Sleep Your Way to the Top: How Getting Your Zzzs Can Help Your Career

Sleep Your Way to the Top How Getting Your Zzzs Can Help Your Career

You’ve studied hard, you’re ambitious and you want it all. How do you balance your career aspirations while keeping your health in check, including adequate sleep?

Ambition always comes with a price and that usually involves bad eating practices because we are always rushing, lack of exercise because we can’t find the time, and less than adequate sleep because, well, there is no time for that. In our pursuit of success and prosperity, we overextend our body, mind, and in many cases, our spirit.

How can you have it all? How do you balance your ambitions and health so that you can fully enjoy the fruit of your labour? Let’s examine some of the great tips I learned along the way that helped me re-focus and find balance to avoid the burnout I was headed for.

Create a Consistent Daily Exercise Routine

Whether you have joined a gym, yoga studio, or prefer to do your exercise at home, you must do something every single day. As little as 15 minutes can positively set your mind and body to face your day or help you wind down in the evening. When you are consistent with your routines either morning or evening, you are better able to deal with stress which ultimately affects your sleep.

Working standing up helps sleep

Stand as Much as You Can

Having a desk job can seriously affect your hip and knee joints as well as your shoulders and neck. I used an alarm that would tell me it was time to move around after I discovered my hip joints were always sore from sitting too long. When you stand you burn more calories and you engage every part of your body.

Advancements in office furniture have not only considered the best back support in chairs but now the industry is taking the advice of health experts by creating standing desks. Ask your employer for one!

Schedule a Walking Meeting

To get some extra steps in the day, I would arrange a meeting outdoors. It added to my fitness goals, I got to enjoy some time outdoors away from stale air, and it helped others be more relaxed. Getting those extra exercise minutes will ultimately help you sleep as you not only burned a few calories but reduced some stress along the way.

Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

When we’re stressed we tend to crave processed foods that may momentarily uplift our mood but will negatively affect our bodies and how they function. Fresh fruits and vegetables packed in your lunch bag will help you stay focused and properly nourished during the day. When your body’s systems are all functioning well, your quality of sleep is improved.

Drinking lots of water helps sleep

Drink Lots of Water

I learned something very important and that is, if I am very thirsty, my body has already become dehydrated. To avoid that, it is important to always have water nearby. Adding a slice of lemon or a few berries into your glass or bottle will really help you get plenty of water into your body. Water and lots of it will also keep all systems running at optimum efficiency and positively affect your down time.

Get the Right Amount of Zzzs

If you want to perform at work, getting the right amount of sleep is crucial. According to the chart prepared by the National Sleep Foundation, our sleep needs change as we age. Notwithstanding any other reason for more or less sleep needs, the average adult aged 26 to 64 should get anywhere between 7 and 9 hours. Considering lifestyle, and state of health, these numbers should be considered for a restorative sleep to function at your best.

Additionally, ensuring that your mattress and pillows are still supportive and comfortable is part of the equation leading to a good night’s sleep.

Average Sleep Needs by Age
Source: HelpGuide

Caring for your body, mind and spirit with exercise, proper nutrition, and quality sleep while in the pursuit of your ambitions, is essential to a fulfilling life.

For more tips on creating great sleep habits and theme-related issues, read our blogs like How Does Your Sleep Awareness Size-up?, Do You Suffer from Sleep Debt? and The Science Behind Sleep.

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

Countdown of the 3 Best-Selling Whirlpool Laundry Pairs

3 Best Selling Whirlpool Laundry Pairs

“I hear good things about Whirlpool.” Time and time again, people choose Whirlpool washers and dryers and it’s not hard to figure out why. After one hundred years, Whirlpool gets it. Their appliances are consistently rated amongst the most reliable, the most capable, and the most value for money on the market.

Looking at Whirlpool’s 3 best-selling laundry pairs, we can see there’s a heavy focus on doing things better, but most importantly on doing them right. From time-saving features to more efficient cycles Whirlpool has made it easier to manage your laundry. You’ll save money, you’ll save energy, and most importantly you’ll save time.

Designed with you in mind, a Whirlpool washer and dryer are the perfect match for any family.

