Tammy 
Spending my entire life in Southern California, it’s probably no surprise that I love a modern coastal style. Natural materials, amazing natural light, soft neutral tones and of course…if you know me…blue accents. Spending more time in the mountains in recent years has made me appreciate modern coastal style even more. Coastal bedroom design can … Read more
Valentine’s day school parties are one of my favorite memories from my days in elementary school. I loved picking out my Valentine’s day cards, picking out a fun treat to pair with them, and passing them out to friends at our class party. I would always pick out the valentine cards with the perfect messages … Read more
Dips and appetizers are a big deal on this weekend’s Super Bowl menu. I love to put together a huge spread of yummy grab and go finger foods and dips that people can graze on throughout the game. This loaded hummus dip is SUCH an easy appetizer and can be a healthy snack too. It … Read more
If you know me, you know I love a cheesy valentine with funny puns and such…and I love making Happy Valentine’s Day free printables for you! This site has a library full of free printable Valentine’s Day cards, but I find myself still wanting to make more. Every time I walk down the aisles of … Read more
Super Bowl Sunday is almost upon us and whether you are hosting a super bowl party or just hanging at home with your family, you need this cheesy dip in your life. Honestly…can we talk for a minute about why dips are so good? I feel like I could make most meals out of appetizers … Read more
I am always on the hunt for cute and easy DIY party food ideas for school parties and get togethers. The kids were having a Valentine’s Day party and I needed some fun Valentine’s Day treats stat. These fun treats are quite possibly the easiest fun food on the planet. No bake Valentine’s day treats … Read more
As soon as the Christmas decorations come down it’s time to put up the pink hearts, grab the conversation hearts and watch all the romantic movies on Hallmark. I’ve always been a sucker for the cute and funny Valentine’s Day Cards (you can find many free printable Valentine’s here on the blog) and I love … Read more
I don’t know about you, but in our house we think the best part of January and February are all the fun football games. With college playoff games stretching into late January and NFL games running through mid February, there are lots of excuses to make all of your favorite dip recipes and curl up … Read more
I love the month of February. I just wish that Valentine’s Day celebrations could extend a little longer in the month! Once kids get out of elementary school and become older students they start to act like they are a little too cool for conversation hearts and Valentine’s Day activities, but I know from having … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Time to start thinking about all the yummy things that will be gracing your Thanksgiving table. Cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, roast turkey, green bean casserole…what are the highlights of your Thanksgiving menu? Are you hosting this holiday season or will you just be taking one of your … Read more
If you’ve been following the blog for awhile, you know that I love to make free printable tags for gift bags and favor bags and goody bags for all kinds. I love to put together small gifts for Halloween party favors and class parties. It’s the perfect way to celebrate! It makes life much easier … Read more
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
One thing I always really wanted in a house was a dramatic staircase. Why? because I love the way they look at Christmas all decked out with garland and pretty ribbon. The rest of the year it’s a bit of a pain when I forget things over and over again that are upstairs…but at Christmas…wow. … Read more
I am SO excited to be sharing some of our Christmas home with you today! With Thanksgiving falling so much later this year, it has thrown me for a loop trying to hurry and get things ready for Christmas. I don’t know about you guys, but I need that extra week in between Thanksgiving and … Read more
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year…deals are everywhere and today is a great day! CYBER MONDAY! Lots of the deals seemed to go live at different times yesterday, so I picked up a few things for the house (new pillow covers from McGee and Co and Danielle Oakey) and a few … Read more
Guys! Black Friday deals are on! I’m so excited they are up early! Wahoo!! Here is your complete list of the best of the best, all the codes, deals and my favorites. I started making this collage of some of my black Friday favorites, and it kept growing and growing…lol! Apparently I like too many … Read more
Hi guys! I have been THE WORST blogger the last week or so and I apologize. Things on the home front have been CRAZY busy and I barely even had time to sit in front of the computer this last 2 weeks. That may just be the single longest blogging pause in my history of … Read more
Fall decor in our house doesn’t get a ton of time to really shine. Between Halloween and Christmas, there just isn’t much time to enjoy it as Christmas seems to creep closer and closer to Halloween each year…not that I’m complaining. 🙂 (I might be one of those crazy people that starts listening to Christmas … Read more
I am so excited to be a part of this blog hop today with 20 of my favorite blogging friends sharing gorgeous ideas for Thanksgiving table settings. I don’t know about you guys, but even if I don’t host thanksgiving, I still find myself cooking thanksgiving dinner for my own family a week or so … Read more
One of the biggest decisions in our house this time of year…what will our Christmas tree look like this year? How do we want to decorate for Christmas. I have to admit, that being a blogger, it’s a bit hard to stick to traditional Christmas decor every year because there is always something new and … Read more
It’s been a few weeks since I gave you guys an update on the Midway Modern Farmhouse and whoa! Things are happening fast! We are actually set for completion here in the next week to 10 days…I can hardly believe I am saying that! After almost a year of thinking about, dreaming about and designing … Read more
I don’t know where I’ve been, but with all the home decor shopping I’ve been doing lately for the Midway Modern Farmhouse, I have literally been leaving no stone unturned…which means I have checked out some places looking for home decorations that I have sort of forgotten about until recently. As I searched the internet … Read more
It’s hard to believe that October is already winding down…I feel like I have a million other Halloween ideas left to share and I am out of time! Thank goodness for next year…I’ll just have to keep you in suspense until then! 😉 I have been wanting to put together some fun ideas for non-alcoholic … Read more
I can’t believe it’s time to be thinking about Thanksgiving menus already! Do you host at your house, or do you usually go somewhere else? This year we’ll be heading to my aunt’s house in San Diego and I can’t wait! She has the most amazing property…her own farmhouse and gorgeous oak trees lining the … Read more
It’s funny how when you have a weekly thing that you do the weeks seem to go even faster! I feel like I was just adding in all of my favorite’s for Labor Day and now here we are and it’s time to start thinking Christmas! I don’t know why, but once school starts I … Read more
I have a confession to make…I’ve been pretty lazy about Halloween Decor this year. I can’t believe I’m saying that! I LOVE Halloween, but this year it has just kind of sneaked up on me and I feel like I am out of time! With the Orange County house renovation, unexpected overseas travel, busy senior … Read more
I am a bit slow getting going this morning. It’s a cold dreary day here in Utah, the tops of the mountains are covered in snow and it’s a bit of a rough re-entry after a fun weekend in the sun back home in OC. This last week was our fall break…so we headed home … Read more
As much as I love Halloween, one activity I don’t particularly enjoy is cleaning out the gooey slimy pumpkin guts when it’s time to carve jack-o-lanterns. No-carve fall pumpkins have quickly moved to the top of my list of favorite Halloween DIY projects since they are cute and don’t involve any guts. 😉 This week … Read more
Happy Wednesday! We are enjoying some family time for fall break this week and it came just at the right time while the weather is still gorgeous. I have been shooting lots of holiday content this week…I can’t believe how quickly this season feels like it is going to pass. Ashley’s Halloween costume arrived this … Read more
John and I had the chance to spend a few days in London in September. I love London…the hustle and bustle, beautiful architecture, history….so many things to see and do. I’ve been fortunate to visit London on several occasions, but never without the kids and never in the fall. I have to say…London in the … Read more
We are gearing up for Halloween fun around these parts and that means it’s time for some cute new free printable Halloween tags! You know I love making free printables, especially when they are attached to cute gift ideas. Booing friends and neighbors is really a great excuse to whip up some fun packages. This … Read more
Is anyone else starting to feel a little panic setting in now that October is officially upon us? I mean, gosh, I feel like it was just Easter and now I’m starting to stress that I’m already I’m behind on my Christmas shopping. 😉 lol! Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. I’m thinking holiday gifts … Read more
My sister and her family are in town this week and as I was getting ready for them to come, it had me thinking about how I want to change things in the guest rooms. 😉 After the holidays I’m going to make another push to really get all the loose ends tied up around … Read more
Take me just about anywhere for dinner these days and I’ll be browsing the cheese and charcuterie board options on the menu. I LOVE the pretty boards full of delicacies styled to the nines. Creamy cheeses, nuts, dried fruits, olives, chutney, bread and crackers, spicy meats…so many good things! And let’s face it. There is … Read more
Halloween and cupcakes….pretty much two things that make me deliriously happy. Themed treats and punny sayings, costumes, decorations and parties…what is not to love about this time of year? I am so excited to be sharing one of our favorite cupcake recipes, along with this simple idea to turn them into the perfect easy kid … Read more
Jet lag is in full effect right now. Oh boy is it hitting hard this time!! We had a wonderful trip to London and Paris this last week…they are both beautiful in the fall…even in the rain. The rain actually made ushering in October feel a but more appropriate. I’m excited to break out all … Read more
There is no better time to travel than fall. Near perfect temperatures, reduced crowds and travel deals are just a few of the reasons to book a trip in September and October. John and I put off celebrating our anniversary which falls in the heat of the summer, and instead opted for a celebration in … Read more
I love to decorate for Halloween almost as much as I do for Christmas. We are about to break out all the Halloween decorations around here this week and things will start to get a bit creepy. The weather has really taken a turn and it is definitely cooling way down, which makes Halloween decorating … Read more
Guys, can I just tell you how much fun I am having working with Oriental Trading these days? When they emailed a few months ago and said hey…it’s Friday the 13th in September….let’s get our skeletons out of the closet and party, I couldn’t help but jump on board. They are introducing a bunch of … Read more
Fall is officially upon us, and as much as I don’t love winter, I also don’t mind the fact that it isn’t 90 degrees anymore and I can break out a sweater or two. 😉 I’ve been working a few fall things into my wardrobe and the house. I’m particularly loving olive green right now. … Read more
Ah! October is almost here so I am officially all in for Halloween. I was actually in Halloween mode several weeks ago…but I’ve been trying to hold off and not make you feel overwhelmed here on the blog. 😉 I don’t want anyone to feel rushed to jump into the holidays…but boy am I ready!! … Read more
