Relaxing Around The World

By Mikes Furniture

Suppose you are tired of the weather or overloaded with work and you can’t afford to travel this winter. Then, you will certainly enjoy reading about different ways to relax around the world. This is definitely a great escape for those of you with a chilly weather forecast - where snow has reaches the knees. On the other hand, there are others that are subjected to an overpowering heat- they too can grow tired of hot temperatures!

Relaxing implies multiple possible activities from spending time resting or doing something enjoyable with friends and family; enjoy the scenery, have a drink, meditate outdoors, or simply get cozy at home!  

Let’s go around the globe from the Americas to Europe, stopping by in Asia for a relaxing discovery tour.

Chill out in the Americas. If you were to choose rain or snow which one would you go for? In Canada, there is anything from rainy weather in Vancouver to snowstorms in Quebec.  Most Canadians try to get away to warmer places right next door like Florida! You will definitely get there faster by plane, but some would prefer driving! The route is longer on the road, but at least you can see the country.

The classic move…going to the Caribbean! Grab a novel, put enough sunscreen for a day and take a bottle of water. You’re all set for a beach day; it’s a common option, but still enjoyable in winter time!

Heading towards Europe…

There are nice destinations where you will relish the mild weather if you remain in the western part. Going up north to countries like Sweden would give you the opportunity to relax in a cottage and enjoy the Nordic spa lifestyle! You could also simply stay in a cabin and sit next to a fireplace with a hot drink in your hands!

Fly away to South Africa or Down Under – This is the perfect time to enjoy the scenery and have dinners outside! Sometimes, one forgets that winter in America does not fall at the same time in other parts of the world. January could be the coldest month for Canadians, but the hottest for Australians! So if you need Vitamin D and some lay back moments. then it is time for you to getaway.

Low -Budget Relax for free… as quoted by Jane Austen: “Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort! ”. Whether you live in the northern or southern hemisphere, you have to best place to relax: YOUR HOME! Such a nice reminder to help us relax comfortably!

  

Now that you have a myriad of information on how to getaway, for all types of budgets, you can now make an educated decision. Remember, there are many places you can escape to for relaxation – it depends on your definition of what that means. 

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How to Organize Your Bookcase

By Mikes Furniture

Here is a fact; everybody has books in their home! Whether you are a passionate reader, a book collector or a person who rarely reads; what do you do with these books? Where do you put them? Surely, we’ve all asked ourselves these questions at some point and came up with this conclusion. A Bookcase is the most appropriate furniture to organize them. It can actually bring a new look to your home!

Are there any rules for bookcases? No need to organize your books on shelves as if you are in a library unless you are a neat freak. Bookcase shelves can be unstructured masterpieces of furniture where you can also arrange home accents.

Here are some suggestions to make your bookcase multifunctional and stylish at the same time: 

Be creative in your books arrangement!

Place some books horizontally and vertically on the shelves. Magazines and articles can also find some room on the shelves. You can also brighten your shelves by playing with the color of the books while placing them!

Don’t fall into the classic bookcase use…feel free to add home accents too! Now you can definitely display all of your little collectibles on the shelves. These items will give more perspective and depth to your bookcase; it will surely catch all your guests ‘eyes!

Open bookcase shelves can give a fresh and contemporary look to your room! Dare to innovate in choosing your bookcase.

In kids’ room, a bookshelf is a must-have for storage. Kids can arrange books and all their others unexpected items such as dolls, mega blocks or cars in baskets. It is also a great way for parents to teach them at a young age how to be organized, in hopes that they will apply it later on. As a short term solution, their room will stay tidy!

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How to Spend Martin Luther King Day

By Mikes Furniture

Everybody has dreams, right? And what if they come true? Martin Luther King Jr, a civil-rights activist had one some years ago, where all Americans, regardless of their background and cultural diversity would become equal.

As we celebrate Martin Luther King’s holiday on January 18^th; we should continue to put this dream of a “better world” into practice by:

1-     Take the opportunity to give some of your time as a volunteer in citizen action groups

2-     Spend quality time with your family and kids. What a great lesson it is to teach them what this day symbolizes and have them share their own dreams!

3-     Bring a bit of culture diversity to your ears by going to live-music tributes or listen to readings!

4-     Watch parades or go to museum exhibits; most of them are free on that day!

5-     Make a holiday dinner featuring cuisine from different countries or regions.

Whether you're a dreamer or hope to achieve a cleaner environment, a better dish, or the perfect tea party, this holiday should inspire you to move forward with your aspirations. With or without kids, appreciate the most of the diversity on this day.

Happy Martin Luther King Holiday!

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By Mikes Furniture

By Mikes Furniture

Mikes Furniture

As we know, people are always changing and so do their aspirations. When the clock strikes twelve and we enter into a new year, we get a second chance to be accountable to ourselves. Is there anything we can improve in the New Year? Remember not to be too ambitious as you may feel overwhelmed quite quickly. On the other hand, don’t set really low standards either, because then you might be inclined to take them lightly. The idea is to have the perfect balance; meaningful goals that are attainable. In addition to making achievable goals, make sure to monitor your progress to help you hang on.

Here are some examples of resolutions that can be more attainable:

1. Vow to spend more time with your friends and family. Apart from being selfless, involving others in your resolution is a perfect way to motivate yourself to achieve your goal. This is the perfect opportunity for you to entertain more often and to dust off that leaf extension you have for your dining table!

 2. Vow to change your sleeping habits. This should not be too difficult either. Conventional wisdom teaches us that mind, body and soul work as one. Therefore, it is safe to say that rest is needed to maintain optimal health. Start by going to bed earlier to get more sleep. If your mattress is preventing you from having a good night’s rest, you may want to invest in a good one.

