12/23 House & Home

Self-care re-imagined: Achieve higher quality ‘me time’ in the bathroom (BPT) – The long-overdue self-care movement acknowledges what you’ve known for years: Taking time for yourself gets you in a better state of mind to handle your crazy life and tackle your long to-do list.

A day off and a massage appointment are both acts of self-care that can work wonders on your stress. When the pressure builds and you can’t fit some time out into your schedule, incorporating self-care in your routine can also do a lot to restore your equilibrium. The perfect place to start is in the bathroom.

If you’re like most people, the bathroom is a place to prepare for the major transitions of the day. So why not rethink the bathroom as a space where you’re performing a ritual to prepare your body and your spirit for the next thing? Introducing a ritualized mindset to your routine infuses positive purpose into your actions. Calibrate it to the right energy level for the next part of your day, so you’ll feel invigorated before heading into work, or soothed and relaxed before bedtime.

To inspire you, the following are ideas and

upgrades for your daily self-care ritual.

Adorn the space with flowers and candles: For centuries, fresh blooms and a flickering flame have been used to give spaces meaning and sacredness. Seeing the colorful flowers will give you a lift, and it will serve as a special reminder of the purpose of this time and space. As always, the low light of a candle can set a relaxing vibe.

Make time for mindfulness: Bringing a meditative element to your get-ready ritual can quiet the chatter of the busy brain. With a little experimentation, you can find something that works for you. During your time, look for opportunities to be mindful and present.

That means devoting your headspace to absolutely nothing but the aroma of your favorite body wash or the muscle soothing sensation of the warm water. Or, try pausing for a mindful minute, where you just close your eyes and focus on your breathing for 60 seconds or so.

These actions can lower your blood pressure and help you get focused on what’s ahead.

Invest in quality: Before introducing some-

thing new to the space, whether it’s a fresh set of towels or upgrading a major fixture, consider whether it adds a self-care component to your day.

One upgrade to consider is TOTO’s SP WASHLET+ Wall-Hung Toilet. The warm water spray offers a gentle, natural way to leave you feeling cleaner, so you can go about your day confident and refreshed. It also features advanced sensor technology, automatically raising and lowering the

lid; activates relaxing seat warming; and does the flushing for you. Finally, its minimalist wall-mount design makes any bathroom more stylish. Altogether, this is one upgrade that redefines self-care.

Luxuriate in the tub: Yes, a bath takes longer than the usual shower.

But if you pay attention to what the research says about the benefits of hydrotherapy, it’s well worth the extra effort.

A 2014 report published by the North American

Journal of Medical Science shows how a warm water soak results in lower blood pressure and a lower heart rate. To make your bath extra relaxing, lower the lights, play soft down-tempo music, and add a handful of Epsom salts to the water.

To create the ultimate self-care refuge, TOTO’s Flotation Tub with ZERO DIMENSION simulates zero gravity, offering you the experience of total weightlessness. Imagine what having access to that

experience, anytime you want, can do to restore your body and mind.

Self-care doesn’t have to be limited to weekends or special occasions.

It’s something you can practice every day if you take the time to re-imagine your daily routine.

If you’re interested in learning more about TOTO’s award-winning line of luxury-inspired, design-forward fixtures, visit TOTOUSA.com.

tured, and more. This will help ensure you make the most educated decision.

DON’T purchase at the first store you visit. Shop around to investigate different pricing and specials.

Also, consider the professionalism and expertise of the staff responsible for carpet installation.

High-cost carpet may not look very good if it isn’t installed correctly.

DO stain-protect rugs and carpeting, which can help repel stains that would otherwise become permanent and can prolong the longevity of the flooring.

DON’T forget to vacuum carpets frequently to prevent ground-in dirt and debris.

DO pick textured carpets to conceal footprints and vacuum track marks.

Find and maintain the right carpet for you Carpets provide both practical and aesthetic appeal inside a home. In winter, carpets help keep homes warm, and the right color carpet can add to design schemes.

While rugs may have originated in the Far East, North America also has some rich carpet history.

According to The Carpet and Rug Institute, the United States carpet industry began in 1791 when the first woven carpet mill opened in Philadelphia. Others soon followed suit. Tufted carpets and machine-powered manufacturing helped churn out yards upon yards of carpeting, making it a popular, affordable and common addition to homes, especially after the post-World War II housing boom.

Carpeting remains a go-to flooring material in modern homes. In fact, many homes offer a blend of both carpeting in some

rooms and different flooring choices in others.

Upon choosing carpet, it is important that homeowners follow some guidelines to prolong a carpet’s longevity and maintain its style. The following are some common carpeting dos and don’ts.

DO consider the room’s purpose and foot traffic before shopping for carpeting. Make a list of the attributes desired (e.g., soundproofing, easy care, high pile) and present these to the salesperson so he or she can help you make the best choice.

DON’T rush into flooring choices. Unlike paint colors, flooring materials are more permanent choices that are only updated every several years or more. Weigh all of your options before diving in.

DO consider conservative colors and styles.

Neutral hues and patterns will blend better with furniture options. This means

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you can change furniture out and still keep the existing carpeting, which complements any new pieces. Also, if there’s a chance you might sell your home in the near future, buyers tend to look for a neutral color scheme they can make their own.

DON’T skimp on padding to save a few dollars on the carpet installation.

