Showing posts with label WINTER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WINTER. Show all posts
Dec 4, 2015
Now that December has arrived, it’s time to get your holiday
decorating game on. Decking your halls may be a breeze, (wrap some garland,
hang some mistletoe, trim the tree, and you’re basically set), but what about
your outdoor decor? If you’re a little stumped when it comes to getting your
yard yuletide ready, fear not – we’ve got some great ideas for you to try! Don’t
let your neighbor’s epic light show intimidate you, follow our advice and you
could have the best looking house on the block!
Wonderful Wreath –
We love this modern take on the traditional Christmas wreath. Instead of using
branches, you can make this beauty with a ceiling medallion (found at most
hardware stores). Add a bit of bright green paint and a ribbon and you’re good
to go.
Image via HGTV
Beautiful Bundles
– These rustic balls of holiday lights add a festive feeling to your outdoor
space. Place them on your porch, in birdbaths, and up trees to cast some
beautiful light on your wintry yard.
Image via Better Homes and Gardens
Ornate Ornaments
– Hang some ornaments from your porch to add some holiday whimsy to your
entryway. We especially like the use of white and silver balls here, to imitate
the effect of falling snow (plus they look great with the green!).
Image via Home Stories from A to Z
Vivacious Votives
– Light your porch or walkway with sweet and simple votives. Adding a layer
rock or Epsom salt for the candle to sit on will help keep things safe (you
know what they say about unattended flames!) and looking good.
Image via HGTV
Lovely Lanterns –
Too many little legs coming in and out of your house to make having live flames
a good idea? That’s ok; try this neat lantern! Filled with brightly colored
ornaments and some white lights, it’s a like a little burst of holiday cheer!
Image via Dimples & Tangles
Sweet Snowflakes –
Live in a place that doesn’t get much snow or having an unseasonably warm
winter? This snowflake garland is a great way to turn even the greenest,
warmest spaces in to a winter wonderland!
Image via Martha Stewart
Playful Pallet Tree –
If your trees are too high to climb, too delicate to trim, or non-existent, try
making a palette tree! Fairly straightforward to build, they can have a nice
rustic effect on your yard.
Image via Buzzmills
Stupendous Sign –
Spread the joy this season (literally) with a fun sign on your porch! We’re big
fans of the wreath instead of an O, and the scene the surrounding mittens and
skates create.
Image via Fynes Designs
Wicked Wrapping –
Ok, let’s wrap it up, (your tree that is!). Instead of simply hanging your
lights in your trees, try wrapping them around! This is such a neat look, and
definitely worth trying if you really want to show your neighbors up!
Image via Christmas Lights Etc.
We hope these ideas help you spread some holiday cheer in
your neighborhood. Make sure to share some get shots of your holiday decor with
@HomeShows on Twitter and Instagram. We love seeing what you create!
Nov 27, 2015
After a long day of work, it doesn’t get much better than
curling up with a nice steaming mug of cocoa and the people you love. Whether
you’re coming home from hitting the stores, slopes, or office, nothing beats
being able to relax with a tasty treat and your family. This holiday season,
instead of preparing your typical pre-packaged hot chocolate, why not try
something a little more luxurious? We’ve combed the internet and found eight
delicious, original recipes you’ve got to sample! Sip them with a good book,
blanket, and a cookie – or two!
Spicy – Sure
cocoa should be hot, but should it be spicy? Short answer: yes! Long answer:
HECK YES! Add a pinch of chili pepper to dark chocolate and see how much you like
it.
Image via Luvo
Gingerbread –
Adding a touch of liquor to hot chocolate can help warm even the coldest
hearts. Don’t go straight for the whiskey or brandy though, opting for a
sweeter more flavorful style can complement your hot chocolate nicely.
Image via Pop Sugar
Junior Mint – This
holiday season, try turning one of your favorite candies into hot chocolate! It
can be done (and it’s not even too tricky!).
Chai – Being on a
vegan diet doesn’t mean no more hot chocolate. It doesn’t even mean no more
fancy hot chocolate. This chai infused hot chocolate is creamy, rich,
delicious, and totally vegan. You’re welcome!