#3 – WTW8500DC Washer and YWED8500DC Dryer

WTW8500DC Washer and YWED8500DC Dryer

Starting our countdown of the best-selling Whirlpool laundry pairs, the high efficiency WTW8500DC top load washer and YWED8500DC dryer kick us off at number 3.

The Cabrio. Featuring Whirlpool’s patented Adaptive Wash technology with Active Bloom wash action, the extra large 6.1 cubic foot top load drum completely immerses clothes in a load specific mix of water and detergent guaranteeing better results with less wear on your clothes. Featuring 26 wash programs, including steam features and one of the quietest wash cycles on the market, the WTW8500DC doesn’t disappoint.

The YWED8500DC dryer brings the same attention to detail. With 23 cycles, including anti-wrinkle steam technology the 8.8 cubic capacity drum is one of the largest in its class. Boosting advanced moisture sensors and Whirlpool’s quiet dry system, it’s the perfect machine for any large family.

#2 – WFW85HEFC Washer and YWED85HEFC Dryer

WFW85HEFC Washer and YWED85HEFC Dryer

At number 2, Whirlpool ups their game with the 5.2 cubic foot front loading WFW85HEFC washer, and the 7.4 cubic foot YWED85HEFC dryer.

The WEW85HEFC washer offers Whirlpool’s Adaptive Wash technology with ColorLast cycle to keep clothes looking newer longer. Featuring 11 wash cycles, including a Quick Wash feature that cleans small, lightly soiled loads in no time at all. Though, what really shines here is the TumbleFresh option that periodically tumbles the load after the cycle is complete to prevent wrinkles and odours from setting in.

The YWED85HEFC dryer is no slouch either. With its Advanced Moisture technology, you’ll use less energy and prevent over drying. Steam Refresh with Whirlpool’s Wrinkle Shield option also ensures that your clothes don’t get twisted and wrinkled if it takes you a little longer to take the load out of the dryer.

And that brings us to…

#1 – WFW75HEFW Washer and YWED75HEFW Dryer

WFW75HEFW Washer and YWED75HEFW Dryer

Competitively priced with rave reviews across the board, Whirlpool knocked this pair out of the park. Coming in at 5.2 cubic feet, the extra large capacity WFW75HEFW front load washer can do up to three baskets of laundry in a single wash. With Whirlpool’s Adaptive Wash technology featuring 8 wash cycles and precision dispensers for detergents and softeners you can forget about the guesswork.

As you’d expect, the YWED75HEFW front load dryer picks up right where the WFW75HEFW leaves off. At 7.4 cubic feet capacity, the extra large drum can handle any load including King sized comforters and other bulky items. With advanced moisture sensing technology, the YWED75HEFW also offers an eco-boost feature to save energy and help the environment.

Easy to use. High Performance. Put it in, press start, and walk away.

Perfect laundry, every single time.

Isabelle, Your Appliances Expert

How to Keep Cool During the Summer Nights with a Tempur-Pedic Mattress

How to Keep Cool During the Summer Nights with a Tempur-Pedic Mattress (Large)

Learning to survive and sleep through the hot summer nights isn’t always as easy as you’d think. Especially if your air conditioner is having some technical difficulties, trying to sleep while sweating is incredibly uncomfortable. It takes a special combination of luck, skill, and determination to fall asleep in the excruciating heat, but with the right kind of bed, such as a Tempur-Pedic mattress, and a few simple tips to keep cool, you’ll fall asleep like a baby in no time. Follow these simple tricks to keep you chill while you nod off to dreamland.

Use Your Freezer for More Than Just Ice

If there’s one thing your Tempur-Pedic Mattress can’t stand, it’s being wet. If you happen to get particularly sweaty on hot evenings, it’s probably a good idea to invest in a mattress cover if you don’t already have one. An easy way to prevent the perspiration from pooling under you is by keeping yourself cool with a chilled washcloth. Take a regular washcloth, wet it completely under the faucet, and then let it freeze. After a couple hours, it will be icy and ready to cool you down. Place it on your feet or under the back of your neck for the best results. You could even stick your sheets, socks, and more in the freezer for about thirty minutes before bed to ensure you get that chilly sensation your overheated body has been craving.

