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Entertaining Your Guests Outdoors This Winter: Tips to Keep Them Comfortable

December 8, 2022December 8, 2022Bruzzese Home ImprovementsEntertainingentertainingLeave a comment

With the cooler temperatures, keeping everyone comfortable and having fun can be a bit challenging. But with the right preparation and supplies, you can make sure that your outdoor get-togethers are enjoyable for all.

This blog post will offer tips and tricks to entertain your guests outdoors this winter while keeping them comfortable and having a great time.

Set up a fire pit

For those living in areas where winter temperatures can drop significantly, entertaining guests outdoors during the colder months can be challenging. But, with the right preparation, you can ensure your outdoor gathering is comfortable for everyone. One of the best ways to keep your guests warm and toasty is to set up a fire pit.

Fire pits come in all shapes and sizes and can be purchased or built on a weekend with a little know-how. When choosing the location for your fire pit, it’s important to consider how windy it may be so that you can ensure your fire burns safely. If your yard is particularly windy, opt for a fire pit with a windscreen or adjustable lid to help protect the flames.

When it comes to fuel, there are several options available. Firewood is the traditional choice, but you can also use compressed logs or pellets. To maintain an even temperature, consider using a combination of fuel sources.

Alternatively, invest in an electric outdoor heater if a fire pit is unavailable. It is a practical way to bring warmth to indoor and outdoor spaces where heat is difficult to contain.

Dress for the occasion

Wintertime can be a great time to entertain your guests outdoors if you know how to dress for the occasion. Staying warm and comfortable when you’re hosting a party outdoors in cold weather is essential.

Here are some tips for keeping your guests warm and comfortable while they’re enjoying your outdoor gathering:

Layer up! Wearing multiple layers of clothing can help to keep you and your guests warm by trapping heat close to the body. Consider having guests wear thin base layers of thermal underwear and heavier sweaters and coats.
Don’t forget about the accessories. Hats, scarves, and gloves are essential for keeping your guests warm on cold nights. You can even provide them fun accessories like knitted earmuffs or fur-lined booties.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to host an unforgettable outdoor gathering this winter—one where your guests will stay warm, cozy, and comfortable!

Have plenty of blankets on hand

Wintertime can be a great opportunity to entertain guests outside, but keeping your guests comfortable in cold temperatures can also take time and effort. One of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your guests warm is to have plenty of blankets. Blankets are not only practical, but they also add a cozy and inviting atmosphere to any outdoor gathering.

When selecting blankets for your outdoor gathering, choose ones made from a high-quality material such as fleece or wool. These materials are ideal for keeping you and your guests warm and toasty even in cold weather.

For extra protection against the elements, opt for blankets with waterproof or water-resistant coatings. Consider investing in some heavy-duty blankets that are specifically designed for outdoor use.

Make the space inviting and comfortable

Consider adding decorative pillows or throws to your blankets to make your outdoor gathering even more inviting. This will provide an extra layer of warmth and comfort for your guests while creating a more comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.

Also, ensure plenty of seating for your guests so everyone can stay warm and cozy. An outdoor seating area with comfy cushions and plenty of blankets will ensure that your guests can enjoy the outdoors in comfort this winter.

If you want to make your space look and feel more enticing and comfortable, work with professionals with general contractor insurance. This will protect you from financial liabilities caused by damage while working on your outdoor space.

Offer hot drinks

Hot cocoa, coffee, tea, and cider can be great warming-up options. If you’re feeling more creative, you could make specialty hot drinks like mulled wine or an herbal tea blend. If you’re serving these drinks, make sure to provide plenty of mugs and extra blankets to help keep your guests cozy. For added convenience, you can also provide a thermos or insulated pitcher so your guests can easily refill their cups when needed.

No matter what hot drink you serve, you must ensure everyone can enjoy a warm beverage and stay cozy during your outdoor gathering. Your guests will surely appreciate your efforts!

