The great thing about backyards is that they give us a lot of room for tinkering. Depending on the available surface, you can make new constructions and other additions. In the end, it is basically an empty property, and you can do anything you please with it. Nevertheless, most people will still use their backyard for rest and recreation. In the end, there is nothing better than spending some quality time outside.

This is precisely why we made a list of five luxurious options that can totally revamp your backyard and give a new, fresh spin to it!

Grotto

Instead of investing in high-tech pool pumps and other accessories, it is much better to make some additions to the pool itself. Having a pool is simply not enough; you have to do something with it! Grotto is an amazing option that allows you to have some intimacy. It is a perfect addition for young couples as it puts a lovable spin to an already romantic pool. You can even use the top of the grotto as a pool slide. I am sure your kids will love it! If you still need some pool pump equipment, you can check ForPumps store.

 Hedge

Now, I am not saying you should build a hedge maze but there are definitely several things you can do with hedges. Besides the obvious decoration of your backyard borders, you can also place them within the backyard itself. If you wish, you can use it for pathways or to place boundaries around pool area. The options are infinite, and they will instill a new life within the space.

 Relaxation area

Most families have a patio where they place a table and relax. However, if you wish to do something more luxurious and extravagant, you can create an entire relaxation area. It will be like a covered patio where you will be protected from a sudden rain or wind. This area should provide more options than a standard table plus chairs setup. For example, you can put a bed here together with a big-screen TV. You can recreate the living room without having to stay cooped up inside during summer.

 Treehouse retreat

If you are more of an adventurous type, you can go for a treehouse retreat. However, keep in mind that this option requires some time, especially if you do not have a big tree to support the construction. Basically, you can create an outdoor relaxation or dinner area on a tree. It is like a treehouse which needs a properly accessibility. If you wish, you can use it for guests or just to for relaxation. Due to its positioning, you will have an awesome view!

Barbecue area

The backyard is the perfect place for a barbecue. However, you can do much more with it than simply setting up a grill and firing it up. You can create an improvised outdoor kitchen. The main reason to do so is to have a covered area. Even if it starts raining, you can be certain that no meat will be lost. This is especially amazing for spring and autumn parties when weather quickly changes. The area will still be open from the sides so you can enjoy some fresh air. You can place fans on top of the construction to regulate the odors and smoke. Lastly, you can set up a table and chair so you can eat as soon as the food is finished.

 

Conclusion

A pool is the first thing that pops to our head when we talk about backyard luxuries. As you can see, there is much more you can do with this space. Just let your imagination run wild, and you will certainly find a perfect way of utilizing the area.

Getting fit don’t have to be expensive. You don’t have to pay membership fees to an overpriced gym or wait in line to use the treadmill. You can exercise and have your workout right at the convenience of your own home at your private home gym.

If you used to workout at a gym, you would have to agree that it’s busy, with some people waiting to use specific equipment, and with sweat on benches, machines, and even walls. The amount of time you spend at a gym is also affected by how soon you can travel to the gym. To get more out of your workout, why not build your own home gym?

How big should your home gym be?

Your home gym can start by just being a few square feet. It can be an unused basement, a spare room or even a closet that you converted into a space. The idea is to start small and then build as you go along. Having a home gym also means being with your family. And when you have little kids around, it may be difficult to concentrate on your workout. If this is your situation, make sure that your home gym will be a space that is entirely for your workout. Having fewer distractions means that you will have effective workout sessions.

What about price?

When it comes to the budget, a home gym doesn’t have to be expensive. From the space to the equipment, you can create a functional home gym with a budget of $1000 or less. The amount, of course, will depend on how much you are going to invest in designing or renovating your space as well as on the equipment that you will be purchasing. If you already have equipment on hand, then you can save further. It would be best to figure out what you are training for since the exercise equipment that you need to acquire will be based on your workout objectives.

A great way to save on equipment is to look at classified ads for fitness equipment as well as from auction sites. And a good time to buy would be during February. This is because most of the fitness equipment that was given as Christmas, presents and went unused is sold at auction sites. It’s also worth checking out some reviews before you make any purchases. Among the essential equipment that you need are a barbell and plate set, a bench, rack, flooring, and kettlebells or dumbbells. The biggest and most expensive equipment that you have to consider is a rack. So if you plan on getting one as you expand your home gym, make sure to allot enough space to accommodate it.

