Paint Splashing

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At first glance, you might be thinking this is a DIY tips and tricks blog post about how to prevent paint drips, spills, and splashes. Brace for the disappointment – it isn’t. I love to incorporate paint into almost every DIY project I do, but I have not mastered how to do it without getting at least a drop or two somewhere the paint shouldn’t go. I am the normalize imperfections lady after all. Ha!

Today, I want to share a fun activity that is perfect for family fun, a friend gathering, or even a team-building exercise. You likely have heard of Escape Rooms or maybe even Rage Rooms, but have you heard of Paint Splashing Rooms? There are businesses all over North Carolina that specialize in this. After a quick Google search, it appears there are options in major cities of nearly every state in the US. If you haven’t been to one yet, I highly recommend going! It’s an incredibly fun experience.

Every summer, my college roommates (Melissa, Mona, and Yvette) and I try to meet for a day of fun to catch up and make new memories. This year, Yvette suggested that we try paint splashing in Greensboro, NC – the city where we attended college. So, we reserved a room at Mad Splatter.

None of us had been paint splashing before. When we arrived, we were guided to a room where we learned all about the process. We also received coveralls, goggles, canvases, embellishments, paint brushes, and paint. We were even allowed to choose the music from a large selection of playlists that would play in our splash room while we painted. Since we all graduated in the late 1900s, we selected the “Hits of 1998” playlist. Our room was reserved for one hour, which was plenty of time to paint our canvases, act goofy, and add our marks to the room itself.

The concept of paint splashing is as simple as it sounds. Splash paint on your canvas in any way that you choose to end up with a Jackson Pollock-esque piece of artwork of your very own. You don’t have to know what you’re doing – just sling paint – and I promise you’ll have a masterpiece when you’re finished. Abstract is my absolute favorite style of art, and the degree I earned while living with these ladies was a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art, so this activity with them had me all in my nostalgic feels. We laughed the entire time. We might have danced a little. We got paint EVERYWHERE. And I am confident we’ll be talking about this experience for years to come.

I was not compensated for this post, and it contains no affiliate links. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way. Photo credits can be viewed by hovering over each image above. All sources found online unless property of Eclectic Jenn.

Roomies: click here for the videos that I promised 🙂

Three Tips to Beat the Heat

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A Guide to Hobby Farming During the Summer Months

I established my hobby farm in 2019, completely naive to every responsibility that came with it. All I knew was that I wanted chickens, goats, and a vegetable garden. Over the past five years, I have learned that I likely never will have all of the equipment and knowledge of a large-scale farmer. And that’s okay! But as a result, it is important for me to know what I need to do to protect myself and my animals from summer heat.

Here in North Carolina, it’s quite common for our summers to be very hot and humid. So far, we already have had a few days over 90-degrees. It’s no secret that I love warm weather (by warm weather, I mean triple-digit temperatures make me happy!) but even I struggle with enjoying outdoor work during this time of year.

It can be hard on our bodies to adjust to hot weather. It’s particularly harder on our animals. My goats and chickens tolerate cold weather much better than they do the heat. Wyandottes and Buff Orpington chickens are very cold hardy breeds. They need extra attention during the summer months. Pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf goats can handle extreme heat better than other goat breeds due to their smaller size. However, they still have basic requirements during the summer. With the right approach, you and your animals can beat the summer heat together. Here are three quick tips that are sure to help you all.

1. Hydrate — Make sure that you are all drinking plenty of fluids.

For humans, the recommended 64 oz of water per day won’t cut it. You’re going to need more, and you’ll want more than just water. I have found that during the summer months, I drink at least 100 oz of water per day. That does not count the 16-20 oz minimum of electrolytes that I consume. It is important to drink an electrolyte (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) replacement to replenish what is naturally lost when we sweat.

