Weekend Reading 9.26.21

I had a lovely birthday weekend! My best girlfriends picked me up on Friday and took me wine tasting then out to dinner, and the rest of the weekend I’ve been relaxing and taking it slow. Practicing the art of slow living leads to such good things. Food tastes better, plants and flowers are more lovely, time with friends and family is savored.

It feels rebellious to slow down in our fast paced world and appreciate things as they are in the moment, but should it? If slowing down makes life more meaningful then I’m starting to believe the ones caught up in a fast pace or the ones wanting more more more might be doing it wrong. 🙂

Feel like renting a cottage in the English countryside? Take your pick.

An oh so lovely, light and bright courtyard transformation.

This pool house is a well done inside to out transition.

Inspiration for decorating your porches and patios for autumn.

Spray paint for the (big) win!

Tips on how to plan and pack for a pandemic trip to Europe.

Why some older couples have great relationships.

How to remember what you read.

Being brave enough to live life creatively.

40 beautiful moments to remember to savor.

Today I toured some model homes near me and I’ll share the design takeaways in tomorrow’s Instagram stories. 🙂

Did you miss our previous article…
https://distancebetweenplaces.com/?p=259

5 Things to Know Before You Begin a Property Renovation Project

Change is an inevitable part of all aspects of life- and our home lives are no exception. As we spend so much of our time in our homes (even more so due to the ongoing pandemic), it’s no wonder we look for change in terms of interior design and in the structure of our properties. From lifestyle changes- such as starting a family which requires interior change and perhaps change to the exterior, to modernising a home, a new theme or style- home renovations are something all homeowners will do at least once in their life. Renovating your property can be a challenging experience, however the transformational change to your home can be rewarding. Each property renovation task you undertake will bring new challenges and unexpected twists, and there are plenty of tips and tricks that can help if you find yourself in a sticky home renovation situation. Additionally, home renovations are a great way to add value to the cost of your property, as it enables you to adjust your home to the property market, therefore making it more desirable while adding value onto the property. If you’re wondering “how can I sell my house fast?”, then home renovations are a perfect place to start. But before you begin, here at We Buy Any House have compiled a list of things you should know before you begin a property renovation project.

Start With a Building Survey:

Before renovating any part of your property- you should commission a chartered building surveyor. This is especially important if you are planning on doing any structural renovations, such as building an extension or doing a loft conversion. The price of a surveyor typically ranges from £500 to over £1,000, depending on the age, size and location of the house. However, they will highlight important issues such as problems with the roofing, damp or any structural movement- which can cause major damage if not assessed properly. 

Budgets and Quotes:

We all love to indulge in home-makeover TV shows- however they aren’t the greatest advisor when it comes to renovating your own home in terms of budget and expenses. It’s important that you don’t underestimate the cost of your renovation project, as this may result in you taking loans from the bank and ending up in financial hardship. Instead, before your project commences, sit down with your family/partner and work out how much things will cost- down to the last little details. Then, put some extra money aside in case anything goes wrong as an emergency fund.

Another thing to do is ask for an accurate estimate. Don’t trust the valuation of one person, seek several experts in that field and get an average estimate of the cost for specific jobs. Additionally, don’t rely on a ‘textimate’ (over the phone estimate). Encourage the person to come and view your property in person, so they can see what they’re dealing with firsthand.

Create a Realistic Timeline:

In an ideal world, all renovation projects would be done at the click of a finger. However, unfortunately, in reality this isn’t always the case. It’s important to have a sense of realism about home renovation projects and understand that even though you have probably been given a rough estimate by contractors, there may be factors which implicate this. Prepare for things to take longer than assumed and try to avoid feelings of frustration by envisioning the finalised result. A tip to get around this is to order your new updates before you have the existing materials removed, so that there’s no waiting time.

Expect the Unexpected:

Midway through your home renovation, there may be an unexpected occurrence. Whether it’s regarding uneven floors due to a shifted center joist, a roofing problem or problem with your water system, this can have a huge impact on the time scale of the project. The renovations will stop, and you will have to source a specialist who can repair that specific issue- and then renovations will resume when the site is safe and legally sound. This is just one reason why it’s better to allocate extra time and money into your renovation project- so you are protected from unanticipated mishaps along the way.

