age 10, they’re old enough to do their laundry from start to finish with your supervision; and teenagers should be able to do laundry without supervision. Take the time to show your kids how to operate the washing machine and dryer, which can be a daunting task for a child who’s never done it before.

To make it easy to remember, consider making a cheat sheet with instructions to tape up in the laundry room.

For additional safety considerations, remember to teach your child to empty the lint trap in the dryer after each cycle, as failure to do so can cause a dryer fire. Teach kids not to climb on or inside the machines or hang on open doors, which could cause the machines to tip over.

You should also consider labeling potentially dangerous substances such as bleach and detergent bottles with printable stickers to deter your children from ingesting them.

This process may be slow and gradual, but by following it you can teach your children how to safely complete an essential chore and prepare them to grow into responsible, independent adults.

July 8 2021

6 Crucial Reasons To Go On a Wellness Trip

Angela Health 0

If you love to travel and simultaneously improve your health, we suggest going on a wellness trip.

If you have not heard of wellness travel before, it is a form of travel that focuses on improving or maintaining one’s health and wellness. Instead of traveling for leisure, wellness travel is about enhancing one’s physical and mental health. Nonetheless, you get to enjoy your new surroundings during such trips.

If you are still not convinced, let’s go more in-depth about all the crucial reasons why going on a wellness trip is something you would want to do.

1. Reflect, renew, and restore

Wellness travel or retreat like this can help you center yourself and get away from the usual commotion going on in your life.

First of all, wellness trips allow you to have a chance to reflect on everything that is going on in your life. You can also reflect on everything that has happened to you.

Reflecting on your life is a great activity to do when you are away from your usual environment. That’s because it helps you look at it almost from an outsider’s perspective.

Wellness trips can also be an opportunity to renew and restore your motivation, outlook in life, and many more. If you do some rest, it is also an opportunity to renew and restore your body.

After all, not everybody has the luxury of time to be entirely focused on nothing else other than your body, wellness, and health.

By going on a wellness trip, you prioritize self-care that can impact your overall well-being. The best part? You get to travel!

2. Have some “me time”

It can be challenging to have some time for yourself when you are busy, and your home life, social life, and work-life distract you.

Although some of these can be good for you, there is still nothing quite like having that me-time to help you do things that you love while relaxing. Even when you sometimes travel with companions, you have to compromise on some items.

With a wellness trip, your sole focus will be yourself and the things that matter to your health and well-being during the journey. There is no need for you to worry whether your companion is entertained or not.

You also will not feel guilty about spending time with only yourself since this trip is for your mental and physical well-being.

3. Reconnect with nature

One of the critical parts of a wellness trip is to, in some way, reconnect with nature again. You likely live in the city, so it will not be a good wellness retreat if you are doing it in some facility out there. Therefore, it is a good idea if you find a way to reconnect with nature.

There are plenty of wellness retreat villages or centers, many of which are established close to nature. That way, you can enjoy the natural environment while having enough space to practice wellness activities.

Plus, there is nothing like the serenity and feeling of calm that you get when surrounded by nature. It can uplift your mood and gets you in the right mindset to work on your wellness without any distractions or negative feelings bogging you down.

4. Break old habits

Some people who go on wellness trips often book from a specific wellness retreat to provide you with a daily schedule. You might wonder if this is a good idea given that a wellness trip is supposed to be freeing, and having someone plan your day for you might not feel free.

However, this works well for many people out there, so you should consider it.

For people looking to break old bad habits, this is a great place to start. That’s because a planned schedule is in place to stop you from making harmful habits again.

5. Reduce stress

Everyday life will always come with stress at some point. There are times when we can let go of stress and move on with our day, but sometimes it can also pile up inside us without us knowing.

For our mental health, we need to acknowledge that some sources of stress are still within us. So, we need to take time off to recognize and be able to move on from them.

When you are in a stressful situation, it can be challenging to understand how you can move on from it. This is where a wellness trip can be helpful.

It helps you get away from your usual source of stress. That way, you can detach yourself from the situation and reflect on it objectively.

