Tammy 
There’s nothing that I love more about Halloween than fun Halloween food ideas. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and I am always on the hunt for easy Halloween recipes. Creepy cocktails, mummy mini pizzas, a halloween snack board…all the things. It’s so fun to make cute and creepy spooky snacks for kids and … Read more
Halloween in Orange County is hot. October is the warmest time of the year and that lends itself to great trick-or-treating, outdoor Halloween celebrations, and over the top outdoor Halloween decorations. Backyard Halloween parties are commonplace in these parts with the warm weather. For years we’ve had parties with scavenger hunts, monster mash cake-walks, Halloween … Read more
If you love soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies, you’re going to love these toll house bars! This sheet pan chocolate chip cookie bar recipe is a really quick and easy way to get the same soft and chewy home-baked cookie, but just baked all at once in bar form instead of needing to scoop … Read more
As hard as it is for me to let go of summer, It means that spooky season is just around the corner, and that is definitely something to look forward to! If you’ve been following the blog for awhile, you know that I am obsessed with Halloween (and pretty much the entire holiday season!) I … Read more
There’s nothing I love more at Halloween time than a spooky drink or spooky treat….you know…gummy body parts or something served in a black cauldron with candy eyeballs…that sort of thing. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays…you can probably tell by all of the Halloween content on the blog. It’s funny because I don’t … Read more
When I was a kid, summer vacation was all about road trips. My dad LOVES to drive. Always has. My grandpa did too. Every summer I remember my dad taking a couple of weeks off from his shop and we would hit the open road on long road trips. Sometimes my grandparents would join us … Read more
Football season is almost upon us and if you know me or have been following along with the blog for a bit, you probably know I’m a big football fan. As much as I love going to football games, watching them at home with a killer spread of favorite tailgate foods while you cheer on … Read more
It’s been said that Paris is always a good idea…and I’m here to let you know that Paris is a good idea at Christmas too. A couple of years ago John threw out the idea of heading to Paris for Christmas. Andy was on his mission and we were looking for a bit of an … Read more
My family that lives in Phoenix has already been in school for a few weeks…can you even believe that? They start in the middle of July. I can’t even wrap my head around the idea of starting school when summer feels like it’s barely started. Now that it’s August though, I know so many of … Read more
Birthday parties for little girls are just the most fun to plan! When Ash asked for a Paris-themed party the wheels immediately started turning. 😉 I decided to combine her love of baking with the Paris theme party and the birthday girl could not have been more excited to celebrate! If you know me, you … Read more
With all kinds of spring and summer parties coming up, this easy fruit dip recipe is my go-to to pair with my favorite fruit this time of year. A few simple ingredients and you have a delicious creamy dip that is perfect for birthday parties, a baby shower, pool party and all your spring and … Read more
I was at Target yesterday and Back to School is definitely on everyone’s mind! The school supplies were all out and I had a hard time passing them by. 😉 I am such a sucker for new boxes of crayons and pencils, erasers, a good pocket chart…all of the fun things for a new classroom … Read more
Watermelon Feta Orzo Salad is the most delicious salad for these warm summer days. Full of simple ingredients this is the fresh salad that you need for all your barbecues. Unlike a traditional Greek salad with red kalamata olives, juicy tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers, this great recipe calls for cold, juicy and sweet watermelon, salty, … Read more
Nothing makes a party or holiday feel more like a special occasion than an eye-catching balloon garland. I knew that I wanted to make July 4th feel a little more like a party than usual, so I ordered a DIY Balloon garland kit from Amazon. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure … Read more
Fresh basil, ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella balls…this cherry tomatoes salad recipe screams summer and is the perfect addition to all of your BBQs this summer. It is one of my favorite recipes and just about the easiest thing you can make. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. This simple … Read more
A couple of months ago John had a conference at the Omni Dallas hotel in the heart of downtown Dallas. Whenever he has work meetings, if I can, I like to tag along. These days it’s gotten a lot easier with both kids in college. Its kind of a weird thing to have the freedom … Read more
I have been searching for this oatmeal raisin cookie recipe for years. After countless attempts to get it just right I feel like I can finally rest. 😉 Years ago when we moved to Utah, we left behind one of my favorite places to grab lunch and my favorite cookies – Paradise Bakery and Cafe. … Read more
The 4th of July is almost here and that means it’s time to plan the perfect 4th of July menu! Whether you are attending family gatherings or a neighborhood block party good food is always the best part of any Independence Day party! I decided to put together all of my best fourth of July … Read more
As much as I love chocolate, caramel comes in a close second…and actually, a chocolate caramel combination is total perfection if you ask me! Twix, 100 Grand Bars, chocolate covered caramel apples…all so yum! If you love caramel too, then you need to add this super easy and delicious recipe to your recipe box. This … Read more
If you’ve been following along with the blog or on instagram for a while, then you probably have a pretty good idea of just how much we love Disneyland in our family. 😉 Living with Disneyland park just 20 minutes up the road for the last 20 years has turned us into slight fanatics. This … Read more
This Chick-fil-A Market Salad recipe might just be Ashley’s favorite salad of all time. So many menu items at fast food restaurants are just not the healthiest, but I love that with Chick-fil-A I can drive through a fast food chain restaurant and find something that is full of fresh ingredients. If you are looking … Read more
I don’t know where I’ve been for the last 40+ years, but I can honestly say I’m not sure I have ever had scotcharoo bars in my life until this last year. I know…you’re in total disbelief. One of my favorite soda shops in Utah also sells treats…one of which is a scotcharoo bar. I … Read more
It’s no secret that I love tacos and guacamole and fiestas and mariachi bands…you get the idea. 😉 For Andy and Victoria’s wedding celebration I HAD to do a fiesta theme. The bright colors, the food, the music…it was just too perfect. The challenge for me with this party was to make sure that I … Read more
Last weekend we had the chance to celebrate Andy and Victoria’s wedding with friends and family in OC. We were SO lucky and it was a gorgeous Southern California evening. I had been thinking about the best way to celebrate since it would be a few weeks after their actual wedding. I wanted it to … Read more
Apple Pie is a staple of summer and lucky for us, fall is time for all things apples too. We have been fortunate enough to inherit a very productive granny smith apple tree, so I have become a little more creative in order to use up those apples! This apple tree is so prolific and … Read more
We have been celebrating birthday after birthday around here…including another one this week! I don’t know about you but I use printable birthday gift tags all the time. These happy birthday tag printable freebies are such a great thing to have around the house for those last minute gifts. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to … Read more
Happy April Fool’s Day!! Are you a big prankster? I used to enjoy doing funny little things for the kids when they were little, but I don’t do much now. I sure like to see the funny things that others do though! I was actually induced to have Andy on April 1st and I was … Read more
Yay for Friday! What are your plans for this Easter weekend? We are looking forward to a big dinner with a bunch of the kids friends from school. I love being able to give them a “home base” so to speak while they are all away from their families. It’s fun to get to know … Read more
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE a charcuterie board. I would be happy to eat one for every meal. Charcuterie boards are easy to make, usually please even the pickiest of eaters, and look beautiful. We have some different groups of guests coming in the next few months for weddings and graduations and … Read more
A powder bathroom is always such a fun space to design. It’s a little space completely removed from the rest of the house that lets you be a little wild. You can play with patterns and colors and features that you might be a little afraid to put somewhere in a larger room in the … Read more
Happy Monday! John and I landed back in SLC late last night and literally came from beautiful blue skies and spring like weather in OC straight back to winter with snow on the ground and freezing rain. FUN! Take me back to the sunshine! 😉 Here’s a little of what we’ve been up to this … Read more
This week’s weekend wishlist is a little different. With Easter on the way, here’s a little Amazon wishlist for Easter basket goodies for all the girls in your life. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. I know sometimes it’s hard to come up with ideas for teens and tweens, so … Read more
Seven layer dip has been around forever and is seriously one of the best and most delicious appetizers you can make. It’s always a hit at every party. You can always buy your 7 layer dip at Costco or your local grocery store, but this Cinco de Mayo rather than buying it at the store, … Read more
John had a work conference in Nashville, TN in November and I tagged along. I was SO excited. I had never been to Nashville and it has been one of those places on my list for years. In late 2020 John had to go for work and I just wasn’t comfortable traveling at that time, … Read more
Another busy week is in the books! Once the days get longer I feel like they go faster…does that happen to anyone else? Maybe just because there’s more to get done, who knows…but whatever the reason, it flew by. Here’s a little of what’s been happening around here this week. This post contains affiliate links. … Read more
It’s time for this week’s Weekend Wishlist. All the pretty things that have captured my attention this week. I hope you find something you love too! Happy Shopping! This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. A pretty that arrives in time for Easter. Love and you’ll love the price even more! … Read more
The last of the bathrooms to get remodeled in the OC Ranch Reno was the kids, or guest bath. It’s a Jack and Jill bath of sorts with direct access into a double vanity area from one bedroom and hallway access right across from another bedroom. The kids have grown up sharing that bathroom, but … Read more
Hello Monday! How are you feeling after losing an hour of sleep yesterday? I don’t know why that always hits me WAY harder than it should, but here we are, tired and looking to go to bed at 7pm. 😉 John had some work meetings this week so I tagged along and we stayed for … Read more
It’s time for this week’s Weekend Wishlist. All the pretty things that have captured my attention this week. I hope you find something you love too! Happy Shopping! This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. comes in lots of colors and patterns and is SO pretty! Love . It would … Read more
I was at the store yesterday and saw these cute Easter candy kabobs and was tempted to buy them for Easter baskets, but I knew that my kids didn’t like most of the candy included on them. So although they were cute, I knew the candy kabobs would go to waste. I decided to peruse … Read more
Happy Monday! I had a wonderful week this past week taking some time to allow myself to leave the chores undone for a few hours and go spend some time with friends. Life can get so busy it’s often easy to let those relationships get pushed to the side in lieu of other things that … Read more