Be Specific:

Time is money and money is time. Your home renovation will probably not be cheap, so its best to have a clear plan before you give the green light. Although things may crop up along the way, there are certain things that should be concrete throughout the process (no pun intended!). Where you plan for things such as your radiators to be positioned, sockets and lighting layout should all be thought of well in advance. After all, it’s you that will be struggling to use your phone whilst its charging. The same goes for interior design. Don’t be swayed by a designer that thinks they know your style and taste and want free reign (unless you’re comfortable and happy with this). Instead, pre plan the interior of your home, and if it can’t be an exact match, get something close.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://distancebetweenplaces.com/?p=227

Missing Fall at Home? 8 Ways to Spice Up Your Dorm

Heading off to college for the first time can be exciting. You can’t wait to meet new people from all over the country and even the world. And you get to live on your own, independently and maybe even far away from family and friends. But no matter how independent and freeing it feels, sometimes you just miss home, its creature comforts and the people who made you feel safe.

 

However, when you arrive at your dorm room, it’s also a blank slate. Fortunately, there are ways to remind you of back home and all the people you love by adding a few decorative and homey touches to your dorm room space. So if you’re missing fall back home, here are eight ways to spice up your dorm and make it feel homey.

#1 Light Fall Scented Candles

Scent brings back all kinds of memories. So what better way to spice up your dorm room than with a few candles? (As long as that is permitted within your dorm, of course). If you’re missing fall at home, along with the smells of grandma’s delicious cooking and the pumpkin patch you visit with your family just before Halloween, don’t worry — there’s a candle for that! Check out the Grandma’s kitchen candle that smells exactly like freshly baked warm apple pie straight from the oven. Does your dorm have a no candle policy? Then use a reed diffuser instead. The Pumpkin diffuser will make you feel like you’re back home carving pumpkins and drinking hot apple cider with your friends.

#2 Find Words and Items That Inspire and Comfort You

If you’re missing fall at home and being surrounded by family and friends, think of words and things that inspire and comfort you. It can be a quote from one of your favorite books or an image that lifts the spirits and brightens your day. Think of words that describe how you would want your dorm room to feel and use them as inspiration to decorate. When spicing up your dorm room, it’s okay to fall into the latest design trends and colors, but make sure the overall mood and atmosphere bring you comfort and make you feel at home, too. Also, when doing so, make sure your roomies have a say in it as well.

#3 Create a Luxe Bed for Deep Sleep

Source: fizkes/Shutterstock.com

The average adult needs eight hours of sleep per night. But as a new college student, getting good sleep is a real struggle. However, sleep is vital for your overall physical and mental health, helping you fight off fatigue and illnesses, so having a proper bed is imperative for your dorm room. In other words, make your bed as comfy as it was back home, complete with soft, breathable sheets and an ergonomic pillow that cradles your neck oh-so-perfectly. If your college mattress is too stiff and rigid, add a pillow top or an egg crate foam topper to add some softness to your slumber. Finally, don’t forget to dress your college dorm bed with decorative pillows and cozy throws from your room back home. It will fight off the homesick blues.

#4 Add a Warm Underfooting to Cold Floors

Nothing says sterile dorm room quite like concrete or linoleum floors. So instead of hopping out of bed and landing on a cold floor every morning, roll out a rug or two. Keep a rug just under the bed to add a warm, soft underfoot when you crawl into bed each night. You can also add a thick and luxurious bath rug outside the shower as well. See if your roommate wants to go in on a larger carpet that provides a foundation for the space and makes you both feel more comfortable.

#5 Decorate Your Walls with Memories

Dorm room walls can be a bit stale. Luckily, hanging up photos, art and decor can spice up a dorm room in a big way. But while it’s easy to throw up a poster or two and call it a day, try to make your wall space feel homier. Hang a flag from your home state or country and some photos of siblings and best friends. Decorate your walls with memories and things that remind you of home, along with some colorful decor to liven the place up. Do you hail from the New England coast? Download images of the fall leaves turning in your favorite park. Settling in from sunny California? Hang a few boho macrame plant holders with succulents to remind you of home.

