Tag Archives: Florida Keys

How To Update The Look Of Your Windows And Make Them Look Amazing With Minimal Spending!!! Impress Family And Friends!!!

Windows! We can love them or we can hate them! In my case, I love them! Living in the Sunshine state has its perks. Like having a beautiful palm tree growing outside my living room window!

This palm tree is a beautiful reminder of what it’s like living in tAmazonhe Florida Keys! My guests have commented on the palm tree’s location in front of the window which led to (the dreaded) “So what are you thinking about doing to this window?” By that point, I had already purchased some Top-Down Bottom Up Blinds for privacy and to also allow light in but the window itself was LACKING, to put it kindly. Literally, just looked like a wall with a window in it. BOOOORING!

*For those of you who want to see the blinds I bought. They have helped me save soooo much money by keeping the house cool (FLORIDA IS HOT!) and being able to open the top down I have privacy in so many ways!*

My light Filtering for downstairs

My Blackouts for the Bedrooms that work wonders!

Back to the shears to make those windows Pop! Being equally as frugal as picky, I started to research what shears would look good but wouldn’t distract the relaxing view outside. The idea of just hanging a rod and stringing on some blinds, eh seemed like it would feel make the window look heavy and distract from the tropical view outside.

Time to get creative. Frugal, but creative.

This window’s aesthetic goal was it going to be a living, constantly changing piece of art, and nature was going to be the artist.

How in the world do you make that happen?!?! (and not go broke?!?)

That’s when I started looking at what Amazon had to offer. Living on a 2 by 4 mile rock leaves you with limited choices and there was no way I was about to drive to the mainland for something I didn’t want to spend more than $50 bucks on! (I’d of spent more on gas and tolls!)

Thankfully, at that point I had already purchased a curtain rod. The rod I had chosen had enough contrast to the grayish blue walls surrounding the window to draw your eye up but not so much as to linger at the rod itself. The walls being painted the grayish blue also meant the color of the curtain would have to be light. White, in this case, would work. Typically, I like to choose a different color draw attention to the window but in this case the goal was not to bring the attention to the window itself but the view outside.

Another factor I had to address was taking attention away from hardware used to install the blinds in the windows. Quite frankly, if I can do this to all of the blinds in my house I would. Those are upcoming projects.

The stage was set. The window treatment for the long window with a view of the palm tree in the courtyard needed to be light in color without feeling washed out (cue curtain rod) all while to prevent from being distracted from, but mainly blocking, the view of the hardware for the blinds in the window itself. Typical curtains need not apply.

So what was available that met all of my needs and affordable?

This beauty.

It was white (check), had as subtle amount of texture for some character (check on the subtleness), could be hung to hang on either side of the window like typical curtain (check), and the best part, could be hung in such a way to block the view of the hardware for the blinds (epic check). It was also only $15.99 on Amazon!

My goal of making my living room window a piece of living art was achieved! In total spending no more than $30 or $40 for everything! To me, that’s a steal!

Instead of getting, “So what are you going to do with that window?” , I’m now being complemented with, “Wow, that’s a beautiful view you have in your living room!”

Feel free to steal the idea for yourself and ENJOY!

Why Residents love the Florida Keys Life! (and why you should too!)

Welcome to The Florida Keys! Full of sunshine, ocean life, culture, and more!  Home to the southernmost city in the continental U.S!  America’s Carribean!

The Florida Keys stretch from the tip of the Florida mainland then turn West towards the Gulf of Mexico.   There is literally one road into the Keys, US-1 aka The Overseas Highway!  Your drive will take you over the numerous bridges connecting the island chain. Complete with picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean to the South and the Gulf to the North.  You’ll find a variety of niche restaurants, stores, and landmarks dotting your path as you head down US-1.

The warm weather is also perfect for all kinds of water related activities.   People enjoy boating, fishing, snorkeling, diving, and even sunset cruises, just to name a few.  The highway has several bridges you’ll find locals fishing from and several walking trails which you can adventure out on and explore the waters and mangrove ecosystem.

Wintertime, the Keys play host to Mantees, aka sea cows, lazily drifting where ever they please.  January is even host to local fishing tournaments!  The weather is ideal if you enjoy the outdoors.

Key West is the most popular destination in the Keys.  The island is only 2 by 4 miles wide but overflowing with culture,  history,  and plenty of activities to keep you busy on land.   Between the several beaches you can go to including Fort Zachary Taylor, a Florida State park, you can swim and snorkel until the sunsets!

If you love sunsets, Mallory Square in Key West is home to the Sunset Celebration! I’ve heard you should watch the Sunset at least once a day! The Celebration hosts eclectic performances from an number of individuals! There’s never a dull moment!

Night life in Key West is one of a kind! Patrons can wander up and down Duval taking in the sites while sipping their favorite adult beverage! The street has various establishments from bars overlooking the street which is great for people watching, to numerous places to go dance the night away, there are even well hidden bars on Duval itself that are well suited if you want to enjoy a more mellow spot and still see and hear what’s going on along the main stretch.

If you want to get away, in America’s Caribbean,  The Florida Keys is your place to go!