Have you ever been to the Cotswolds? The Cotswolds are a region in central to southwest London comprising more than 800 sq miles of lush rolling green hills, ancient moss covered stone walls, roaming sheep, wandering rivers, and quintessential English villages with their stone buildings and thatched roofs dotting the landscape. In other words, it … Read more
Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Things here were good…it was WARM…at least by usual February standards. What is it about the weather turning warm and the days getting longer that makes me have the desire to be more productive? Do you feel that way too? Here’s a little of what we … Read more
We have finally reached the end of February and spring is just around the corner. It has been super rainy and dreary here this week, but this weekend I think we’re turning a corner. We’re supposed to see 58 and sunny and that sounds dreamy. My weekend wishlist this weekend is heavily influenced by springy … Read more
This primary bath remodel project was a fun one! Over the years this bathroom had gone through a couple of minor remodels with new flooring and countertops, a new mirror and a few other cosmetic changes, but once the floor had to come out, it was just going to be so messy and cause problems … Read more
Hi all! I hope you’re having a wonderful Monday! I just wanted to hop on quickly and share some of the sales that are ending today. I was up late last night making sure all the things I have had on my list were on sale and adding them to my cart. I like to … Read more
Happy Monday! Is today a holiday at your house? The kids are off of school, but I know that a lot of work places don’t have the day off. If you do have a holiday…what are you doing? I’m using today to catch up on chores around the house. There is so much organizing and … Read more
There are so many great sales this weekend thanks to the holiday. What are you on the hunt for? Here are some of the things I’ve got my eye on. Everything from home decor to cute clothes. Time to get our shop on! This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. All … Read more
Staying at the Halekulani Sixteen years ago John read an article in Travel & Leisure about this magical place in Honolulu, right on a stretch of Waikiki Beach called the Halekulani. It was our tenth anniversary and we were heading to Hawaii to celebrate. We had spent our honeymoon in Honolulu and we were excited … Read more
I might need to start calling these bi-weekly reviews. 😉 Silly me thinking that once I officially became an empty nester a few weeks ago life might slow down a bit. HA! Joke was on me! Exciting things are happening and I can’t wait to fill you in! I had the chance to visit the … Read more
Right before Andy came home from his mission it was time to nest. 😉 Seriously. I felt like I was getting ready to bring home a baby and wanted to have everything re-done, cleaned like crazy, and just as perfect as it could be. I think there was some added pressure ( that I only … Read more
January temps call for some awesome soup to warm us up from the inside out. I love chicken pot pie filling, but I don’t like pie crust…I know, call me crazy. This chicken pot pie soup is the perfect solution to that problem. It is SO good…insanely flavorful, creamy, loaded with veggies and chicken and … Read more
Happy Valentine’s Day!! I’ve been busy pulling some things together for the Alumni House and getting ready for all the President’s Day sales this week. I love to shop a good sale! It’s been a minute since I put together a weekend wishlist. If you got the newsletter late last week, you’ll recognize this list, … Read more
Oh what a week it’s been. This was the week I officially became an empty nester. There’s been a lot of build up in my mind to this day, but nothing can compare to the actual feeling of leaving your baby behind at a dorm, knowing you’re going home to an empty house. I’m struggling … Read more
The Alumni House is getting closer and closer to the finish line every day. I just got out of a meeting with a wallpaper installer and it occurred to me that I haven’t talked much about choosing wallpaper for this project or frankly how to choose wallpaper for your living room, or the best wallpaper … Read more
If you are looking for the perfect party appetizer that packs tons of flavor, is smooth, tangy and crunchy all at the same time, you can stop your search right here. These mini goat cheese bites pack a punch full of smooth and creamy goat cheese, candied pecans, sweet and chewy cranberries, honey and a … Read more
Oh what a week it’s been! December is always a blur, but this one might take the cake! 😉 With Ash graduating, a work trip to New York and Christmas festivities…whoa. I’m trying to pack it ALL in before I’m officially an empty nester here in just two more weeks. I can’t believe I’m even … Read more
I don’t know about you guys but I am always on the hunt for cute and creative neighbor Christmas gift ideas. For many years in CA we used to deliver chips and salsa to friends and neighbors for Christmas. I love that it is something savory to give that most, if not all people, like. … Read more
It’s the time of year for cookie exchanges. Have you ever been to one? The idea is, you bring a few dozen of your favorite cookies and all the other guests do as well. Everyone there shares their recipes and cookies with each other and you go home with a beautiful plate of assorted cookies … Read more
Happy Christmas Home Tour day! Have you been following along with all of the beautiful tours from yesterday and today? I just love Marty’s tour every year. If you are joining me from Chalking Up Success, welcome!! I am so happy to have you here today to share our Christmas family room decor. I rarely … Read more
I know we’re all in gift giving mode right now, so I’m going to try and do a better job of adding some of my favorite sale finds here on the blog. I’ve gotten terrible about posting them here because I post so often on Shop LTK I forget about this sometimes when it comes … Read more
Happy Tuesday night. 😉 I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend and are feeling great and rested this week. How lucky a re we to have almost a whole week between Thanksgiving and December?! I feel like I can breathe a little bit whenever we get that extra week. I know I usually try … Read more
Oh what a week it has been! We’re staring at Thanksgiving next week already and I can’t seem to pry myself away from the chaos at the Alumni House long enough to even think about what I’m going to make. lol! You might remember me mentioning the appliance installation fiasco last week? Well, it did … Read more
I know, I know…Thanksgiving dessert recipes are all about pumpkin pie, but dare I say that in our house we all prefer apple pie? Specifically Dutch Apple Pie. When I was growing up my mom had a church recipe book, kind of like an early blog, where all the ladies at church submitted their best … Read more
To say that “week in review” has taken a back seat lately is an understatement! I feel like I’m always saying this, but this has been the busiest few months. At what point will things settle down? I’m not sure, but as tired as I am, I don’t mind being busy! November is here and … Read more
Cue “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” You know what that means!! Time for lots of free Halloween printable tags and cute ideas! I love these bold, graphic Happy Halloween tags with their cheery jack-o-lantern taking center stage. The bright orange pumpkin against that deep black background is attention grabbing for sure. Are … Read more
What is it about fall that just makes treats and sweets and comfort food a necessity? When it’s summer I feel like I just want to eat fresh fruit and salads and all kinds of light and healthy things…then September hits. lol! A few weeks ago some friends visited and they brought us a box … Read more
Christmas Markets, incredible lighting displays, festive decor, amazing shopping and dining, seasonal shows and events, and lots of entertainment are just a few of the many reasons that visiting London at Christmas is a must. I’ve been fortunate to spend time in many world class cities at Christmas time – Los Angeles, New York, Paris…and … Read more
Happy Friday! I’ve been sick and in bed allll week, so what does that mean? Lots of browsing for fun things online! 😉 I put together several collages this week over in my LTK Shop, so I thought I would post them here as part of the usual Weekend Wishlist. 🙂 Do you follow me … Read more
Admittedly usually I’m better about weekly recaps, but this month not so much. 😉 So instead, I’m just going to do a quick monthly recap so I get my journaling in. 😉 August kicked off with John and I in London. I felt like I won the lottery getting to go to London twice in … Read more
Guys, this house has been taking over my life. lol! I cannot believe how long it’s been since I posted an update…or posted anything for that matter! One crazy busy summer (but totally epic so I’m definitely not complaining!) while trying to demo and remodel an entire house MAY have been biting off a little … Read more
After a year of thinking about it…things are finally moving at the Alumni House. I am SO excited to have this project underway. This little house has been such a fun place for our family this past year, even with all of it’s crazy 10o year old quirks and oddities, I’m really looking forward to … Read more
A trip to London always leaves me feeling inspired and like my cup is full. It’s always an absolute dream to be wandering down the bustling streets in this beautiful city lined with gorgeous townhouses and quaint shops and restaurants. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. On our last couple … Read more
I hope you are having a wonderful start to your week! I was talking to my Aunt a few days ago and she starts school TODAY!! What? It’s still JULY!! I cannot believe that the summer weeks are already dwindling and that back to school is upon us already! Whether you start this week or … Read more
Happy weekend! What are you up to? Andy’s in town for a few days, so we’re looking forward to spending time together as a family. This weekend’s wishlist screams summer! I hope you find something you love! I’ve held out for so long on buying a “belt bag.” I just couldn’t get over the fanny … Read more
Grandma’s house is made for sleepovers and cousin camps and the Midway Modern Farmhouse is the ultimate getaway for the grandkids! I can’t believe that I have never shared these bunk room ideas here on the blog!! Sometimes I’m such a slacker! 😉 Actually, I’m really just forgetful! #old lol! Our client wanted this house … Read more
Happy Monday! The temps are soaring and time is flying! Are you having a wonderful summer? I hope so! We’ve been busy cramming as much time in fun with friends and family as we can get! We’ve been enjoying dining al fresco in this space and I have a few things coming to dress it … Read more
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens to the public in the morning and if you haven’t already shopped, I’m happy to say there are actually several things that I’m interested in this year. I’ve felt a little disappointed the last few years, and while I still don’t think that this sale lives up to the sales … Read more
Summertime in Phoenix anyone? If you’ve been watching the news this week, I’m sure you’ve seen the record setting 100+ degree temps that they are currently dealing with…not unusual for Phoenix, but I’m sure it doesn’t typically scream “I want to vacation there right now!!” 😉 Well, hopefully this post might change your mind. John … Read more
Happy Friday! Are you kicking off your 4th of July celebrating this weekend? We’re headed to a baseball game tonight and don’t intend to stop the celebrating until Wednesday. 😉 We’re looking forward to more fun with friends and family tomorrow all weekend with picnics at the park, BBQs , birthday parties, swimming, a 5K, … Read more
There are so many pretty and functional home items available at Walmart. I’ve been on the hunt for some things for summer and for the Alumni House. Here are a few of my current favorites… This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. No matter what you’re looking for…new bedding, kitchen accessories, … Read more
The front entryway at the Midway Modern Farmhouse is a grand, beautiful space…but it didn’t always feel like that. I distinctly remember walking into the house for the first time right after the sale closed and feeling like, “oh, boy! That wall is the first thing to go!” I immediately had front entryway decorating ideas … Read more
School is almost out and it’s time to hit the road in search of some fun and sun! These are some of the best pieces to get your travel capsule wardrobe ready to hit the road with you. I love neutrals for travel because you can mix and match them and use them many times … Read more
