Relaxation Day- 20 Ways to Find Daily Peace

 In today's high paced world it is more important than ever to take time to relax and engage in some self care. Find things that make your soul feel at peace. Below are 20 ways that help me relax. 

1. Color

This sounds a little crazy I know! Trust me when the coloring for adults craze first became popular years ago, I never saw myself going for it.... and I didn't for many years! One year though for Christmas I was gifted an adult coloring book and some fancy colored pencils... being I already had the tools then, I gave it a try... and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Something about sitting quietly and coloring was not only a bit cathartic but also brought me back to childhood... So now my advice is to not knock it until you try it....

2. Hot bath

Quick showers seem to become the norm when life gets a bit hectic but there is nothing like soaking in a hot tub full of pampering water. For me it needs to become a whole ritual... adding scented oils, bubble bath, or a Lush bath bomb. I don't think I could have sanity without at least one weekly soak! 

3. Pampering Rituals

Fitting into the hot bath thing is having a pampering ritual. This could be a trip to the spa or as simple as regular hair salon visits but it can also be pampering at home. I have a ritual for Sunday evenings myself of a long routine of self care (so long, it could be its own blog- and maybe I will write that). Every Sunday evening I perform a long list of self care processes that make me feel so refreshed to end a week ready to face a new one that I don't think Monday morning would be possible without them. I make sure to have clean hair, possibly doing a treatment such as a mask on my locks as well. I do a skin treatment at home, even if it is just a sheet mask. I pamper my nails with an at home mani/ pedi. I soak in a Lush bath bomb... my favorite is the AvoBath. I do my teeth whitening treatments... I exfoliate my lips with a scrub.... I moisturize and scrub every inch of my body.... I apply my self tanner.... 

As you can see it is a long ritual! But worth every step!

4. Go for a Walk

I have never been one for intense cardio type activities, but if you are, then a run could be just the same. I hear many who do run talk about the runner's high they feel after. For me an outdoor walk gives me that peaceful feeling and I know I did something good for myself as well. 

5. Be in Nature

I also love to be outside, especially near water. There is something so calming and peaceful about nature and the sounds. This doesn't mean though that you need to travel somewhere wonderful. The same results can be found for me right in my backyard even. Lately, I really enjoy just sitting even and feeding the birds and squirrels that visit me daily in the yard. Just find your own sanctuary and visit it regularly. 

6. Read

A few years ago I was finishing up getting my Masters degree and when asked what I wanted to do afterwards my first goal was to just read a book... one that was not a scholarly work. Just a take me away type of novel. I find reading to be very relaxing and creating this nook recently with loungers so I can read outside has been one of my best investments this summer.

7. Gardening

I never had been one to think I had the green thumb but was inspired this spring to give gardening a try. I ordered some seedling trays and seeds and all the things you need, determined I would have a kitchen garden this year. I began the seeds in trays in my home office window way back in March. I nurtured them and worried about the water levels and amount of sun. Come April I lovingly carried the trays in and out for warm afternoon sun but avoiding overnight frost. By May, I was ready to place them in the soil and begin what I hoped would be an abundant organic produce section at home.... 

What really happened though was that I confirmed my lack of a green thumb. Despite all the effort and care I placed into my little seedlings, my only harvest all summer was just enough Romaine lettuce to make exactly 2 BLT sandwiches. :) While this all may sound like a futile effort that resulted in defeat, I did enjoy the process and would attempt it again next spring.

My flowers in the yard on the other hand came out much better, as they usually do. I find great pleasure in adding beauty to the yard through planting colorful annuals and perennials. I would have found great pleasure in having my own home grown produce as well but apparently that is for another year. 

8. Yoga

As I have already stated above, extreme, or any type really of cardio, was never my thing.... But yoga... now that's something I can get behind! I love the feeling of flexibility and muscular putty you are left with after a good session. Throw in some goats as well and Namaste!