Breathable Sheets Are Your Friend

It may be tempting to rip your bed sheets off of your Tempur-Pedic, but leaving them on is in your best interest. Your sheets can make a huge difference to your nighttime routine. Just like flannel sheets will keep you nice and toasty in winter, having breathable or moisture-wicking sheets will help regulate your body’s temperature. While there are plenty of sheets out there that can make your body feel like it isn’t trapped in a sauna, some especially cooling fabrics to keep an eye out for are cotton, eucalyptus, bamboo, and silk. These natural fibres will help hot sleepers stay cool throughout the night and into the morning.

Breathable Sheets for hot summer days (Large)

Check the Airflow

Having a proper airflow under your Tempur-Pedic mattress can be a big part in keeping your body cool. If your foam mattress lays flat on the floor or has a bed frame that sits on a solid platform, you may be constricting the airflow, leaving you to sizzle on your bed like a slice of bacon. Lift your Tempur-Pedic up on a slatted bed frame and start breathing in the fresh air.

Don’t Believe the Myth

When it comes to Tempur foam mattresses, most people are under the impression that these comfy beds are notorious for absorbing heat and driving people into a sweltering fever. This is a common misconception when it comes to Tempur-Pedic mattresses, but it isn’t always true. Plenty of Tempur-Pedic mattresses even have cooling gel technology integrated within them, producing a rather refreshing experience during the heat of the night.

Don’t melt away this summer – find a Tempur-Pedic mattress at our store that will chill you out while also providing you with a perfect night’s rest!

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

4 Ways to Wake Yourself Up When Your Beautyrest is Too Comfy

4 Ways to Wake Yourself Up When Your Beautyrest is Too Comfy (Large)

Do you ever find yourself pushing snooze just a few too many times in the morning? The struggle is real when it comes to opening your eyes after lying on a Beautyrest mattress for 8 hours in the night. Those first few moments when dreams turn to real-life is quite literally, a rude awakening. Sometimes when your alarm goes off though, it means business. It means you have to get up right then or you’re going to be late for that early bird meeting. Try out a few of the creative ideas below to help you get up and ready for the day without falling back into a stressful slumber.

1. Ease Up on That Caffeine Addiction

If there is one thing you can do to prevent yourself from sluggishly waking up, it’s going to bed at an early hour. If you drink caffeine too late in the day or just too much of it, there’s a chance your body may keep you up until an ungodly hour. Try limiting your coffee, or other caffeinated drinks, intake to only the minimal amount you need. Restraining your coffee consumption could be the key to helping you rest soundly, and arise with the morning sun, without feeling like a zombie.

 

2. Set the Right Tone

If you’re waking up every morning to the sound of a terribly obnoxious ringtone, that could be your problem right there. Is there anything worse than having your sleep interrupted by something you hate? A buzzing fly, a weird smell from the kitchen sink, and a bad ringtone are all on the same level as the worst ways to wake up. Try changing your alarm sounds to something you’d enjoy waking up to. Maybe use your favourite song or one that’s catchy enough to motivate you to get up and dance! Whatever it is, make sure you actually enjoy it, so you’ll love waking up every morning just to hear it. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” by Wham, anyone?

3. Make Exercising a Habit

Finding time to work out can be rather difficult for many people who hold 9-5 jobs. Some will try to go after work, but even that can get hard when you just want to sit back and relax after a long work day. Going to the gym first thing when you wake up is a fantastic way to spend your mornings and help you start them more productively. Once you do it enough, it’ll become a habit, and waking up at the same time will be a piece of cake for you.

Drinking water in the morning

4. Drink Water

This may sound too simple, but sometimes all it takes is drinking a glass of water to begin the waking up process for your brain. You’ll have to get out of bed, which automatically forces your body to get physical, and then drink a cold glass of water. The colder the water, the harder your body has to work to warm it during digestion – thus waking it up.

There are tons of ways to get your body and brain awake and ready to start the day, but if you have a bad mattress giving you sleepless nights, you may continue struggling to get out of bed. Rise and shine like a champ with the help of a Beautyrest mattress. You’ll sleep through the night and find your motivation and focus completely restored with Beautyrest technology.

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

5 Fresh Appliance Colours to Help Create a Theme Your Kitchen

Black Stainless Steel Kitchen from Whirlpool

Bland and boring kitchen designs are so yesterday. Who wants to sit down and eat somewhere that doesn’t also look great? No matter what you are eating – caviar, casserole, or cookies – preparing it in a well-designed kitchen is always going to improve the experience.