In Summary

As the cold weather begins to settle in and the holidays come into view, it’s time to start thinking about entertaining your guests outdoors this winter. Whether you’re having a family get-together or throwing a holiday party, there are plenty of ways to keep your guests warm and comfortable while still enjoying the fresh air. This blog has provided some tips on entertaining your guests outdoors this winter so you can make the most of your time with them.

How to Clean Up Before and After a House Party

May 7, 2018April 28, 2018Bruzzese Home ImprovementsEntertaininghome maintenanceLeave a comment

When having a party, it’s crucial that the house is clean and presentable for guests. Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done.

You don’t only have to deal with the cleaning before the party, you also have to tidy up after the event. To have a stress-free cleaning “spree,” below are helpful before and after-party clean-up tips.

Before the Party

The first thing you have to do before the party preparations is to evaluate the party venue. Look at the things you need to do and create a strategy to accomplish cleaning tasks in an effective manner.

Imagine you’re a guest

Due to your daily routine, you may overlook some clutter and dusty corners. Walk around your home from a guest’s perspective, and identify flaws and dirt. List down anything that catches your eye and requires cleaning.

After your walk-through, consolidate your list. Break it into achievable cleaning tasks. You can gather your family members or get a party helper to help you clean. Having another person split the tasks with you will help you finish it all quickly.

Tidy up guest areas

While you’re busy cleaning all parts of the house, it’s important that your guests have enough room to move around.

Move your fragile or breakable items to safe places, away from messy spills and errant elbows.
Straighten your coat closet and entryway. Makes sure that you have a room for guest’s outerwear, and extra hangers whenever necessary.
Scan the living spaces for any unnecessary items. Clear tabletops and walkways to make room for your guests’ glasses and plates.
Clear the clutter in your living room, and take the opportunity to place them in their proper places.

Prepare the kitchen

Your kitchen needs to be in tip-top condition for the party. Since you’ll be spending most of your time here preparing or cooking food for your guests, it’s best to scrub everything clean now.

Defrost and clean the refrigerator. Throw away any leftovers and food which is no longer edible. Make room for party food and move items you no longer use at the back. Also, make sure you have enough room in the freezer for ice.
Clean your gas range or cooktop as well as hard to reach surfaces or grates.
Mop up the kitchen floor and use the right household cleaner in washing drawers and handles.
Empty your trash and recycle bins outside.

Get ready for the party

You have to finish a few things before your guests arrive. This is the opportunity for you to check if everything in your home is in its best shape for the party. You may miss some corners so it’s good to do some double-checking.

After the Party

After the fun of the party, there’s much cleaning work to do. It’s now time to face the party mess. Tackle each task one at a time so that cleaning up won’t overwhelm you.

Kitchen and Dining Room

If you cook for the party, chances are there may be a mountain of dishes waiting to be cleaned. For pans or dishes that are hard to wash, leave and soak them in warm water to soften the residue. While you’re soaking the plates, clean the kitchen worktops and wipe the inside of your fridge.

Guest Areas

Since this is where your guests hang out during the party, this will be the dirtiest place in your house. Plastic, trash and empty cups may be hiding in corners. For messy areas like these, a professional deep cleaning service will help you tidy up in no time.

Guest Bedrooms

You may have guests whom you will allow to stay for the night because they’re too exhausted to go home or live far away. The first thing to do is to strip the beds to wash the sheets and all duvet covers. While those heavy beddings are swirling in the washing machine, attend to other tasks, from wiping down surfaces (start from the highest spots) to cleaning and disinfecting the bathroom.

Remember to vacuum the floors, and check the drawers for any items your guests may have forgotten.

Bathroom

Besides the guest areas, your bathroom would have taken a beating, and had its fair share of frequent use. Give your shower curtain a good clean using a double strength cleaner. Disinfect and clean your toilet thoroughly. Remember to follow the instructions on cleaning products for safe and effective use.