9. Listen to Music

No matter what genre you enjoy the most there is always something good for the soul in listening to music. Sometimes we can't take a long period to just relax and have to plow through the endless list of "to do's". Those tasks sure do go faster and are more enjoyable with some good tunes in the background. 

10. Cook

There are days where I simply can't! Just can't! The last thing I want to do is think about what I want to eat and actually get up and prepare it... these are certainly the days where DoorDash orders or a meal service like Hello Fresh come in handy.... other days though it is very relaxing to be in the kitchen and create a delicious dish. I think this goes back to the gardening thing as well where I said about the satisfaction of having done it yourself. I will say that one BLT I grew the lettuce for was in fact the BEST BLT I ever ate! Yum!

11. Nap

Remember back in preschool and kindergarten where a nap was a scheduled event into the day? Me too! and I miss it! It feels like a such a luxury when I can just lay down after lunch and take a midday siesta! I think these Europeans are on to something and we should start a petition here in America to get this nap time added back into our normal days. Who is with me?

12. Meditate

Like everyone else, I am sure, this one is struggle for me....it is hard to sit and just focus the mind on a single thought and do nothing else. I try and try... I downloaded apps to assist even but I have to admit I often fail. The rare times I do succeed though, even though its only for about 5 minutes, I do have to say I emerge back into the day with a new sense of focus and clarity. It's definitely worth the trys. 

13. Enjoy Pets

I do not know what I would do without my 2 pups! They bring so much joy and laughter and love into my life everyday. I almost am at the point that I do not trust people who don't like animals. Studies have shown the benefits of pets for years so I am not sure how much I actually need to write about this. 

14. Aromatherapy

Certain scents are associated with relaxation and different responses. For example, I have not taken a Tylenol in years.... I use lavender oil to treat my headaches (don't knock it, it works!). This category though doesn't have to entirely relate to essential oils and new age hooey... it can be scents as well that remind us of good times. I love the smell after a spring or summer rain...it feels renewing.  I love the smell of a cherry cigar... it reminds me of my uncle in childhood and watching his twisty clock under a dome in his study with all of the leather bound books. I love the smell of Youth Dew by Lancome on an older lady when I pass her... it reminds me of my grandma. What smells relax you and take you back to good memories?

15. Get a Massage

I know I have already listed a lot about pampering yourself and my whole extreme rituals in this but this deserves more attention as well. Go to a spa... have a treatment... get a massage... sit in a sauna.... get a facial. This is all definitely worth the splurge even if you can only go once a year! If you don't take care of yourself first, you can't take care of someone else. It is wonderful to do all the at home pampering you can but nothing replaces having a professional treatment as well. Massages are so relaxing... you literally melt away on the table... not only that they help flush toxins out of the body! Can't afford a massage?...While not as "melting", sitting in a sauna is a more affordable option to also flush toxins. A good HydraFacial as well, not only will flush puffiness, it will leave you glowing! Treat yourself! You will not regret the splurge.

16. Get Engrossed in "mindless" TV

Aside from my pups, this has to be my #1 way to relax and shut off. By time the day ends sometimes at 9-10pm, it seems to late to go for a walk or do some yoga, but it is not too late to indulge in a guilty pleasure. My guilty pleasure is mindless reality TV.... 

I feel bad sometimes for wasting the time to sit there and watch the Real Housewives but it is an hour I need for myself. You don't need to focus to watch it... there is no need to multitask or mentally analyze... you just indulge in the moment and scandal. 

17. Turn off the screen

This suggestion may sound counterintuitive since I just listed to turn on trashy TV but it truly is the best to turn everything off. No anxiety over checking texts and notifications over each ping on the phone or computer.... no emails needing immediate attention.... no phone calls.... no noise.... NOTHING! It is very freeing!

18. Practice Gratitude

A common cause of stress preventing relaxation is worry over things we may not have... this could come in many forms from comparing ourselves to the Jones' to finances and meeting bills to career aspirations not coming true to any other number of worries we may have.... so how do we tackle this?

Be grateful! Look at what you do have and appreciate it... if you don't appreciate the life you have, how can it get any better?