#6 Get a Comfy Chair for a More Casual Space

Source: WichitS/Shutterstock.com

Chances are, you sit all day in a pretty rigid chair during classes. So when you come back to your dorm, give yourself somewhere to unwind and relax (that isn’t your bed). While it’s essential to have an office chair that provides good lumbar support when you need to get to studying, designate a corner of the room for relaxation. Look for a comfy chair that invites you to curl up with reading material and listen to music to decompress and relax. Not sure where to find a chair around campus? Keep an eye out for tag sales and yard sales or simply hit up a local thrift store. If you have a chair from your room at home, even better! Place a throw over the arm or back to make the chair more welcoming to you, new friends and dorm room guests.

#7 Use a Light Therapy Alarm Clock

Once daylight saving time kicks in and the days become shorter, getting sunlight becomes trickier — especially if you have your head down studying all day long. But instead of slipping into Seasonal Affective Disorder, get yourself a light therapy device that mimics the sunrise and helps you get out of bed each morning bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Able to set multiple timers, it can slowly wake you up in the morning and even greet you when you arrive at the dorm late at night after your study group.

#8 Stream Music

Songs can bring back lots of memories and even relax you after a long day. So if you are missing fall at home and your best buddies, share a playlist on Spotify or whatever music streaming app you use and listen to it wherever you want to unwind or simply miss hanging out. Also, consider setting up playlists for different activities, such as studying, partying, exercising or just relaxing at the park.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://distancebetweenplaces.com/?p=223

How to Upgrade Your Bedroom with Small Tweaks

Upgrading your bedroom is something of a dream. We all know how wonderful it feels to step into a freshly decorated space, featuring beautifully designed soft furnishings, elegant colour schemes and show stopping finishing touches. We have the perfect advice for you and your home, adding the building blocks to a complete, fresh, new interior style. 

The smaller details really make a difference when upgrading your space. From switches to plug sockets you can combine contrasting yet complementing electrical features around your room to really add finesse. Often, we forget about upgrading our plug sockets and switches, underestimating the impact this has on your home, not only from a safety angle, but from an aesthetic perspective also. Our personal favourites are a smoked bronze or brass dimmer switch or toggle switch. For beautiful bedroom ambience, a dimmer switch is perfect for setting the evening tone. 

Image Credit: Buster & Punch

For detailing around your headboard, introducing drop pendants either side of your bed to replace lamps and bedside tables is a perfect space saving technique whilst giving a luxe minimalist vibe throughout your bedroom. Controlling these each with separate dimmer switches allows you to create your own lighting either side of the room. Additionally, drop pendants make perfect reading lighting. 

If the space in your room allows you to, you can create a coffee corner. This is a space featuring a beautiful bedroom chair and small table as an additional space to relax and unwind. Featuring a beautiful furniture piece in your room creates an eye-catching focal point to the room, adding character and definition. If your space is more neutral, you can introduce a pop of colour here as an elegant contrasting piece. 

Let’s talk flooring. Flooring can transform your space entirely, and although it may not be considered a ‘small tweak’ it shows how something so simple can have a huge impact on the look and feel of a room. We absolutely adore a soft carpet in your comfort spaces such as a snug, office, or living room, and bedroom, the warm comforting touch on the soles of your feet is enough to bring anybody pure comfort. In a hallway and kitchen our top favourites are a herringbone style hardwood flooring or a neutral tile. The beauty of this being the ease of use and cleaning whilst featuring a crisp and clean finish. 

Lastly, your soft furnishings play a huge part in the design of your bedroom. More specifically here, your curtains and blinds. If you’re looking to keep the light out, consider a roman blind paired with thick, luxurious, lined curtains for added comfort. Nothing breaks a room up more and adds character better than beautifully designed curtains. For the more luxurious feel, consider a silver lined pleated curtain or other neutral metallic shades. 