Sure, it might not totally make your poutine taste better, but it certainly will help the ambiance of your kitchen to throw in some new colours and thematic parings. And while you may think that your kitchen appliance colour choices are limited, think again. Let’s take a look at the world of colour that awaits.

1. Take the Black

(See image above)

Sometimes the best choice is to paint the night, or your kitchen appliances, black. Whirlpool’s new Fingerprint Resistant Black Stainless Steel offerings mean you can freshen up your entire suite of kitchen appliances in one unified, matching nighttime style.

With ranges, ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers, every piece of your kitchen ensemble can join the dark side. And, like the name says, you won’t have to worry about fingerprints getting in the way of enjoying your shiny new appliances. It’s a victory for lovers of darkness everywhere. Huzzah!

2. The Sunny Side of the Street

Whirlpool Sunset Bronze Kitchen

For those of you who want your kitchen to have a somewhat sunnier demeanour, fret not. How about something that captures the moment right as the day ends and you come home, ready to jump into the kitchen and whip up a masterpiece? The sunset peeks through your windows and the light falls on your brand new…wait for it…sunset coloured appliances? Yup. You read that right. Sunset coloured.

Enter the new Whirlpool Sunset Bronze and Fingerprint Resistant Sunset Bronze colour, which combines super-hip rose gold undertones and sunset bronze to bring any kitchen into a modern – and bright – age. The Bronze Age may have come and gone, but this new tonal colour is here to stay.

3. Pretty Fly for a White Sty…le

Whirlpool White Kitchen

While some may say that white is the absence of colour, it actually represents an abundance of class. Sleek and stylistic, white appliances can perfectly capture that clean and modern atmosphere without cluttering up your kitchen with distracting hues and tones.

Even better, white appliances not only look great but also open a whole new world of possibilities for decorating and exploring with themes in the rest of your kitchen. The world is your oyster, and your brand new white appliances are the shiny white pearl at the centre.

4. Steel Their Breath Away

Whirlpool Stainless Steel Kitchen

Bold. Beautiful. Stoic. Surprising. Steel. Yes, it may be used for bridges, but a Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel finish on your Whirlpool appliances makes a statement that even the pickiest of house guests will be sure to notice.

Better yet, the Fingerprint Resistant finish means that all those messy and grubby little kid fingers won’t leave marks on your new appliances, and you’ll be able to go on enjoying their sheen for years and years to come.

5. Heavy Metal

Sometimes metalheads do get it right: Metal really can rock and roll, and it can also look good in your kitchen. Who knew?

For example, new appliances can look awesome in a nice Fingerprint Resistant Metallic Steel finish, like on a brand-new Whirlpool refrigerator.

Just make sure to leave time in your cooking schedule to stop and adore its metallic gleaming. Ah, yes. That’s the shine and sparkle you were looking for. Nice. Metal for the win.

Amanda, Your Appliances Expert

How to Clean 5 Tough Stains in a Snap with a Samsung Washer

How to treat grass stains

Mysterious clothing stains are just a part of everyday life when you’re doing laundry for a whole family, but they don’t have to be part of your everyday wardrobe. Samsung laundry machines have a wide range of features that let you take out tough stains in no time. So, be prepared next time disaster strikes, and learn how to clean these 5 common household stains in your Samsung washer.

1. Grass Stains

Good news: your little one nabbed the winning home run at their Little League game! Bad news: you’re the one who has to clean the uniform. Whether grassy knees are courtesy of an athletic kid, afternoon yardwork, or an unfortunate fall during what was supposed to be a nice jog in the park, unsightly green stains will be a thing of the past with Samsung.

Before starting a cycle, just pretreat the offending clothes using cool water, stain remover, and Samsung’s ActiveWash built-in sink. Grass stains don’t stand a chance against a good soak followed by a cold wash cycle.

2. Coffee Stains

Coffee is another unavoidable stain for a family on the go. Early call times for work, school, and soccer practice require a good old-fashioned cup o’ joe, but your morning pick me up can also bring your day crashing to a halt if it finds its way onto your pants and shirt.

Like grass stains, coffee stains fade fastest when soaked first with cold water using your Samsung’s built-in sink, but unlike grass stains, you’ll want to follow up the presoak with a cycle using the hottest water you can get. Samsung washers have super customizable temperature options, so just throw the clothes in the washer, select “Extra Hot,” and let your Samsung wash all your worries away.