Guys…it SNOWED here yesterday! Well, not on the valley floor but in the mountains up above our house. Like, if I look out my windows I now see snow covered mountain peaks. Can you believe it? I am NOT ready in the least for snow. Not yet. I need to ease into this people! 😉 … Read more
Temps here have started to get a bit wild and bounce around from 90 to 65 and back to the mid 80s…it is definitely fall! After getting the house all ready for our fall home tour last week, I am ready to jump into all things fall with both feet! (hopefully wearing some really cute … Read more
It’s hard to believe that it is already time for another fall home tour. Is it just me, or do these years seem to be flying by faster and faster? Well, believe it or not, we’re here and I’m excited to welcome to our Fall Decor Home Tour! I just love joining Marty from A … Read more
Where we come from in Orange County, Halloween is a BIG deal. Like REALLY big. As a matter of fact, it was voted the #1 place in the state of California to celebrate Halloween. Yep. That big of a deal. 😉 One of the factors that I’m sure helps, is the fabulous weather in Orange … Read more
If you are even as close to as big of a fan of Amazon as we our at our house, then hopefully you will find today’s post funny. I am always excited to do anything where I get to team up with a group of talented bloggers and share ideas. I love creating for the … Read more
Today is a big day in our house…the first day of school for Ash…which marks my first day of no kids at home in almost 4 months. As happy as I am for her to go back (because she was so excited to see friends) I always feel a little bit sad when I’m all … Read more
I hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. We had planned to go out of town, but then had some family visiting last minute and decided to stay in town and enjoy some lazy days around the house. It was much needed down time after a rather hectic and stressful last couple of … Read more
I feel like I was just writing all about the best Memorial Day Sales kicking off the summer, and now, here we are celebrating the end of summer with the best Labor Day Weekend sales. Whoa. Time goes way too fast when you’re having fun! I have been doing TONS of shopping this past 48 … Read more
Let me just start by saying, spending Christmas in New York City is as magical as it seems in all the movies and on TV. This amazing city…that I love all year, just outdoes itself at Christmastime. Macy’s Santaland, ice skating in Central Park, twinkle lights and music everywhere you look…it’s hard to not feel … Read more
John and I were sitting outside last night around the fire, chatting about some recent yard improvements we’ve done and what’s up next on the list, when it occurred to me that I haven’t shared our updated front yard here on the blog yet! When we bought this house the landscaping was neat and tidy, … Read more
As much as I love summer, there is definitely something nice about returning to a routine. It’s a comfort to feel like you are back in a pattern. I’m picking back up where we left off at the start of summer with our weekly pattern of Pink Peppermint’s Picks posts and it feels SO good! … Read more
If you have never had the opportunity to visit one or more of the National Parks, here is my formal invitation to make Zion National Park a vacation destination in the near future. Living in Southern California my whole life and traveling back and forth between CA and Utah for school, St. George was always … Read more
As much as I don’t want to face it, it’s time for back to school. Boo! I love nothing more than the care-free, schedule free days of summer. We jokingly refer to school as “learning prison” in our house and we all feel a bit sad when the last week of summer rolls around. Even … Read more
A month or so ago when Andy was away at camp, I finally had a chance to get in to that room, deep clean it and decorate it. Ever since we moved in it’s just been a hodge-podge of junk. His headboard wasn’t attached, he didn’t have a bedskirt…no window coverings…it was looking pretty rough. … Read more
Ever since we completed the renovation on the 1987 Fixer Upper, I have been amazed at how little space I have to actually decorate. Our house in California, which is 1/3 of the size of this house, has many more spots to accessorize. I decided it’s time to start adding some shelves and built-ins to … Read more
This past week I had the pleasure of celebrating the birthday of a very special girl. As went about planning this party, I wrestled with the idea of whether or not to share it here. You know I love to share all the things I am up to, in hopes that I can inspire some … Read more
The lakes region in Italy has become one of our favorite travel destinations. Sparkling turquoise water, dramatic mountains jutting out of the lake, quaint villages and lots of activities for families and couples alike, it’s no wonder we love to visit! Of all the lakes in Italy, Lake Garda is Italy’s largest. A quick 2 … Read more
I am so excited to finally reveal the kid’s bathroom design ideas and completed project today! There are so many rooms in this house that are 80% of the way there and have just taken me forever to get that last 20% done! The kid’s bathroom is definitely one of them. I never go in … Read more
Have you heard? The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is in full swing. 😉 Just kidding…unless you have been hiding under a rock, I’m sure you know all about it. I know that for some of you, these posts can get overwhelming and sometimes downright annoying. I promise I am not trying to be that girl…I get … Read more
The is here! shopping is now open and I am working like a mad woman to find my favorite deals and post them here for you. I will be updating in spurts to get things out as quickly as possible, and I’ll also be updating as things are getting close to being sold out or … Read more
From clothes to home decor and more…everything that’s been on your list is now on sale this weekend. These are the best sales you’ll see on a lot of these items until the holidays, so don’t miss out. Here’s a complete lineup of all the sales and codes you’ll need to shop. Many of the … Read more
Happy 4th of July! This week is always such a fun one with communities celebrating with 5k’s and pancake breakfasts, carnivals and street fairs…all leading up to the main event…BBQ’s and fireworks on the big night. I always feel such a sense of pride and gratitude for this country. I feel like so often we … Read more
I’m sure you’ve seen them all over the place. Those super cool tie dye cakes and cupcakes. You know the ones where you cut into the cake and it is all swirly and colorful inside? Well, Ash has been wondering how to make tie dye cake mix for some time now, so we thought we … Read more
Cinque Terre quite literally means “five lands” in Italian. Dotted along the Italian coastline these pretty little centuries old fishing villages have become a super popular tourist destination over the last several years. Each of the Cinque Terre villages has it’s own charm, and each boasts colorful cliffside houses, steep rugged terraced land and quaint … Read more
It’s hard for me to believe that we are approaching the second summer since we bought the 1987 Fixer Upper. To say that moving across the country, buying a new house, completely remodeling it inside and out, and now decorating it, has been a long road…is an understatement! It has been a wild ride on … Read more
I always love a fast, easy and adorable craft, and that’s exactly what these DIY pom pom cupcake toppers are. If you are looking for cute cupcakes toppers ideas check out how adorable these are. Did you see the Fiesta party I recently did for Oriental Trading Co.? I made these cute cupcake toppers to … Read more
Finding hotels in London with family rooms can be a challenge. Last time we were in town we were there long enough we decided to check out luxury vacation rentals in London, but on a recent stop in town for a few days, we decided to just find a hotel for the four of us. … Read more
Welcome to our Summer Home Decor tour! School officially ended last week of for us and it is so nice to have no schedule and have my favorite people hanging out at home with me for the next few months. I love teaming up with Marty from A Stroll Thru Life and participating in her … Read more
A couple of years ago, when my parents relocated from San Diego where my dad had his office for over 30 years, we all went to help him clean some things out and pack up. I could not believe that he still had little notes I had written him and pictures I had drawn him … Read more
If you know me, you know I never turn down a chance to party…especially if there are tacos involved! I love the colorful vibe of a fiesta…everything goes! Heading into summer there is no better way to celebrate all season long than with taco night, cold drinks and colorful decor! I whipped up a little … Read more
We have been traveling to Phoenix for years for a fun desert getaway. A quick drive from our home in Orange County and home to many of our extended family, we usually find ourselves there several times a year. Over spring break this year John was fortunate to have a conference at the Arizona Biltmore … Read more
It’s a rainy day, which makes sitting inside and getting those last few things checked off of our “to-do” list a bit easier. We tackled the front yard earlier this weekend…(I can’t wait to show you the before and after on that!) and now we’re tackling inside. I love three day weekends for that reason. … Read more
It’s the unofficial start of summer this weekend which also means the unofficial start of summer sale season. Woohoo! If you have some shopping to do this weekend, or have had your eye on something special, now is the time to buy! We have been waiting for these deals and they are hot, hot, hot! … Read more
I LOVE the 4th of July! In case you haven’t been able to tell by all of my red, white and blue posts, free patriotic 4th of July printables and red, white and blue decor articles, I can’t get enough of it. I actually like to get the house all red, white and blue before … Read more
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I wanted to pop in and give you a quick update at the Midway Modern Farmhouse because things are heating up and getting exciting over there! Demo has been in full swing and the new floor plan is getting framed in. While we aren’t making major changes … Read more
Our time in Europe has taken us to lots of big cities. I love big cities, but I also wanted to explore the small towns of Europe and really get a feel for what it was like to live in a smaller town. A while ago I mentioned a bit about skipping Brussels if you are … Read more
One of my greatest joys in life is gift giving. I LOVE the challenge of coming up with clever, thoughtful gifts for those that I love. I don’t always succeed, but I try really hard to pay attention to things that people mention in conversation and watch for clues throughout the year of things I … Read more
Anyone that has done a major remodel before I’m sure can relate to the fact that there are just some things that take forever to truly finish. In the case of the 1987 Fixer Upper pantry, it was the fact that we were waiting on a doorknob. I know. It sounds pretty ridiculous, but it’s … Read more
When it comes to picking lighting for any space in your house, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. There are so many styles and shapes and materials…and each room has different lighting needs. Should matching lighting sets be used? Should light fixtures coordinate throughout the house? How do you mix and match lighting in … Read more
If you’re looking for a little dose of southern charm, put Charleston South Carolina on your list of places to visit. John and I try and take a little time each year to get away and do something fun together. Thank heavens for amazing grandparents who are willing to spend some quality time with their … Read more
I don’t often get too personal here. It’s a bit of a fear of mine to open myself up to being vulnerable, so I usually stick to the basics of Home Decor and Travel, lighthearted and fun. But an event occurred in my life yesterday that was hard. Really hard. I lost someone dear to … Read more