Image via Fit Foodie Finds
Image via Fit Foodie Finds
Almond Joy – Not a fan of Junior Mints? That’s ok. Here’s
another candy-inspired hot chocolate recipe. Friends, say hello to the Almond
Joy hot chocolate.
Black Cherry Bourbon - Dark chocolate, cherry bourbon, and a little whip cream? Yes please!
Image via Sweet & Crunchy Blog
Black Cherry Bourbon - Dark chocolate, cherry bourbon, and a little whip cream? Yes please!
Image via Sugar & Soul
White Fudge Oreo –
You may have dipped cookies in your hot chocolate, but have you ever made hot
chocolate out of your cookies? It might sound a little backwards, but it tastes
delicious!
Image via Sweet C's Designs
Red Velvet – We
saved the best for last! This is one of the more complex recipes on the list,
but man is it delicious. If you love red velvet, this is a must-make treat!
Image via Honey What's Cooking
We hope these recipes help keep you warm, full, and happy
this winter! Making one of these creative concoctions? Share your best cocoa
shots with us on Instagram and Twitter! We love seeing what our fans cook up.
Nov 6, 2015
Does winter’s imminent approach have you ready to hibernate?
Would you rather flee than ski when you see snow? Don’t worry, you aren’t
alone. For every person that loves making snowmen and sledding down big hills,
there’s someone who’d rather stay inside with some cocoa and a good book. If
early nights, chilly winds, and blustery days turn you into a hermit, make sure
you’ve got the coziest space to hide out in. We’ve got four tips to transform
your bedroom decor and keep you cozy and warm until June. Here’s what you need
for a long winter’s nap.
Warm Palette – Rich
hues like rose gold, copper, and gray are what your bedroom needs this winter.
They’re pleasing to the eye, not too bright or dark, and using them in a
monochromatic color scheme will help make your space seem larger. We especially
love the rose gold in the image below. This luxurious shade is a fun step away
from the traditional grays that have dominated most color palettes, while still
letting you enjoy all the advantages of a more subtle scheme.
Image via Apartment Therapy
Soft Lighting – Since
it gets dark much earlier in the winter, creating a cozy space during this
season is all about finding the right lighting. Anything too intense can be
jarring, but you run the risk of making things gloomy if you choose something too
dim. We’re a fan of these sweet fixtures. Their industrial aesthetic adds a
sense of modernity to the space, and will keep things bright without being too
overpowering.
Image via Lonny
Plush Textiles – Soft,
thick carpeting, bedding, and pillows all contribute to a cozy space. You want
to create an environment you can easily curl up in, and plush textiles all lend
themselves to this goal. These luxurious elements help eliminate the rough
edges of the room, and subsequently the world, making it easier to drift to
sleep.
Image via Marcus Design
Rustic Accents – There’s
something about exposed beams and bricks that make us want to get under a
blanket and read Dickens. Maybe not everyone has this response, but we feel
like it’s pretty universal. Using simple accents takes us back to a simpler
time, and invites a sense of coziness and comfort into a room.
Image via Craft Hunter
We hope these ideas help you create a comfortable, cozy
bedroom this winter. If you refresh your bedroom decor for the season, make
sure to share snaps of your new space with us! Tweet or Instagram @HomeShows your
pictures with the hashtag #WinterWonderland – we’d love to see what you create!
Nov 18, 2014
With the nights getting longer, the days colder, and snow on the horizon, there's no denying it: winter's on its way. While it doesn't technically arrive until next month there's already a pretty strong chill in the air. As energy prices continue to rise heating your home this winter could be very expensive. To help you cut costs, we've compiled a list of simple measures you can undertake to make your home more energy efficient. Spending less on your energy bills means you'll have more to put towards your heating costs. Check out our list below and start saving today.
1. Be smart about when you use your major appliances - Did you know there are peak times for energy consumption? A time is considered peak when there's consistently more energy being consumed during that period. It's more expensive to use energy at these times. For many areas peak times are on weekday mornings and early evenings. Using your major appliances in off peak times can go a long way on your energy bill. Be conscious of when you're running your dishwasher or doing a load of laundry.