For myself, a huge stressor is being a caregiver to so many... I am an only child with two aging parents and also still have a 93 year old grandma I help care for.... it can be a lot sometimes, I am not going to lie. When it starts to weigh on me too much though, I just remember how grateful I am to still have my parents together and alive.... I am blessed to have known all of my grandparents and still have one still alive. There is always a bright side, even to the things that cause us stress. 

Just remember your worst day is what someone else would wish to have!

19. Write It Down

Another huge and common cause of stress is having too much to do! It is stressful to try to remember everything... but you know what? We don't have to anymore! We have digital assistants like our smart phones and Alexa's. We have lists we can make and dates we can write in a calendar. Myself... I am still more of a paper and pen type of gal though and call myself the "post it" queen! I could not live without lists and reminders... they take some stress off because you remember the items that need tackled. Yes... there is still stress in having a long to do list but there is even more pleasure in crossing items off that list. 

20. Do Nothing 

I relate this item right back to the meditation suggestion... easier said than done, right? If you can tackle this though and maybe just sit outside and zone out and hear the birds chirping you will feel so relaxed! 

How do you relax when the hustle and bustle gets to be too overwhelming? Comment below with your tips and make sure to hit subscribe to know when new posts are published. 

Small Joys of Nature

 I have to apologize for not having posted in so long.... my goal is to at least post 2-3 times a month... if you watch my Life Last Week vlogs as well though then you know, July was a rough month. I did not even make it to the festival for Our Lady of Mt Carmel this year to see the babydoll dance... Which wasn't even missed during COVID!

My mom became ill though and was diagnosed with a new heart condition. She stayed with me for about a week after her discharge home and it was during that time that I began to spend even more time in the backyard just sitting and relaxing. When you stop and look around more you notice more in nature as well though. I always was enjoying the yard with all the flowers and secret nook sitting areas but wasn't truly paying attention to everything around me. 

I enjoyed watching the hummingbirds come to the feeder outside my kitchen window.... I knew there was a groundhog who made occasional visits to forage for wild strawberries and clover in the lawn... I even knew there were squirrels who would come when I threw stale bread for the birds... what I didn't know was the enjoyment those squirrels would end up being!

It has now become a daily ritual to spend time just enjoying the squirrels as if they were my personal outdoor pets provided by nature. They began to come daily to collect the peanuts I had to offer and before I knew it, there would be days there were up to 6 in the yard at a time.... each with their own personalities. Some more timid than others and some so bold as to come right to me if I was even in the yard for another reason as if to tell me it was time for their peanuts!

I think this is a daily ritual now that will stay through the fall. Comment below....How are you enjoying your backyard? Do you have little pets from nature as well?

5 NE Ohio Places to Visit for Day (that are also kid-friendly!)

Northeast Ohio can sometimes be a treasure trove of daytrips that won't break the bank. Below are 5 things I have done lately that I truly enjoyed, and you might too. The good news too is that all of them are also kid-friendly, should you be looking for a place to entertain the kiddos!

 1. Ride a Train or a Trolley- Who would think of this area being a plethora of places to catch a unique ride?  ...but there are actually several options for this nearby. 

Right here in Youngstown is a train museum, the J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad, with short, and I mean short, train rides on a small gauge train... while the trip isn't long, any train enthusiast would enjoy it. Hours are limited though so be sure to check their website prior to making the trip. 

If a bit of a longer train ride would be your thing, head up to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway in Independence, where you can ride a true passenger train for over an hour through the scenic MetroParks area outside of Cleveland. They run weekends and host some special events as well. Tickets can be bought ahead on their website. 

If trains aren't your thing... there is also a restored trolley that you can ride throughout Mill Creek Metroparks in Youngstown as well! Dates vary throughout the summer so be sure to search the programs tab on the website for dates and reservations. 