Oh, what a week it has been! Our time here in London is FLYING by and we’re trying to pack as much in as possible. This was a super fun week because Andy was back in town so we got to spend some quality time with him. We definitely haven’t wanted to get in the … Read more
The original owners of the 1987 Fixer Upper had raised 6 kids there. Six! The space needs of their family were obviously different than ours with just two older kids…one of whom would be out of the house in three short years. The house, namely the secondary bedrooms and bathrooms, had been built to fit … Read more
I’m not one that likes a ton of clutter on the countertops in the kitchen, but some things you just can’t do without, so if you have to display them…why not make it pretty, right? Here are some of my favorite pretty kitchen accessories and products. I love . The labels come separately and they … Read more
Ash and I decided to do something a little wild…Andy is currently studying abroad in London…so we decided it wasn’t fair for hime to have all the fun. We decided to skip the studying part and just do the abroad. 😉 We hopped a flight early last week and here we are! It has been … Read more
If you’ve seen the #1987FixerUpper foyer entryway remodel, then you probably remember seeing a little bit about me opening up the wall in the entryway as part of our home office remodel. Prior to remodeling this house, I was pouring over home office decorating ideas, trying to come up with the best plan for this … Read more
Does anyone else feel like when the temperatures start warming up you get an itch to be more productive? I definitely operate that way. It’s almost like I hibernate like a bear. lol! As soon as the sun comes out, so do I! 😉 For me, being productive means bring on the projects! What can … Read more
I hope you are having a great start to your week. I spent yesterday being lazy and recouping from a busy week and now I’m ready to dive into another one! Do you ever need to do that? Just take a minute to kind of reset? I definitely do or else I can get kind … Read more
Another busy week is in the books! This one was full friends, family and food! I can hardly believe that Andy is done with his first year of college! This year has FLOWN by! Graduation week is always a fun week to be around the University. So many families in town to visit and graduates … Read more
It’s what fairytale dreams are made of…a princess castle nestled in the forest of Germany. Take one look at Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany and you can see how it inspired Walt Disney to create Sleeping Beauty’s castle. When we added Germany to our travel itinerary, driving out to see this gorgeous cliffside castle was a … Read more
Happy Monday! How are you? I woke up this morning feeling like…whoa?! It is May next week! I feel a bit like a broken record every week, but I cannot believe how fast this year is flying by. I feel like we were just moving Andy into his dorm and this week we move him … Read more
Happy weekend! I hope you are having a wonderful spring weekend. Things here are chilly still, but I am determined to bring a little spring into my wardrobe! 😉 Here are some fun finds for this weekend…happy shopping! Love . I have a hard time finding things that aren’t sleeveless or cropped or too low … Read more
Ashley and I are headed on a little UK adventure in a few weeks so I’ve been researching (one of my favorite things to do when planning a trip!) for all the best of everything that London has to offer. I have been fortunate to spend a fair amount of time in London, but I … Read more
I’m late to the game this week, but I love having these week in review posts because it’s kind of like a journal for me…so I’m posting for the memories. 😉 It was spring break for Ash this past week so we had some fun. 🙂 We kicked off the week at her favorite place…can … Read more
I’ve been talking a little bit about wallpaper over on Instagram so I thought it would be fun to share the powder bathroom renovation before and after pictures from the OC Ranch Reno. I just had the space wallpapered after thinking about it for years…no joke! I finally committed to it and can I just … Read more
How do you plan your family vacations? With the kids schedules and John’s schedule being SO crazy these days, we have found that the easiest thing for us to do is to sit down as a family at the beginning of the year and look at the calendar so we can get something planned out … Read more
Happy April!! Can you believe it? It hasn’t felt much like spring anywhere I’ve been lately…whether CA or UT. It’s just snowy and rainy and chilly! But April showers bring May flowers, right? 🙂 We keep getting notices about possible flooding hitting our neighborhood and they are having community events to sandbag everything before the … Read more
Drumroll please! It is too exciting to be able to start sharing design ideas and progress with you on the Alumni house. I feel like this has been a long time coming, but in reality it’s been just about 9 months. After a very long winter (one that still seems to be hanging on…) we … Read more
I meant to get this chili recipe up in January…when it was winter. Here we are in spring and well…it’s still freezing and rainy and snowy, so we still need a hearty and delicious homemade chili recipe, right? 🙂 Seriously though, what is with this weather? Let’s see some sun already!! Every Halloween Ashley likes … Read more
Hi friends! Happy Monday! It’s been a minute! I popped in last week to share a few quick updates to Ashley’s room, but it has been a crazy few weeks and I’ve been neglecting the blog. oops. 😉 The funny thing is, I spend the majority of each day creating a ton of content…pictures, design … Read more
Hello! So happy to have you here as part of Marty’s spring home tour. I hope you are enjoying all of the beautiful homes this week. If you’re new here and visiting from Kathy’s gorgeous tour over at Up to Date Interiors, welcome! It’s really amazing what some longer days and slightly warmer temps (meaning … Read more
Happy Monday! Are you trying to recover from the weekend’s football festivities yesterday? We had a fun watch party at some dear friend’s house with a yummy spread and great conversation…along with a little football watching. 😉 What a game! This week flew by. I feel like all of February is going to be a … Read more
I couldn’t resist. I almost made it to Valentine’s Day without creating a corny printable free valentine card…but I just can’t help myself. If you know me, then you know just how dear to my heart these Valentine’s are. 😉 If you get one from me, then you KNOW I love you. lol! My love … Read more
A little pink in this week’s weekend wishlist because…Valentine’s Day! Who needs a valentine? Treat yourself! Such cute things and so many on sale. Happy shopping! This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. | | | | | | | | barstool | | pjs Click on any image below for … Read more
Good Morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. John was in town for four days, so we sneaked in as much family time as we could in between work meetings and school commitments. Work has been insanely stressful for John for the last couple of years and it just seems to always be building … Read more
Happy Saturday! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! what are your plans for today? We’re heading outside to enjoy some sunshine before the rain starts up again tomorrow. I know that Punxsutawney Phil told us that there would be six more weeks of winter this year, but I can’t help but feel a … Read more
I’m making a better effort to share the before and afters of so many projects that I seem to always neglect here on the blog. I shared the a few shots of the #1987FixerUpper laundry room up quite some time ago, but I’ve never shown you the before and after…and what a before and after … Read more
January is always a good time for a little home refresh and there’s no better way to do it than with a few budget designer finds. You all know that TJ Maxx and Homegoods are two of my favorite places to find designer looks for less. Here are some hot sellers that are available right … Read more
Rainy days and Mondays…we’re getting a little more rain around here today, but I’ll definitely take that over the snow that is falling in SLC and the 7…yes you read that right SEVEN degree temps. Whoa! That is too much for me! I hope you are looking forward to a nice week wherever you are. … Read more
One Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is a sanctuary in the city. John and I had the chance to stay on a trip to the Better Homes & GardensStyleMaker conference and it did not disappoint! Located waterfront on Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge sits right beside the East River and five blocks west of the … Read more
If you’ve spent a little bit of time ever looking around the blog, then it’s probably been pretty easy to tell that I love Valentine’s Day. I’m all about the cheesy, cute pink and red hearts and cutesy sayings. I can’t help myself, lol! 😉 I love decking out the house, throwing parties, making treats, … Read more
Hi friends! I hope you are doing well! It’s been a minute and I’m finally feeling like I’m climbing out of my hibernation. 😉 As usual, I decided to take a little time after the holidays to regroup, clean, organize, plan and get ready for all that this year will bring. I can always tell … Read more
For Christmas last year we had the pleasure of traveling to France for the holiday break. As you know, if you’ve been following along with our travels for the last many years, we love to rent a car when we travel and drive all over creation. On this trip we started in Paris, where we … Read more
Rome, Venice, Lake Como…these are just a few of the names you often hear when people are asked where they would like to travel in Italy. A name you don’t hear very often…Verona, Italy…but I’m hoping to change that! Don’t get me wrong, Verona, Italy is a popular travel destination, but because it’s not one … Read more
Welcome to day 4 of our Christmas home tour! Up today…the Living Room! This year I decided to shake things up a little with our Christmas living room decor and move the tree to the other side of the room. I also decided to use our REALLY full Frasier fir faux tree. Whoa! I had … Read more
There are a few rooms in this house that seem like they are taking a long time to pull together, and the dining room is one of them for sure! We rarely use this room…so maybe that’s why. Do you have a formal dining room? Do you use it? We should be better about it, … Read more
Christmas Home tour day two! Today is a bit of a special day…this is a space that hasn’t been seen here on the blog in full. I have a few more things to tweak before it’s ready for it’s everyday introduction, but I had to decorate it for Christmas since the office sits right in … Read more
Well, I’m a little late to the party this year…but better late than never, right? I told myself that I wasn’t going to decorate this year. Yep, you heard that right. I was going to go SUPER simple and low key…well, that lasted precisely until December 1oth when I just couldn’t handle it anymore and … Read more
Happy snowy Monday! How are you guys? I don’t know why, but this Christmas season I am feeling a bit worn out. I’m tired and feel like I’m doing everything a bit half-baked. But, you know what? For the first time in a long time, the decorations aren’t perfect and in every room of the … Read more
It’s late here…technically Monday, but still Sunday night if you haven’t gone to bed yet, right? 😉 it has been a whirlwind of a weekend with SO much fun family time. Sometimes it’s hard to get back into the swing of things. And…it’s supposed to SNOW tomorrow. Maybe if I don’t go to bed it … Read more
I cannot believe how cold it is here in Utah. It happened so fast I feel like Mother Nature is making us pay for our unseasonably warm Sept/Oct with a down right freezing November! Brrrrr! This So Cal girl is not cut out for this. At least let me ease into it! 😉 Lucky for … Read more
If you’ve been visiting the blog for a bit, then you’ve probably figured out that we like to bake around here. 😉 Did you catch the latest recipe for pumpkin bread with a streusel topping? Heavenly. 😉 There’s an awesome baking store here in Salt Lake that both Ash and I love to go wander … Read more
How was your week? We had the most incredible storm this week. It’s been a long time coming for so Cal, and it was really awesome to get a ton of rain. We got 4 inches in our area…that is INSANE for us. As much as I don’t love winter, I do love a good … Read more