Luckily, you can go on wellness travel on a budget. You can do this by dialing down on wellness trips that you can afford. However, you should also look into the destination and activities that the organizer provides.

Some excellent examples are mindfulness trips. This is where you can spend the weekend on a mountain or near the beach doing mindful practices. Another is going on a winter journey, so you dip in a cold lake.

6. Long-lasting health benefits

Most trips and vacations revolve around overindulging. No wonder why sometimes you can come back from a holiday happy but sluggish and unwilling to go back to your usual.

With the wellness trip, you can get past that “vacation hangover” with ease. You may even find yourself motivated to come back to your everyday life.

Moreover, a wellness trip allows you to reap long-lasting benefits for your health. After all, you get to relieve your stress, enjoy new surroundings, and learn more about yourself after this journey.

Conclusion

A wellness trip is more than a vacation. It allows you to get rid of distractions and focus on yourself, even just for a day. But it can certainly give you that feeling of fun and happiness afterwards.

Imagine being someplace else while improving your mental and physical well-being.

That said, consider going on such a vacation if you want to experience something different. That way, you can come back from this holiday energized and ready to take on anything.

July 8 2021

7 Natural Ways to Lose Weight

Angela Health 0

Staying healthy has been a challenge for most of us. The temptation to give in to unhealthy, delicious food is the hardest to resist.

We get you. Most of us are guilty of cheating on our diets now and then.

But the question we have to face every year is this: How can we make our weight loss journey bearable and easy to stick with?

We all believe that losing some pounds off your body takes time and effort. While it is true, that does not mean it has to be a stressful process. Think about all the clothes that you can wear again once you lose weight.

When you keep on thinking about it, the more challenging it becomes.

Do not complicate the journey. There are natural ways on how you can lose weight.

Here are seven of the most proven means on how you can achieve your ideal weight.

1. High-protein diet

A high-protein diet can reduce your appetite. These types of food can make you feel full in a matter of minutes. It can even curb your cravings.

That’s because protein is believed to contribute to our satiety. Meaning, consuming protein-rich foods makes you feel full for longer.

Your body understands that it has all the nutrients it needs from your high-protein diet. So the desire for an extra plate of that tempting dessert is no longer necessary.

Besides, such a diet can boost metabolism by up to 80-100 calories per day. It helps your body digest food intake even better and faster.

A high-protein diet should be your go-to meal plan when you want to lose weight without losing the nutrients.

2. Low carb eating plan

Carbs are notorious weight gain enablers. They don’t stand down when it comes to adding a couple of pounds on the scale. So, it’s one of the meal groups you should avoid if you want to lose weight.

Your body breaks down carbohydrates and converts them into glucose. You would not want to add more sugar weight to your body. A low-carb eating plan is the best way to go.

Cut back on sugar and starches, which translates to skipping the rice and bread section of a buffet and opting instead for the healthier options. Go straight to the veggie cart or the fruit stand.

The question, however, is where to get the energy your body needs when you avoid carbs altogether? You can replace carbohydrates with fat. Go for virgin coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil as your top healthier choices.

3. Avoid processed foods

Processed foods are often high in sodium and calories, which are great contributors to weight gain. These food packs also contain fewer nutrients. When you want to lose weight, you would like to do it right and not cheat the process.

Don’t opt for processed foods when you have access to healthier options like greens, omega-3, and vitamin-rich meals.

It is the same with eating fast food. Fast food meals are often processed, so they aren’t your best choices when you go out. You can bring your meal or find a place that offers whole foods.

4. Include a high portion of fiber

High-fiber meals can aid in your digestion. It helps clean out your gut from toxins and unwanted cells. It can also make you feel comfortable after eating a full meal, knowing that you’ll flush the excess weight after a few hours.

You know how it goes when you’re so full from what you ate, and you can’t function properly? That’s precisely why we’re advocating to add a high portion of fiber to your meals.

You can get your fiber from fruits and vegetables like berries, pears, melons, broccoli, carrots, and sweetcorn.

5. Lemon juice and honey

Lemon juice and honey are home remedies to aid in weight loss. It’s a powerful combination that can help you achieve your target weight without much effort.