3. Pet Stains

You might take good care of your fuzzy friends, but that won’t stop them from repaying you by doing their, uh…business whenever and wherever the need strikes. Whether it’s fur, slobber, odours, or more unsavoury stains, Samsung has you covered.

Brush off any solids, then run the fabric under cold water. Heavy stains might require an overnight soak in vinegar or bleach, but lighter stains can usually be taken care of by throwing some apple cider vinegar in with your usual wash cycle. When you’re done pre-treating your clothes, set your washer to Allergen (to wash away deep dander and bacteria) or Sanitize (to get your clothes looking and smelling good as new).

How to Clean 5 Tough Stains in a Snap with a Samsung Washer (2)

4. Juice Stains

What do you do if your kid spills fruit juice on their favourite toy? You know, the one they can’t sleep without? Fifteen minutes before bedtime? Don’t worry, you don’t have to pick between a sleepless night while teddy presoaks in the washer and a sticky toy attracting ants to your kid’s room—use Samsung’s Deep Steam setting instead. Steaming is a surefire way to get out the toughest of stains—no prewash required! Just throw Mr. Bear into the wash, set it to steam, and he’ll come out squeaky clean in no time.

5. Grease Stains

Whether you’ve been working hard over the stove or you’re just grabbing a quick bite to eat, grease stains can sneak up on you. It doesn’t take much for a small splash or drip to turn into a stubborn stain on your spotless clothes. But don’t worry, there is a reliable way to get rid of these pesky spots, and it’s simpler than you might imagine.

The key to cutting grease stains is just a bit of dish detergent! Blot away any remaining grease with cloth and cover the whole spot with dish detergent. With a scrub brush and a bit of elbow grease (no pun intended), you should be able to lift off the worst of the stain, then just toss your clothes in the wash for a final clean. Samsung’s normal wash cycle—set to warm, but not too hot—should have just the right combination of power and care to get your clothes fresh again without setting the stain in deeper.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

5 Unique Kitchen Items You Won’t Believe Are Safe for Your GE Dishwasher

5 Unique Kitchen Items You Won’t Believe Are Safe for Your GE Dishwasher

You just bought a brand-new GE Dishwasher, and you want to test it out. Run it through the wringer. Throw everything you can think of – cake crumb-coated plates, burrito crusted dishes, ice cream stained bowls – at it just to see how powerful it is.

Of course, there are some things that you shouldn’t put in your dishwasher – like raccoons — but there are also some surprising things that you might not know are dishwasher safe. So, try throwing the below items in your new washer, and sit back and relax and see the sparkling clean results.

1. Egg Beaters

There are some dinnerware items that you often use but are a total pain to wash by hand. Egg beaters? Those rise right to the top of the list. They may be super helpful in making fluffy and amazing scrambled eggs, but those little wiry nooks and crannies are the absolute worst when it comes to cleaning.

Ta-Da! Problem solved. Grab your egg beaters – or whatever whisk you fancy – and throw them in your egg-cellent new dishwasher. Problem solved: GE’s Deep Clean Silverware Jets will blast that food into outer space…or at least off your beaters. Bet that will pass even your greatest eggs-pectations.

2. Wine Stoppers

Somewhat of a misnomer, wine stoppers aren’t there to get you to drink less wine, but just to keep the wine that you do have fresh after popping the cork. They serve a good purpose!

And as such, they should be treated with care. They can – from time to time – get a little wine splashed on them, and everybody knows that wine can stain and be a total pain to wash off. But, stop worrying too much: Many wine stoppers can be thrown right into the dishwasher. In fact, you could even throw it in the dishwasher, grab a glass of wine, wait for it to come clean, and then “recork” the bottle. Now that’s some smart time and wine management, right there.

Mexican meal with tacos

3. Taco Holder

Whether you celebrate Taco Tuesday or Taco Thursday, or just love enjoying tacos every day of the week, taco holders can make prepping them so much easier.

But what happens when you go a little too crazy with your loaded toppings, and your once clean taco holder is now covered with burnt quesadilla cheese and blackened, hard-to-clean jalapeno residue? It would be a shame to throw our such useful and important culinary items.