Don’t miss this season’s sale event at Serena & Lily! Take 25% off your entire purchase…here are my sale favorites… Sale season is upon us and I couldn’t be happier about it. One of my favorites…, is having an awesome sale right now. Everything, and I do mean everything is 25% off…which is huge! Last … Read more
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE to cook. A well stocked kitchen is a high priority for me. All the gadgets and gizmos to make cooking easy and fun. When John and I were first married we loved going to the grocery store and picking out ingredients to make fun things at home … Read more
Last December I had the pleasure of planning a trip to London at Christmas for some of John’s work colleagues…and lucky me, we got to join in on the fun! I had never been to London at Christmastime, but it was definitely on my list of things I needed to do. The best thing about … Read more
Black Friday deals are happening so early this year, I can hardly keep track of all the deals! Are you making a list and checking it twice? People are definitely shopping earlier this year and everyone is on the hunt for the best deals they can find. With prices climbing faster than ever I’m feeling … Read more
What a week! Can you believe that it was just Halloween a week ago today? I don’t know why, but to me it seems like it was already a month ago. Time just seems to be going faster and faster these days. Am I the only one that feels like that? HALLOWEEN FUN Ash and … Read more
If you are looking for all the flavors of fall wrapped up in a muffin, these easy apple muffins with cinnamon streusel topping are it!! This easy recipe is moist and delicious with chunks of real fruit and a secret weapon…sour cream…to keep these gorgeous baked goods from going dry for days…although there is no … Read more
Tis the season for dinner parties and overnight guests, which means it’s also time for hostess gifts. If you’ve been invited to a holiday party or dinner, or are staying as a guest at someone’s home this season, it is nice to bring a little something to gift your hostess. A nice hostess gift doesn’t … Read more
It’s that time of year again…time to get our gifting on!! I know this post about the best gifts for teen and tween girls is always a favorite. I know how hard it can be to find the best gifts and I am here to help!! The older kids get, the harder it gets to … Read more
Happy (almost) Halloween! I’m sure your little ghouls and goblins are SO excited this weekend with just one more day until the big night! Celebrations have been in full swing in our neighborhood with pumpkin carving parties, costume contests and even a little early trick or treating amongst the neighbors. Tomorrow night we’ll be gathered … Read more
Everyone is going crazy this week! Between 80% off deals, , and now Amazon Prime Early Access Deals…I can’t keep up with all the early holiday sales! (Not to mention my favorite just kicked off a sale today too!) Did you know that 70% of shoppers will complete their shopping before Thanksgiving? That tells me … Read more
Happy Monday!! What a week it has been. We had company this week and it just flew by way too fast. My sister and her cute family came to stay and play for their fall break. We lucked out with perfect weather and gorgeous fall leaves to give them a real taste of fall…something they … Read more
If you aren’t familiar with The Ham Yard Hotel, The Covent Garden Hotel, The Haymarket Hotel…well, any of the Firmdale Hotels for that matter, let me be the first to introduce you. 🙂 With eight boutique hotels in London, two in New York, and a handful of bars and restaurants, they are a growing company. … Read more
I can’t believe that the time is here to start shopping for the holidays! This year is honestly going by at lightning speed. I feel like I was just getting excited for Andy to come home this summer and now it’s practically Christmas!! Whoa! Target is kicking off what is going to be a week … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Time to start cranking out all the fun free printables for the holidays! If you’ve been following along with me for awhile, you know that I LOVE to make printables. It’s so fun to see them get used over and over again and the creative ways you … Read more
It doesn’t take much to encourage the fall baking around here. 😉 Last week temps finally dropped below 95 degrees and we had a few sprinkles, so of course it was time to break out the best pumpkin bread recipe and get cooking! I like to add as much fall flavor to whatever I can, … Read more
I am a firm believer that great design does not have to cost a fortune. I have found myself spending more of decorating dollars at Walmart recently. Everything from a mini room makeover to a few simple pieces to update a room, Walmart has tons of cute pieces. If you’re looking to freshen up your … Read more
Happy Monday! Another week has come and gone and it is really starting to feel like fall. There was even a dusting of snow on some of the mountain tops this week! Yikes! John and I took a ride up the canyon yesterday to see if we could spot any leaves turning colors. We’ve starting … Read more
We’re just about one month away from when little ghouls and boys will be knocking on the door in search of yummy treats. Make the house look cute and spooky with these fun Halloween Home Decor items…but don’t delay! They will eerily disappear before you know it! 😉 This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read … Read more
Happy Saturday! I hope you are all enjoying a fun *almost fall* weekend. I saw something today that made me stop in my tracks. 99 days until CHRISTMAS!!! As I was flipping through the channels last night I saw Christmas Vacation and a few other holiday movies playing. That is CRAZY! I think this year … Read more
Did someone say FALL?! Lately, it hasn’t felt much like fall around here. Record breaking temperatures have me feeling like summer hasn’t quite left yet…but Saturday night we got a glimpse of what’s to come. Cooler temps blew in just for the night and I got to watch football and wear a sweatshirt. That’s good … Read more
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a nice weekend. It has been a busy few weeks around here. Moving Andy into his dorm, school starting for both kids, parent orientations, company, home projects and more. The last couple of days I’ve been taking care of a sick kiddo…and now that second one just went … Read more
Alright, let’s get this party started! School started this week in most places around the country and that can only mean one thing! It’s time to get thinking about the holidays!!! I saw this funny picture on Oriental Trading’s instagram this morning and it helped me feel less silly about hitting publish on this post. … Read more
Ok, so I have a question. Why do schools make dorms…which they know are tiny to begin with…so hard to live in? lol! I have been spending the last week really trying to get everything ready for Andy to move into his dorm and whoa! No nails in the walls? No command hooks allowed? That … Read more
Wow. This week’s week in review somehow turned in to a month in review. 😉 Sometimes time just gets away from me and this has definitely been one of those times. I was so busy three weeks ago preparing for Andy’s return. Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning….clearing out, making posters, preparing fun family activities, getting the backyard … Read more
I have been the worst blogger this summer! I feel like life is happening at warp speed and it doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. We have had some BIG things happening around here the last 9 days…and now we are in total back to school, get everyone ready…including our first college student! … Read more
Happy Tuesday! I love a good 3-day weekend because the week following seems so short! How was your weekend? We celebrated with a mix of some small town and big city celebrations. Every year Provo celebrates the season with a huge line-up of patriotic events called Freedom Fest. I’ve heard about it for years, but … Read more
I am a bit overwhelmed even trying to think where to start with this post! I LOVE London. Can’t get enough of it. In the last few years I’ve been fortunate enough to travel there several times at all different times of the year and each time I go I just fall more and more … Read more
School’s out for SUMMER! Woohoo! Welcome to our Summer Home Decor Tour! I love teaming up with Marty from A Stroll Thru Life and participating in her fun home tours each season. She is such a great hostess and I really enjoy seeing how everyone switches up their decor for the season. If you are … Read more
I am a bit of a commitment phobe when it comes to putting holes in the walls. It’s hard enough to find the right piece of art for your home (here are a few of my favorites if you’re on the hunt!), but once you get it home, it’s even harder to decide just where … Read more
I grew up in San Diego and admittedly never spent much time in Oceanside. We were a little bit inland and further south in San Diego..so our beach trips took us to La Jolla Shores, Del Mar and points south. Living in Orange County these last many years Oceanside has been a bit closer, but … Read more
I can hardly believe that Ash only has 10 days of school left! Summer is upon us…woohoo!! This week’s Pink Peppermint’s Picks is full of some fun finds to get summer-ready. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. | | | | | Some of you may have seen on my … Read more
I hope you all had a beautiful Mother’s Day weekend! Ash and I just got back, so it feels like a Monday to me. John, Ash and I met up in Phoenix for a quick getaway and to visit some family. It was a quick weekend…made even quicker by a 5 hour flight delay trying … Read more
I know you’ve seen the OC Ranch Reno kitchen pop up in a few seasonal posts over the past few months, but I’ve never shown you the before and after so I thought it was about time! 🙂 I really did love this kitchen the way it was for many years. We were SO young … Read more
There are so many rooms in several of my projects that have never made it here on the blog, so today I’m redoubling my efforts to get them all up here and out for you to see!! I’m going to start cranking them out, so be prepared for lots of reveals! Here we go…we’re kicking … Read more
When Ash and I heard that John was headed to a conference in Dallas a couple of weeks ago, we immediately saw our chance to go visit The Silos from Fixer Upper and the shops at Magnolia Market so we grabbed a couple of plane tickets and tagged along. John and I had visited the … Read more
I can’t believe it’s Wednesday again! These weeks are flying by! It’s time for this week’s edition of Pink Peppermint’s Picks. The weather is heating up which means cute beach wear! I hope you love these picks as much as I do! 🙂 This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. | … Read more
Well, it’s official…we just closed on a new project!! I’m excited to introduce The Alumni House. John and I have mulled over the idea of owning something in Provo for years. We both spent many years there going to school, and loved our time there. For the last couple of years we have been driving … Read more
Today definitely feels like Monday. I am wiped! 😉 We had a fun weekend around here and sure enjoyed a beautiful Easter yesterday. I am the WORST at getting pictures of everyone on holidays…am I the only one? I feel like the day goes by so fast and we are busy enjoying festivities and then … Read more
It’s Wednesday and you know what that means! Time for this week’s edition of Pink Peppermint’s Picks. I’m waiting on several of these fun things to arrive on my doorstep…I can’t wait! I hope you love them too! This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. | | | | | | … Read more
Happy Monday! I hope you had a beautiful weekend doing something that you love. We’re having a bit of a rough re-entry today. Spring break was last week so we were a little off our normal schedule with lots of staying up late, sleeping in, and doing fun things around town. I wish every week … Read more
Paint can be so tricky! Who would have known that white isn’t actually white and that there are about 43,597 different shades of white? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed walking into a paint store, you are not alone! I used to joke that our houses always look like I’m a fan of camouflage before they … Read more
Now that things seem to be getting a tad back to normal, John is back to traveling for work some and that means….Ash and I tag along! Woot, woot! A work conference means a great excuse for us to get away for a few days and a fun weekend in Dallas, Texas for some sun … Read more