I can’t believe that we are headed into the final month of school! Teacher appreciation week is just around the corner and you know how much I love to celebrate our teachers! If you are looking for the perfect teacher appreciation printable, look no further! I have a collection of super cute teacher appreciation printables … Read more
Where does the time go? I can’t believe that we are already heading into the last full week of April! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! We were lucky enough to have some of our favorite people from Orange County come and visit us for a ski weekend. We met these sweet … Read more
I am SO excited for your NYC adventure. You are going to LOVE the city. I can’t get enough of it and I wish I could come along with you! 🙂 A few years ago I wrote this post about Christmas in NYC with kids and I have been amazed at the response. Hundreds of … Read more
With summer upon us I thought this is the perfect time to share my family’s FAVORITE Cinco de Mayo dessert that will be the perfect compliment to your tacos and guacamole. 😉 Have you ever wondered how to make a tres leches cake? Well, you’re in luck, because this is a super easy Tres Leches … Read more
I’ll be the first to admit that I am NOT a fan of fake plants..or at least I didn’t used to be. I’m pretty sure that having fake greenery and floral stems has always been at the top of the designer’s list of “10 Things to NOT decorate your house with” but after 18 months … Read more
Easter is quickly approaching and I am so excited to share these Happy Easter printables with you! I am trying something new with these free printables, and we’ll see how it works. I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for fun party backdrops and signs. When I was at Costco the other … Read more
Spring and summer are all about Strawberries. Strawberry Jam, Strawberry pie, a great strawberry shortcake recipe …I can’t get enough of them! I am always looking for pretty party centerpieces and these strawberry topiaries are always a hit at any gathering…baby shower, bridal showers, Mother’s Day brunches..you name it. If you are wondering how to … Read more
Happy weekend! I cannot believe we are already well in to April. Summer will be here before we know it and I can’t wait! Do you have fun plans this weekend? It is still cold here and it’s supposed to rain all day, so we are spending time snuggling up in the house…and I will … Read more
Are you guys sale shoppers like me? I will wait patiently for quite some time for things that I want to go on sale. I just have a hard time ever paying full price…which is why I love it when there are awesome one day sales that pop up. (affiliate links are included in this … Read more
I feel like things are moving at a snails pace around here, but I am happy to say that Ashley’s teen girl bedroom is finally coming together! I feel like I have spent months looking for the perfect girl bedroom sets, and teenage girl room colors…and now it is starting to happen! While it’s not … Read more
It snowed in UT again yesterday, so I am heading off for some fun in the sun this weekend. I can’t wait to soak up some rays by the pool and hopefully get some sun on these pale, pale legs. I have never NOT had a tan line before…it’s wild to not have one anywhere! … Read more
I’ve been spending a lot of time this week focusing on a client project, getting the finishes narrowed down and finding the perfect modern kitchen cabinet hardware ideas for the cabinets that will be going in as part of this major renovation. Brass fixtures and hardware have made a major comeback in the last few … Read more
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a fun weekend. I am in recovery mode today. John and I had the chance to sneak away for a bit back home to Orange County and it was a much needed trip! Sunny skies and being by the ocean are always a good cure for the winter … Read more
Today is one of my favorite days of the year…Anthro Day! It actually lasts all weekend, thank goodness, but today they give you a little extra incentive to shop with free shipping on every order as well as 20% off of EVERYTHING. Yep. Anthro rarely does a sale like this one, so if there is … Read more
The weather is heating up…even if that means barely around these parts ;), the days are longer and spring has sprung! Welcome to our Spring Home Decor tour! I love teaming up with Marty from A Stroll Thru Life and participating in her amazing home tours each season. She is such a great hostess and … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the week again…weekend sale time! It’s Ashley’s birthday this weekend, so that gave me an excuse to head to the mall late last night and pick out a few things for myself too. 😉 What are you up to this weekend? We have lots of fun activities planned with … Read more
Happy Wednesday! This week is flying by. My parents are coming to visit this weekend and we have a birthday in the house…an official teenager. Oh no! There are a few things on this week’s list that I know she would love…so I’ll be doing a little shopping today too. I hope you love this … Read more
I like nice restaurants as much as the next guy, but sometimes when you are traveling…especially with kids and a family, you just want some good cheap street food or a hearty meal that is delicious and doesn’t break the bank. Eating in Venice on a budget can be a bit of a challenge since … Read more
We’re out of the winter slump finally! As much as I hate to lose an hour of sleep this weekend boy do I love the longer days that daylight savings time brings! Even though there is still snow on the ground around here, it makes me feel like spring is around the corner. The sales … Read more
Many of my favorite recipes for delicious salads happen to be from Nordstrom Cafe. In Orange County, my local Nordstrom is about a 5 minute drive, so I make sure to plan frequent visits for lunch when I’m there. In Salt Lake, our closest Nordstrom isn’t to much much further, but what I find interesting … Read more
If you are looking for family friendly hotels in Venice, Italy, look no further. The JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa located on Isola delle Rose Venezia is the most incredible luxury hotel. Venice can be a hot and crowded place to visit during the summer, and I’ve heard many people say that it wasn’t … Read more
An ice cream party is a timeless classic perfect for any occasion. I remember back when I was in elementary school they used to have an ice cream sundae party every year at open house. I can’t remember all of the details, (because I’m old! lol!) but I’m sure it was a fundraiser designed to … Read more
As many of you have probably noticed on Instagram over the course of the last few weeks, 2019 has brought an exciting new project for PPD, one we are calling the Midway Modern Farmhouse. Midway is a beautiful little city nestled in the hills just south of Park City. Some friends of ours from Orange … Read more
If you are traveling to London you will, with out a doubt, need to familiarize yourself with public transportation while visiting. Using the tube is the easiest and most cost effective way to get around the city. The endless system of trains, the Underground and buses make it simple to get all over Central London … Read more
A small city with personality to spare, New Orleans is a lively city full of more food, history, music and culture than most cities many times it’s size. There is so much to New Orleans beyond Bourbon Street. Visit New Orleans and spend a few days here wandering the streets of the French Quarter, exploring … Read more
Over Labor Day weekend we decided to make a last minute family trip to the town of Jackson, WY. I had been to Jackson Hole, Wyoming many, many years ago as a kid when my family passed through on their way to Yellowstone National Park, but I didn’t remember much, and the rest of my … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again…time for clever, punny and funny printable Valentine’s Day cards for kids to take to school and deliver to their neighborhood friends. I LOVE coming up with a fun valentine or two each year and this year (albeit a little later than I am usually creating them) … Read more
Happy Friday! I hope you are looking forward to a fun weekend! As most of you know, Pink Peppermint Design is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Influencer/Associates program, an influencer/affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising. If you aren’t familiar with how affiliate programs work, you … Read more
I’m sure you have seen them pop up here from time to time, but did you know that Pink Peppermint Design has a giant library of Free Printables Online for every occasion? No matter what you are looking for, I’m sure we have something for you…for FREE…that can be downloaded instantly! You may or may … Read more
This year John and I will celebrate our 27th Valentine’s Day…YIKES! Yes, we met while we were kids in school, but that still seems like a REALLY big number. 27?! I feel old! 😉 You know I love pink, so for this week’s edition of Pink Peppermint’s Picks, I put together some of my favorite … Read more
As a little girl growing up in Southern California, the Matterhorn was always a symbol of Disneyland to me. I would see it standing tall on the side of Interstate 5 and it seemed to tower above everything else. As I’ve gotten older and buildings have gotten taller, it’s a little harder to spot the … Read more
Are you a football fan? I love football and I am extra excited for the Super Bowl this weekend because our hometown team the Rams are playing!! Woot woot! So fun! The halftime show is always a highlight and so are the super sales that happen this weekend. Stores are obviously trying to distract people … Read more
The kitchen truly is the heart of the home. When it came to designing the 1987 fixer upper kitchen remodel it really needed to be the center of everything in this formerly 1980’s style house. It had been a very nice, functional kitchen, but one that was also a bit cut-off from the family spaces … Read more
I am NOT a very good meal planner. We have always homeschooled, so our schedules have historically been very flexible, allowing us to be out doing fun family activities on weeknights. That usually led to eating out and no need to meal plan. One of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to make cooking … Read more
I have always loved the movie The Holiday. Have you seen it? It’s on repeat at our house throughout Christmas. 😉 The idea of spending the holidays in a cozy little thatched roof cottage in the Cotswolds is so appealing! On a recent trip to Italy we found flights that made it cheaper to stop … Read more
Baby it’s cold outside! As I write this I am sitting in front of the fireplace, staring at about 3 feet of snow outside my window. While I wish that spring was on it’s way, reality is that I am going to be cold for awhile still…so why not embrace it and celebrate with some … Read more
I feel like I was just celebrating New Year’s Eve and here we are, halfway through the month. Whoa! I am already thinking Valentine’s Day…anyone else? I think that (now on sale for 33% off) would make a great gift from my sweetheart…right? 😉 Here are this week’s picks for you. | | | | … Read more
When we decided to visit Salzburg, Austria during our summer in Europe, (a Sound of Music Tour was a must for us!) we knew we wanted to stay right in the heart of the old city center. (affiliate links are included in this post) We spent some time researching the best family hotels in Salzburg. … Read more
Hello and welcome to our 1987 Fixer Upper. We purchased this home in April of 2017 and immediately began a total remodel. The home was in good shape, and had good bones in a great neighborhood, which is what drew me to it, but it was dark and closed off and needed to be modernized … Read more
I’m so happy to be back and feeling a bit better today after a week of a yucky bug running through our family, we are almost all back at it. Lots of downtime meant lots of time to look for fun things online. 😉 Here is the first edition of Pink Peppermint’s Picks for 2019. (affiliate … Read more
This fall John and I had the chance to sneak away for a few days in New York City…as many of you know, it’s one of my favorite places on the planet, and fall is my favorite time there. We are fortunate to visit often, so now, rather than trying to hit all the touristy … Read more