Creating the perfect atmosphere

In renovating your space, create an atmosphere that will motivate you to exercise. You can paint the walls, hang posters, and set up a sound system to help you get into the zone. You don’t have to install mirrors in all corners of the room. Investing in one full-length mirror will do so you can see yourself while you work out. Remember to start simple and improve the atmosphere as you go along.

However, even though building a home gym may seem like a pretty good idea; it is not for everyone. There are people who enjoy taking classes and are motivated by being in a group or by seeing others workout. Some may be more effective training by themselves while there are also others who need assistance. So before you go big, it’s okay to start small and start with only the basics that you would need. Once you already have the momentum, you can build upon what you started and make upgrades to your home gym.

 

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kroger. The opinions and text are all mine.

Can you believe it’s almost Spring? I have to admit our weather in GA has actually been pretty nice this winter! However, as winter starts to fade; I know we often find our minds turning once again to outdoor living, barbeques and relaxing on the patio. But hold up, has neglect throughout the winter months left your patio sad and tired, like mine? I admit our patio is looking awful, and today I’m going to share some tips on how you can update your outdoor living space just in time for Spring without breaking the bank!

Patio Furniture

Patio furniture is exposed to all the harsh elements such as wind, rain and hail. It gets treated way more roughly than indoor furniture yet we offer it little to no TLC. So, go ahead and give your wooden furniture a coat of protective oil and maybe some paint! Additionally, put new cushions on the sun lounges each year when spring-time rolls around. Even the smallest touches can make a big difference to your patio area and if your furniture is looking tired, then spend some time rejuvenating it.

On the other hand, If you’re like me just throw it out and upgrade! Any excuse will do and right now is the perfect time! Thankfully, Kroger is helping you get prepared for spring & summer early! Six Kroger divisions now have their new patio furniture and accessories already in stores as of Friday February 26th! However, since I’m all about saving money, I feel it’s only right to give you a sneak peak of this awesome upcoming sale starting March 1st! Just take a look at these prices below!

But Hurry these prices are only good through March 7th! So be sure find your local Kroger store today!

Accessorize

This could be as simple as throwing some new colorful cushions on to your existing furniture, buying a new color umbrella, or even going wild and painting your terracotta pots in bright or bold colors. Plus, with the help of Pinterest you can find a lot of great decorating ideas for stuff that you already have!

The truth is you don’t have to buy expensive garden accessories to make your outdoor living look nice! Your local Kroger also has a great selection of accessories to help you create the perfect patio this year so make sure to check them out before going anywhere else!

Think outside the box

A small garden or patio doesn’t necessarily mean small ideas; think laterally and work upwards and outwards – a good trellis system will allow your plants to grow skywards while an espaliered fruit tree will take up very little room. Keep plants from becoming messy and invading your limited space with regular pruning and containment in colourful pots.

Create spaces

Use your furniture to create specific areas. For instance, large potted plants can help create natural screens to section off different parts of your garden and patio. Big cushions casually thrown on a swing or bench will create a vibe that’s conducive to lounging around while a classic wrought-iron table and chairs placed elsewhere (laid with some fun games) will encourage guests to lazily spend some time over a board game or a round of cards. Have fun, be bold and make your patio space unique and personal for your family!

I hope these ideas help you get started creating and updating your patio this spring and don’t forget to check out Kroger’s patio selections and let me know what you find!

Stay Connected:

For the latest news, updates, ideas and sales be sure to follow Kroger on these social media networks Facebook | Twitter |Pinterest |YouTube

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Have you recently completed or planning a makeover of your outdoor area? Leave your styling suggestions in the comments below.

You go to work and come home, and your home is flooded. You have no idea where the water is coming from and start checking the sinks, tubs, and showers, but find nothing. You have nothing left to do but contact an emergency plumber.

The problem with this scenario is that you may not know anything about this company but randomly called from the telephone book, and you get a plumber who is going to charge you thousands of dollars when it was actually an easy fix.

Before you need an emergency plumbing company, it is best to start your search long before something goes wrong. Talk with family and friends about the company they use.

Once you have found a few that you might wish to use, use this checklist to ask questions:

• How long have you been in business?
• Do you work on refrigerators?
• Do you work on spas and saunas?
• What products do you use?
• Can you provide licensing?
• Can you provide references?

Ask about different scenarios when you might need a plumber so you can get a quote if anything does occur. You may learn that some will not even provide a guesstimate while others will offer a range. It would be best to go with a company that will at least provide you with a price range with the idea that you know it could be a bit below or above this first figure.