These two natural ingredients help in fat oxidation and lipid-lowering activities. Just make sure to include lemon juice and honey in your eating routine. You can use it as your drink for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Besides, they also taste good, so you won’t have to be stressed every time you drink a glass or two of this perfect combo.

6. Don’t skip breakfast

Skipping breakfast when you want to lose weight is a huge mistake. That is because you’re missing out on the opportunity to fill your body with essential nutrients.

Not having the most important meal of the day will only make you hungrier throughout the day. It could lead you to more snacking time in the afternoon and, worse, through the evening.

Breakfast kick starts your metabolism. It can help burn your calories from the night before and the rest of your day. It’s a mighty meal that keeps your body’s rhythm right on track.

7. Stay hydrated

Hydration is essential when losing weight. It keeps your body functioning well even with the absence of high-energy giving foods. Besides, it’s also one effective way to avoid taking sugary drinks or alcoholic beverages.

Water may be a simple fix, but it sure can make a significant impact when it comes to helping you lose weight. It might be the most natural way to shed some pounds. It can help make you whole, thus making you eat less.

It’s even a great tool in flushing out the harmful bacteria living inside the body.

Conclusion

Losing weight should not be a problem. It should be a motivation to live a healthier lifestyle.

It should not be limited to choosing the better options when it comes to meal planning. Instead, make it a goal to give your body the best nutrients it can have.

Creating a habit could be hard at first. But once your body gets the hang of this new regimen, losing weight will be a bonus. A good meal plan plus a regular workout can do wonders for you, that’s for sure.

By doing this lifestyle change, the primary benefit you can get is an overall better living experience.

July 8 2021

8 Ways You can Teach Your Children to Clean Their Rooms

Angela Parenting 0

It is undeniable that maintaining your house’s cleanliness is essential. However, it does not mean that you cannot ask someone’s help.

After all, cleaning and organizing your house can be tedious. Hence, you will need all the help that you can get. This includes your children.

Mind you, encouraging your kids to do house chores can benefit them in the future. Thus, you should follow these eight tips to make your children clean their rooms:

1. Compensate them

This tip is ideal if you have kids in grade school or older. That’s because they are starting to learn the value of money during this age.

In line with this, you should also teach your children that hard-earned money is more valuable. And what better way to do this than compensate them whenever they complete a house chore?

Explain to your kids the rules. For instance, they will earn a dollar if they make their bed every morning.

2. Make it fun

Considering their playful nature, it can be challenging for kids to concentrate on one task. Hence, you should make it fun for them.

It can be as simple as giving them the freedom to choose what bedding they would like to use next. You can also combine cleaning with a dance party.

If you are asking your child to do the laundry, let him separate whiles from colored. Playing with colors is fun for toddlers. That way, house chores will not be a bore for them.

However, that also means you should match your kids’ energy. But that’s what parents do, don’t they?

3. Start small

When we say you can ask your kids for help to clean the house, we did not mean you should make them clean the entire house from the get-go. Instead, you should start small.

If you have toddlers, it can be something like asking them to clean up their toys. From your grade-schoolers, you can ask them to help you separate the laundry.

As soon as they reach their pre-teens, you can ask them to help you dry and fold the laundry. Another thing that your tweens can do is to clean their bedroom. And this is something that they should carry on to adulthood.

By the time your kids are in their teens, you can ask for their help in the kitchen. It can be by letting them wash the dishes, set the table, or assist you with cooking.

The idea is to help your kids build the habit of doing the house chores bit by bit. So, by the time they are grown-ups, they can do it independently.

4. Give the right tools

If you want your children to clean their bedrooms properly, you should give them the right tools. This is also something we advise our clients at Maid Sailors Home Cleaning Services NYC.

In addition, you have to teach them how to use a cleaning tool properly. If you have a toddler, it would be an excellent idea to give him a kid-sized tool.

Keep in mind that children learn things by imitating you. You can give them a toy vacuum and let them copy you as you vacuum the floor. So, by the time they are grown up and can handle the real one, it will be easy for you to teach them how a vacuum operates.

5. Be open to negotiations

Here’s the thing: Being a parent does not mean you can be tall and mighty. Respect is earned, after all.