I can hardly believe that I’m typing that title! Spring 2022?! How did we get here? Maybe my disbelief is in part due to the fact that we just got dumped on with snow yesterday, so it hardly feels like spring just yet…but we’ll get there! Hopefully, looking at all of the beautiful homes dressed … Read more
These past 2 years (I can’t even believe I’m saying that!) have felt a bit stifling, feeling stuck in one place and generally unable to travel. Things feel a little like they are starting to normalize in that department, we just got back from our first big trip in a few years and while it … Read more
I am getting SO excited that Andy will be home in just a few short months! July can’t get here fast enough! Since we moved in…and really even before that, Andy has always kind of had a hodge-podge room. Hand me down furniture and kid’s stuff. I’ve made it work and it’s been fine, but … Read more
Happy Monday! How are you all? I decided to take some time off in January and I have to say, it was a nice break…but I have been itching to get back to blogging. 🙂 After a bit of a crazy December and January, I enjoyed taking a couple of weeks to regroup, plan out … Read more
It’s always crazy to me when we hit February. Sometimes January can seem to drag on, but once February hits, it feels like it’s go time! It’s already a short month to being with and then add in the Super Bowl, three day weekends, and Valentine’s day and it seems to make it fly by! … Read more
The “honey-do” list in our house can admittedly get a little long sometimes. Can anyone relate? I have gotten used to relying on John to help me do most projects these days. When he was working like a dog for the first 15 years of our marriage, I did everything solo, now that he’s got … Read more
What a week! What is already the busiest time of the year got a little crazier this week as we took some time to travel to London for some business meetings. I was a little hesitant with the timing of everything taking up 10 days during December, but man….I would do it again in a … Read more
Nothing says Christmas to me like a great soft and chewy ginger molasses cookie. Lofthouse makes some amazing ones that I love to pick up at the grocery store, but for years I have been looking for a great homemade ginger molasses cookie recipe that mimicked those same great molasses and ginger flavors along with … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…holiday home tour season! Have you been following along with all of these beautiful tours the last few weeks? I just love Marty’s tour and I’m so glad it’s my last tour this year. Saving the biggest tour and biggest room for last! 🙂 If you are joining … Read more
December is here!! Yay for all things Christmas! Are your decorations up and ready to go? I love it when Thanksgiving falls just a little bit earlier in the month of December rather than on the 29th or something, because I love to have an extra few days after Thanksgiving to prepare for the month … Read more
Hello! Welcome to my very first home tour of the Christmas season! I’m so excited to be joining Tana and the other talented bloggers sharing their homes all decked for Christmas today! It’s so fun to have you here. Thanks for stopping by and spending a few minutes of your day with me! 🙂 I … Read more
How’s the shopping coming? I feel like everyone has been starting their Black Friday and now Cyber Monday sales early…Amazon has been doing deals all day and I am a little late getting this up, but I’ve been spending the day with family enjoying the last few minutes of this fun holiday weekend! I can’t … Read more
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It’s late here and Thanksgiving just officially started 2 minutes ago! Wahoo! I have been feeling like I am missing out on so many great deals all day doing crazy Thanksgiving prep. I’ll be swamped in the morning too, John and Ash are running a 5K, so I need to get a … Read more
This is the simplest recipe that makes the most delicious apples for snacking and adding to LOTS of other amazing recipes. I’ll be sharing several more recipes in the coming weeks that incorporate these delicious baked cinnamon sugar apple slices, so be sure to pin this recipe so you can find it again easily! 🙂 … Read more
How do you fill Christmas stockings in your house? Are they a big deal? Do you wrap the gifts in your stockings? I know there are all kinds of stocking stuffers that are popular. I know people that fill their family’s stockings with necessities like socks and toothbrushes, I know some that fill them with … Read more
Happy Thanksgiving week! I can’t believe we are already here! This past week has flown by. I spent the majority of the week prepping and shooting for all things Christmas. John was busy at a conference for the first half of the week, so Ash and I cranked up the Christmas music and put the … Read more
Sparkles and bells and glitter oh my! We are in full on holiday mode around here! Woohoo!! Is your decor going up this week…or is it already up? I am planning to really dial up the intensity on the gift buying this week…maybe even have it almost all wrapped up by the time Cyber Monday … Read more
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, if you’re anything like me you are finalizing your menu and starting to prep your shopping lists. I always like to have a salad as part of our menu, just something light and fresh to balance all of the heavy comfort food. This easy and delicious fall salad recipe is a … Read more
How’s your gift list looking this season? Everyone I’ve talked to is definitely shopping early…are you usually an early shopper or do you like to wait until the last minute? I usually like to get the bulk of my shopping done early, and then save a few little things to get right at the last … Read more
Paris is always a good idea…especially in the fall! I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Paris during three seasons, and let’s just say it’s beautiful every time I go, but something about Paris in the fall is magical. John and I had the opportunity to visit in late September back before the pandemic hit, and … Read more
Well, I did it. I finished decorating for Christmas this weekend…on November 15th we are ready to go. 😉 A friend sent me this funny IG post this weekend and I thought…oops! Guilty as charged! lol! No, really. It’s not that I have forgotten about Thanksgiving at all…as a matter of fact, I LOVE Thanksgiving. … Read more
As many of you know, my cute Ashley has recently started a little cupcake business, @tinybirdbakeshop on Instagram. She creates beautiful (and insanely delicious) custom cupcakes for birthdays, weddings, and lots of other events, along with specialty boxes that she makes and sells once a month. She loves to create new flavors and spends hours … Read more
Happy Friday! It’s early in the morning and I can’t sleep…too many sugarplums dancing through my head I guess. 😉 Nothing a little retail therapy can’t help with. lol! I’m excited to share this weekend’s wishlist full of pretty things for your closet, your home and everyone on your list this Christmas. I hope you … Read more
I was having a conversation with a friend today who said that Thanksgiving is her least favorite holiday. She doesn’t love all the pressure of cooking the perfect meal and the time that goes into it, only for it to be gobbled up in 10 minutes. It’s funny how different people think about things. I, … Read more
Do you guys do group gifts in your family? Or how do you do gifts for your nieces, nephews and such? As my extended family grew when I was little we started doing family gifts. A fun idea with a $50 limit that we would gift to each other. We would draw names each year … Read more
Happy Monday! Whew! What a doozy of a week! To say I’m excited to start a new one is probably an understatement! 😉 Ash probably sums things up best with this image… This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. HA! It wasn’t all bad…but it did feel a wee bit crazy! … Read more
Cute food has my heart. If it looks like it belongs at a party, I want to make it…and eat it. 😉 These adorable and SUPER easy Nutter Butter acorn cookies are definitely on the list of cute foods. They are the perfect treat for fall and, if you’re looking for a treat that the … Read more
If you want Christmas decor from , now is the time to get it! I was walking around one of my favorite neighborhoods in Corona del Mar this past weekend and I could not believe how many cargo ships were sitting out off the coast. It is so crazy! Stores are having a hard time … Read more
I always love a good free printable, and Thanksgiving often gets overlooked here on the blog because I am all crazy planning for Christmas. 😉 I whipped up these Thanksgiving gift tags the other night and wanted to make sure to get them posted before I forget and the holiday is over! 😉 This post … Read more
Happy November!! Wow! I can’t believe it! I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween last night. I don’t know about you guys, but Halloween has kind of turned into a month-long activity over the years for us with decorating, pumpkin patches, pumpkin carving parties, dances, trick or treating, fall festivals, fun themed meals…the list … Read more
Christmas decorations always make everything look so pretty. While I’m not a total minimalist, I’m also usually not one that likes things unnecessarily cluttered…but when it comes to Christmas more seems to be more. 😉 I feel like greenery and garlands is what makes the biggest impact when it comes to beautifying our homes for … Read more
Hi! Happy Monday! We’re kicking the week off with a rainy day, which is kind of a fun change for around these parts. Well…at least I think it will rain. 😉 They’ve been building up this storm for a week, telling us is going to be huge…which usually means we’ll see some drizzle if we’re … Read more
Today’s the day! Release day for the new Christmas line with Hearth and Hand at . Who else is excited? I know with these Target releases things go SO fast. I find myself staying up late to try and catch the releases at midnight, and half the time as soon as the clock turns 12:01am, … Read more
Happy Saturday! It’s been a little bit of a lazy one for us. John is always up and at ’em early and can’t understand why I like to sleep in. Well, maybe he forgets that I’m the one on teenager duty. 😉 I remember the nights of coming home from late football games and nights … Read more
I think girls are way easier to shop for than boys…am I the only one? I really feel like the teeniest thing can make most girls happy. A new notebook, some earrings, a cute pen…lots of things! So I always think it’s kind of funny that there are so many more gift guides out there … Read more
A great handbag is like the cherry on top of a great outfit. I love them because they are one size fits all and look good on everyone. High end or low budget, it doesn’t matter. You can find fun, flirty, classic and statement bags in every size, shape and color. I truly think they … Read more
There’s nothing that I love more about Halloween than spooky Halloween food ideas. It’s so fun to make cute and creepy food for kids and see the faces and hear the squeals of delight from the kiddos when you present the spooky food. This year I’ve been keeping it relatively simple in the Halloween department, … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I know Halloween is still a few days away, but it is time to start thinking Christmas! If you want Christmas decor, now is the time to get it. Stores are having a hard time staying stocked and shipping is taking longer than ever, so get on … Read more
Another week come and gone! I tell you, writing these weekly recap posts seems to make time fly even more! This time of year always flies by, but the older I get, the faster time seems to go…which makes these weeks even more precious! What happened in your lives this week? I feel like things … Read more
Happy Saturday! I hope you are enjoying a restful few days. I am excited to share a few of my favorite things this weekend…hot items that are on my list. I’ve been shopping for upcoming holiday home tours and a few trips coming up and here are the pretty things that are catching my eye … Read more
I can hardly believe that it’s the middle of October all ready! Fall is definitely here and prep for the holiday season is in full swing around here. Having my sister and her family staying with us last week for fall break was a good dry-run for more company that will be coming this season. … Read more
