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Kick Up The Fun: Creative Ways To Tie Your Shoes

April 3, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

You can tie your shoes in the usual way, or you can kick up the fun and try out some creative ways to tie your shoes. Do you realize that there are actually a lot of fun ways to tie your shoes? There’s no reason not to try them. Stick around and check these out!

Creative ways to tie your shoes

This diagram shows you some creative, but still pretty basic ways to tie your shoes. It all just depends on how you thread the laces through the eyelets on your shoes. Skipping every other eyelet, lacing from the back, or starting from the top instead of the bottom are all some easy ways to start tying your laces in more creative ways.

The laces on any type of shoe add a fun kick when they’re tied creatively, and it doesn’t matter if they’re sneakers, boots or work shoes. Speaking of sneakers, check out how to clean your white shoes and keep them looking their best. Here are some additional creative ways to tie your shoes:

Straight European-style–tie the laces in straight horizontal lines across the front of the shoe, with diagonal lines in the back.
Straight bar laces–tie the shoes with the laces running straight across the front and in back, so no diagonals are visible in back.
Commando style–this style is reminiscent of the military. One end of the lace is anchored at the bottom, and the other end is tied off at the top.
Waffle lacing–run the laces through the eyelets twice in a two steps forward, one step back formation. This results in a waffle pattern on the top of the shoe.
Lattice–similar to the waffle style, but there is less weaving and a simpler look.
Knotted lacing–add an overhand knot at each crossover between eyelets. This makes the lacing much firmer.
Starburst– tie all the vertical lacing is hidden in back. The front laces all come together and cross at the middle of the shoe.

This is just a small sampling of the many creative ways to tie your shoes. For more creative ways with diagrams, visit Ian’s Shoelace Site.

Mildly Disgusting Areas To Clean That Get Overlooked

March 28, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

Most of us are guilty of having mildly disgusting areas to clean that get overlooked, simply because it’s easy to overlook them. So this post is all about reminding us all {myself included!} what these areas are so we can stay on top of them. That way, they won’t progress from only mildly disgusting to down right gross!

Areas to clean that get overlooked

It’s easy to keep up on the laundry, the dishes, the mopping and the dusting, because those areas get disgusting fast if you don’t. But what about things that are much less obvious? You should have a cleaning schedule for those things too. Here’s a list of those areas to clean that get overlooked pretty often.

Under rugs

How often do you remember to clean underneath your area rugs? If you’re like me, definitely not as often as you should! Even though area rugs cover the floor, they don’t protect it from dirt as well as we think they do. At least monthly, lift the rug and vacuum underneath. The edges in particular will still trap dirt and debris. And about twice a year, lift and rotate your area rugs 180 degrees to prolong their life.

Underneath appliances

The floor underneath your appliances, as well as the wall behind them, surely gets mildly disgusting if you don’t move them periodically and clean underneath. You’re apt to find a few dust bunnies, stray pieces of food, and who knows what else. Make a habit of adding this job to your seasonal cleaning routine. Then you can rest easy about may be lurking underneath your appliances.

Under couch cushions

Notice a theme here? Another mildly disgusting spot that gets overlooked is under and between the cushions of your couch, loveseat or sectional. This is something that I just add to my vacuuming routine, because crumbs have a way of building up, in spite of “no food on the couch” rules! While you’re at it, vacuum underneath the couch itself, and launder the pillow covers.

Hidden bathroom offenders

Let’s move into the bathroom, where there are some hidden spots that get overlooked in regular cleaning. These include behind the toilet, on top of the shower doors, and the inside of the toothbrush holder. The toothbrush holder is easy–just add it to the dishwasher when you clean the bathroom.

Cellphone

When was the last time you cleaned your cell phone? I clean mine pretty frequently. If you think about everywhere you take your phone, it’s not hard to imagine the nasty bacteria and viruses that are lurking on the surface. Wipe that baby down with a disinfecting wipe every day. You just might stay healthier!