It’s that time of year when we are all looking for red and pink decor and fun heart shaped decorations to make. This wood button heart craft is my three favorite things: fun, easy and cute. In only a matter of minutes and with just a few supplies, many of which you probably already have … Read more
I have to admit…I love a good sale, but when it gets to be the first week of January and I’m walking through stores seeing all the winter gear on clearance and bathing suits and flip flops dominating the racks, it makes me a little bit crazy. I really didn’t used to notice it much, … Read more
Hollywood award season is upon us and the next many Sunday nights will be full of glitz and glamour. When it comes to Oscar party ideas I don’t know about you guys, but I love any good excuse to get people together and eat yummy food! My idea of an Oscar themed party is to … Read more
These silly handmade design valentine cards will be a hit in the classroom for all ages. In just a matter of minutes you can print out this cute pucker up valentine printable and grab the kids to help make these handmade cards in minutes. I know this time of year everyone can be on candy … Read more
If you love eating, drinking, and wandering stalls full of food and produce of every kind, then you do not want to miss Borough Market when you are visiting London. This amazing food market by London Bridge has been around for centuries. You can walk and eat your way through history at the same time. … Read more
Visiting Venice in August can be described in two words: hot and crowded. On a recent trip to Italy, knowing that the temperatures were going to be in the triple digits with high humidity, we opted to stay off of the main island and have a very different Venice experience at San Clemente Palace Kempinski. … Read more
Happy New Year! The start of a new year is always such a fun excuse to look back and see all of the fun you’ve had, the things you’ve accomplished and how you’ve grown. I always enjoy checking out posts on the blog to see what you have responded to this year. It helps guide … Read more
I cannot believe that it is time to ring in another New Year. As I get older I honestly feel like time is seriously speeding up. It feels like it was just yesterday that we were partying it up with the kids, playing games, eating way too much dip, lighting the field on fire with … Read more
Lately I have been frequenting one of my favorite lunch spots for their delicious burrata and heirloom tomatoes appetizer. It is SO yummy I can eat it as a meal. With the start of the new year coming soon, that means it’s time for New Year’s parties, Hollywood awards season parties and football parties and … Read more
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Now is the time to stock up on all the things you didn’t find under the tree. 😉 So many great sales and deals this week! Here’s what you need to know to find them. ANTHROPOLOGIE take 30% off all sale, no code needed…so much good stuff. Their … Read more
Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus…in just about 72 hours…are you ready?! I go into the last week before Christmas usually feeling somewhat prepared…and then it hits me 2 days before that I need to pick up like 5 more things. I don’t know how, but I always find myself running around like … Read more
As it gets closer to Christmas, I am starting to get a bit sad about having to start to take down the Christmas decorations in under a week. Yesterday I realized that I never shared my easy Christmas entry way decor ideas this year. I wanted to put together something SUPER easy and pretty in … Read more
As it gets closer to Christmas I keep finding new little spots I want to add a little Christmas cheer to. One of our guest rooms is actually one of my favorite spots in the house because the beds just look so darn cute when they are all made up. (Maybe it’s really because no … Read more
My kids anticipate the holidays almost as much for the new kids movies that are coming out as the food and presents! Over the summer I took my kids to the movies. During the previews, they had the cutest digital short from Pixar. It was about a slightly funny looking, but adorable snowman. A few … Read more
School is letting out for Christmas break today and so the celebrating is really about to start. No more homework, alarm clocks or after school activities to interrupt the fun. One tradition always on our to-do list is decorating Christmas cookies. We’ve been doing it since the kids were tiny and it is always fun … Read more
Last week I shared one of our family favorite treats to deliver to friends and neighbors at Christmas time, and this week I thought it would be fun to share a free Christmas treat tags printable to go with it. We like to call our snack mix Reindeer Bait. You can really make the snack … Read more
This is it folks! After this weekend the sales start to wane. Why? Because they know at that point we are getting desperate and so we are willing to spend more to get what we need, and get it by Christmas. I’m sure we will see sales offering free guaranteed delivery by Christmas or reduced … Read more
Happy Friday guys! It is T-minus 10 days until all the shopping has to be D.O.N.E. done. (At least until the day after Christmas sales start.) 😉 Does that make you freak out a little bit? Time is starting to wind down to get things delivered in time for the big day too. Most stores … Read more
We travel a lot. It’s our passion, hobby, and many times, a necessity for work. Splitting time between OC and Salt Lake now has me on the road more than ever. I sat down to add it up the other day and realized that I had been gone for 162 days of the last year. … Read more
If you’ve been visiting the blog for awhile, you know we love to travel. Homeschooling the kids really allowed us to be a lot more flexible and travel in the off-season. When John has a work trip, we are able to tag along, which allows us to see much more of the country each year. … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…at least as far as the kids are considered, because the kitchen is full of baked goods and sweet treats. Every year we love to bake and make homemade goodies for friends and relatives and popcorn party mix ideas are some of our favorite go-to treats. You can … Read more
There are only 2 more weekends after this before Christmas!! Woohoo!! I can’t believe it! I am feeling all the reds, and greens and plaids this month. How cute are those plaid shoes? And that jacket? LOVE! Everything you see here is on sale and there are SUPER good weekend sales and deals today! As … Read more
It’s no secret that I love any excuse to party…we’re even known to have what has affectionately become known as “fake parties” here in our house just so I can have an excuse to set up something cute. HA! When Ashley mentioned getting a few girls from school together I immediately thought “PARTY!” but coming … Read more
I am so excited to be joining up with several other bloggers today to share our homes decorated for Christmas. Laura from Meaningful Spaces always hosts this tour each year and it has definitely become one of my favorites. I love that it is the Meaningful Home tour. Something about that phrase makes it feel … Read more
Can we all agree that shopping and buying gifts for men is terribly difficult?! Whether you are shopping for a husband, father, boyfriend, brother…you name it. When they’re little it’s as easy as can be..cars and trucks, remote control anything, gadgets and gizmos galore and they are happy. You might remember that when I put … Read more
Welcome to our Christmas living room! I was so excited when Marty from A Stroll Thru Life asked if I was interested in participating in her Christmas tour again this year. I just love being a part of her tours! If you are new to my blog or joining me from Life on Virginia Street, welcome! … Read more
December is officially here! It has been so nice to have an extra week between Thanksgiving and the start of December this year, but now it’s crunch time folks! 24 days until we have to have everything wrapped and under the tree. Here are the best weekend sales and deals to help you check off … Read more
Tis the season for entertaining and gifting…and if you are headed to a party you don’t want to arrive empty handed. Here are 15 hostess gift ideas that are beautiful, thoughtful and won’t break the bank. This post contains affiliate links. If you really want to be ahead of the game, send a before the … Read more
What a fun week! I am so excited to be participating in the 2018 Holiday Home Tour with the talented ladies from 11 Magnolia Lane and Evolution of Style. Lynch Creek Farm is sponsoring this tour and providing all of the homes with beautiful wreaths, garlands or centerpieces, so you are in for a real … Read more
It is time to deck the halls and I couldn’t more excited to kick off the Christmas decorating ideas with these 19 other talented bloggers to share all of our Christmas kitchen decorating ideas. The kitchen truly is the heart of the home, and especially at the holidays when it is full of baked treats … Read more
Just when I thought it couldn’t get much better…CYBER MONDAY comes along and dials it up a notch. While most of the sales from Black Friday are simply continuing, there are a few additions/changes that you don’t want to miss out on today. | | | | | | | LAMP | BARSTOOL | | … Read more
Oh I was up WAY too late last night…how about you guys? Is most of your shopping done? Well, I am up and back at it today with a turkey hangover and the best of black Friday sales to shop! 😉 . Here are some of my favorite picks from ALL the sales, as well … Read more
Happy Thanksgiving! What’s on your menu? Here are a few things on ours…homemade apple pie and orange rolls. It is not a holiday in our family without my grandma’s Orange Rolls. I posted the recipe here awhile back and if you haven’t made them yet, I highly recommend you give them a try. They are … Read more
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope that you find yourself overindulging in delicious food and time with family and friends. I want you all to know how thankful I am for you. This passion project of mine has developed into something I never could have dreamed possible over the years and it is all because of … Read more
I couldn’t believe it when I woke up this morning…should we call it purple Wednesday? I don’t know what to call it but Black Friday Deals have already started TODAY so I am scrambling to put together all of the best deals…and it is a hunt! I am going to add to this list and … Read more
I really want my kids to appreciate Thanksgiving for what it is and understand how important it is. As part of our homeschool classroom party for Thanksgiving we had a wonderful Thanksgiving feast. I thought I would share some of these ideas with you in case you are looking for some Thanksgiving Feast Ideas for … Read more
Black Friday fever is in full swing and the stores are feeding the frenzy with some crazy good Black Friday preview sales this weekend. It seems as though Black Friday is being diluted by earlier and earlier sales…and that is a-ok with me! I honestly think that most of what is on sale this weekend … Read more
The temperatures have seriously dropped here in the last couple of weeks and boy does it feel like winter now! Temps this week have been highs in the low 40s and lows in the teens and low 20s! Yikes! I’m not sure what is normal for these parts as last fall it was 65 at … Read more
I love making every season special with the kids. Crafts and fun themed foods, parties and outings…whatever I can do to make the seasons fun and memorable. I’ve spent a lot of time since we moved going through a bunch of pictures and things from over the years and have run across a few things … Read more
After yesterday’s Christmas living room decorating ideas post you are probably wondering just how I think I’m going to work red into that color scheme…am I right? Well, that is precisely what had me going back and forth for so long too. I am determined to add red because I just love it at Christmas, … Read more
