Simple Backyard Makeover Ideas

Does your backyard currently resemble what can only be described as the Amazon jungle? Does the mere thought of updating your yard make your wallet shrivel in fear? I don’t blame you - watch any renovation show and viewers given the impression that you need a small fortune to replicate their simple ideas. However, fear not dear readers! You don’t need a bank balance similar to Donald Trumps in order to give your outdoor living space a makeover. Here are some inexpensive ideas to spruce up your yard.

Create Instant Ambiance with Kitschy Lighting

Besides stopping you from tripping over a chair at night, lights are a simple and cheap way to dress your yard. While this is an effective way to add a warm ambiance to your space, the wrong style of lights can be an instant mood killer. For example, florescent lights can make you and your guests feel like you’re under constant interrogation, while a few candles sparingly placed will make your space seem like a haunted house. Consider purchasing some Chinese or stained glass lanterns to add a pop of colour, or wrapping fairy lights around a tree for a more magical feel.

Insert Life into Old Furniture

If there isn’t anything physically wrong with your furniture besides some fading, then there’s nothing a fresh link of paint can’t fix. Not only will you save yourself the time and money sourcing new furniture, you can make your existing pieces look all shiny and new. Opt for long-lasting outdoor paint to ensure your furniture can withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at it.

Add Warmth with a DIY Fire Pit

You could say that fire pits are the little black dress of gardens – they are so hot right now! Puns aside, fire pits are an attractive (yet practical) way to create a main centrepiece in your main outdoor relaxing area. Just think – you could be melting marshmallows with the kids, unwinding after a long day with a vino, or entertaining guests. While you can easily buy a fire pit, it’s just as easy to build yourself. Gather an assortment of brick to construct a stone wall in a shallow hole in your garden.

Define a Space with a Patio

As well as being aesthetically pleasing, a patio is the ideal solution for creating a defined entertaining area in your backyard. If you’re not sure where to start, a specialist like Premium Pools and Gardens can offer advice (or do the work for you!) as to where to place your patio and the types of blocks that would be suitable for your climate. With the right care, patios are generally low maintenance and can add significant value to your property.

Think Vertically with a Garden Wall

Don’t have the space to create a vast assortment of plants and shrubbery? Just because your garden is small doesn’t mean you can’t be creative. A vertical garden wall is a clever way of adding hints of colour into your yard while creating a sense of privacy.
Do you have any outdoor decorating tips? Leave your ideas in the comments below.

DIY Dessert Stand

 Have you ever been to a dollar store? Well, if you haven't you might want to visit your local Dollar Tree store now! You'll find a lot of cool stuff there from grocery items, kitchen wares, garden, arts and crafts, and a lot more. Last weekend, I bought some candle holders and bowls for my dessert stand project.
Cake stand and dessert stand can be expensive. I know because I have two of them, and each cost at least over $20.00. Now I found a great idea on how to make your own cake or dessert stand for $2.00. Well, of course you need to have a strong glue to make that magic happen. Candle holder and big bowl for $1.00 each.
Apply glue to the top of the candle holder, and carefully center the candle holder on the bottom of the bowl.
Then press down. Wait for several hours before using it.
Viola! Now you don't have to spend a lot money on dessert stands. 

Decorative Coconut Sticks

Hey, in the Philippines we use this coconut sticks to sweep the ground, the floor or parents even use it to spank their kids.
Nowadays, coconut sticks and coconut leaves are part of home decoration. 
Each bundles worth $14.99. Amazing!

What's Really Important When Looking For a Mattress

It is important to replace your mattress every 8 to 10 years to prevent back pain and other bodily strains. If a bed has lost its shape, aged, or if your body has significantly changed in the last few years, it is probably time to get a new mattress. Getting a new mattress can be a difficult task. There are lots of things to consider when looking for a new mattress.

Consider Level of Firmness

There are many different mattress forms to consider when buying a mattress. For those who enjoy or need a softer mattress they should purchase soft or medium-soft mattresses. For those who need a firmer mattress, firm or medium-firm is more appropriate. There is also medium for people who need a balanced mattress.

Consider the Materials

Most mattresses are composed of innersprings. Innersprings are the most common types of mattresses. Innerspring mattresses contain a spring zone and a comfort layer. The innersprings provide the mattress’s support, while the comfort layers cushion your body. Mattresses can also be composed of core support, including foam, memory foam or latex mattresses. Foam mattresses come in many grades and types. Although foam mattresses tend to be cheaper, they are not recommended for everyday use, unless they are of a very high quality. Memory foam (viscoelastic) mattresses conform to the exact shape of the body lying on top of it. Its elastic-like properties often work to relieve pressure on joints, muscles and the spine. Latex (natural rubber) mattresses, while being high quality, durable and long lasting, can be very expensive. Latex mattresses are recommended for people who suffer dust allergies, as latex is more resistant to mould and dust-mites.

Test Out Mattresses

You can theorise about the right mattress all you want, but you won’t know for sure unless you test out a number of mattresses. To test if a mattress is too firm, lie on your back and slide your hand under the gap of your back near your tailbone. If your hand slides underneath too easily, or your hips or shoulders feel awkward, the mattress is too firm. To test if a mattress is too soft try rolling over. If this proves awkward or difficult, the mattress is too soft. Another test is to lie on your side. Ideally, your spine should be straight. If the mattress is too soft your spine will curve downwards, and if it is too firm it will curve upwards. Make sure you test a range of mattress materials and see which one is best suited to your body.

If you are considering purchasing a new mattress, it is important to review a large variety of brands, materials and builds of mattresses. With five locations across Melbourne, Chiropedic Mattress Factory Direct can help you find the best mattress to fit your needs.

By Grace Patterson

Stainless Steel Tea Ball

Yay, finally got a new tea ball! I've been wanting to get one but I kept forgetting every time I go to the store. I'm glad I had it on my list the other day, and finally got one! 
Tea Ball is great for holding herbs for batches of tea or simmering in soup. I like the fact that it's dishwasher safe, and it's only $2.48 at walmart.
It's made of stainless steel for durability, many tiny holes to keep even the smallest teas out of your cup while allowing the flavor to drift out, and big enough for tea to expand.

Which tea do you prefer? Loose tea or Tea bag?