Now that you know the areas to clean that get overlooked, you can add them to your cleaning schedule. Don’t you feel better already? Before you go, check out our post featuring 10 Life-changing Cleaning Hacks!

Rise & Shine: 4 Easy Steps To Become A Morning Person

March 21, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

Would you like to become a morning person? There are some really good reasons why you should consider it. There are countless successful people out there who swear by the same thing–they use the early morning hours to get and stay ahead of the curve. The good news is that even if you aren’t really a morning person at heart, you can become one. Or at least fake it! Here are 4 easy steps to become a morning person.

4 easy steps to become a morning person

Early to bed, early to rise

I know this is rough for some, but if you want to become a morning person, think about going to bed earlier than you have been. Even a half hour makes a positive difference when you want to trick yourself into becoming a morning person. When the alarm does go off, it’s much better not to touch that “snooze” button! You can restart a sleep cycle if you do, and that just makes it harder in the long run. Just take a deep breath, stretch a little, and get up.

No devices in bed

It really will be easier to become a morning person if you make a new rule: no devices in bed at night! Studies show that the blue light emitted by your cellphone does interfere with restful sleep. If you sleep better, you awake more refreshed, and mornings are easier. See our Sleep-ish Ideas For a Good Night’s Rest.

Start your day with something you love

It might be a cup of coffee, some personal meditation time, or a hot shower, but when you do wake up start your day with something you love and look forward to each day. It’s just one way to trick your brain into loving the idea of mornings. Starting your day with something you love is a way to establish morning time as a time for you to invest in yourself.

Get your blood moving!

Once you get up and do that very first thing you love, don’t let another half hour go by without getting your blood moving. That means some form of exercise. It doesn’t have to be an all out HIIT workout. This is just a quick “get moving” routine that will stimulate your brain and body. Some yoga or an outdoor walk are perfect!

Follow these 4 easy steps to become a morning person and you will soon feel much more productive and successful each day.

Famous Failures That Motivate Us To Keep Going

March 13, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

Do you ever feel like a failure? Take heart, because a lot of really incredible people have true stories of their own famous failures. Sometimes when everything in life seems to be going wrong, it’s easy to feel like a failure. But instead of telling yourself you’re a failure, remember that failure is actually just a bump on the road to success. The only real way to fail is to stop trying. Read on for some inspiring stories of famous failures that motivate us to keep going.

JK Rowling

Perhaps one of the most well-known famous failures is the story of JK Rowling, best-selling author of the Harry Potter series. Before Rowling became the crazy successful author she is today, she was a poverty-stricken, divorced mother with no job. These failures occurred within a short time after her college graduation. Thankfully for millions of children who previously hated reading, JK Rowling decided to chase her dream of becoming an author. And she didn’t give up!

Albert Einstein

What do you think of when you hear the name Albert Einstein? Genius? So do millions of people today. But that didn’t stop Einstein from some famous failures. As a child, he could not even speak fluently until after he had turned nine years of age! He was also a rebellious kid, and as a result was kicked out of school. He was later turned away from the Polytechnic School in Zürich. Ultimately, Einstein kept going and achieved success status through his theory of relativity. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1921!

Abraham Lincoln

One of the most beloved presidents of the United States failed in his first run for president in 1856. Before that, he lost a business in 1831 and then suffered a nervous breakdown four years later. President Lincoln taught us all not to be content with our failures, but to keep trying regardless of the risk. Nowhere did he demonstrate this determined attitude better than during the Civil War.

Walt Disney

Walt Disney is responsible for untold millions of happy childhood memories! But are you aware of the failures he experienced on his way to becoming the Walt Disney we think of today? As a young boy, he wanted to join the Army so he dropped out of school. However, the Army denied him entrance. Later, an attempt at his own business went bankrupt. He was also fired from a newspaper because he was “not creative.” What would have happened if he had listened to that mistaken judgement?