Christmas and definitely the end of the school year are super busy times. Classroom parties, testing, holidays, vacations… it’s a crazy, sometimes overwhelming time of year. Let’s make it easy this year and get one thing out of the way. What to give your child’s teacher! Coming up with teacher gift ideas is just another … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…time to unearth mounds of boxes and rubbermaid tubs full of sparkly decorations and transform the house into a wonderland. I might like Christmas a little bit…can you tell? 😉 Last year we were still very much in transition into this house in UT. Construction wasn’t even finished … Read more
Happy Monday my friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Monday’s are always tough, but these Monday’s leading into the holidays seem even a bit harder to me because it’s getting cold and all I want to do is lay in bed in my jammies with hot cocoa and watch Hallmark movies. Who really … Read more
Do you have a family Christmas pajamas tradition? Every year I can’t wait to find the cutest Christmas pajamas…there is something about them that just seems cozy and wonderful. We are in our Christmas pajamas every chance we get. If it gets cloudy outside…time for Christmas pajamas…if we’re watching a Christmas movie…time for Christmas pajamas…you … Read more
Holiday sales are in full swing this weekend! Take advantage of these great deals and get your shopping done early! 🙂 Here’s are all of the best weekend sales and some of my favorite things that make great gift items. Only 6 more weekends until Christmas! Happy shopping! Affiliate links are included in this post. … Read more
Let’s just say it out loud…boys are kind of hard to shop for. I mean, they are easy in the sense that they really don’t want much more than a shirt or some sort of gadget, but when it comes to knowing what they really want and finding something kind of creative for them, I … Read more
A once in a blue moon occurrence happened at our house the other day…a clean kitchen. 😉 So, being the blogger that I am, I figured I better capitalize on that rare moment and take some pictures right before Hurricane Mitchell came home from school for the afternoon. I’ve had some questions about how to … Read more
Happy Wednesday! I hope your week is going well. Are you starting to feel the holiday pressure coming on? I have been feeling it big time this week for some reason. I’m starting to feel like the next 6 weeks are going to go in the blink of an eye. Crazy! I have been having … Read more
How is it possible that there are only 17 more days until Thanksgiving?! These last few months of the year are always such a blur. Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year, or in charge of setting the table? Well, good news. You are in the right place for loads of beautiful Thanksgiving table setting ideas. … Read more
Ok folks, we are in full gift buying, holiday mode and lucky for us, so are the shops. I don’t want to freak you out, but there are only 7 more Saturdays until Christmas. YIKES! Here’s a round up of the best weekend sales and some of my favorite things that make great gift items. … Read more
Happy November! I cannot believe I am saying that! It is so hard to believe that the holidays are already here. I am totally guilty of often skipping right over Thanksgiving and jumping into Christmas, but Thanksgiving is actually one of my favorite holidays. I love the food, family and friends with no expectations of … Read more
Happy Halloween! This is one of my favorite days of the year. I’m so excited it’s here! The close of today also means that we are officially into Christmas season in my book…so you may see a Christmas decoration creeping into this week’s Pink Peppermint’s Picks. Also, over the next several weeks I will gear … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…Halloween at Disneyland! 🙂 Disney has definitely done a fantastic job of turning October into an even more magical time at the Happiest Place on Earth. Are you considering taking a trip to Disneyland in October? If you’ve never seen Disneyland decorated for Halloween, it is a must. … Read more
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to a great week ahead…especially with Halloween on Wednesday! Woohoo! We had a fun and busy weekend full of family time…my favorite thing! Saturday morning our ! Yay! I like the way the painted chairs look with the . Now I … Read more
Happy Saturday! I hope you have a fun fall day planned. These sales and deals will hopefully make it even more fun! 😉 Affiliate links are included in this post. | | | | | | | | Barstool | Wreath | Velvet Pillow | Leather Pillow take an extra 40% off sale items! Think … Read more
It’s always fun to get a few friends together and celebrate the holidays, and in our house we love to do that with movie nights. Putting something together that is cute doesn’t take a ton of effort, and for the kids, getting to invite some friends over for treats and a movie makes them feel … Read more
Happy Wednesday!! We are heading into fall full speed around here…it’s been in the 60s the last couple of days and is getting dark earlier and earlier. The leaves are turning all kinds of gorgeous colors and I have to admit, this Southern California girl is kind of marveling in it. You’ll see the cooler … Read more
It is so fun in the 1987 Fixer Upper to have two fireplaces to decorate. This is our first year being able to decorate, since at this time last year everything was still under construction. With the shiplap behind the fireplace in the family room, I was thinking about what direction I wanted to head … Read more
The holidays are so much fun, but really, there is nothing quite like seeing the holidays through the eyes of a child. The years are fleeting…as a matter of fact, the pictures in this post are from years ago…and I can’t believe just how much the kids have grown. I feel like these pictures were … Read more
I am so excited to be joining forces with some of the most creative girls on the internet today and tomorrow for a fun Halloween DIY blog hop. I love any excuse to craft something up, and working with these girls is the best! If you are joining me from Bird’s Party blog, welcome! I … Read more
It’s the middle of October already! Can you believe it? I feel like I start out each holiday month feeling like I’m getting a head start on decorating, and then poof! Before I know it, the month is already half over and I am only partially ready. Today, I am teaming up with 6 of … Read more
I can’t believe it is Friday already!! These weeks just keep flying by and I feel the holidays coming on strong. Do you ever feel like you have so much to do you just start to feel paralyzed…like you can’t get anything done? I feel like I am running around doing a whole lotta nothing … Read more
Happy Wednesday! It is cold and dreary here today. Snow has started falling in the mountains up above us and all I can think about it staying warm, dry and cozy. You’ll definitely see that reflected in this week’s Pink Peppermint’s Picks! 😉 . I hope you enjoy them! As always, affiliate links are included, … Read more
With fall entertaining around the corner, I have started thinking about fun ways to decorate the dining room table. I love a good flower arrangement, but sometimes it’s fun to come up with what to put in a vase other than flowers. It’s even more fun to come up with unusual flower arrangement containers and … Read more
Hooray for the weekend and an extra hooray for the Friends and Family sales this time of year! I like to be considered a friend when it comes to getting great deals! 😉 More and more stores seem to be catching on to this idea and not wanting to be left out of the fun, … Read more
We have been breaking out all the Halloween decorations this week and I couldn’t be more excited about it. There is finally a chill in the air and we are listening to the raindrops outside while decorating to Halloween tunes inside. It is the most wonderful time of the year for sure! I had the … Read more
If you’ve been following the blog for awhile, you know that I love to make stuff. But I also don’t have much patience when it comes to making things. lol! That means that most of my projects are super easy and usually utilize some sort of pre-made something or other. I often walk down the … Read more
CHECK OUT THE UPDATED POST & NEW ADDITIONS TO THE LIST FOR 2022 HERE!! The older my kids get, the harder it seems to shop for them…anyone else out there feel the same way? It used to be so easy to wander the aisles of Target and find a million things that I thought were … Read more
When you think of Halloween colors, black and orange are usually the first to come to mind, but Halloween party ideas don’t always have to revolve around those colors. Having a girly-girl has definitely taught me that non-traditional colors and Halloween party ideas make for equally fun and pretty parties. I put together these colorful … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again…time for Halloween! I don’t know about you but I love making fun little gifts and Halloween treat tags for the kids and neighbors. This bugs and kisses printable tag has been a favorite for awhile. I love to use it and wanted to make sure and … Read more
Happy Monday! How did we already get to the last Monday of September?! I feel like it was just July and here we are headed full speed into the holidays. You have probably noticed a few Halloween posts popping up here and there…I’m sorry! I can’t help myself! 🙂 So, how was your weekend? Last … Read more
I admit it, I have become one of “those” people. Yes, the kind that buys costumes for their dog. Ever since Jack joined our family earlier this year it’s been almost like having a new baby…and now, a toddler that walks around without a diaper on and speaks only Chinese. 😉 He has doctors appointments … Read more
Halloween is just around the corner and if you are anything like me, you are looking for fun traditional Halloween activity and games ideas to keep the kiddos entertained. While it has been a few years, I used to throw a big Halloween carnival for our neighborhood every Halloween, so I built up a pretty … Read more
Temperatures are still in the 80s around here, but the last week or so I have seen colors starting to pop up on the mountainside, which can only mean one thing…colder temps are definitely on their way! Getting the living room decorated for our fall home decor tour last week, got me in the spirit … Read more
If you are looking for an easy DIY costume for Halloween look no further! This DIY Spider Headband is it! I am notoriously bad about waiting until the last minute to throw something together to wear for Halloween. Without a doubt, the day of Halloween rolls around, and while I may have dressed up … Read more
Halloween is one of my absolute favorite holidays. Every few years I throw a Halloween party for 50 of my closest friends. A chance to come up with a fun theme, create party food and decorations to work with that theme, and dress up? That is right up my alley. I usually start my party … Read more
Happy Wednesday everyone! I am happy to be back in a regular routine with the kids and it’s hard to believe that Andy has already been back in school for nearly a month now. Time really does fly! I have been decorating for Halloween…I know…so early, and trying to get back on track with getting … Read more
It’s hard to believe that it is already time for another fall home tour. Is it just me, or do these years seem to be flying by faster and faster? Well, believe it or not, we’re here and I’m excited to welcome to our Fall Home Tour! I just love joining Marty from A Stroll Thru … Read more
I had the pleasure of collaborating with Shutterfly again this week, designing and styling a some pretty pink baby shower ideas. I love the creativity that working with Shutterfly affords me. There are so many fun pink baby shower invitations to choose from, creating an entire party based around one is just a dream. This … Read more
If you are considering a trip to Jackson, Wyoming, hopefully you’ve read all about our favorite things to do in Jackson Hole, and Chuckwagon dinner show is on your list of things to do. After researching the options for the best chuckwagon dinner in Jackson, Wyoming before our recent trip, I settled on reservations for … Read more
There are some birthday party themes that will never go out of style, and for little boys, a Batman party will always be a hit. I put this party together awhile ago for a kit I made for the Pink Peppermint Prints Etsy shop so I wanted to share it in case you are looking … Read more