Did you miss our previous article…
https://distancebetweenplaces.com/?p=221

3 Tips for Decluttering Your Home

There are many reasons a person might decide to declutter their belongings. Perhaps they have an upcoming move approaching, they’re downsizing to a space with less storage, or they might simply be dreaming of a living space with a lot less stuff. In any case, they need to cut down on the items around them, getting rid of things they don’t need and taking advantage of more effective storage options for those items they intend to keep.

As you embark on your decluttering journey, you may run into a wide range of obstacles and even more questions. For example, how should you handle the sheer number of items you have to sort through? Where can you find storage units near you? What should you do with the things you’re purging? Fortunately, a few particular tips can guide you through the decluttering process at home and beyond.

1. Find the right type of decluttering for you.

From Marie Kondo to The Home Edit, there’s no shortage of decluttering and organizing methods you can choose from, and each one has its legions of devoted followers who swear by their strategy of choice. However, your question shouldn’t be which method of organizing or decluttering is the most effective for most people. Instead, you should consider which option is the right fit for you.

Hot Mess House host Cas Aarssen utilizes this concept in her Clutterbug ideology, a set of four different organizing styles she’s seen in her clients. The same principle can be applied to decluttering. For example, should you sort through your items in large groupings, like the KonMari categories of clothes, books, papers, and so on, or will you have better results by categorizing your belongings further, such as decluttering tops, bottoms, dresses, and other subcategories within the larger umbrella of clothing? Once you’ve determined the most effective strategy for your unique needs and personality, the decluttering process will become much less overwhelming.

2. Figure out what to do with your existing belongings.

The belongings you keep and those you decide to discard will need to be dealt with beyond this initial declutter. For those things you plan to keep, what will you be doing with them? Ideally, you’d have delegated spaces within your home for everything you keep. However, your space doesn’t always work with your lifestyle. For instance, what if you’re embarking on RV life and are decluttering your belongings to fit in that small space, but you don’t want to lose their cherished heirlooms or other non-urgent items just because they’re not in the RV with you? In these cases, a storage facility may very well be your best bet. Just be sure to organize your storage unit to make sure your items are indeed organized and decluttered.

3. Find ways to dispose of the excess.

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There are other items that you won’t want to keep. It’s easy to toss out blatant trash, but other types of belongings might prove more difficult. Can that box be recycled? Where might you donate those old clothes? What should you do with that entire extra pile? Take some time to research how you should dispose of those items you’ve decluttered to ensure you’re doing so responsibly. Donations, trash, and even gifts can get unnecessary items out of your home or storage space and to a more appropriate destination.

When you stare at a pile of clutter, the sheer thought of purging and organizing can become intimidating. However, you can and will get through these items successfully. Simply spend some time considering the methods and minds that will work best for you, store your “keep” pile in an organized manner, and dispose of the decluttered excess responsibly. Then, enjoy your newfound extra space!

4 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving to A New House

Moving into a new home can be overwhelming, especially because you already have other significant responsibilities. It is common to make mistakes, but the fewer errors you make, the more pleasant and easy your move will be. It also helps in keeping the costs low during the entire process. When you are aware of the mistakes you need to avoid the next time you make your move, you will have a better experience. The following is a list of common mistakes to avoid when you are moving.

Last-minute packing

If you want to have all your things packed for the move, last-minute packing is not the way to go about it. To be adequately prepared, you will need to start arranging and organizing your belongings about a month in advance. Otherwise, you will get frustrated and overwhelmed. The last days should only be for putting in the final touches. 

If you want to have an easier transition, you should consider hiring a professional moving company Holland Movers. They will offer you expert packaging materials and services, which will also give you peace of mind.

Failing to set the correct budget

Developing a budget estimate is essential even though it is impossible to anticipate precisely how much it will cost for the entire moving process. Avoid the mistake most people make of abandoning your budget altogether. Having it will help you plan and know how much you’ll need. It will also mitigate the shock and unpleasantries that come with unexpected financial burdens.