2. Kid Friendly Winery- For something to unwind and relax more, there are so many wonderful wineries throughout Northeast Ohio as well. Almost any given weekend you can find a special event occurring at a winery in the area as well from music to floral/pumpkin picking to tastings and even grape stomping in the early fall... One winery in particular though has to be the most kid-friendly of all, Maize Valley in Hartville. Not only do they host numerous events throughout the year, they also have a huge play area for the kiddos and goats wondering the property keeping the grass maintained. While there, right down the road is also a huge Amish area and a weekend flea market to visit as well. 

3. Burton Village- For a more educational day out, try visiting Burton and its Century Village. They also offer many special events on weekends that can be found on their website and guided tours. On any given day though, you are welcome to stroll the property on a self-guided tour and even bring a picnic for free!

4. Animal Parks- While Northeast Ohio has several zoos... Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Akron Zoo, and even the Pittsburgh Zoo (while technically PA, not much of a drive) ... I mean more hands-on animal parks. There are several petting zoos, and probably even more that I do not know about... such as Wagon Trails in Vienna (though 2022 will sadly be their last year as the owners are retiring). There is also an exotic animal zoo in Berlin Center called Noah's Lost Ark. Even more of a hidden gem though again is the free MetroParks Farm in Canfield... they also hold many special events and hayrides which can be found on the Mill Creek Metroparks website again under the programs tab. However, even on days with no events the Farm is open to explore and pet the farm animals during daylight hours with a picnic area and a walking/ biking trail on the property as well. I often find myself visiting here often to walk and stop by to see the goats myself. 

We also cannot forget Happy Trails animal farm as well that serves as a rescue for abused and neglected farm animals. Visit their website for pricing and tour times or to volunteer. They hold special events throughout the year as well, I have even done goat yoga here before as well. 

5. Little Italy- Of course we could not forget a day well spent in Mayfield outside of Cleveland, our Little Italy! The town hosts Italian Fests as well as other events. Even a day with no events though can be full of culture, shopping, and delicious food along the Murray Hill strip! 

Just because other areas aren't labeled as "Little Italy"s though does not mean there is not Italian culture to be found on almost any given weekend of the summer at smaller Italian festivals. One of the largest in the area and the only one with a spectacular Baby Doll dance show nightly is of course Lowellville!

If you need a place to stay for your visit try a VRBO instead of a cramped hotel room. Comment below, what places do you love to visit in NE Ohio? Have you been to any of my picks? Also be sure to hit the subscribe button to receive notice of new posts! 

Regency Shop Favorites for Tuscan Decor

 I recently was introduced to Regency Shop and their no hassle, no risk approach to furniture shopping. Local shopping can be a nightmare with pushy salespeople and long lead times for delivery, so it is only natural to turn to online ordering and delivery with great customer service. With Regency Shop, I always know what to expect... each item clearly shows the delivery timeframe, and your card is not charged until delivery occurs. Below are some of my favorite items (also my wish list) found on Regency Shop. Feel free also to use code AMANDA22 at checkout or an extra 5% even on sale items!

Fleur De Lis Double Glider

Chesterfield Fabric Sofa

Chesterfield Leather Sofa

Regency Bistro Set- multiple color options

Royal Bedroom Dressing Table

Comment below... what great finds have you found on Regency Shop?

Getting the yard in Order

 It has been a huge labor of love and there is so much more to still do but I feel like the yard is finally shaping up for summer. I ordered 75 geraniums this year to use throughout the yard as well and feel it really added something. 

I have an old bike from Craig's list that I spray painted lavender tucked into the flowerbed to add some whimsy.

The basket of pansies also adds some flair to the otherwise red blooms everywhere else.

I think this barrel full of geraniums really makes a statement!

The lion is hidden behind the St John's Wart that jumped from its original spot. 

Commet below: what is the theme of your gardens? Did you plant a lot? Full walkthrough can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/pGSat1R0Y9c

Italians and Cemeteries!

It may seem like an odd dynamic and by the title of this post you may expect it more during Halloween than Memorial Day weekend.... but hear me out! As I took my grandma and my mom to the cemeteries in preparation of the holiday weekend, it occurred to me there is some strange connection and difference from other cultures that Italian Americans have with visiting cemeteries. 