As such, you have to be open to negotiations.

For instance, your kids have upcoming exams. It would help that you reduce their house chores in the meantime. Another example is to let siblings share the task, or you can share it with them.

Other than discipline, compromise can teach your kids a thing or two. This includes the importance of communication and validating someone’s concern.

When your kids know that their voice matters, you help raise them into confident adults.

6. Do it as a family

Aside from knowing how to compromise, you can encourage your children to help with the cleaning by doing it as a family. After all, kids learn through imitation.

So, when they see mom and dad are busy with chores, it can pique their curiosity. And then, you can easily coax them to clean with you.

Who knows? This might become a weekend family thing for all of you.

7. Create a schedule

In addition to making house chores a family thing, it would be ideal to create a schedule.

For one, someone has to remind you what chores needed to be done today or this weekend. Second, not everyone is cut out to help with house chores.

Would you expect a toddler to change the beddings? Probably not.

The rationale here is not just to identify who will do what but when to do a specific task. Doing so ensures that you can maintain your house’s cleanliness with ease. That’s because you have your entire family to help you with keeping it spic and span.

Another great thing about having a cleaning schedule is building it around your kids’ school activities. After all, it can be challenging for a high school student to deep clean his bedroom while reviewing for an exam.

8. Switch it up

Another cool thing about having a schedule is that you can switch things up.

As mentioned earlier, it can be challenging for kids to concentrate on one task. What more if it is something they have to do over and over?

It will only be a matter of days when you hear them ask, “Why does it always have to be me?”

Hence, it would be ideal to switch things up now and then. That way, your kids would not think of house chores as a bore.

Conclusion

We get it. Being a parent coupled with maintaining your house’s cleanliness can be daunting. But that does not mean that it is impossible.

With the tips listed above, you can find ways to encourage your child to help you clean the house.

You can start with their toys and their bedroom. That way, they can build the habit of organizing their belongings before taking on significant house chores.

June 16 2021

Disneyland: What to Know On Your First Visit Back

Angela Travel 0

If you have been one of the ones patiently waiting for Disneyland to open, there’s finally a light at the end of the waiting game tunnel. Disneyland will open for out-of-state residents on June 15, 2021. For California residents, the park has been open exclusively to them only so unless you’re a Californian this may be old news.

However, if you’re not a California resident and are hoping to make a trip back to the magical resort, there are a few things you should know ahead of time. Some of these tips you may already know, others you may want to write into your plans for your big visit back.

Purchase tickets online and in advance

Tickets to the amusement park are being sold online only. When you arrive at the parking lot, you will be asked if you have your tickets. This will be your entry to the park and to the parking lot. Each visitor must have their ticket and a separate reservation booked which must be done on the Disneyland website only.

Once you’ve booked your reservation, be aware that you’ll need to do this for every guest visiting with you and for each day that you will be visiting. Upon entry, you will need to show the QR code for your tickets and another separate QR code for the reservation for each person.

Pack face coverings and other essentials

Although Disneyland is not requiring its visitors to show proof of vaccination, face coverings are required for kids two years old and up when walking through the park. For those vaccinated, the mask mandate will be lifted when walking through the resort outdoors but will be required indoors such as restaurants, shops, and rides.

Therefore, be sure to pack masks that loop around the ears because bandanas and other such face coverings will not be allowed. We know how easy it is to lose a mask, especially with kids so be sure to bring a pack of disposable ones so that you can replace them should something happen. Along with your masks, it’s important to pack other essentials such as hand sanitizers and snacks since only a few dining options will be available.

Since the lockers will be closed, each family member should bring a backpack with snacks and water to keep them hydrated throughout the day. If you’re bringing a stroller, be sure to pack one of your good size diaper bags in the storage compartment and follow the stroller guidelines to keep you and your family safe and comfortable throughout the day.

Dining

As of now, there are enforced designated eating areas where you can take your mask off to enjoy your favorite Disneyland snacks. The majority of indoor dining has remained closed, however, the carts with snacks such as churros, ice cream, and pretzels can be found open throughout the park.

