Being close to nature has many benefits but many of us cannot reap its benefits in cities due to lack of trees and plants and excessive buildings. Several studies around the world have shown the positive effects of greenery on our well-being. Did you know that houseplants can boost your creativity by up to 45 […]
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The West Sound Magazine blog is your destination for information and tips about living in West Sound — home, gardening, outdoor recreation, things to do and more.
Posted inAt Home
Carving Out Space for a Home Office
Have you always wanted a workspace at home to retreat to or tinker in? Or perhaps you paint, sew or craft, or maybe want a space for meditation and exercise? Don’t think you have the room? Let’s look around your house and see what we can find for each space. For an office, you don’t […]
Posted inAt Home
Go Upscale with a Designer Vanity
How much thought do you give to your bathroom vanity? If you’re like most of us, then the answer is, almost none at all. As long as it’s large enough to hold all your sundry items, you’re good to go, right? I’m here to tell you that you should expect so much more than that […]
Posted inAt Home
How to Have ‘The Talk’ with Your Adult Children
Seniors have ample options when it comes to retirement and embarking on their next life journey. Many adults do not want to burden their children with talk about retirement, but are also concerned about the financial tolls retirement may take. Many adults are also in denial about their health conditions and often don’t think about […]
Posted inAround West Sound
Buying Fair Trade for the Holidays
So you want to buy ethically this holiday season, but you’re not sure how? Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church has you covered. On Nov. 18 and 19, the Gig Harbor church is hosting its annual Festival of Hope, a community-wide event dedicated to selling only fair-trade products and telling the stories of artisans from around the […]
Posted inAt Home
Sweet Potatoes
Is it a sweet potato or a yam? Much confusion abounds as to whether they are the same thing or not, and what, if anything, is the difference. Unless you visit an ethnic-foods market that imports vegetables from Africa, it is doubtful that the long, red skinned tuber offered for sale is a yam. Yams […]
Posted inAt Home
Home Theatres — Is There One in Your Future?
Home theaters are a very popular request in remodels and new homes today — and rightfully so. Who wouldn’t love a room to lounge in with family and friends and watch their favorite shows and movies? The term home theater is used quite liberally. When they first became popular, they really were theaters, mostly for […]
Posted inAt Home
Fall Prevention Tips to Keep You Independent as You Age
According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), nearly 90 percent of seniors want to remain in their own homes as they get older. The catch phrase for this wish is “aging in place.” It is the simple concept of gracefully living out one’s days in the comfort of their own home. Many seniors […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
10 Steps to Winterizing Your Outdoor Power Equipment
If you’re done aerating and getting your lawn ready for the winter, you’re probably ready to put your outdoor power equipment away. Did you know that outdoor power equipment needs to be winterized before it is stored for the fall? That helps avoid problems in the spring. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) recommends for […]