Incidentally, are you taking your kids to Disneyland? Check out these DIY Mickey Mouse Ear Hand Bands you can make first. Walt Disney himself would appreciate your creativity!

What do we learn from these famous failures?

Clearly, “failure” isn’t the end of the road, unless we stop walking. Everyone experiences failure to some degree, but what really determines the failure is our response to it. Follow the patterns set by these famous failures and many others–just keep going in spite of the odds. You can do it!

Spring Break Destinations That Avoid College Students

March 6, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

So you’re thinking about spring break destinations, but you don’t want to share your relaxation time with a slew of college students. I can relate! A bunch of partying college students isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. If this is you, stick around for today’s post. I’ve got a list of wonderful spring break destinations that avoid college students. You’re gonna love it!

Campground spring break destinations

First off, by not going to a beach, you have a better chance at avoiding college students. If you’ve got kids who are going on spring break with you, camping might be just the perfect getaway for all of you to enjoy. Camping has a lot to offer during spring break. If you choose the right area, the weather will be nice without being hot. Depending on what’s nearby, you can engage in hiking and fishing activities as a family. And nothing compares to hanging out in the peacefulness of nature! Consider these campground spring break destinations:

Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
Point Mugu State Park in California
Bahia Honda State Park in Florida
Gulf State Park in Alabama
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah

Warm spring break destinations to avoid

You might want a beach vacation for your spring break, and there are some where you are less likely to encounter college students. However, it’s probably easier to list the spring break destinations that you should definitely avoid. Some of these you may already be aware of, but these are spots that historically attract large numbers of college students. Avoid these destinations:

South Padre Island in Texas
Key West, Florida
Panama City, Florida
Las Vegas, Nevada
New Orleans, Louisiana
Miami, Florida
Lake Havasu, Nevada
Places in Mexico, including Mazatlan, Cabo, and Cancun
Nassau, Bahamas

There are also numerous cruises that depart from some of the ports in these areas, and they also attract college students. Carnival tends to be a cruise line known for the young people who cruise during spring break. Your travel agent is a good resource to locate cruises that avoid college students.

Check out our helpful post with beach hacks for the best summer {or spring break} ever!

Home Remedies For Sore Muscles

February 27, 2019 by Katie Jones Leave a Comment

If you’ve got muscles, you need home remedies for sore muscles. And we all do, right? Who hasn’t experienced the soreness and pain after a hard workout, a long day, or a game of Horse? It’s helpful to know what you should do to relieve sore muscles and get back to feeling like yourself. Check out these handy home remedies for sore muscles!

Home Remedies for Sore Muscles

Most people can easily treat their sore muscle pain by following a simple acronym you’re probably already familiar with: RICE.

Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

Rest is pretty self-explanatory. Rest the affected muscle or muscle group to reduce pain and inflammation. While resting, it’s a great time to apply an ice pack, which further reduces the inflammation of a strained muscle. Ice should be cycled rather than used continuously. For example, try icing the muscle for 20 minutes, and then removing the ice for an hour or two. Then ice again for another 20 minutes. Repeat three or four times per day to relieve the pain and soreness.

Compression refers to a compression bandage. Wrap the affected area snugly {but not too tight!} to lightly “compress” the muscle and provide soothing relief and support as it heals. Compression is also helpful to reduce swelling if there is any.

Elevate your feet to reduce inflammation of sore leg muscles. This is also easy to include in your rest period!

More Home Remedies for Sore Muscles

Stretching and massage is another incredibly helpful home remedy for sore muscles. Have you ever seen a foam roller? They are available in a smooth finish, or a knobby finish as pictured above, for varying degrees of self-massage of sore muscles. The knobby surface provides more of a deep tissue massage and is great for penetrating the soft tissue layer of sore muscles. You can buy one by clicking over to Amazon.

Over-the-counter pain relievers are another thing to keep in your arsenal of home remedies for sore muscles. Tylenol is great for pain, and Ibuprofen such as Motrin or Advil is perfect for reducing inflammation. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about which is better for you.