2. Don't let the heat out - Seal your windows, doors, and any cracks in your foundation. It's harder to heat a home where cold air has a lot of entry points. Closing them up will keep the heat in and the cold out, and it also helps to protect against bugs and rodents.
3. Think first - Before you open the refrigerator think about what you'd like. Standing with the fridge door open for a few moments may not seem like a particularly wasteful or expensive habit, but it adds up. Pausing to decide what you'd like to eat before opening the fridge is a simple but effective way to reduce energy consumption.
4. Switch to energy efficient bulbs - Choosing the more energy efficient version of any appliance or system will help to lessen the energy usage in your home. That said, energy efficient appliances are expensive and it's not often that you have to replace these items. However, you do have to replace your light bulbs on a more frequent basis, and their energy efficient counterparts are available for a very reasonable price. If you're due to replace any of your major appliances definitely select an energy efficient model. If not, get energy efficient bulbs the next time you need them.
We've outlined some very straightforward and non-invasive actions you can take to make your home more energy efficient. Would you be interested in reading about more complex measures homeowners can try to make their properties even more efficient? Let us know below.
1. Be smart about when you use your major appliances - Did you know there are peak times for energy consumption? A time is considered peak when there's consistently more energy being consumed during that period. It's more expensive to use energy at these times. For many areas peak times are on weekday mornings and early evenings. Using your major appliances in off peak times can go a long way on your energy bill. Be conscious of when you're running your dishwasher or doing a load of laundry.
Image via House & Home
Consult your electric company to learn exactly when your area's peak times are.
2. Don't let the heat out - Seal your windows, doors, and any cracks in your foundation. It's harder to heat a home where cold air has a lot of entry points. Closing them up will keep the heat in and the cold out, and it also helps to protect against bugs and rodents.
Image via Apartment Therapy
3. Think first - Before you open the refrigerator think about what you'd like. Standing with the fridge door open for a few moments may not seem like a particularly wasteful or expensive habit, but it adds up. Pausing to decide what you'd like to eat before opening the fridge is a simple but effective way to reduce energy consumption.
Image via House & Home
4. Switch to energy efficient bulbs - Choosing the more energy efficient version of any appliance or system will help to lessen the energy usage in your home. That said, energy efficient appliances are expensive and it's not often that you have to replace these items. However, you do have to replace your light bulbs on a more frequent basis, and their energy efficient counterparts are available for a very reasonable price. If you're due to replace any of your major appliances definitely select an energy efficient model. If not, get energy efficient bulbs the next time you need them.
Image via NPR
We've outlined some very straightforward and non-invasive actions you can take to make your home more energy efficient. Would you be interested in reading about more complex measures homeowners can try to make their properties even more efficient? Let us know below.
Nov 4, 2014
What’s on
your “To Do” list right now? If cleaning out your gutters or eaves isn’t on
there, grab a pen! We know it’s a busy time of year and that this is not a
glamorous task, but trust us you do not want to leave this chore to the last
minute. It’s much easier to take care of now, before the temperature dips
dramatically and the wind begins to whip. It’s not safe or fun to be on a
ladder in the snow.
As much as we
might try to deny it, winter is coming. It’s a harsh season on your home, and
your roof feels the brunt of its effects. Heaps of snow, ice, and sleet
have the potential to cause serious damage. Cleaning your gutters before winter
is in full force can help to protect your roof and your property.
Over the
course of the year dirt and debris will accumulate in your gutters. Without a
regular cleaning this buildup can impact how well your gutters work. It acts as
a barrier, limiting the amount of water that can pass through. Gutters exist to
collect the water that falls from the sky and drips off your roof. It moves
through the gutter, down the downspout, and away from your home. If any part of
that process is disrupted it greatly increases the chance of water seeping into
your home. When water can’t move through your gutter it will remain there until
it overflows onto your roof. Should that happen, there is a much higher
possibility of it deteriorating your shingles, permeating your roof, and
leaking into your home.
When your
shingles experience this type of wear and tear often, (clogged gutters
continually overflowing water onto and under them), you could have more significant
and costly issues on your hands. It’s best to avoid these headaches altogether
by cleaning your gutters regularly – at least once every spring and fall.