Dishwasher to the rescue! Toss those taco holders in your GE dishwasher with its more than 140 Cleaning Jets and let your new home appliance do the hard work for you. It leaves you more time for taco eating, and anything that does that is a win in our book.

4. Panini Maker (Trays, at least)

While bread may be good in its normal, untoasted form, there’s just something about taking two slices, placing your favourite toppings, meat, and cheeses between them, and throwing them on a panini press for a little slice of warm, toasted heaven.

The problem is that paninis – just by their nature – can get messy, and cheese that tastes quite good can be quite annoying to try to scrape off the panini trays.

Good news! Stop the panini presses! Remove those trays and interior grids and throw (not literally throw, but you get the idea) them in your GE dishwasher’s convenient Third Rack and fret no more. Now, just make sure you don’t put the ENTIRE panini maker in the dishwasher, but we shouldn’t have to remind you of that.

5. Whiskey Stones

Some people want their whiskey cool, but without water dulling the flavour. For those brave souls, whiskey stones were invented. But like anything that sits and soaks in a glass, eventually, you are going to need to wash them. Yes, even if you are soaking them in alcohol. That doesn’t count as cleaning. Sorry.

But, whiskey stones are small, and there can be a lot of them. The tiny little things can also fall down the drain, and that’s just an accident waiting to happen.

Perfect solution and it didn’t even require a drink to think of it: Put them in the dishwasher. Yup, whiskey stones are dishwasher safe, and you’ll be able to keep them fresh and clean for that next nightcap.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

Where to Splurge and Where to Save: In Kids’ rooms

Where to Splurge and Where to Save In Kids’ rooms

Source: Smart Stuff by Universal

One thing is for certain when it comes to kids and kid’s rooms; their needs and wants change and grow with them. When it comes to pulling together a room that will grow WITH your child, we’ve got another edition of Splurge VS. Save: Kids Room.

This time our focus is on a room that works for now and for the future, allowing you to spend your décor dollars wisely and invest in quality pieces you hope they take with them when they finally leave the nest (so you can finally have the guest room of your dreams…am I right!?).

Where to Splurge

Bed Frame

When they’re five you’ll spend hours with ‘one last story’ hoping for sleep…when they’re teens you’ll wonder if they will ever leave their bed. The one common element in both scenarios is the need for a great bed. Once you get beyond the crib/toddler-sized bed, investing in a quality single or full sized bed can never do harm.

A quality bed frame can take the hard knocks of life and it can easily be repainted to suit growing tastes and styles. A smart single with a trundle underneath or double (or queen) bed is great for sleepovers but also work for a teen. A batman bed doesn’t do that…no offence to Batman, of course.

This grown-up girl’s room (below) is a great example of how a bed can age up with the child.

Source: Houzz

Functional Storage

From under bed storage to a very organized closet system, functional storage makes kids’ rooms a little less of a headache for all involved. Storage under the bed can go from toys to a collection of teen’s toiletries, closets can go from princess dresses to distressed denim, but all the while they will be organized – or at least, the potential is there!

Giving kids space to grow means having spaces for things to go. A great bookcase just might take them from goodnight moon to their very first apartment!

Source: Houzz

Where to Save

Art

One minute they want a Minion, the next a pop icon…we all remember covering our walls in posters and blue mac-tac and kids today are no different. Skip splurging on art for the kid’s room and instead try a cheap Pinterest project, or put up a large cork board so they can proudly display school projects or art of their own.

Let the walls of their room be a place they can express themselves. Don’t worry, you can always paint those walls fresh white when they leave for university.

Source: Houzz

Accessories

Just like art, you can change up your accessories based on life stages. Rather than cram a room with accessories they don’t need, how about turning the dollhouse into a feature display AND play? Let toys, games, and other life stages dictate the little décor touches. Because you’ve invested in great storage and quality beds, this is where you can really let the age of your child shine.

Source: Houzz

We hope these tips help your kid’s rooms grow with them, rather than growing tired and outdated.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

Where to Splurge and where to Save: In the Hallway

Where to Splurge and where to Save In the Hallway

Hallways can and should be ‘way’ more than just a ‘way’ to get from room to room, they too should be a space you decorate and enjoy with purpose. It’s almost like we could rename hallways to something much more descriptive like the ‘connecting room’ or ‘connecting alleys’ because they really do so much more. We can use our hall spaces to the max by making them a multi-functional space for display, storage, living, and yes…walking from room to room.