No matter how numerous and heavy the cleaning tasks are, don’t devastate yourself, and do them one at a time. And if you know you don’t have enough time to clean, it’s fine to seek help from others. With the assistance of your family or better yet, the expertise of cleaning professionals, the clean-up process becomes much quicker, giving you time to rest when all the after-party is work done.

AUTHOR BIO

Rania Bellos launched Dust Busters Cleaning Services with the help and support of her husband after spending 15 years working in the banking and finance industry in France, Lebanon and the UAE. She welcomes the daily challenges and exciting opportunities provided by the highly competitive residential and commercial cleaning services market.

Yard Transformation: 3 Trendy Essentials For The Ultimate Backyard Bash

July 10, 2017adminEntertaining, Home Improvement Tips, Summer TipsDIY projects, home trends, Outdoor Living, summerLeave a comment

When you have a party for your family and friends, there are a few things that you want to make sure that you have to offer. These essentials include food that your guests will enjoy, decorations to add a bit of style and color to the event and even a few games that will keep the party rolling along. Before the day of the party, you need to make a list of all of the things that you’re going to need for an ultimate celebration so that you’re prepared when you go shopping and when your guests arrive.

Lighting

Your guests will need to be able to see while they are outside. There are a few options when thinking about the lighting. You could use citronella candles that will provide ambient light and that will keep pests away. Commercial lights are also an idea as they are often brighter than a typical light source. You can hang the lights along the edges of a tent that you put on the back porch or a tent that you put in the center of the yard along with tables and chairs. Solar lights are another option. They can charge during the day, lighting up at night so that you don’t have to worry about using electricity.

Just Keep Swimming

One of the fun things that you can offer to your guests is a place to swim or at least a place to enjoy some kind of water. An above-ground pool is an idea, and it will provide hours of entertainment for the family even after the party. You can also install a hot tub in the backyard for guests to enjoy. Work with professionals, like those at The Hot Tub Store, to ensure you pick out the best hot tub for your needs and home. Add a few candles that float on the water and music to create a relaxing and fun environment for your backyard bash.

Something To Watch

Give guests a way to watch movies with a projector that is set up on a table that displays on the side of the house or a large screen that you set up outside. If you don’t have a screen, then use large pieces of white paper that are secured to a flat surface outside. You can have a movie night with snacks and comfortable seating.

Your backyard bash should be an event that is remembered for the rest of the year. Make sure there is plenty of entertainment and food to enjoy. Try to offer something that you normally don’t see at events in the neighborhood so that your event stands out.

The Five Best Appliances for Your Newly Renovated Kitchen

June 15, 2017adminDIY Projects, Entertaining, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, home trends, kitchensLeave a comment

For many people, the kitchen is right at the heart of the home. It’s where we not only cook, but often where we share meals together around the table, where we bake sweet treats with the children and where we relax with a cup of coffee after a hard day at work.

It’s no surprise that renovating the kitchen can add value to your home and also add value to your daily lives, as one of your most used rooms is now even better.

What could improve it even more than your renovation? How about some new appliances? These five appliances will look great and they are also practical, so you don’t even need to feel guilty about splurging on them!

1. Steamer

A steamer is a fast and efficient way to cook vegetables, most starches, chicken and fish. Not only does the food taste fantastic when it has been steamed, but it also withholds so many more nutrients than food boiled or roasted does.

It’s so convenient to be able to add your protein, starch and sides to the same cooking appliance and it will save you on the dreaded washing up because you won’t have a lot of pans to wash.

2. Coffee Machine

A coffee machine is a great way to enjoy your favourite barista style coffee at home. The smell of freshly brewing coffee will make your kitchen seem even more homely and comforting, and you will save a lot of money by not having to visit your favourite coffee shop for good coffee. It’s so convenient to just be able to go to the kitchen and pour yourself a cup.