If you simply
don’t have the time to take care of this chore, consider hiring someone.
Referral websites like Angie’s List and HomeStars will help you find someone reliable
in your area. And, while you’re making sure your gutters are in good working
order, take a look at your downspouts as well. They should extend at least six
feet from your home to properly direct water away from your foundation.
Completing these easy chores now will help protect your home for many months to
come.
Oct 8, 2014
Fall is in full swing. The leaves are beginning to turn, deciding to leave your jacket behind is becoming less and less of an option, and there's pumpkin flavored everything at your local coffee shop. We hate to say it, but hot on the heels of fall's arrival is a particularly unsavory character: Old Man Winter. It may be too soon to start talking about this dreaded season, (the amount of snow we are or aren't getting does tend to dominate most conversations for about three months so let's give it a rest for now), but it's not too early to prepare for winter's effects on your home. The blustery winds, severe snowfalls, and freeze-thaw cycles we experience during the winter can be hard on properties. So before the snow begins to fall and the ever-dropping temperature makes it harder and harder to be outside comfortably, try tackling the winter prep maintenance we've outlined below - your home and your wallet will thank you.
1. Seal up your home - Use caulking or weatherstripping to seal any of your home's cracks. Pay close attention to your foundation, windows, and doors. Although these little openings may seem inconsequential, fixing them will help to keep the heat in your home - when houses aren't sealed properly they get drafty and costly to heat. Not only that, it can also make a difference when it comes to deterring bugs and pests who are looking for a warm place to hide out from the cold.
2. Inspect your roof - As long as it's safe, get up on your roof and check or any damaged shingles or flashings. (If your roof is too steep to look at safely, grab your binoculars and take a look from a more reasonable height). If you notice any areas that look suspect, contact a roofing specialist. Should you encounter a problem, you want to make sure to catch it before there's a pile of snow on your roof slowly melting and seeping into your attic or forming an ice dam. Not sure where to find a reliable roofing company? Check out referral websites like Angie's List and HomeStars. Their user reviews will help you find a reputable individual or company to work with.
3. Change your furnace filter - You should be checking your filter about once a month. If it has accumulated a considerable amount of dust, it's time to change or clean it, (depending on the type of filter you have - some are disposable, some aren't). If your filter isn't dirty, put it back and check it again next month. Clean filters help your furnace to operate more efficiently and can even prolong its lifespan.
Home maintenance is one of the less fun things about fall's arrival, so we have to ask: what's your favorite thing about fall? What are you most looking forward to? We're definitely excited about our fall home shows! Check out the Marketplace Events home show nearest you to get expert advice and inspiration for every area of your home - US Shows & Canadian Shows.
1. Seal up your home - Use caulking or weatherstripping to seal any of your home's cracks. Pay close attention to your foundation, windows, and doors. Although these little openings may seem inconsequential, fixing them will help to keep the heat in your home - when houses aren't sealed properly they get drafty and costly to heat. Not only that, it can also make a difference when it comes to deterring bugs and pests who are looking for a warm place to hide out from the cold.
Image via House & Home
2. Inspect your roof - As long as it's safe, get up on your roof and check or any damaged shingles or flashings. (If your roof is too steep to look at safely, grab your binoculars and take a look from a more reasonable height). If you notice any areas that look suspect, contact a roofing specialist. Should you encounter a problem, you want to make sure to catch it before there's a pile of snow on your roof slowly melting and seeping into your attic or forming an ice dam. Not sure where to find a reliable roofing company? Check out referral websites like Angie's List and HomeStars. Their user reviews will help you find a reputable individual or company to work with.
Image via House & Home
3. Change your furnace filter - You should be checking your filter about once a month. If it has accumulated a considerable amount of dust, it's time to change or clean it, (depending on the type of filter you have - some are disposable, some aren't). If your filter isn't dirty, put it back and check it again next month. Clean filters help your furnace to operate more efficiently and can even prolong its lifespan.
Tip: Measure your furnace filter before you go to the hardware store to buy a new one.
Image via Bob Vila
Sep 5, 2012
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