This time of year always just makes me want to mix things up a bit around the house and create a fresh, new look. One of the most affordable ways I’ve found to make a big impact on a room is to add a new wall mirrors. They don’t cost a fortune, add a great … Read more
If you are heading to Southern California and looking for beautiful, family friendly resorts in San Diego, look no further. The Omni La Costa Golf Resort and Spa offers something for everyone in the family. Golf, a beautiful spa, Kid’s Club, water slides…the list goes on. Both John and I grew up in San Diego, … Read more
This stunning mint green party celebrating a guest of honor with the first initial of G was created by the amazing team of Renee and Nina at Confetti and Crumbs. I am in love with the versatility of this party. The colors scheme is gorgeous and the idea of using shapes and monograms as your … Read more
Here’s an interesting fact for you: The Eiffel Tower attracts more visitors than any other paid tourist attraction in the world. So, needless to say, when you plan to visit Paris, it is incredibly important to be well aware of different Eiffel Tower tips and tricks for visiting the Eiffel Tower and getting Eiffel Tower … Read more
It has been a little while since I gave an update on the living room design ideas here on the blog, and since we’ve had a little bit of progress over the last couple of months, I thought it was about time I showed you something! 😉 Even thought this house is in the mountains … Read more
When you are planning a family trip to London you must put a Tower of London visit on your list of things to do. For centuries, families have lived and worked in this famous fortress — Royal families, guards, servants, even prisoners. The Wondering what to see at the Tower of London? Let these Tower … Read more
In just a week we’ll be heading back into the grind. School mornings are TOUGH! Trying to get everyone up, dressed, fed and out the door in record time can be VERY stressful. Easy breakfast ideas, especially quick and easy breakfast ideas for school, are hard to come by. Try making it healthy and that … Read more
I am always looking for cute new serving trays and ways to display treats, whether for parties or photo shoots, just something fun and different. With the kids heading back to school shortly, of course all things school are on my mind, so when I was unpacking some things and ran across these cute chalkboards … Read more
I am always on the hunt for healthy, delicious and most importantly EASY side dish ideas. My kids are good about eating vegetables as long as they taste good, and fortunately, this easy roasted vegetables recipe is SO good it will have the kids begging for more. Mine did last night! These deliciously seasoned roasted … Read more
We already know it’s the most important meal of the day, but Breakfast served with a side of an ocean view isn’t just good for your body, it’s good for your soul. Here are what we consider to be the 4 best brunch spots at the beach in Orange County where you can grab some … Read more
Growing up in Southern California, I think it’s a rule that you have to be a Disney fan. But really, who isn’t a Mickey Mouse fan, am I right? I feel like as soon as you have a baby you start looking for Mickey Mouse party ideas for one year old babies. Mickey Mouse party ideas … Read more
It’s no secret that I love New York City. Every chance I get I am sneaking away to the city that never sleeps. I have always wanted to be in New York City at Christmas and last Christmas we had the chance to travel to New York City with kids and spend 10 days in … Read more
I love dessert and I love it even more when it is super easy. The kids have been excited for the latest Disney Channel Original Movie, Freaky Friday, to come out, and it’s finally happening. So, of course we need to celebrate. 😉 I have so much fun putting together movie nights for the kids … Read more
I get asked all the time where to eat, shop and play in Orange County when people come to town, so I thought it was about time that I do some posts about the place I love so much. Now that I am splitting time between SLC and OC, when I’m gone I REALLY miss … Read more
There is nothing like summer. I love the days of freedom without being tied to a schedule, no homework, no bedtime, just enjoying time spent together as a family and the kids getting a chance to be kids! Year end celebrations and end of the school year activities can get crazy at this time, but … Read more
As a kid I always thought I despised beets. The first few years John and I were married he always put beets on his salad whenever we were at a salad bar and I though it was disgusting. lol! Well fast forward a few years and I have gotten older and wiser…and now I’m sad … Read more
If you’re anything like me you are DREADING even the thought of back to school…but sadly enough I know that it is just around the corner…as a matter of fact I know that many people in places like Arizona are headed back in the next week or two. Yep! In JULY!!! Yikes! SO, I thought … Read more
Ever since nearing completion on the 1987 Fixer Upper, my thoughts have of course turned to the fun part…decorating! It is fairly daunting to decorate your own home…I totally understand that! It can definitely be costly, and if you are anything like me, you are much more indecisive when selecting something for yourself, than you … Read more
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is officially open to the public! Woot, woot! The good news is there is a ton of great stuff left to grab before prices go back up on August 6th. So I’ve rounded up the best of what is still in stock (at least according to a few hours ago!) and … Read more
We’ve seen glimpses of what summer will look like around here with a few warm nights. The minute the weather heats up we are outside enjoying every minute, which for us means lots of dining al fresco and simple meals. When the heat of the summer comes, it’s prime entertaining time…but it’s also the least … Read more
I think that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale or just Nordstrom as a whole is often overlooked for it’s awesome home decor section. Do you ever wander through your local Nordstrom home section? I ALWAYS make a point of checking it out and the offerings online are even better. I sifted through page after page of … Read more
It’s official! The is here and is LIVE!! Warm up those girls, because it’s time to shop! I’ll be the first to acknowledge that I am not a fashion blogger. You won’t find me sharing pictures of myself on a busy street somewhere, dressed to the nines staring wistfully off to the side…I’d rather be … Read more
The is nearly here! is only ONE DAY away and I am SO excited! The has been dog eared, marked up and poured over countless times! If you’ve followed the blog for a long time you know this sale is like Christmas in July in our house and that the is like Black Friday. Well, … Read more
If you are really looking for the ultimate Italian experience, you must visit Tuscany. This rural and beautiful region is full of rolling hills dotted with stunning, living medieval towns. When we traveled to Europe for our three month excursion, we knew one thing we really wanted was the quintessential Italian experience…to stay in a Tuscan … Read more
I have never understood the reason to have a basement…until the slime craze hit. If you could see the basement kitchen-turned slime making factory in our house, you too would understand. 😉 Ash has always loved having a shop…a lemonade stand, cookie business, you name it, she has done it. Lately she has been making … Read more
During these dog days of summer nothing makes a hot day feel better than a cold treat. This delicious snickerdoodle ice cream sandwich recipe will make all of your trouble melt away. The best part is, they are so easy, you won’t even mind making them for the neighborhood…because believe me, when the kids hear … Read more
It’s only fitting that when there is a birthday to celebrate, you buy presents. So, it’s time to celebrate the good old USA and buy yourself something fun! Fortunately, stores love to celebrate too, so here’s a list of all the best 4th of July Sales to make finding a deal a breeze! Click on … Read more
Get your red, white and blue on and get ready to celebrate Memorial Day, Flag Day, and the 4th of July with these cute patriotic 4th of July Party favors. Show off your American spirit and throw a Fourth of July celebration that’ll go down in history, and cap off the festivities with these darling Let Freedom Ring … Read more
The Fourth of July is almost here and we’ve got red, white and blue parties on the brain. If you are hosting a backyard BBQ at or heading to the beach for a picnic party, you’ll want to be ready with festive decorations and food. Well, look no further because here are 15 Awesome 4th of July Party Ideas to … Read more
Living by the beach, we are always looking for fun beach party dessert ideas and cute beach party table decorations either for parties or our weekly trips with friends to hang out at the beach. I saw some cute beach theme cookies while searching for beach themed party ideas a bit ago and I thought … Read more
The 4th of July is just a few days away and I am getting excited! All of my red, white and blue party dreams are going to come true. These free printables are fun for 4th of July party favors, neighbor gifts, something fun to hand out at the fireworks…you name it. This year we’ll be … Read more
Finding the perfect dining table can be a difficult process. It is such a major purchase for your home, finding something that is not only functional, but timeless as well, is so important. A dining table can literally last your entire life…sometimes they are even passed down through the family. In the home I grew … Read more
Every good party needs a party favor, am I right? These fun printable patriotic party tags are perfect for all of your 4th of July parties…or any red white and blue party for that matter…think Memorial Day party, Flag Day party, Election night party, Veteran’s Day party…you name it…there are tons of uses for these … Read more
With temperatures heating up and BBQ parties on the calendar I figured it was a good time to share my favorite go-to potato salad recipe. I love potato salad, but I have to admit I don’t make it terribly often because it is time consuming. Every time I decide to just grab some from the … Read more
One of my favorite things about summer is getting the chance to put up the patriotic decor, and leave it up all summer long. Kicking things off with Memorial Day in May and rounding out the summer with Labor Day at the end, is a perfect excuse to change up the decor and let it … Read more
I am so excited to be a part of this year’s Summer Home Tour hosted by Marty from A Stroll Thru Life. If you are visiting from Marty’s beautiful home tour, welcome! I always love participating in her fun tours, but this year is extra exciting for me since we have spent the last year … Read more
Hooray for the Red, White and Blue! Seriously though, isn’t it such a great color combination?! It’s time to plan for some fun Patriotic parties, and there is nothing better than an inexpensive, easy and super cute party backdrop idea. I made this DIY Patriotic party backdrop in about 30 minutes, using nothing but some … Read more
Shopping for Father’s Day gifts? A great dad deserves a fantastic present, and yet they can be pretty impossible to buy for. This is the year you’ll find something perfect for him. From traveling to ties, we’ve got Father’s Day gift ideas covered for the main man in your life. A father’s day gift guide … Read more
It’s almost time to celebrate dad! Yay! That means dad gets a free pass to tell all the really lame dad jokes and silly stories his heart desires for 24 hours. Have you found the perfect gift yet? I’ll be sharing a round up of great Father’s Day gift ideas tomorrow, but for now, here are … Read more
When you launch into a major renovation, it always takes longer than you think it should. I planned on having these pictures of our master bathroom remodel up long ago…but life happens. So, despite the wires still hanging from the ceiling over the tub, I hope these pictures give you some fun master bathroom remodel … Read more
Cupcake toppers are easy to make, are inexpensive, and add a personalized handmade touch to every gathering. The best part is, they only take minutes to make and can turn any store bought cupcakes or even appetizers into something special. While perusing the party store the other day for some Patriotic party ideas, I ran across some … Read more