You can choose to grind your own beans for a really authentic experience, or for a simpler way, choose a pod style coffee maker.

3. A George Foreman Grill

A George Foreman Grill is another really quick and convenient way to cook food, especially meat. It gives your meat that lovely smoky, almost barbecued taste.

It also works to draw the fat out of your meat and make it more friendly on your health and waistline. Rather than the fat running out and then being reabsorbed into the meat, with a George Foreman Grill, the fat runs away and is collected in a tray for disposal.

4. A Nutribullet Juicer

A Nutribullet juicer is an essential for any health conscious family. The perfect way to make delicious, nutritious juice, the Nutribullet can break down even the toughest of fruits and vegetables to make you a great tasting and healthy juice.

This is a particularly good appliance for anyone with children who don’t want to eat their five a day – most children will drink the juice because of its sweet taste and appealing colour.

And let’s be honest – it looks pretty snazzy on your counter top too!

5. Electric Spiralizer

No modern kitchen is complete without a spiralizer. A spiralizer is used to cut vegetables into pasta like ribbons that can then be used to replace spaghetti or tagliatelli pasta in your favourite Bolognese and carbonara dishes.

The perfect solution to making a family favourite quicker and healthier. As one of the most recent trends in healthy eating, many modern recipes call for spiralized vegetables so don’t worry that you won’t know what to do with it!

That’s it – our top five recommendations for five appliances that every family needs to have in their newly renovated kitchen. All of the appliances we’ve chosen will save you time. Some will also save you money and effort too. And they will even help to ensure that you and your family are eating and drinking more healthily too!

A Guide To Determine Your Ideal TV Viewing Distance

April 25, 2017adminEntertaining, For Fun, infographicinfographicLeave a comment

Thanks to technology, sometimes it almost feels as if we’re standing shoulder to shoulder with the movie characters and athletes on our TV screens. Enjoying the best possible viewing experience is easy when the right size TV is set up at the proper distance from your favorite viewing spot. This distance, however, can vary among individuals — some may like being up close for a more “immersive” experience, or adjustments might be needed for vision problems.

Here’s a look at what size TVs are best for which types of rooms, along with a guide for what viewing distances are best for which screen sizes:

Infographic courtesy of Conn’s HomePlus.

Design Decor: 3 Essentials For Your Living Room

April 11, 2017adminDIY Projects, Entertaining, Interior Designhome decor, interior design, living roomLeave a comment

The Layout of Your Living Room

When it comes to decorating your home, one of the most important rooms that you will have to decorate is the living room. The living room is the entrance to your home, which completes the overall layout. When you’re browsing for decorations for the living room, make sure that you choose high-quality designs. By doing this, you will be able to enhance the beauty and elegance that your home has to offer.

An Essential Adornment Includes the Lighting

One essential decoration that you need for your living room is proper lighting. By using the right lighting, you can accentuate the environment in your living room. Your main goal is to create a relaxing ambiance. However, you will also have to create lighting that will complement all of your decorations, such as table lamps. A collection of table lamps can accessorize your coffee tables or side tables. You can also think about floor lamps as well, which will go great in the corners of the living room.

Furniture Collections are Important

Whether you’re thinking about decorating your home with contemporary or traditional designs, you will be able to find furniture collections that will be able to complete your home’s decor. You can invest in sofas that can come in a variety of choices. These choices can include love seats, lounge chaises or arm chairs, just to mention a few. You can also invest in coffee tables and end tables to accessorize your sofas. Take a look at high quality furniture, like those at Visions In Contemporary Living, that will last and you can enjoy for many years to come.

Area Rugs With Great Designs

You can also think about decorating your living room with area rugs. The area rugs are essential to complete the layout of your living room. It is ideal that you choose colors that will be able to create a relaxing ambiance. You’ll be able to find an assortment of area rugs, such as different shapes and sizes. The shapes can revolve around oval, square or rectangle alternatives. You can also choose from a variety of large to small sizes.