Our animals need fresh, clean drinking water daily. Depending on the number of animals that you have, fresh water might be needed multiple times in one day. Water containers should be free of algae. Electrolytes can also be given to chickens and goats during extreme heat or when signs of heat stress are present. Be sure to know your animal’s/breed’s needs and consult with a veterinarian if you have concerns.

2. Shade — It is crucial for humans and animals alike to have a place of refuge from the glaring sun. If you have chores that fall between mid-morning and late afternoon, be sure to wear large brimmed hats. I like to keep a comfy chair close by that can be moved from a covered porch to a large shade tree, depending on where the sun is during the day. If you don’t have a covered porch or large trees in your yard, consider investing in a large patio umbrella or popup tent.

Ideally, trees are the best option of shade for animals. Trees allow breezes to help cool animals where other structures may limit or prohibit airflow. For my goats, I have several options since I do not have trees in the pasture yet. Barns and sheds are great for providing shade. It is not necessary for a goat barn/shed to be tall or enclosed. A three-sided structure just slightly taller than the goat is perfect. I also have tents that serve as sun blockers too. Just be sure that any structure, wooden or otherwise, has good air flow.

My chicken coop is elevated, which provides added airflow to help cool the inside, and gives the chicken a great shaded spot where the ground is always considerably cooler than the shavings in their run.

3. Early Morning Work — Have you ever heard the phrase, “getting up with the chickens”? As silly as it might seem, I have found that it is the absolutely best way to beat the heat. Just this morning, I was out tidying up the goat barn at 6:00am. The high today is forecast-ed to be 92ºF but it was below 70º this morning. That was cool enough to get my farm chores done without breaking a sweat. If you can’t do early morning, consider waiting until after the sun goes down to work outside. Temps here in North Carolina start to drop around 7:00pm but it is still light out until 9:00pm. This time of day is not the coolest, but having a break from the scorching sun does provide a little relief.

Just like humans, animals can become overheated during the day too. It is best to move/work animals in the early morning or late afternoon as well. I recently had a goat with scours. When I noticed it, it was still above 90ºF. I didn’t want to cause her any addition stress by isolating her at 5:00pm. Since she had already been with a few other goats grazing in the paddock, I chose to wait until 8:00pm to move her into the goat pen. It was an easier transition for us both!

BONUS TIPS:

Cool Treats — Everyone enjoys a cool treat in the summertime. Instead of ice cream, consider a frozen fruit bar instead. These can be purchased or made, and are less heavy on our stomachs than frozen dairy or dairy-alternative options. If you want something dairy-ish, frozen yogurt is a great choice. You can actually freeze regular yogurt cups. I like to use Greek yogurt because it is higher in protein and usually contains less sugar. Frozen grapes are also a wonderful refreshing snack in the summertime!

Did you know that frozen grapes are also perfect for chickens? I love freezing fruits and veggies for my hens. I have frozen an assortment of things: grapes, pumpkin puree, corn, cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, and even mixed greens. I give these to the girls on hot summer days to cool them down and keep them entertained.

Goats can benefit from frozen treats too! I do have to be more selective with their treats. A goats digestion track is a bit more sensitive than chickens. I always have to make sure that grass/hay is their primary source of nutrition. However, goats also enjoy frozen watermelon, strawberries, grapes, and bananas. I have also give my kids chilled carrots, celery, and squash. Be sure to always confirm with a reliable source what snacks are safe for your animals to consume.

Stay cool and have a great summer!

I was not compensated for this post, and it contains no affiliate links. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way. Photos are property of Eclectic Jenn.

Office to Evening: Layered Fashion

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With increased heat covering most of the United States between May and September, many of us deal with record high temps outside. But what about inside? For those of us lucky enough to work in an office, the climate can be quite different. Look familiar?

heat
It is always freezing in my office because facilities keeps the air conditioning set to subarctic levels. Every morning I stand at my closet and ponder, “What do I wear today that will be appropriate for the forecast-ed heat wave, knowing that the office is going to feel like I just walked into a refrigerator?” Staying warm in the air conditioning doesn’t have to be unfashionable. And you shouldn’t have to pack a second set of clothes to change into if you’re meeting friends for dinner after work. I have compiled a list of essentials for the professional to help win this battle.