Before my Grandpa Joe even passed, he would make my mother and her sister acutely aware that he must be buried in Lowellville with "his people" like he believed they'd visit each other at night. Well, he got his wish and many of his family and friends are nearby. I can't help but wonder if they really are out visiting at night. 

My mom believes based on the instilled values form her grandparents that to not care for an ancestorial grave is actually a mortal sin! My grandma as well, despite not walking well would never miss a year if she is still alive of taking flowers and crosses to the graves of family members passed. If she isn't able to walk over, she will gladly supervise from the car window. 

Why is all of this craziness? I view it as a sign of respect but have to admit that certain aspects are taken to extreme. If the county didn't cut the grass fast enough, folks will be wondering around with weedwhackers, cutting their own plots even! The Italian American cemetery before Memorial Day has more visitors than the county fair, I swear! These traditions began back in Italy as well though, so this is really nothing new. If a town doesn't have an actual Italian American cemetery as well, it isn't hard to find the Italian graves dispersed throughout.... just look for Saint statues, especially of the Madonna, vigil lights, and immaculately kept grounds with edge stones and mulch and possibly even a bench. 

While we speak on the cemetery of Lowellville, we can't ignore the cultural custom of inspecting gravesite on Memorial Day! This has to be an Italian thing! I cannot think of another local cemetery where the living in the town will walk around on Memorial Day after the celebration honoring veterans just to see which families cleaned up the graves for the summer! What shame it would be on your family and looks you would get in town if your ancestors plots were not impeccable by Memorial Day! Hence the reason for my visit today! Must get the gravesites in shape... and who knows maybe it isn't even the townsfolk who talk but maybe the spirits visiting each other at night have a thing or two to say to each other about their descendants' caretaker skills as well. Hopefully, they think I did a good job! 

None of this is new in the Italian culture though. It is just what you do and a part of the heritage... maybe not a well-known part but a huge part, nonetheless. While Memorial Day is by the far biggest of this traditional (probably because it is the "spring cleaning"), it is also very customary to ensure Christmas wreaths are placed, palm is left at Easter, and reverence is paid for All Soul's Day as well. So as long as my heritage continues, I'll be visiting the cemetery... Leave a grave unattended?  ....Fuhgettaboutit!

Kentucky Derby Home Decor!

 Finding the perfect dress/ hat combo is only part of prepping for the Derby.... I had to get my decor in the vibe as well! This year I went a little simpler than I had sometimes in previous years but definitely still set the mood for a small watch party I will be hosting. 

On the kitchen island, I left things a little simple to have room to set out the food. I used my MacKenzie-Childs bud vase to display some red roses, a small chalk board to set the tone from the wedding section of Hobby Lobby (no longer available- similar here), and of course Derby napkins from the party shop. I will be serving my pulled pork as the main dish. I had a blog post previously with this recipe that can be found here. 

I also changed out my floral arrangement on the side of the fridge to incorporate the feel of the "run for the roses" by simply adding in red faux roses with MacKenzie-Childs ribbon and bee pick. 

In the dining room as well, of course the chicken on the buffet needed an update to incorporate and abundance of red roses as well. I also displayed 14 Hands wine with my Taste of the Derby wine glasses.

Also in the dining room on the fireplace, I used a candlestick holder to hold up an elaborate riding hat. I added in boxed red roses with a box wood topiary, antique horse head statue, and gift boxes I had for height. 

In the living room, right around the corner, I sat up the mint julep station.... of course using Woodford Reserve bourbon.

For another display in the living room, I used old horse bit the lay the foundation for another horse and hat displayed on a candlestick along with a photo of being at the Derby. 

For a full walkthrough tour visit my YouTube channel. Comment below, what are you doing for the Derby this year? Did you decorate? Are you going somewhere to watch the race? Also be sure to hit subscribe to receive notice of future blog posts.