Getting the Results That You Want

Remember that your main goal is to get the results that you want for your home’s interior design. When you’re shopping for these essential decorations for your living room, it’s recommended that you buy your furniture and decorations in sets. By doing this, you will be able to find more bargain prices. Rest assured that by investing in these three essential furniture collections, you’re sure to have the interior design that you want for your home.

How To Make Your TV Sound Great Checklist

April 1, 2017adminEntertaining, Home Improvement Tips, infographicDIY projects, home improvement, home trendsLeave a comment

If you’re building a new home, you’ve probably already put a lot of thought into your new living room or media room. However, building a new home is a great opportunity to take advantage of the latest TV technology. You can create a home entertainment system that comes close to duplicating the movie theater experience in your own home.

Today’s HDTV manufacturers have invested a lot of technology into delivering the highest-quality picture possible. However, today’s televisions do not offer the same level of attention when it comes to sound. The speakers built into modern HDTVs are, to put it diplomatically, adequate. You’ll be able to hear everything through the speakers that are built into your new HDTV. Yet hearing something and experiencing it are two different things. Your new home theater setup deserves something more than merely adequate sound.

For this reason, Acoustical Vision compiled a checklist on the different ways you can optimize your TV sound. You can view the checklist below.

Author Bio

Paul Theriault is the founder and owner of Acoustical Vision, a home theater and home automation installation company in Chicago, IL. Paul has been in the electronic and home comfort business for almost a decade and prides himself on using top of the line equipment in his installs.

How To Make Your TV Sound Great created by Acoustical Vision

How to Weld Your Own Barbecue Together for Spring Entertaining

March 26, 2017adminDIY Projects, EntertainingDIY projects, Outdoor Living, spring, summerLeave a comment

There is nothing quite like the taste of world-class barbeque, and now is the perfect time to start thinking about what type of hardware you want in your backyard this spring. Welding your own barbeque together gives you full control over its size, cooking power, appearance, and features. With a little patience and some hard work, you will be able to start cooking up mouthwatering meals for your family and friends in the customized barbeque of your dreams.

Choosing the Right Materials

One of the most important steps of building a barbeque is choosing the right material. Not only are some materials inefficient at maintaining a consistent temperature, but they might even be dangerous when exposed to flames. As a general rule, barbeques should never be made from aluminum, copper, or brass. Many professional pit masters prefer stainless steel barbeques that have been coated with a high-temperature sealant.

Tools

Anyone who doesn’t regularly work with metal will most likely need to purchase at least a few new tools including a stud welder, calipers, a small machinist’s square, center punches, and a drill press. Some companies, like Northland Fastening Systems, knows that if you are not sure of which tools you would like to invest in, then you might want to see if there is a local metalworking shop that allows does equipment rentals. Once you have spent a few hours learning how to cut sheets of metal and weld them back together, you will know exactly which features you would like to see in your own tools.

Dimensions

It might be tempting to build yourself an enormous contraption, but larger barbeques are very difficult to use properly. Most home cooks will only need a grilling area of around 500 square inches. Trying to control the temperature of a barbeque that is much larger than that is very difficult. When you are working on the height, you want to be sure that the grill itself is as tall as your midsection so that you don’t have to bend down or lean across open flames.

Additional Features

After you have chosen a type of metal and decided on the overall size, you can then start adding any features that you would like to see on the barbeque. At the very least, you should plan on having a small preparation table where you can put plates, sauces, and seasonings. Many pit masters also like having a warming chamber that will keep their food warm without overcooking it.

Once you have finally put the last few pieces on your barbeque, you should then heat treat it for at least a few hours before cooking any food. Even if you carefully clean the barbeque, there might still be lingering contaminants in the smoke chamber or firebox. Bringing the barbeque up to a very high temperature should destroy any dangerous toxins or chemicals.