Women’s Essentials


LEGGINGS: Leggings are the perfect complement to the cute spring and summer dresses. A closet staple year-round, leggings come in a variety of thicknesses and lengths. It is very easy to customize a degree of warmth that is perfect for you by selecting a thicker ankle-length legging or a thinner capri-length. Bonus: Leggings don’t cover your feet so you can easily slip out of your leggings quickly, and without having to unbuckle and take off your fashionable sandals. You’ll shed that layer and be ready for a warm evening outside in less than a minute!


ANKLE BOOTS: Ankle boots have become a fashion favorite among many. They can be paired with just about any outfit during any season of the year. They’re functional and fun! Those of you like me, who can never get warm unless your toes are warm, will appreciate that ankle boots can discretely hide a pair of no-show socks! Toss a pair of thin sandals or flip flops into your purse, and change out of your ankle boots and socks before heading out for the evening.


KIMONO: The kimono has become a timeless fashion trends. They look great paired with a blouse and dress pants or with a white tank top and jean shorts. A kimono can be worn over a sundress or a semiformal dress. This piece is so versatile; every woman should own one! Admit it… layering has never been more chic.

Men’s Essentials


HOODIE: Hoodies aren’t just for game day! Layers can sometimes be uncomfortable, but hoodies provide a lot of comfort and warmth. I mean, who doesn’t love wearing a hoodie? They’re also extremely easy to care for. A classic black, navy, or gray hoodie is very acceptable in an office setting. Leave one hanging on the back of your office door for warmth and style.


VEST: Sweater vests are always in style, but are especially trendy now. This classic piece is perfect for layering. They come in a variety of styles and material, and are probably as versatile as the women’s kimono. They can be worn over both t-shirts and button down shirts, and are an easy transition for the cold office.

UNDERSHIRT: Undershirts, like women’s leggings, come in a large selection of styles and thickness. Although it isn’t as easy to remove this layer, companies like Tommy John create awesome undershirts that can be worn as a single layer t-shirt. With its premium, stay dry fabric, this comfy and cool option is perfect for a casual night of drinks with the guys.

Essentials for Both


CARDIGAN: The Cardigan will always be a favorite of mine. Classic and comfy, it speaks for itself. Originating in the 1800s, the Cardigan proves that it is here to stay. It is an office staple for both women and men.


SCARF: Scarves are typically thought of as a winter accessory for both men and women. However, if you’re looking for an easy layer of warmth, consider the scarf as an office accessory too. Scarves come in an array of lengths, fabrics, and colors/patterns to complement any outfit. And they are extremely trendy for guys and gals!


JACKET: The number one office go-to for layered summer fashion is, without a doubt, the jacket. The ultimate in class and versatility, a jacket pulls together an outfit while offering an extra layer of warmth. However, when you think of jackets, you shouldn’t only think of suit coats. Consider all cuts and materials, including the Summer Blazer for men and the Shacket for women. Both come in a variety of styles, even offering different sleeve lengths, and fabrics, including linen and seersucker as popular choices. Don’t rule out denim. A tailored jean jacket over a sleeveless blouse adds style and comfort to white dress pants or a patterned pencil skirt. Slip the jackets off for the easiest of transitions to a dinner date or an evening out with friends.

I hope that my list of Office-to-Evening essentials has been helpful. If you’re still a bit overwhelmed, consider incorporating one or two pieces at first. Not sure you can pull off a scarf or leggings? That’s okay! Start with classic pieces and build from there. The thing to remember is that layers are key in helping you transition from a frigid office setting to a hot night on the town.

Inspired from my blog post originally published on in collaboration with Tommy John.

I was not compensated for this post, and it contains no affiliate links. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way. Photo credits can be viewed by hovering over each image above. All sources found online unless property of Eclectic Jenn.