Also call references and ask questions. Did the company perform a professional task? Did it take longer than they stated? Did they stay close to their quote? How far from the quote was the actual price?

The one thing you should remember is that to ensure you never have issues like this; it would be best to have your plumbing checked at least twice yearly just like you do your air conditioner and heater. This way, you will never be surprised when a part wears out and causes a flood. You can have the worn part replaced before anything bad occurs.

Never try to do the work yourself, if the floor is flooded, you can be in danger from electrocution or may cause other damages if you are not sure where or what the plumbing problem is and do not have the knowledge on how to fix the issue. It is always best to use a professional that has the education and experience to ensure that all goes right the first time.

 

Today’s post is brought to you by Acorn and Scrubbing Bubbles®. All opinions are my own.

 

It’s officially spring, and I’m currently in full spring cleaning mode. If you are a long-time reader, I am sure you know that I actually LOVE spring cleaning by now! However, I admit this year I was not prepared for the mess I found in my teen daughter’s bathroom! The truth is the teens are responsible for their own bathrooms and bedrooms, unless I am doing a deep cleaning. So, when I walked into her bathroom, I was shocked, to say the least! The bath didn’t look like it had been cleaned in forever and my daughter’s hair was everywhere, which is one of my biggest pet peeves!

Thankfully, I had just got back from Walmart with the only cleaner that I trust when it comes to cleaning my bathroom, and that’s Scrubbing Bubbles^®! My Grandmother and Mother wouldn’t use anything else when it came to cleaning the bathrooms when I was growing up so the tradition continued when I moved out on my own.

Did you know that Scrubbing Bubbles^® is a trusted partner when it comes to keeping the bathroom clean? The Scrubbing Bubbles^® product line will give you that complete clean after every use.

• Disinfectant Scrubbing Bubbles^® Bathroom Cleaner:
• Kills 99.9% of viruses^ and bacteria*

*When used as directed, kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), Salmonella enterica (Salmonella), Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E.coli), Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep), Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas), Enterobacter aerogenes, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, Influenza A (H1N1) Virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Rotavirus

• Cleans and disinfects almost all your bathroom surfaces
• Kills odor-causing bacteria
• Expands into hard-to-reach places
• Formulated for cleaning soap scum, hard water stains, dirt and more
• Deodorizes your bathroom and leave behind a pleasant scent

I prefer to do one room at a time while also removing everything from the room I’m currently cleaning. This not only makes sure that the room is going to be deep cleaned but also allows me to get rid of things we no longer need and organize the things we are going to keep. So after I got everything removed from the bathroom the cleaning process starts.

The first thing was to wipe down and get as much hair up as I could out of the bath and sink. Then I sprayed the bath and sink with Disinfectant Scrubbing Bubbles^® Bathroom Cleaner and let it sit allowing the foam to penetrate the dirt and grime, while I worked on wiping the walls, doors and baseboards. After I was finished with cleaning everything else, I went back to the tub and sink with my wet cloth and wiped it clean. I was amazed that It took all the soap scum off in just one pass. I admit I really thought I was going to have to go over it a couple of times!

 

The next task was to sweep and mop the floors and start moving everything back in the bathroom while making sure it was neat and organized! The most amazing part of it all was the bathroom was spotless, and it took less than 30 minutes! Thankfully with Scrubbing Bubbles^® cleaning power you really don’t have to spend hours scrubbing! So, there is no excuse for a dirty bathroom ever!

After I was done my daughter walked in and said, “wow mom thanks, it’s so clean!” I just looked at her and said yea now keep it that way! I also added a few things to help make sure the bathroom stays clean!

Basket for Dirty Laundry

The kids sometimes just need a little organization to help keep them focused in the cleaning department. What better way than with a laundry basket? My kids love having that basket in there because then all they have to do is throw their dirty clothes in there and just bring it down to the laundry room when its full.

Cleaning Basket

Another tip I have for making cleaning easier on my teens is putting a cleaning basket in there. I have a little basket that I put under the sink, and it has all of my cleaning supplies for them to just grab. I put items like Scrubbing Bubbles®, Windex®, trash bags, rubber gloves, a roll of paper towels and rags in there for them to use. There’s no excuses when it comes to cleaning because all the cleaning supplies are right in the bathroom under the sink.

Buy Scrubbing Bubbles® Now:

Find Scrubbing Bubbles^® and other great SC Johnson products to help tackle your spring cleaning needs in the Home Cleaning section at a Walmart near you!