Another thing you’ll want to look for is that a lot of the quick-service restaurants are only taking orders via mobile orders and since order times tend to fill up quickly, you’ll want to be sure to order ahead of time so that your meal can be ready by the time you get to the pickup window.

Shopping

To minimize high traffic areas and keep social distance, some shops will only allow a few guests at a time. Therefore, to cut on time, you may want to shop for souvenirs online prior to your trip to take with you. For example, mouse ears at Presley Couture come in a variety of Disney-themed movies and characters that won’t only save you some money it will also save you some time from waiting in line to grab a pair for your and your little one.

Don’t be surprised if they ask for you to purchase online while at the store since mobile checkout is currently being tested for all stores including downtown Disney.

Characters

Gone are the days where you can run up to Mickey and ask for a picture. You will now find your favorite Disney characters socially distanced behind a rope you are not allowed to cross. You can still take pictures near them, just not as close as before. Another attraction that will not be open is the princess makeover station, although the shop will still be open for all of your princess’s needs.

For those of us used to endless Disneyland visits prior to the pandemic it will seem like a big change. However, if you’re ready for the adjustments you’ll find Disneyland to be as magical as ever, especially with fewer wait times in line.

June 16 2021

7 Important Factors to Consider When Designing Your New Home

Angela Home 0

Designing your dream home is an exciting phase of your life. There are so many possibilities and freedom in creating your new home. However, it is not as easy as it looks. There are a lot of details and aspects of the project that you need to consider to come up with a good home design and, eventually, a wonderful home.

Understand Your needs

When designing a home, the first thing you need to consider is your lifestyle or family needs. It will help you identify important elements in designing your home.

Create a checklist and list down things that you need for your dream home, such as home office space if you are working at home or have an extra guest bedroom if you are the type that enjoys the company of relatives and friends. If you like cooking, a bigger kitchen is a must-have. Knowing what you need will avoid unnecessary costs.

Location

Your location is important when setting up your dream house. The location also determines the home value in the near future. You will need to take into consideration safety, accessibility, and privacy. Location will also influence the overall appeal of your dream house. The design is dependent on the location too.

Set a budget

Once you have a list of what you want to have in your dream home, you can do research to get a rough estimate of how much it will cost you. When computing your budget, don’t forget to include labor costs, taxes, down payments, and other professional fees like excavation central coast required to build a house. Make sure to consider the possible hidden cost; thus, having a buffer account might help you significantly with your home project.

Right homebuilder and materials

No matter how good your home design is, it will only remain good on paper without the right home builder. They will be able to execute the plan nicely and meet quality standards. When this happens, you will be able to enjoy your house for years to come.

Take your time and look around for references for homebuilders that deliver quality work and, in the long run, save a lot of money. Before signing any agreement, read through the contract and clarify any concerns. Understand the payment terms and schedule to avoid difficulty once the project is started.

Government Regulations

Understand the local building codes in your area. There are guidelines that need to be followed before, during, and after the construction. Any violation will only cost your money and time.

Guidelines can range from building materials, design and safety precautions practiced in your area. And your building design should meet the standards set by your local government law.

If you are hiring an architect, they can check all these details for you but taking the effort to understand it yourself can save you a lot of stress and money just in case things went wrong.

Lighting and layout

When laying down the floor plan and choosing the house plan that is right for you, always take into consideration the lighting and the layout. Proper lighting makes a big difference, and even a small space can look big when proper lighting is applied.

It will also help save on electricity because natural light enters effortlessly into the house. Lighting can lighten up the mood and create a warm ambiance.

When coming up with the layout, always keep it simple. It can help you save on building costs later on. Focusing on the details can derail your budget for the project. For example, instead of choosing a complex roof design, choose something that is functional, and this may mean a simple roof design is just enough.

Resale Value

Think about the resale value when designing your new home. Ask a legit real estate broker to understand what types of property are appealing to buyers and the things that can influence the value of a property. By doing this, you are giving yourself an idea of what not to do when building your house.

Doing this will prevent you from spending on materials or construction that is unnecessary and a waste of money. Not all upgrades can be beneficial. Always opt for functional materials and design rather than home trends.