Hot Tub Happiness: 3 Tips for Installing and Caring for Your Own Spa

January 10, 2017adminDIY Projects, Entertaining, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, health, home trendsLeave a comment

Hot tubs provide both relaxation and medical benefits. Hot tubs can reduce blood sugar levels and raise body temperatures so that blood flow is increased. It can also help those with injuries that prevent them from doing so on land exercise as the water provides buoyancy. However, before installing a hot tub in your home, there are things you need to know.

Installation of a Hot Tub

Install your hot tub in an area that is easily accessible. You want enough room that you can perform maintenance and keep the tub clean. The surface must be level and be able to support the weight of the tub. Some spas require 220-volt electricity which could mean running new electrical service to the spa. Even those that can be plugged into 110-volt outlets may require additional circuits. Keep in mind that a great deal of heat and moisture are released from hot tubs, so if you plan to install it inside, you will need proper ventilation to avoid mold and mildew growth. Hot tubs can be installed both inside and outside. Some benefits to installing the tub outside include:

Under a shelter, an outside hot tub can be used year round

There is no risk of chemical odors inside the home

No mold and mildew build up if the hot tub is in an open area

Fewer space limitations

It is also important to remember that spas can pose a drowning danger. Even if the cover is very heavy, small children have been known to crawl under them. One of the best options is to add a locking cover if small children will be near the hot tub at any time.

Regular Maintenance

A 600-gallon hot tub with five people in it will accumulate an equal amount of oil and dirt as a standard swimming pool with 250 people. Keep a skimmer handy to remove any stray debris and brush the sides of the tub each week to prevent algae growth. Drain the water at least every three months and clean the surface thoroughly. Change or clean the filter often as this is your first line of defense in keeping your spa clean. The manual that came with your hot tub should explain how to clean or replace the filter. Always keep your hot tub covered when not in use to conserve heat and reduce evaporation as well as for safety reasons.

Testing and Treating

Just like a swimming pool, you need to chemically treat the water to prevent bacterial growth. You will need to test the hot tub chemicals for pH in the water as high levels of pH can irritate skin as can pH levels that are too low. You must test for calcium to avoid scaly deposits as well. Chlorine is the most common chemical treatment for hot tubs, but it can sometimes cause skin irritation and damage clothing. Bromine or natural treatments are available that cause less skin irritation and don’t leave the odor of chlorine on clothing or skin. Some new tubs are available with saltwater systems that keep the water clean. Some newer hot tubs are also equipped with an ozone generator which produces ozone in the water. This can help reduce the number of chemicals you need to use but will not replace them completely. In addition, ozone can be a dangerous gas. If your hot tub will be inside, you may want to avoid an ozone generator in your hot tub. Failure to properly treat your hot tub can lead to illness which can include:

Gastrointestinal Problems

Skin rashes

Ear infections

Respiratory infections

Legionella

Staphylococcus infections

A hot tub can provide many hours of fun and relaxation. However, it is critical to follow these three steps in order to keep your friends and family safe when they use your spa.

Driving Dead – Infographic

December 28, 2016adminEntertaining, For Fun, infographicinfographicLeave a comment

Season 7 of Walking Dead begins soon, so we thought we’d take a critical look at the various vehicles’ used in seasons 1-6 to see whether they would be useful should there really be a zombie apocalypse.

The guide below highlights some of the trucks, cars and RVs, not forgetting the Triumph Bonneville, that have featured in past episodes. Giving you the low-down on each vehicle’s capabilities, or lack of them, to kill menacing zombies or get away from them, the guide takes a look at the pros and cons to see if they are more likely to kill you than the zombies.

Take a look at the guide below to find out which vehicle is top, and which wouldn’t really be very useful, in a zombie apocalyptic scenario.

We hope you find “A Guide To The Vehicles Of The Walking Dead” interesting and ask whether you think Select Car Leasing have made the right choices for the right reasons.

The Driving Dead by SELECT CAR LEASING.

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