I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling a bit like I better get a head start on my Christmas gift shopping this year. I ran a poll on instagram a few days ago, to see just how many of you were thinking that you’d shop early this year too, and not surprisingly 90 percent of … Read more
This month feels like it is running away from me! I made these free printable happy Halloween tags a few weeks ago thinking I was going to be so on top of things this year, and now, here we are just 2 weeks away from the big day itself and I’m just now getting them … Read more
Did you guys see the release of the latest this weekend? I think they are getting sneaky trying to not cause a massive website outage, because they used to announce/advertise her lines before they released, but now they announce it after it’s been up and for sale for awhile. Well, I was a bit late … Read more
Happy Monday! Is anybody else having a lazy day today? It’s been a little tough to get going with some cool, cloudy temps and fall-like weather. It makes me want to stay snuggled up in bed and have some hot chocolate! FAMILY FUN How was your week? We had a busy one around here with … Read more
Happy Friday! I hope you are all looking ahead to a fun weekend filled with friends and family. This weekend officially kicks off the holiday shopping, decorating and celebrating season! Yay! I thought it would be fun to do a new series around here called “The Weekend Wishlist.” Some of you may remember that I … Read more
This sweet & bubbly Halloween sherbet punch is always a hit and the perfect punch for your Halloween parties this year!! Years ago…and I do mean years…I was nine and my parents were about to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. Can we say honeymoon baby?! Anyways, party planning is in my blood…I come by it … Read more
Download these free printable tags and make this cute homecoming proposal idea in just minutes! I realize I’m a little late to the game this year, Homecoming has been happening at schools all over for the last few weeks, and dances will wrap up here in the coming weeks, which means most Homecoming proposals have … Read more
Get your guest bedroom cozy and ready to welcome family and friends this holiday season with these pretty guest bedroom decor ideas. We’ve been accustomed to welcoming guests year round in the OC Ranch Reno, and summer is a beautiful time to visit Utah, but what I didn’t expect when we moved to Utah is … Read more
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend with your families. I don’t know about you, but these weeks seem to be going by faster and faster. I used to be really good about posting more family updates here on the blog and as the kids have gotten bigger and busier, I’ve slacked … Read more
Don’t miss this year’s Fall Design Event at Serena & Lily! Take 20% off everything in the store…here are my sale favorites… It’s the most wonderful time of the year…the time when sale after sale starts happening! Yay! One of my favorite events is the Serena and Lily Fall Design Event. Everything, and I do … Read more
Halloween is coming quickly and the cutest Halloween decor is going even faster! Check out these must have Halloween decor items to snag right now before they’re gone!! I know it’s only the middle of September, but I’m telling you…if you love Halloween as much as I do, you have to buy the coolest Halloween … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but there is pretty much nothing that makes me happier than having a gorgeous arrangement of beautiful flowers from a florist in my home. Unfortunately, those pretty arrangements often cost a pretty penny too. Today I’m excited to show you that you can take a few bunches of flowers … Read more
Usually fall temps are well on their way here in UT, but it’s been in the high 90’s until recently, so I am more than ready for sweater season! While I am not a fan of cold, I am a fan of cool and the chance to layer up in cute clothes and get cozy … Read more
Christmas in September? Ok, I realize this may send some of you into a panic, but I got an email this morning that made me think I better get on it! McGee and Co released their Christmas merchandise, and if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that if I want something of theirs, especially … Read more
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We were on the road for most of it, and it never ceases to amaze me every time we take a road trip just how beautiful our world is! So many pretty skies and fields, mountains and valleys…it was fun to drive this time of … Read more
I have been working on a few projects lately and busy creating some mood boards / design boards to put together some pretty bedroom design ideas, so I thought I would share them here as well. I love a good neutral palette, so this bedroom design is something I would for sure love in my … Read more
With fall looming on the horizon, I naturally start to think about what new pillows I can mix into our every day decor to start making things feel a little bit more “fallish” around here. If you know me, you know I love pillows and think they are the easiest way to totally update your … Read more
It is hot, hot, hot around here this week. The heat of summer is in full swing! How are things where you are right now? Did you catch my stories a few days ago with the fire in our neighborhood? When it gets this warm out and the fires start it definitely gets a little … Read more
You may have heard me mention it here before a time or two ;), but I am a Southern California girl through and through. I was born and raised in San Diego and then transplanted to south Orange County 25 years ago when I got married and started my own family. I remember the day … Read more
Dare I say…travel is back? Could it be? I decided it was about time to dust off the travel archives and write a travel post. This has been the strangest 15+ months. I have never been so grounded. While there are parts of being a home body I have definitely enjoyed, the wanderlust has been … Read more
School is out for summer and that means pool days and beach trips and easy, breezy decor! If you are visiting from Jo-Anna’s beautiful tour, welcome! These home tours that Marty puts together are always such a fun way to get a peek at everyone’s seasonal design ideas and I love it! As many of … Read more
I have been wanting to tackle this post forever! I am excited to share with you all how I keep my thousands upon thousands of photos organized on my computer. As many of you know, I started out as a photographer many years ago, and as soon as digital SLRs came on the scene and … Read more
The nights are getting longer and the days are heating up around here, which can only mean one thing…SUMMER! After such a long, weird year, glimpses of normalcy are starting to appear and it feels SO good to almost have this difficult school year for the kiddos behind us and a long, hot summer in … Read more
I love a reveal day! There’s nothing better than sharing a space that was tired and then getting to see what happens when we breathe some new life into it! The guest bedrooms at the Midway Modern Farmhouse were in need of some love. As I’ve mentioned many times before, this house had GREAT bones! … Read more
There has been so much moving and shaking around the country this past year. The real estate market is unbelievably hot and people are looking to find a place to put down some roots that has more room to work from home, school from home and just be at home more than ever before. I … Read more
I am the worst about sharing completed projects. I sat down last night to make a list of the things I had neglected to add here on the blog, and let’s just say…I may now have several printed pages of things I need to work on. Oops! lol! :0 There are so many spaces from … Read more
I am so excited to be sharing another yummy and SUPER easy recipe with you all today! These meal blog hops are SO fun because I find tons of new things to try. It can be dangerous too! 😉 These amazingly easy shrimp tacos with pineapple salsa are an idea that was shared with me … Read more
I have been having so much fun putting the kitchen together at the OC Ranch Reno. I have made it my mission to make this kitchen (well, the whole house actually) as organized as possible. We don’t have as much stuff here, so it should be easier, right?! 😉 Kitchen organization products are coming in … Read more
I hope you are having a wonderful start to your Monday! Spring has sprung! What a wonderful week it was with the time changing (I love to spring forward and get that extra hour of golden daylight in the evenings!), the temps showing signs of warming up, and Ashley’s birthday! woohoo! We had a busy … Read more
Last week I shared a little bit about how I am working on my health and trying to walk and watch what I eat. I have been getting so many questions and comments about what I am doing, I am so surprised by the response! I am super grateful for your messages of encouragement, and … Read more
Hello friends! I am so excited to be joining in on Marty’s spring home tour. I don’t know about you guys, but things around here are starting to feel a teensy bit back to normal, and doing a home tour definitely helps me feel like things are getting back on track! I have been working … Read more
Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I have to say that here, almost a year later, this weekend was the first one in a LONG time where I felt a little bit of normalcy. Outdoor dining is allowed finally here in CA, so we went…dare I say it…to a restaurant?! I know. I was pretty … Read more
The OC Ranch Reno is finally starting to come together and I am SO excited to get the last of the furniture here and get it all decorated! You all know how much I love the beach and especially a modern coastal design, so this house is no exception…especially since it’s just minutes from the … Read more
I can see spring on the horizon and that makes me excited to get a few things refreshed around here! I love putting together design boards for my clients and I often do it just for myself or for fun, and this is one of my favorites yet! I hope you don’t mind if I … Read more
It’s a quiet, cold and snowy weekend around here. Perfect for shopping! 😉 Here are a few of the best sales happening this double holiday weekend with Valentine’s AND President’s Day, and a few of my favorites. Wayfair – Shop their President’s Day Clearance Sale! Shop up to 70% off, discounts across all categories JavaScript … Read more
No matter how hard I try I can’t seem to stay away from shades of pink and red in February. 😉 It’s such a pretty combo and every now and then you can throw in a little navy and it’s even better! 😉 Here are a few of my favorite Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for … Read more
I am so excited to be joining in on this week’s recipe hop. I am ALWAYS in search of some delicious, easy and budget friendly recipes for dinner around here, so I am SO glad that Marty decided we needed to do a fun recipe share. 🙂 Do you cook dinner every night? I used … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but January is always a month of cleaning, organizing and clearing out in our house. It always feels particularly good after the holidays to clear the clutter. I have had a project on my to-do list for years that I am so excited to finally be doing something about! … Read more
January is always a time I to want to find a place to snuggle up and get cozy. It’s cold and dreary outside in most places, and coming off of all the holiday craziness it feels good to relax and settle back into a bit of a routine. After the year we have all had, … Read more
I was watching the NCAA National Championship football game the other night and it hit me that we are almost to Super Bowl time! It’s kind of wild for me to think about because last year we had a fun family over last minute to watch the big game, and that was the last time … Read more
Alright, I know it’s the beginning of January and we’re supposed to be on some sort of health kick right? Isn’t that how New Year’s works? 😉 Well, we’re still on lock down so I think this January is a little bit different. I need some comfort food so the baking continues. At least this … Read more
What a wild year this has been! It’s also been dare I say a bit wonderful? For all the trouble and uncertainty, loss and worry, contention and fear that 2020 brought, I have to also say that as I look back on this year I find many, many blessings and incredible moments that I would … Read more
What are you up to for New Year’s eve this year? Are restrictions in your area keeping you from gathering with friends and family, or are you going to have a big get together? We’re planning to have a small family celebration, but that doesn’t mean that our night can’t be tons of fun! If … Read more