Conclusion

Designing and building your new home is a tedious process. It is also costly and time-consuming; therefore, thorough research and taking the time to understand everything is worth the effort and time. After all, you are creating a space that you’ll live in for a long time.

Depending on your preference, but if you choose to hire an architect and a homebuilder team, choose to stay involved. From home designing, choosing materials, construction to finishing the building, always choosing to know the details.

June 3 2021

9 Bathroom Renovation Tips to Make it Worth the Cost

Angela Home 0

Having your bathroom renovated requires careful planning. This is because failure to do so could cause you to spend more than what’s needed. Also, this might end up getting the bathroom renovated not the way you expect it. So, to prevent this from happening, it is best that you do some research before pushing the renovation through. You can also consider the following tips to make it worth the cost.

1. Come up with a realistic budget

Creating a realistic budget is among the first things you need to do when planning to have your bathroom renovated. This allows you to determine if you can afford the cost of bathroom renovation or not. Also, a realistic budget could help you anticipate the estimated cost of the renovation and prevent overspending.

2. Hire the best tradespeople

Another important thing that you should consider when planning to have your bathroom renovated is to hire the best tradespeople. These individuals will help you obtain the best yet cheap bathroom renovations. These tradespeople are trained to provide the best results without the need to spend more. In most cases, they do their job well with excellent customer service in mind.

To get the best tradespeople to handle the project, make sure to conduct good research. To do this, try performing online research. Doing this will help you discover the companies in the area that offer the service you. Go for companies with extensive and solid experience in handling renovation jobs.

3. Try to avoid DIY

Resorting to DIY bathroom renovation is not a good option. This is because the needed repairs should be accomplished by well-trained and experienced personnel. Also, having the renovation handled by experts assures that you will achieve the best results. Finally, hiring the service of professionals allows the completion of the renovation faster. Thus, you can save time and money.

4. Order the materials ahead

Ordering the materials needed for the bathroom renovation ahead is a good move. Doing such helps you consolidate all that’s required before the actual renovation starts. So, you will no longer wait for some materials to be delivered so the renovation could continue. Thus, the contractors can work continuously and finish the project earlier.

5. Avoid using too many tiles

Using too many tiles is a common mistake that many bathroom owners are guilty of. Most of them think that tiling the entire bathroom will make it look better when in fact, it’s not. Many experts agree that tiles should only be used on the floor to boost its waterproofing capability. This technique could help you save money since using lesser tiles reduces the project’s overall expenses.

6. Consider using second-hand items

Using second-hand items in bathroom renovation is an effective way to save. This is because using these items prevents you from buying, and this reduces the project’s expenses. However, it would be best if you were extra careful in choosing the second-hand items that you will use. It is best to make sure that these are still in good condition.

7. Order the materials in excess

Avoid ordering the materials needed for the bathroom renovation in exact quantities. It is best that you order these in excess. The technique will prevent you from getting stuck in case of mishaps.

For best results, it is best to seek help from the tradespeople you hired. These individuals are trained and experienced in estimating the number of materials needed for the project. Thus, you can decide on the excess amount to be ordered.

8. Avoid switching the plumbing points

As much as possible, keep the plumbing points in their original spots. Avoid switching or relocating them in other areas inside the bathroom. This is because changing them will require more work hours and repairs. Also, the switch could affect their integrity and capability to deliver the expected outputs.

9. Consider minimal changes

Having the bathroom renovated requires planning. This helps you decide if your bathroom requires major renovation or just a minor one. To do this, it is best that you take a closer look at the bathroom. Try to determine if minor changes such as repainting and decluttering would make it look better and more functional or not.

If you are fully convinced that the bathroom badly needs renovation, do not hesitate to go for it. However, when implementing minimal changes is enough, make sure to consider this as your option. Doing such helps you save a lot of time and money.

Bathroom renovation is a significant undertaking. It is best accomplished by hiring the service of professional tradespeople. These individuals are trained to finish the renovation fast and the way you want it. Also, their years of experience in handling this type of project assures that you will get the best results. Given these, it is essential that you hire the best tradespeople to handle the task.