Inadequate research 

There are a lot of moving companies available in the market. However, they don’t offer the same quality of services. So, to settle on the right company, you will need to do adequate research, and thankfully, there are many online resources at your disposal. Look up different companies, and don’t forget to read reviews and referrals from customers. Additionally, you could also ask for the estimates and forward any queries to the Moving Company Amsterdam

If you fail to do the due diligence and settle on the first company that comes up, you will be taking a significant risk. Such a mistake might cost you extra money and loss or damage to your belongings. Doing adequate research will also give you the chance to compare rates from different companies. 

Allocating too much time

 Don’t make the mistake of starting to pack too early. Apart from unnecessarily prolonging the process, you will also likely pack up things you need to use before moving. Having to unpack already packaged boxes will also result in disorganization and misplacing items.

Your move does not have to be challenging, nor should it become a hectic, burdensome task. Preparing adequately by taking the proper steps will come in handy. Always remember that unexpected things might come up regardless of the task at hand. It means that although it will help to have a budget and a plan for the entire process, some things will be out of your control. It will be helpful to take everything in good stride.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://distancebetweenplaces.com/?p=218

Pasta e Fagioli

The day after I get home from an international trip I always take the day off. I’ve found the best way to recover from jet lag is to not jump right back to work but instead take a full day off to rest, do my laundry from the trip, and eat healthy food. I found out on my journey home from Italy that it would be raining for a week back home in Northern California so I made up my mind to recreate an Italian soup to help with my recovery.

‘Pasta e Fagioli’ means “pasta and beans” and it’s an Italian soup made of meat, beans, vegetables, and pasta. ‘Pasta e Fagioli’ is the Venetian dialect but in the US, it’s also referred to as ‘Pasta Fazool’ from the southern Italian dialect. Sometimes made with pancetta, I made mine with ground beef like the one I had in Venice.

It’s tasty, hearty, and a perfect winter soup that’s ready to eat in one hour. I made this last night for dinner for my family, delicious!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 yellow onion (finely diced)

3 garlic cloves (finely diced)

1 lb. ground beef

1 32 oz. low sodium broth (vegetable or chicken)

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

1 15 oz. can kidney beans

10-12 diced baby carrots

1 cup small pasta shells

4-5 chopped fresh basil leaves (or 1 tbsp dried basil)

1 tbsp oregano

¾ tsp garlic powder

ground parmesan cheese (garnish)

To prepare: Dice the onion and garlic and soften for 2 minutes in a large soup pot on low heat in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Add the ground beef to the pot and stir until it’s cooked. Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced carrots, kidney beans, and pasta shells and bring mixture to a boil.

Boil on medium heat for 10 minutes until the pasta shells are cooked. Add the basil, oregano, and garlic powder and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve with garlic bread and a nice Italian or red wine!

Makes 4 servings.

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Pasta e Fagioli

Print this recipe
October 20, 2021by Kate RileyCuisineItalianCategory
Food + Recipes>
Serving Size 4 bowls
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Pasta e Fagioli

Ingredients

2 tbsp. olive oil>1/2 yellow onion (finely diced)>3 garlic cloves (finely diced)>1 lb. ground beef>1 32 oz. low sodium broth (vegetable or chicken)>1 15 oz can tomato sauce>1 15 oz. can kidney beans>10-12 diced baby carrots>1 cup small pasta shells>4-5 chopped fresh basil leaves (or 1 tbsp dried basil)>1 tbsp oregano>¾ tsp garlic powder>grated parmesan cheese (garnish)

Instructions

Dice the onion and garlic and soften for 2 minutes in a large soup pot on low heat in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the ground beef to the pot and stir until it’s cooked. Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced carrots, kidney beans, and pasta shells and bring mixture to a boil. Boil on medium heat for 10 minutes until the pasta shells are cooked. Add the basil, oregano, and garlic powder and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish with grated parmesan cheese. Serve with garlic bread and a nice Italian or red wine!© 2021 Copyright Centsational Style>
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Did you miss our previous article…
https://distancebetweenplaces.com/?p=185