How was your Christmas? I hope it was wonderful and restful and filled with family, food and fun. Ours was quiet with just the three of us and dare I say…I LOVED it? Of course I wish Andy had been with us, and frankly, he was most of the day on FaceTime, but it was … Read more
It’s that time of year…the most wonderful time of the year…the time of year where everyone is scrambling to find the perfect last minute Christmas gifts for everyone on their list. I have been pretty organized this year…I think it’s due to mostly online shopping and no where else to go! 😉 I have made … Read more
Ever since I shared my Christmas bedroom decor ideas last week I have gotten a few questions about how to decorate your bedroom for Christmas specifically for teenage girls. Believe me, I have a teenage girl and I know all about how much they want to decorate everything and personalize their space. She is the … Read more
Happy Monday! It’s always so fun to start the week with a Christmas Home Tour! I look forward to Marty’s amazing tours every year. Do you guys get as excited about seeing everyone’s beautiful Christmas decor ideas home tours as I do? It’s so fun to see how everyone does Christmas in their own home. … Read more
Can you believe we are already at the point where there are only 3 more Saturday’s before Christmas? I was thinking baout it this morning realizing that next weekend will already be just 10 days before Christmas Eve. So hard to believe. This season goes by WAY too quickly! I was out running some errands … Read more
It’s time for The Evolution of Style and 11 Magnolia Lane Holiday Home Tour! I am so excited to participate in this tour…it gave me the chance to decorate a couple of spaces that sometimes get overlooked. I always like to add a few things to our bedroom, but I don’t always get around to … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again…time to get to tour lots of beautiful Christmas decor ideas home tours! I love this time of year for so many reasons. One of them is definitely the opportunity to get the house all dressed up and share our Christmas decor along with lots of friends. … Read more
How are you feeling after along holiday weekend? Was it restful and wonderful? I hope so. Ours sure was. It’s funny because I was feeling a little sad leading up to Thanksgiving day, thinking about how weird it would be to celebrate without the large family gathering we usually have that draws family from all … Read more
Black Friday is looking a bit different this year. I was at the mall Wednesday night with stores kicking off their Black Friday sales early and it was a ghost town. Most retailers opted to stay closed on Thanksgiving for safety reasons and will be opening with strict health and safety measures in place Friday. … Read more
Cyber week is kicking off here in just a few days, and Christmas is just around the corner. If you’re anything like me the Christmas decor went up early this year and I am feeling like I’m on a roll getting gifting checked off my list early this year. I’m just so excited to have … Read more
A few weeks ago I was on the hunt for a new artificial Christmas tree for the OC Ranch Reno. I wanted something that looked realistic, was pre-lit, and didn’t cost a fortune. That hunt proved a little harder than I thought it was going to be! 😉 After several days of searching and collecting … Read more
One of the most fun parts of this special season is getting to dress the part. I love plaid year-round, but when it comes to the holidays I can’t wait to to break out the brighter, more colorful versions of this pretty pattern. This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. Whether … Read more
Who is excited for turkey and all the fixings next week? And who is more excited for leftover turkey sandwiches? That would be me!! I love Thanksgiving dinner, but if I’m being honest, it’s mostly for the side dishes. 😉 All the carbs…stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, pie…I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! We have … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Time to break out all the sweets and treats and comfort foods! Woohoo! We are having a VERY small family dinner this year appropriate for 2020. Just the 3 of us and my brother’s cute family that live in our area. As much as I will miss … Read more
Are you in full Christmas decorating mode yet, or are you a better person than me and let Thanksgiving have her day before you decorate? 😉 Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE Thanksgiving…like a TON. I really appreciate the stress-free, gift-free, no expectations holiday when you truly can just enjoy friends and family…but when Thanksgiving doesn’t … Read more
Heading into the holidays always makes me take a look at the house as a whole and start to rearrange things everywhere. I am still in the middle of trying to get the OC Ranch Reno decorated for the everyday…not just Christmas, so I feel like I am doing double duty shopping for Christmas decor … Read more
We are supposed to get rain here tomorrow and Sunday…that is a rare occurrence in So Cal, so of course that means it’s time to break out the boots and rain jackets. 😉 Even if the temps are still warm, you’ll see people in UGGs and beanies just to have an excuse to wear them. … Read more
I am in the middle of trying to just get the OC Ranch Reno put together for regular everyday living…but the holidays are upon us and so regular decorating has taken a back seat to Christmas decor ideas! Wahoo! This house is a much different color scheme than the 1987 Fixer Upper and has a … Read more
I am always looking for fun and easy ways to celebrate the holidays and Halloween is one of my favorites. Halloween treats are a must, and the cuter the better! I love to make all kinds of treats, and finding ways to use leftover Halloween candy is always a fun challenge. I had a few … Read more
Bugs. I can’t stand them. So much so, that whenever we move, the very first thing I do is call a pest control company and make sure that they make their first visit before we ever move in. lol! Maybe that’s why when it comes to making things feel spooky at Halloween, my Halloween decor … Read more
I can’t believe we are heading into the final push before Halloween! What are you guys doing this year? Is Halloween going to look pretty normal for you, or are restrictions and pandemic concerns keeping things limited? I’m not really sure what it’s going to look like around here. I hear rumors of trick or … Read more
As much as I love to browse all the super expensive furniture stores, I also love to find really great deals. There is nothing more satisfying than finding a great piece that completes a room, or is a great conversation piece that is a total steal. That must be why I love places like , … Read more
It’s time to start thinking holidays! Today (and tomorrow) are two of the best days to get that holiday shopping underway with some of the best deals you will see for the rest of the year. You already know that I am a HUGE Amazon Prime fan and affiliate member, so it probably comes as … Read more
Did you know that’s one of the questions I get most often?! Whether it’s in an email, a direct message on IG or a comment on a post, I hear it everyday! I get it! I basically use my Instagram feed as a personal catalog for shopping and blogs as well! I often see a … Read more
We’ve had a bit of an unusual fall around here so far. Temps have been in the 80’s and 90’s for most of the month but it looks like now that we’re entering October things are going to start to cool down a bit. Nights are getting chilly and I’ve been waking up in the … Read more
This might be a little premature, but what can I say…I’ve got Christmas on the brain and this year especially, I can’t get Home Alone’s famous quote “wash your hands you filthy animal” out of my head. 😉 I guess a pandemic will do that to you. 🙂 So, I channeled that energy into a … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but it always seems to me like the rooms that are used the most are often the last to be finished. This was definitely true with the Midway Modern Farmhouse master bedroom design. We had the master bedroom design ideas all ready to go, it was just the last … Read more
This year’s wild pandemic situation has kind of left Halloween plans a bit up in the air, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to stop celebrating around here! We’re definitely going to do our best to make it a jolly holiday regardless of the world being a little upside down right now. And Halloween is … Read more
Last week I posted about one of my favorite go-to dinners and part of that insanely yummy Mexican dish is this delicious salsa fresca recipe. Mexican food is my absolute favorite and since moving to SLC part time it has really put a crimp in our usual 3-4 nights a week Mexican food habit. 😉 … Read more
I am so excited to finally be able to share some pictures of the completed Midway Modern Farmhouse with you!! Kathleen and I teamed up on this project and it was SO fun! The whole pandemic thing kind of threw a wrench in us being able to get professional photos wrapped up over there, so … Read more
After so many months of life feeling like it was on pause, uncertainty and frankly a good bit of fear mixed in, it feels almost strange to be getting back even the slightest sense of normalcy. I am extra grateful for Marty’s home tour this year to get me back to doing something I love … Read more
It’s already the middle of September, and if you’re anything like me, you are wondering how we got here and why it feels like it should be Easter and not Halloween. 😉 Such a crazy year! We had a great introduction to fall earlier this week that fit perfectly with 2020. Monday was Labor Day … Read more
Mexican food is a staple in our house. Like when we’re home in Orange County we eat it 4-5 times a week, can’t get enough of it staple. 😉 Moving to Utah has made it a bit more difficult to find delicious Mexican food, especially some of our favorites…pork carnitas tacos…so I have gotten desperate … Read more
If you are looking for fall home decor this season, have you checked out Walmart? They have really stepped up their home decor game online and their selection is quite impressive and the prices can’t be beat. We are all spending a lot more time at home and with fall on the way, I don’t … Read more
I absolutely cannot believe that we are headed into September! This year has been such a blur. Do you feel the same way? With the world basically coming to a halt in March, all of our habits and activities have changed, and most of this year has felt like groundhog day if I’m being honest. … Read more
I have been spending a fair amount of time over these past months at home sifting through tens if not hundreds of thousands of pictures from the past 15 or so years. It’s been a great project for all our “stay at home” time, and I’m amazed by how many pictures I have forgotten about … Read more
Paint colors can be tricky! I don’t know about you guys, but no matter how many projects I do, I always go back and forth over what the perfect shade of shade of white, gray, blue etc. will be for that particular house. Of course I have my favorites…but even working within that list, lighting … Read more
Construction is almost complete on the OC Ranch Reno and it’s time for the fun part. Decorating and outfitting the kitchen! 🙂 Amazon Home has been a lifesaver while trying to do this renovation during a pandemic! I don’t know if you have walked the aisles at any Target, Walmart or just about any other … Read more
It’s hard to believe that we are heading into the last month of summer before school starts up again…or at least some sort of school. This has been such an odd year. It’s practically felt like we have been on summer break since March…and yet all of our plans are on hold or have been … Read more
I have been shopping everything Amazon Home like crazy these last few months. Without being able to really venture out and shop, it has been a lifesaver! You know I have always been a huge Amazon Prime fan, but since we’ve been staying home so much and I have been in the middle of two big projects, I’ve been relying even more heavily on the home department than usual. There is SO much great stuff. Combine all the awesome finds with the fact that prices are amazing and you can have it on your doorstep in a flash, it can’t be beat! Today I’m sharing a few of my favorite home finds this week. Grab a few new pieces and pretty accessories to update your living space that we are ALL spending so much time hanging out in this summer.