With that in mind, it’s time for another edition of Splurge VS. Save: Hallways.

Where to Splurge

Finishes

Hallways and main corridors in your home take a big beating. They get banged up and roughed around by bags, toys, dogs, laundry baskets, and so much more. Your hallway deserves a fine finish. Invest in beautiful high-quality baseboards and trim, paint and wallpaper, and little details like light switches & fixtures. Not only will your hallway ‘wear’ longer, but it will look fabulous doing it.

Great finishes in the hallway

Functional Storage

The beauty of hallways is they are pretty much next to all your other rooms. This means you can make the hallway spaces an extension of those rooms and create a multi-functional space with very well thought out storage and display spaces. Have lots of shoes or books? Investing in sleek shoe or book storage can make the hallway work it like a runway.

This condo hallway is now an office thanks to some seriously functional storage and thinking outside the ‘hall’.

Source: Houzz

Where to Save

Art

Have lots of treasured family photos? A large arrangement of big box store frames with family photos and picture rails can elevate your hallway to an art gallery. Framed memories like concert tickets, children’s art, and other DIYs make an inexpensive way to show personality without breaking the bank.

Source: Houzz

Or use a collection of old frames to create a neat and interesting space.

Source: Houzz

Accessories

Just like art, you can change up your accessories based on seasons. Hallways make great places for seasonal décor like vintage skis in winter and old tennis rackets in the summer. Don’t break the bank on a breakable item you’ll be too scared to walk past when a vase of flowers and a collection of fun art or projects will do.

Source: Houzz

See what we mean? The hallway can be ‘WAY’ more and we hope you’re inspired.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

Coffee, Tea or Smoothie? Best Ways to Start Your Day

Coffee, Tea or Smoothie Best Ways to Start Your Day

There is a big debate on what beverage is the best to kick-start your day! Can it be as simple as a tall glass of water or a strong shot of espresso? Perhaps, lemon water or green tea is the best to get your organs hydrated and your blood moving.

The debates vary because there are so many different mindsets, body types and goals that people have. If you are trying to lose weight, then nutritionists suggest starting your day with lemon water. You may follow the belief that organic green tea is the only beverage that will nourish your body in a healthy way. Espresso lovers allow nothing to touch their lips other than the rich crema topped liquid gold.

Let’s review some of these more closely.

Water

Studies show that 16 ounces or 450 ml of room temperature spring non-carbonated water is the best first beverage of the day. After 6-8 hours of sleep, our body is craving water. It not only fires up our metabolism but hydrates our body, fuels up our brain, washes away built-up toxins and can reduce hunger.

Lemon Water

Drinking warm lemon water after we wake gives us a big shot of Vitamin C and protects the body’s immune system. It is known to help clear the skin from the inside out and it is a great PH balancer. It also promotes digestion and is a great addition to a weight loss plan. It also touts anti-inflammatory properties and contains electrolytes to keep the body hydrated.

Coffee

Whether coffee is our first beverage of the day or the second, most people have become so habituated to the routine that they can’t consider anything else. Nutritionists say that as little as 50ml of black coffee, without adding sugar or milk can be an excellent boost to our metabolism. Although espresso appears strong it has less caffeine than, say, Columbian coffee and some black teas.

Coconut Water

Filled with healthy electrolytes and minerals, coconut water has become a new trend not only for breakfast but any time of the day. It is known to be a great hydrator and metabolism booster.

Berry Smoothie

Berry Smoothie

Berries are loaded with antioxidants and essential nutrients so clearly our body would love this colourful concoction. When we add Greek yogurt, chia seeds, a drizzle of honey we can enjoy a satisfying and nutrient-filled beverage that can keep us going all morning long. When we add some greens and watch the number of sweet berries we add, we can greatly reduce a potential sugar overload. Everything in balance.

I think you will agree that a tall glass of water is perhaps the best beverage to rehydrate your body first thing in the morning, followed by your favourite chaser and breakfast. Whatever your lifestyle, remember to give your body what it needs to function at its best but don’t forget to satisfy your taste buds!

Angela, Your Sleep Expert