Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
June 20th marks the official first day of summer. Is your home ready for the hot and humid months of July, August, and September? Get started prepping your home for the warm weather by following these to-do's on our Summer Home Maintenance Checklist! Empty Standing WaterThe last thing you want is a swarm of mosquitoes on your property, so make sure to drain any standing water. This can range from larger projects like changing pool water, to the smallest projects, like bird baths. Bring out the Summer NecessitiesPlace bug repellent, beach towels, sunglasses, first aid kit, sunscreen, aloe, and any other summer necessities together in a spot near the front door for easy access for everyone in the home to use. Install Screen DoorsReplace glass doors with screen ones to let the fresh summer air inside. Make sure there aren’t any holes, though! Check Play Equipment for SafetyOutdoor swings and playgrounds could have been damaged by winter, weather, moisture, etc. Make sure to check these items, as well as bikes and sporting equipment for safety hazards before allowing family members to use them. Hang a ClotheslineTo save energy in the summertime, you can dry your clothes naturally on a clothesline, rather than in a dryer. If you have a pool, this is also a great place for family members to hang pool towels and bathing suits up to dry. Organize and Put Away School SuppliesThe kids are about to want nothing to do with anything school-related, so before the year is completely over, begin organizing school supplies and papers. Sort through their work and keep only the best. Throw out older supplies that are no longer useful, such as dried up glue sticks. Put the rest in storage. Check HVAC and Cooling SystemsDon’t wait until the heat is here to schedule maintenance for your HVAC system. If you have window units, make sure they are properly installed. Dust ceiling fans and window sills. Check Irrigation SystemsCheck that your irrigation system and sprinklers are working properly. You don’t want plants to dry from not being watered, or any flooding to occur. Set a schedule for your irrigation system so your yard stays fresh and green all summer long. Update First Aid KitsGreat weather means the kids will be playing outdoors more often. Make sure you have band-aids, alcohol wipes, tweezers, gause, burn cream, and more first aid kit necessities in case of an emergency. Clean GuttersIf you haven’t cleaned your gutters recently, make sure to do so. Leaves and other debris can cause flooding during summer storms when gutters aren’t cleared. Sources Cited: Houzz.com
What Your Fav Paint Color Says About You
“Paint color is an expression of your personality,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. People tend to be drawn to 1-2 colors and rarely branch away from them. Depending on if you surround yourself in warm shades, cool hues, jewel tones, or neutrals, it could indicate that you seek closeness in your space, that you're practical, or that you're the life of the party. Keep reading to learn more about what your favorite paint color says about your personality, as well as some style tips to elevate your paint choices! Warm Shades Do you find yourself gravitating towards colors such as yellow, peach, pink, and orange? Then you probably always have company! People who love living in these colors tend to be friendly and nurturing. There’s a warm fuzzy feeling about these colors that draws you in, the same as you feel when you meet new people or socialize with friends and family. These colors tend to stimulate not only conversation, but also appetite. Hence why you might enjoy throwing dinner parties, or any themed party as an excuse to invite people over and indulge in some delicious food. Warm shade people tend to be the life of the party. *Style tip! Use cool colored decor to bring down the temperature. Try pops of green to go with yellow, and blue to go with orange. Neutrals also compliment the boldness of warm colors well. Try gray or white to help bring down the saturation of your space. These color accents can be added in the form of throw pillows, vases, plants, and more! Cool Hues Those who opt for shades of blue and green in their homes are usually introverted. People who like living with these colors prefer their home to be quiet and calm. They view their home as an oasis and want being at home to be a soothing experience compared to the hustle and bustle of daily life. Cool hue lovers seek closeness in their space. They also tend to gravitate towards nature. Those who prefer to decorate with shades of blue and lighter greens may be big time beach goers. Those who prefer darker greens may be really into hiking, camping, and exploring. These colors help bring the outdoors inside. *Style tip! Cool colors can very easily make a space actually feel cold. To avoid this, try bringing up the temperature by mixing in just a handful of warmer colors. If yellows and oranges are just too bright for your taste, then try shades of brown, like taupe and cream. It just might make all the difference. Another way to ensure the space isn’t chilly, is by using pastel or lighter versions of the colors. The darker the shade, the colder the space. Seafoam green and baby blue are great options. Jewel Tones Colors that seem plucked from the red carpet on Oscars night (ruby, emerald, sapphire, amethyst, and topaz) lend instant va-va-voom. If any of those are your top choice for paint color, then you’re most likely creative, outgoing, and confident. You want your space to feel glamorous, anything ordinary just won’t cut it- and you probably live much of your life by the same mantra. Jewel tone people value uniqueness and the finer things in life. Even small spaces, such as bathrooms and book nooks have to be elevated somehow. These colors level up the intimacy and coziness of any space in your home. You’re also probably competitive at heart. Your paint color isn’t just chosen because you think it’s pretty, you want others to remember your home. Style tip: To keep things cozy and not chaotic, pair jewel tones with neutrals. These colors shine the most in places that are usually not show stoppers. Hallways, bathrooms, and dining rooms or anywhere you don’t spend a ton of time are great for these colors. Neutrals Gray, brown, beige, and ivory have a feeling of permanence and a crisp, classic look. If this appeals to you, you are probably a practical person, and not interested in repainting every few years. People who like neutral colors value simplicity and relaxation. They tend to draw inspiration from nature. However, they also value the opposite. Surprisingly, neutral decorators may actually be very fond of color. Sometimes the best interior choices are made with accessories, so paint color should remain neutral to allow for pops of color. Bright objects will shine against the clean backdrop. Neutral color enthusiasts are all about balance in both their life and their interior decorating choices. Style tip: Remaining all neutral can sometimes be boring. Try layering different shades of neutrals to add some depth. Play with the contrast by using both dark and light tones. Otherwise you risk your space giving off the same vibe as being in a doctors office. A big no-no. Source
DIY A Brunch Party!