I am so excited to be getting to the point in the OC Ranch Reno process to be planning the furniture and decor design plan! This house will be used as more of a vacation home, so the design plan is going to lean more toward a beachy/CA col vibe. I am such a visual … Read more
Hello and welcome to our summer home tour! Has summer officially started for you guys yet? We ended “school” (aka distance learning) a week and a half ago, and headed for our home in CA, but several of our friends here in CA still aren’t officially done. I don’t know what I would do if … Read more
island time shirt | jeans | bracelets | earrings | yellow pillow | blue stripe pillow | blue triangle pillow | faucet | olive tree | rug | chest | soak up the sun tee | black bow slides | art | brown sandals | vase | Italy book | bistro chair | pendant | … Read more
One of the rooms in this Utah house that has been neglected is the guest bedroom that gets the most use. We have a small guest bedroom that works well when kids come to stay, and I love it because it feels cozy, but this larger guest bedroom at the back of the house has … Read more
What a pleasant surprise this Monday afternoon! I’ve been waiting for this one and it came early!! The Memorial Day Sale is here! Woohoo!! There are bound to be lots of sales getting an early start this week, so be on the lookout. This one is a great one each year because they don’t do … Read more
When it came to remodeling the 1987 Fixer Upper we worked at lightening speed. In 4.5 months we knocked out a complete remodel inside and out of a 6200 sf home. That was FAST! It had a lot to do with the fact that my uncle and I lived on site throughout the remodel and … Read more
Happy Saturday! Sales are heating up the closer we get to Memorial Day Weekend, so if you are in need something or have had something on your list…now is a great time to grab it! Ash and I just bought a couple of dresses for summer at Anthro, and I have been getting a few … Read more
This last few weeks have me looking at my home under even more of a microscope than usual! I don’t know about you guys, but spending 10+ weeks under stay at home orders so far, has me going a bit stir crazy and wanting to really get this place finished up. One thing I have … Read more
Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and this year things are a bit different. With just about a month to go, it’s time to start thinking about what to get for mom. There won’t be any last minute trips to the store this year with quarantine orders that will most likely still be in effect, and … Read more
Have you seen it? If there is one bright spot in this week’s quarantine, it’s that . Yep, you read that right! All that pretty stuff you see on her site…she’s now got a line of her own available at your local Target starting tomorrow morning! (Click on any image for more information about the … Read more
I am always looking for fun and easy DIY ideas, especially fun things that have to do with parties and entertaining. We have seen a serious uptick in game playing here at our house this week as quarantine is becoming more routine. I’m sure you guys are experiencing something similar at your homes. Game nights … Read more
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there have been some videos popping up around here. 😉 You may not know this about me, but I’ve been making YouTube videos for more than 13 years…no, this is not an April Fool’s joke. You read that right! I started blogging about 14 years ago, and not … Read more
So, I had an idea. 😉 With quarantine not looking like it’s ending any time soon, I am working on something fun that I hope will help everyone keep kids busy and families having fun. I would rather have this time of uncertainty be a time making memories with our loved ones that time spent … Read more
A few days ago I realized that my typical work from home set up was not going to work for John. I typically work wherever I want because I am usually the only one home. While we have a few desks in the house, nothing is really set up as an “office” at this point … Read more
Quarantine Day 15…how are you holding up? 😉 We started quarantine a little earlier than everyone else, due to a bad case of the flu that hit our house a few days before things got really crazy…(not good timing when your poor kids are certain that their fever means they have the dreaded virus!) Two … Read more
Let’s be real. This week has felt like one of the longest months of my life! lol! Anybody else? I’m pretty much over this whole “stay at home” thing. I know this is affecting a LOT of people and I don’t want to seem insensitive in any way, but what I do want to do … Read more
With all this craziness in the world right now it has been a few weeks since I’ve blogged. Yesterday getting a post up with Easter ideas, and now today, being able to participate in Marty’s fun spring home tour has sure felt good! It’s brought some much needed normalcy into my life that feels like … Read more
I can hardly believe that we’ve already hit the time of the year where we’re talking about Easter! These years are flying by…although I think the next few weeks quarantined for COVID-19 will slow things down a bit. 😉 That’s not all bad though! I don’t know about you, but I have tons of things … Read more
Whoa! What a week! I don’t know about you guys but these last few weeks have had me glued to the news and have brought out my hoarding/prepping tendencies. 😉 Watching the stock market act like a roller coaster, having travel around the world come to a screeching halt and making 17 trips to Costco … Read more
Ever since Fixer Upper became a part of our regular TV line-up and Chip and Joanna Gaines became the next Oprah, Farmhouse decor has exploded and I don’t think it’s going anywhere anytime soon. Even modern new builds want the farmhouse vibe, and it’s amazing just how versatile this trend is. Some type of farmhouse … Read more
If you know me and have been following the blog for awhile, you know I love blue. Blue is soothing and serene and creates a calming vibe in any home, all while adding great color and style. It’s timeless too…I consider dark shades of blue to be neutrals like a good gray or beige. A … Read more
One thing I’ve learned by spending some time in a place with a real winter lately, is that by February everyone is super over it. 😉 People are fleeing the state left and right and anxiously seeking some sun. I have found that for me, as soon as it hits February, I feel like spring … Read more
I am on the hunt for a few modern accent chairs for different rooms in the house. We have some big empty corners and nooks in our master bedroom, the family room, and a few other spots that could really use a chair to give them a sense of place and just make them useable … Read more
The more I shop for clients the more I challenge myself to find the best deals. It’s like a scavenger hunt with a really great reward at the end. 😉 It’s often hard to find the gorgeous products you see online in all of the designer home photos on Instagram and Pinterest. Unless you are … Read more
Several years ago I walked into a restaurant (maybe I should say I walked into a bar because this is starting to sound like a bad joke 😉 ) and saw this word staring at me from the menu…CHARCUTERIE. Huh? What is that? The description read something along the lines of “Chef’s Choice of Meats, … Read more
A few months ago John and I took Ash to a Jonas Brothers concert. To be honest, I was probably more excited about it than she was…yep, I’m one of those moms. 😉 It was definitely one of those experiences where I felt pretty old for the first time. 😉 95% of the audience was … Read more
The more client projects I take on the more I find myself getting questions from you guys about products that I incorporate into different homes, how much they cost, where to find them, and more importantly…how to get the same look for less. So, I thought it would be fun to try a new series … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but I will admit that I am still a Bachelor watcher. This is where I should insert the monkey hiding his eyes emoji. 😉 But come on, I know that there are a lot of others of you that can’t stop watching the train wreck either…our Bachelor party and … Read more
If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you have probably seen pictures popping up every now and then from the #OCRanchRemodel . If you are looking for remodeling ideas then hopefully following along with this precess will be helpful. I’m happy to answer questions throughout the process, so ask away! Why the Remodel? I’ve had … Read more
January is always a great time for cleaning, organizing, reflection and goal setting. Having a slower month to focus on getting life in order for the new year is something I have really come to appreciate. I’m excited to kick off a new year of blog hops with an organizational post. As I thought about … Read more
A few weeks ago we went to one of our favorite spots for dinner and I decided to try one of their specialty drinks. It was SO yummy. A spicy ginger drink with hints of lime and mint. I was itching to recreate it at home since at $6 a pop I wouldn’t be ordering … Read more
Hello friends! I can’t believe today is January 6th. This last few months I have felt like the time has gone so fast. The holidays felt like a blur…I think it had something to do with Thanksgiving falling so late and now the kids not starting back to school until today. Here we are in … Read more
It’s almost time to celebrate the New Year! Woohoo! I don’t know about you guys, but our New Year’s parties always involve the kiddos. It’s fun and crazy, and I can’t think of any other way I’d rather usher in a new year than with all the people I love the most. This year I … Read more
Alright folks, we’re here. The last official weekend before Christmas and only 4 days left to shop…(well three and a half, really). I had to laugh the other day when I was in a store buying a few things and the clerk asked if I had been shopping on Amazon yet and I chuckled and … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but this is the week we have big baking plans in our house. The gifts are all bought, school is out for Christmas break, and we are turning up the Christmas music, lighting the fire and baking up a storm. We’ll definitely be making some of our favorite family … Read more
Every year Ash likes to come up with a little something fun to give her friends at school the last day of school before Christmas break. It’s always a little bit of a challenge to find something cute and inexpensive enough to give to lots of people, so hopefully these fun free printable gift tags … Read more
We’re starting to get down to the wire here folks! This is the last week we can shop and get gifts delivered in time…unless you have Amazon Prime which will get you the best gifts for her in under 48 hours! So, if you’re a last minute shopper like I am this year, I have … Read more
It’s hard to believe that we are already getting down to the wire as far as buying our gifts for gift giving. I saw an email pop up in my inbox yesterday that said “Need a great last minute gift?!” I thought, what?! I haven’t even bought ONE gift yet and now it’s already last … Read more
Happy Monday! I love kicking off the week with a Christmas Home Tour! I look forward to Marty’s amazing tours every year. There are so many beautiful homes for you to see all week. If you are joining me from Rhoda’s stunning blog Southern Hospitality, welcome! I just love her home and everything she shares. … Read more