It’s hard to believe that the last day of school is here and summer is about to begin! Woohoo! These next few days are going to fly by with all of the fun things planned for these kids. The kids always like to have a little something to pass out to their friends on the … Read more
I have been waiting for this weekend for weeks! I have so many things I need to buy for the house, and there is no better time to do it than when I can save some serious money! That just means I can buy more! 😉 Memorial Day Weekend sales are the best if you’re … Read more
It’s the first official weekend of summer this weekend and I couldn’t be more excited! I have been counting down the days…not just because it means the beginning of summer and that school is almost out, but because I have several things on my wishlist that I have been waiting for this weekend to buy. … Read more
I’ve been getting many emails lately asking for a Rome Travel Guide, so I think it’s about time I write a little about our adventures in Rome and some Rome Travel Tips. It’s no secret I love Italy. Give me a few days off to vacation and I would rather spend it there than really … Read more
Why is it that everything miniature is always so much cuter? I was at Hobby Lobby the other day and found this adorable tiny pinata, and decided it was a “need.” So, of course I had to think up an excuse for buying it. That’s when these cute birthday wishes tags were concocted. 😉 I … Read more
It’s my birthday, it’s my birthday, I’m gonna party like it’s my birthday. I’ve added a few extra fun things to this week’s Pink Peppermint’s Picks because…well, because I was shopping for my birthday coming up and found a ton of fun stuff. 😉 lol! Some are a bit more a splurge than usual…like that … Read more
It’s been a bit of a slow week around here on the blog, but we have been busy playing hooky from work and school and enjoying some quality time with family. Sometimes I just get the urge to slow things down a bit and take some intentional time to make memories and do the things … Read more
Traveling to Italy is definitely something to add to your bucket list if you haven’t already visited. For those that have been, you know it is a magical place full of delicious food, ancient cities and stunning countryside. I often get the question, where should we stay in Italy? While I am always a fan … Read more
Happy Thursday! I’m a day late with this week’s Pink Peppermint’s Picks, but hopefully that’s ok! I’ve made them extra good to make up for it. 😉 We are heading into summer full speed around here…it’s been in the 80s the last couple of days and is now staying light until well after 8pm…I love … Read more
I think we’d all be in agreement that coming up with what to do for teacher appreciation week, much less coming up with teacher appreciation week ideas for each day of the week can be a little overwhelming! Well, hopefully this easy and FREE teacher appreciation week printable will come to your rescue! We have … Read more
It’s been a long while since I shared a before and after from the 1987 Fixer Upper, mainly because things have still been kind of in disarray as we get settled. We don’t have furniture, and the decor will come after that, but today I thought it was about time I shared our Master Bedroom … Read more
Brunch is my favorite meal of the day. I love finding new great restaurants that serve brunch near me or great brunch recipes. Hosting a brunch party when the weather is nice is even more fun. With Mother’s Day next weekend and the fun baby showers and bridal showers that spring and summer bring, I … Read more
This teacher appreciation printables PDF is the perfect teacher gift idea for any thankful parent, enthusiastic student or PTO president celebrating teacher appreciation week. Download these cute pdf files to create gift ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week. Make teacher gift giving easy this year with these adorable “school so cool” printables. This cute teacher appreciation printables PDF is printed … Read more
Happy Monday everyone and welcome to the Beautiful Bedrooms blogger home tour. We were so excited for spring break this year because we had a slew of visitors. It was great to have a reason to put the bunk room plans into action and finalize the bunk room design. I always love any excuse to … Read more
Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about Mother’s day! Yikes! Honestly, where does the time go? I feel like I was just putting together a New Year’s Eve party! Next week we’ll do a great round up of all the things mom wants, but today I added a few fun ones too, … Read more
Happy Monday! (or is there such a thing 😉 lol!) . This past several weeks has been a whirlwind, and this weekend was no exception. I hopped on a flight Friday morning to Chicago to meet up with some talented bloggers for a pow-wow. While it was a super quick trip, it was also packed … Read more
Happy Wednesday! We are one day closer to the weekend and that’s reason to celebrate! 😉 . It’s been a few weeks since I’ve put a round up of my pick’s together…I’ve been working on some exciting behind the scenes stuff the last few weeks, so you may have noticed my posting schedule has been … Read more
We love having guests at the 1987 Fixer Upper and lately we have been hosting lots of fun friends and family. In an effort to have a comfortable space for everyone, I have been re-thinking the smallest room in the house. When we did the remodel I opened up what was once a closed off … Read more
Happy Monday! Since Monday’s are hard, a few of my FAVORITE blogger friends and I have decided to host a HUGE Stock Your Craft Room Giveaway! That should turn your Monday blues right around! This group of gals are my daily dose of inspiration and motivation. They all mean so, so much to me. Make … Read more
Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. I don’t know about you all, but when The Sound of Music airs on TV, we love to watch together as a family. I grew up on it, and chances are you did too. Even some of our parents did. And now I … Read more
Graduation is such an exciting milestone in life. Celebrate with these cute DIY Graduation party ideas that are perfect whether you are celebrating a high school graduation or university graduation. You can find free downloads at the bottom of this post to create many of these DIY graduation party ideas yourself. This post contains affiliate … Read more
There are only a few more days until Easter and that means it’s a perfect time for some Spring table setting ideas. I made a goal this year to make the blog (hopefully) even more useful than it has been in the past by teaming up with some of my favorite bloggers each month to … Read more
We’re finally heading into longer days of sunshine and warmer temps are soon to follow…a girl can dream, right? That must mean it’s time for a Spring Home Tour! I love teaming up with Marty from A Stroll Thru Life and being a part of her fun home tours each season. If you are stopping by the … Read more
My baby girl’s birthday is coming up and so I have parties on the brain. I love cute DIY party ideas, and this one is SO easy, and SO quick, you can make it anytime with just a few supplies. Washi tape craft ideas are some of the easiest crafts around. Here’s what you will … Read more
I am late getting this week’s edition of Pink Peppermint’s Picks up today…a crazy travel schedule this week has me at home for just over 36 hours…while I love it…it’s also a bit overwhelming! I always think that if I just had a solid, uninterrupted week at home I could accomplish SO much…but I also … Read more
Exploring Dublin, Ireland is a true delight! Dublin is a wonderful urban destination that is quickly growing in popularity among tourists visiting Europe. We had the pleasure of visiting Dublin, and I must say, it has to be one of the happiest, friendliest places on the planet! The people were so warm and welcoming. We … Read more
Easter is right around the corner and every year as the kids get older, it gets a bit harder to come up with something fun for their Easter Baskets. We have three rounds of company coming over the next few weeks (yay!!), so I am being proactive this year and have put together Ashley’s basket … Read more
Happy Wednesday! The sun is shining and we are only a few days away from daylight savings time. While it hasn’t gotten a whole lot warmer around here, the extra hour of light will sure help the mood. We are officially headed into spring! Not surprisingly, there are a few things on this week’s list … Read more
A few months ago when we had the chance to stay at the Monarch Beach Resort, our stay came with daily breakfast. Yum! Well, little did I know that the complimentary breakfast would include one of the yummiest avocado toast with egg recipes I have EVER had. It was absolutely delicious. I have been dreaming … Read more
Emili’s purple and turquoise bedroom was such a fun project for me. What was even better was getting to do ANOTHER totally fun tween bedroom makeover with this colorful room for her sister! 🙂 These girls are just darling and they are truly best friends. What was so fun for me in working on these … Read more
I don’t know about you, but when I was growing up, St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t all that of a big deal. If you remembered, you would wear something green to school that day so that the kids didn’t pinch you, but other than that, there really wasn’t a whole lot of hoopla surrounding it. Well, … Read more
Sometimes I feel like what I do doesn’t really hold any significance, but this party was different. Kelsey’s mom, a sweet friend of mine has been battling stage 4 Breast Cancer. I was overwhelmed trying to think of a way to help. One day it hit me that Kelsey was going to have a birthday … Read more
Perched atop a beautiful bluff in Dana Point, CA, overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean, the Monarch Beach Resort offers families looking for the perfect Southern California getaway a wonderful experience. I may be partial to Orange County, considering it is home, but let me tell you, after traveling the world, it really doesn’t get much … Read more
I am having Way too much fun putting these posts together each week. I get excited to search for things each week and share them with you! Here are this week’s picks… 🙂 OK, let me first start by saying that I am TOTALLY not a techie person. I never have to have the latest … Read more
If you don’t already know this about it me it’s time you learned that I love all things glitter and sparkle! If I have a chance to add glitter to something, I will take that opportunity. 😉 What better way is there to celebrate a birthday than with a Happy Birthday Cake Topper Gold Glitter … Read more
I have been on the hunt for the perfect pedestal table for out kitchen nook. It is more than time for us to get something new. The cute little table we currently have has been our table for the last 8 years. I picked it up for free as payment for a photo shoot for … Read more
It’s funny how when you have a weekly thing that you do the weeks seem to go even faster! I feel like I was just putting together all of my favorite’s for Valentine’s Day and now that has come and gone and it’s time to start thinking spring! I don’t know why, but once Valentine’s … Read more
Happy Monday everyone and welcome to the Rooms We Love blogger home tour. I hope you are having a wonderful long holiday weekend if you are lucky enough to get today off of work or school! The kiddos are home and we are snuggling up inside by the fire to combat the snowstorm outside. 😉 … Read more
Happy Valentine’s Day! This might sound a bit silly, but one reason I love Valentine’s Day is because I feel like I have a little extra reason to treat myself to something fun. lol! I’m sure John loves that too. 😉 Here are my picks for this week…and you can treat yourself too. 😉 I … Read more
I’m excited to show you the living and dining room before and after makeover today! I hope you are enjoying these room reveals. There are lots more fun ones to come! Of all the rooms in the living and dining rooms probably changed the least…or close to it. The shape of the rooms stayed mostly … Read more