The carpeting needs a solid foundation to last and look its best. Inadequate padding can lead to extra and noticeable wear and tear. Invest in a good foundation for the carpeting, like firm, dense padding in high-traffic areas.

DO become knowledgeable about different carpet styles, such as frieze, Berber, Saxony, tex-

How everyday people can cut energy consumption Curtailing energy consumption is a great way for people to protect the planet’s natural resources and save money at the same time.

Part of the difficulty with regard to reducing energy consumption is that energy plays such a big role in our lives.

Smartphones and tablets have become must-have items, and these items, though not necessarily big consumers of energy, must be plugged in and charged. But individuals won’t have to unplug from their lives to reduce their energy consumption.

In fact, there are several easy, non-invasive ways for everyday people to reduce their energy consumption.

• Start with your windows. The windows in a home can help homeowners and apartment dwellers reduce their heating and cooling costs. On cold days, pull back curtains so the natural sunlight can come in and warm the house, reducing the need to turn up the temperature on the thermostat. When the weather outside is

especially warm, hang blackout curtains to prevent the hot sun from warming rooms and increasing the need for air conditioning. In addition, address any leaks around windows to ensure hot and cold air is not escaping and contributing to excessive energy consumption.

• Maintain appliances and replace older ones.

While reducing reliance on energy-thirsty appliances is a great way to reduce energy consumption, no one needs to throw away their refrigerators.

Instead, maintain appliances so they are not forced to work harder, and thereby consume more energy, to function. Routinely clean the filters on window air conditioners, replacing them if they’re worn down. In addition, have HVAC units serviced annually to ensure they’re operating at peak capacity.

Replace older appliances, including refrigerators, that are no longer effective.

• Install a low-flow

shower head. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that eco-conscious consumers looking to reduce their energy consumption install low-flow shower heads with flow rates less than 2.5 gallons per minute. This is especially important for people living in homes with dated fixtures. Water fixtures installed before

1992 might have flow rates as high as 5.5 gallons per minute, which is both wasteful and costly. Test the flow of a shower head by placing a one-gallon bucket beneath a shower head running at the pressure you normally use. If the bucket fills up in less than 20 seconds, install a low-flow shower head.

• Install ceiling fans.

Ceiling fans can be installed to reduce energy consumption in both summer and winter. In summer, ceiling fans can make home interiors more comfortable by circulating air around a room. That circulation can make rooms feel cooler, providing the same benefit of an air conditioner while consuming con-

siderably less energy.

In winter, reverse the rotation of ceiling fans so they circulate warm air and reduce reliance on heating systems.

Reducing energy consumption does not require substantial sacrifice, but it can produce substantial savings and benefit the planet in myriad ways.

8 tips to prep your home during (and after) the holidays (BPT) – Hosting guests, baking treats, kids on school break and managing a packed social calendar - the holidays can be a stressful, busy time.

And with so much to do, household chores can fall by the wayside, leaving your home messy and disorganized.

These eight tips will help you enjoy a cleaner home so you can focus on spending time with loved ones and start the new year off with a sparkling, welcoming home.

1) In the kitchen, clean as you go

2) Boost your laundry loads If you host friends and family, chances are you’ll have plenty of bed linens to wash when your guests leave. Save time with a washing machine that can quickly handle your family-sized loads without compromising performance. The LG TurboWash 360 will clean a large laundry load in less than 30 minutes, helping you save money and energy as well.

3) Give everyone a task

Cleaning up is easy when you get the whole family involved. Divide and Before you start baking conquer the cleaning tasks or cooking, make sure the to get the job done in no dishwasher is empty and time. ready for your dirty dishes.

As you mix ingredients 4) Stock up on and use dishes, rinse and supplies place them in the dishEquip your bathrooms washer along the way so and kitchen with all the you prevent pile-up in the necessary cleaning supsink. And as you finish plies. It only takes a few using each ingredient, put minutes to wipe up a spill it back in its rightful place. or quick mess - especially

ice and snow as it melts when your supplies are within easy reach - making and keeps your floors nice your cleaning tasks more and dry. manageable.

5) Refresh kitchen appliances After you’ve cooked, baked and stored feasts, your kitchen will be ready for a deep clean. Use a disinfecting cleaner to scrub all the surfaces of your refrigerator, freezer, blender, oven, dishwasher, sink, cabinets and drawers. Dispose of food items that have expired or that you no longer need and make your kitchen feel new again.

6) Prevent winter boot mess In areas with ice, snow, or even rain, boots can make a huge mess.

Avoid stepping in puddles inside your home by asking everyone to take their boots off before they come through the door and place them into plastic bags. The bag collects the

to -13° Farenheit, LGRED° technology provides superior heating performance that will keep you 7) Revive area rugs warm all winter long. This High foot traffic areas increased performance not accumulate stains, dirt only delivers heat when and odors - so don’t skimp traditional HVAC systems on cleaning your rugs. are unable, but operates Take each rug outside and with top-notch efficiency, gently shake away dirt cutting energy costs and and dust. Leave the rug increasing savings. Pair hanging out to remove more dust and air out any odors. You can also use a rug brush to help remove hair or caked-on dirt.

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8) Prep for the rest of winter Even when the holidays are over, winter sticks around for a few more months.

While preparing for the rest of winter, upgrading your HVAC system will help you and your guests stay warm and cozy. With continuous heating capabilities down

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