Hosting a brunch at home, but not sure where to begin? Here are some brunch ideas to help you organize and host an easy, but impressive late-morning meal. Tips + Tricks: Opt for a Buffet-Style Brunch v. Plated-This will make things easier for you by having all of the food finished and plated beforehand making a delicious insta-worthy spread in no time at all. Set the Table the Night Before-Grab your plates, silverware, serving dishes, crafts, champagne glasses, water glasses, pitchers, and napkins, and set them on the table so you can focus solely on food prep the morning of. Prep as Much Food as you Can Beforehand-Some food will need to be cooked fresh in the morning, but some side dishes can be plated and stored in the fridge overnight so you can quickly grab and place them on the buffet table. If you’re going to need to chop and cut certain foods, do this ahead of time as well. Anything to eliminate prep time the day of will help you remain stress free! Add Flowers-Grad some flowers from the grocery store to display on the table in a vase or jar(s). This easy addition will elevate your tablescape and make you seem like a brunch expert! Some of our Fave Brunch Recipes: BYO Parfait Bar-A build your own yogurt parfait bar is an easy crowd pleaser. Display an arrangement of toppings (granola, honey, chopped fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, etc.) and a large bowl of plain vanilla yogurt. Set aside spoons and cups for guests to make their own parfaits. The bar makes an impressive spread and guests can enjoy their parfaits exactly the way they like them. Mimosa Bar-Brunch wouldn’t be the same without a classic mimosa, but spruce it up by giving your guests options. Offer different types of juice to mix with champagne or ginger ale. Try cranberry, grapefruit, and pineapple. Make sure to also provide ice water and coffee (and all the fixin’s). Pastries-Set out an assortment of pastries, including scones, croissants, and muffins. Opt for miniature sized ones to not overpower the table or your guests’ appetites! For a more intricate option- make fruit + cream cheese breakfast pastries! Check out a recipe for them here. Cinnamon Sugar Pancakes-You’ll need a staple main breakfast dish to go with your sides. Pancakes are a go-to, but can be boring. Elevate your pancake recipe by adding cinnamon to the batter and topping with fruit and cinnamon sugar. Make a cinnamon sugar glaze to go with the cakes to really impress your guests. Here’s a recipe. Make sure to offer sugar-free maple syrup as well as regular. Deviled Eggs-What’s brunch without eggs? Make deviled eggs instead of any type of hot eggs- this way you can prepare them beforehand. Here’s a recipe for classic deviled eggs, and some creative deviled eggs recipes if you’re feeling ambitious. Bacon-Somebody will be disappointed if there’s no bacon. Cook some up in a sautee pan as a side dish just in case. The smell alone will have guests’ mouths watering as soon as they enter your home. Now that you’ve got the breakfast part of brunch covered, don’t forget to serve a few lunch items as well! Deconstructed Mini Sandwiches-Prepare a variety of sandwich meats ahead of time, choose from chicken salad, tuna salad, shrimp salad, egg salad, turkey, ham, roast beef etc. Display mini buns, lettuce, cheeses, tomato, mustard, mayo etc. Guests can make their own sandwich or enjoy the meats as they are. Poached Salmon-Now that you have a cold lunch item prepared in advance, prepare a hot one the morning of. Salmon is a favorite for pro-brunchers because it’s a lighter option. Here’s a recipe to try! SOURCE
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