3. Vow to take some personal time now and then. Whether that means sitting on the couch and watching your favorite show or reading a book, we all need personal time to decompress from our day. We all get busy, but it’s important to make time for something we enjoy. This does not mean you now have “carte blanche” to become a couch potato! On the contrary!

Living Room Furniture

Well there you have it – some tips to help you see your resolutions in a new light. Making meaningful and attainable goals just might help you make some long-term changes in your life.

Happy New Year!

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Ideas for New Year’s Eve

By Mike's Furniture

Don’t drop the ball just yet! New Year’s Eve has a way of sneaking up on people, and if you haven’t had the chance to plan anything other than your guest list to a tentative party, here are some great last-minute ideas that will delude your guests into thinking you planned ahead! Of course, there are countless ways to spend the night, but here are a few ideas that serve as an alternative to the over-hyped and expensive ways to spend New Year’s Eve.

1)      Dress your best

Whether you are celebrating the New Year with that special someone or you plan to fill your home with your friends and family, this is the perfect occasion not to hold back.  Host an elegant soiree by encouraging your guests to wear their party clothes. You may want to throw in some fun props such as boas, tiaras, hats, noisemakers and horns for good measure. The extra amusement will not only accessorize apparel, but it will set the party atmosphere.

2)      Party Food Ideas

Make it a BYOA (bring your own appetizer) event. Ask your guests to bring some easy finger foods that require little preparation such as raw vegetables, fruit, nuts and cheese with crackers. This will keep you and your guests till you have dinner. As for dinner, opt for a romantic candlelit dinner following midnight. After the countdown and noisy fun, have your guests gather around the table to share a meal and their hopes for the New Year.

3)      A night for toasting

In order to be a thoughtful and gracious host, make sure to provide your guests with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, so that your guests who do not drink will not feel pressured. There is no need to be a mixologist to pull off impressive drinks. You can find a myriad of festive drinks online to cater to groups. Along with your drinks, be prepared to share a toast or two throughout the evening, so you can kick off things for your guests and have them participate.

Have a great New Year’s party! Remember to drink responsibly and to take it upon yourself as a host not to allow any of your guests drive home intoxicated. Happy New Year!

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Watching Christmas Movies

By Mike's Furniture

Christmas time – the one holiday where nostalgia is encouraged. Many of us enjoy taking a trip down memory lane, while watching some classic Christmas movies that will forever remind us of our childhood. Bring back the magic this holiday season by cuddling up with your loved ones and watching your favorite movies in a cozy atmosphere. How might one set the right atmosphere to make their viewing enjoyable? Let’s take a look at the key furniture to aid with this matter:

The right seating:

First, you need to get your seating arrangements down pat. The sectional is the family-friendly alternative to its counterpart, the sofa. There are a variety of configurations, making it easier to fit the intended space. Families often seek comfort and practicality, which are both found in sectionals. Besides, a sectional is perfect for snuggling under a blanket with a hot cup of cocoa, while you watch a Christmas movie. However, if you’re not the snuggling type and you need your own space, consider kicking back on a recliner to personalize your comfort and viewing experience.

Helpful sidekicks – your home accents:

Now that you have your seating nipped in the bud, you are on your way to making your viewing experience quite magical. Apart from your seating, you may want to rest your feet. If resting your feet beside you is not an option, why not mull over a pouf or an ottoman. Not only are they currently very trendy, but they can solve a seating problem (as additional seating) and are great to rest tired feet upon. In addition, for those with a sweet tooth, you can always use your pouf/ottoman to support a tray full of tasty treats.

Watching Christmas movies with your family in the right atmosphere is the perfect way to usher in the season. Happy Holidays!                                       

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Hosting for Christmas

By Mike's Furniture

Are you hosting for the holidays this year? As you know, hosts have a lot on their plates. This implies that your work will be cut out for you long before your guests arrive. In order to pull off an elegant get-together, whether it is a sit-down dinner or a cocktail party, you need to consider whether you will be in a position to accommodate your guests. The question remains, do you have the appropriate furniture for hosting this season? Here are some smart buys that have multifunctional use.

The sleeper sofa:

Are you looking to replace your sofa? Or are you having difficulty coming up with sleeping arrangements for guests that are coming from out of town? Then why not consider purchasing a stylish sofa that transform into a queen-size bed? Not only will you wind up with a beautiful sofa to seat your guests and that meshes perfectly with your home décor, but it would provide the perfect retreat for overnight guests. It’s a win-win situation.

Dining room hacks:

There are a few dining room hacks that can help you execute a successful dinner party. Ideally, the most accommodating dining table would have a leaf extension. That way, seating your guests will be a breeze. If you do not have such a table or cannot attempt to purchase one, contemplate buying a bench, especially since current trends favor mixing styles. This gives you freedom to purchase a bench that doesn’t necessarily match! By using a bench, you can maximize the seating around your table, as the other chairs being replaced by the bench will be additional seating. However, if you plan to host a self-serve meal to avoid the fuss of figuring seating arrangements, you may want to look at the practical “Trishelle” dining set. This set has shelving below the table, which can be convenient to pile plates, cups and cutlery below the food you want to display. There you have it, your perfect buffet sidekick! 

Multifunctional living room pieces:

The dining room is not the only room you should examine when thinking about serving your guests. Your living room can feature convenient pieces such as an ottoman, which can serve as a foot rest for your guests would like to enjoy some television or as a tray to serve your perfect Christmas cocktail drink. The ottoman is not the largest purchase you can make, but it is quite nifty. Next is the famous coffee table that meets storage. The “Vennilux” coffee table is a masterful blend between style and practicality. 

 

This storage crate allows you to store pillows, throws and even poufs you may want to pull out for additional seating!

Happy hosting and more importantly, happy holidays!

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