Ever since construction came to an end about a month ago…and actually even before then, I have had kind of a hard time envisioning the 1987 Fixer Upper decorated. It’s funny, because I had no problem designing all of the renovations…it was like they were in my head before I even found the house…but now … Read more
Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a wonderful week. It is time for this week’s installment of Pink Peppermint’s Picks…what is quickly becoming one of my favorite posts to write each week because it gives me a chance to share with you some of the fun things I see each week. This has been … Read more
This shop has been compensated by CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SendingYourLove #CollectiveBias It’s February and that means it’s time to break out the red and pink and heart attack the house! If you’ve been following the blog for awhile, then you know that I LOVE Valentine’s day! For me, … Read more
I love Valentine’s Day for all the cheesy, cutesy ways to show those you love just how much they mean to you. I also love any excuse to party and celebrate with my girlfriends…so, when Kelly from A Green Spring Home asked if I’d like to be a part of the Valentine’s Day at Home … Read more
It’s that time of year again! Time for my favorite handmade free printable valentine’s! I have been having fun coming up with some new ideas for 2018, and here is the first for this year’s handmade free printable Valentine’s. I know that there is a big push in lots of schools (and in lots of … Read more
What’s red and white and pink all over? One of my favorite holidays…Valentine’s Day! I seriously love the cheesy, fun, cute and lovey-dovey cards and gifts that this holiday celebrates. If you’re new to the blog, welcome! Definitely take a minute to check out all of the free printable DIY Valentine’s Day Cards from year’s … Read more
As a photographer I get asked all the time about “What camera should I buy?” People want to know about photography equipment…what I use, what lenses people should buy, what to get for gifts for photography newbies, etc., so, I thought I would share some ideas for great photography gifts at great prices. This post … Read more
I’m so excited to be heading inside the #1987FixerUpper this week to share the foyer entry way before and after remodel. If you are looking for foyer entry way design ideas, hopefully this post will be a help. We took this puppy down to the studs and boy what a project it was! The entry … Read more
It’s time for another edition of Pink Peppermint’s Picks and boy is there some cute stuff this week! (well, at least I think so! ;)) . It’s no secret that I am on a major hunt for all kinds of home stuff, so obviously a few fun home decor items made the list, along with … Read more
It has been a whirlwind of a week…in a really good way! We had our first visitors for a ski vacation and we were SO excited to play host. I wish they could stay forever…but I can’t blame them for wanting to return to warm and sunny AZ! It was fun for them to be … Read more
These weeks are FLYING by. I can’t believe it’s already time for another edition of Pink Peppermint’s Picks. I am having so much fun putting these together…I hope you are enjoying seeing what’s in store each week! Here are this week’s picks… I am looking everywhere…I mean EVERYWHERE for a rug for the entry … Read more
Whew! When I look back at 2017, all I can see is a blur of craziness…which has everything to do with our cross country house hunt, move and remodel of our 1987 Fixer Upper. You can read about the process for finding this house here and a mid construction progress update on the exterior here. There … Read more
Today is an exciting day for me! I am finally accomplishing a goal that I have had for a long time…to get back to my roots and actually do something with my photography. For those of you that have been with me for a LONG time…like circa 2006 with my trusty old TypePad blog, you … Read more
This year I wanted to find a way to feature more talented designers and creators here on the blog, as well as share more of my everyday finds and things I am up to around the house that don’t always make the blog. So often I run across a stunning room design on Pinterest, or … Read more
The New Year always makes me a little bit emotional. This year I feel even more emotional than usual. My kiddos went back to school yesterday and to be honest, I have been avoiding writing this post, and getting back to work a bit so that I could spend these last few days of … Read more
I love fun DIY party decorations and I love them even more when they take minutes and look super cute. These Confetti Cups check both of those boxes. These cute DIY party decorations are perfect for every party table…weddings, birthdays,a New Year’s Eve party…every occasion. You can simply change the type of confetti or the … Read more
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and it is time to party hard! I always see so many fun party supplies that have a Pop Clink Fizz theme, I decided to do a party based on that…but with a bit of a twist this year. We have a family New Year’s Eve party, … Read more
Oh my goodness, where has this month gone? I feel like we were even lucky and got an extra week this year since Thanksgiving was earlier, but whoa! Time flies when you’re having fun! Every year at this time I feel a little bit like there are so many things on my list I wish … Read more
This post is sponsored by . All thoughts and opinions are my own. Months ago, when we first started this crazy renovation, I was SO excited to introduce you guys to the . Do you remember this post? At the time, I had visions of Sugar Plums (and The Frame) dancing in my head as … Read more
This post is sponsored by Samsung. All thoughts and opinions are my own. If you’ve been following along with our 1987 Fixer Upper then you know it has been a major project modernizing this home. Essentially everything in the house is new…plumbing, electrical, walls, ceilings, doors, you name it…it’s new. 😉 One great thing that … Read more
It’s no secret that we have been desperately trying to get this house together and ready for the holidays and the guests that will be coming shortly thereafter for the ski season…yay! We love guests, and we love them even more now that we have space for them! 🙂 Poor Ashley hasn’t had a new … Read more
Each year I really try to find a way to help my kids and our family celebrate the true reason for the Christmas season. It can be hard to get kids and even us adults sometimes to remember that Christmas is more than just pretty decorations, fun gift lists, parties and yummy food. Affiliate links … Read more
Please tell me that I am not the only one incredibly behind on my gift buying this year! I am seriously starting to feel the crunch this season…but at the same time I feel remarkably calm about it…like Christmas isn’t in just 15 days. lol! Oh well…it’s been that kind of year. I think I … Read more
Decorating the family room for Christmas is fun, and we always buy Christmas jammies, but this year we took it one step further and added in some Christmas bedroom decor. I always see the Christmas bedding when I’m out and about shopping each year and I have always thought it would be fun to decorate … Read more
I am so excited to be a part of this year’s Meaningful Holiday Home Tour. Laura from Meaningful Spaces is kind enough to put this together every year. I was lucky enough to live just minutes from her in OC, one of the reasons I can’t wait to return home to So Cal before too … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…time to get the chance to get a peek into the homes all your favorite bloggers beautifully decorated for the holidays! I LOVE this time of year and getting to check out my favorite home tours is definitely something I look forward to each Christmas season. I am … Read more
I’m pretty sure that we could all fall under the “Home decor Enthusiast” category, am I right? Who doesn’t love something fun and new for the house? It’s amazing how even something little can just totally refresh a space…and how good it can make you feel to walk by the room and see it every … Read more
At the risk of looking like a crazy lady, I am going to show you my family room Christmas decor. 😉 I LOVE a ridiculous feature wall, some of my favorites are the Halloween wall I did out of old medicine book pages, and last year’s snowflake wall. To create something fun doesn’t cost much … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…time to deck the halls! It is fun to have some new halls for me to deck, that’s for sure! With everything freshly painted and new this year, I am extra sensitive about making sure I don’t damage anything while I’m having fun making things pretty. You know … Read more
Happy Cyber Monday! Are you all shopped out yet? I’m guessing not, because today is supposed to be the busiest shopping day of the year! 🙂 I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with friends and family and that there was a lot of relaxing and over-eating involved. 😉 I’m glad that we … Read more
Today’s post and Gifts for Him Gift Guide are extra special because it gave me a chance to focus on John and what I would like to give him this Christmas. I spend so much time fussing over what to get the kids this time of year, but focusing on him is what is really … Read more
How is it Thanksgiving already? This year has seriously gone by so fast I can hardly believe it. I’ve got a tree in my family room and I’ve been shopping all week for our Thanksgiving menu, yet somehow I still can’t wrap my brain around the fact that we are smack dab in the middle … Read more
This last year has been such a whirlwind, I can’t even believe it is time for Christmas! It is so fun to have the contractors finishing up this week literally as the holidays begin. With so many things in transition over this last six months, this holiday season is a chance for us to really … Read more
So this is really no big secret if you’ve been following me for awhile, but with Christmas shopping kicking into high gear this week, I thought it was worth a quick mention. 🙂 I feel like I have my own army of holiday elves each year at this time…they drive around in a big brown … Read more
Have you guys noticed that so many stores have already started their Black Friday deals? I was out last night and saw several places advertising that their sales are starting this weekend and not waiting for next weekend. Any chance to shop without fighting the crowds is fine with me! Although, I have to admit … Read more
I am so excited to share the kitchen remodel progress with you all! It’s hard to believe, but we actually cooked some dinner in our kitchen this week! We have a functioning oven, a microwave, and a fridge all working and boy does it feel good! This kitchen remodel included taking everything down to the … Read more
If you have kids then you know it is never too early to start Christmas shopping…especially when it comes to securing the hottest toys for Christmas that are guaranteed to be on every kid’s Christmas list. I grew up in the days of Cabbage Patch Kid craziness. I had one on my list and I’m … Read more
With Thanksgiving around the corner, our thoughts are naturally turning to gathering places, family, big meals and where to serve them. This time of year, the dining room…an often overlooked, pass-though of a room, gets it’s 15 minutes. While traditional dining rooms have kind of taken a back seat in today’s more modern, open concept … Read more
When do you start listening to Christmas music in your house? Growing up my dad had a strict rule that there was no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving dinner was eaten. It used to drive me crazy…especially since they started playing Christmas music on the radio in the middle of November! It obviously wasn’t a … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but we are on sugar overload at our house. Each week I try and bake homemade goodies for the kids to have in their lunches at school throughout the week and this time of year I find myself wondering what to do with leftover Halloween candy. Do you have … Read more
Everyday when my email alerts me to something new in my inbox, I get a little ping of excitement, but in June, that excitement turned to total exhilaration when I opened up an email from the team at Better Homes & Gardens inviting me to the Better Homes & Gardens StyleMaker event in NYC in … Read more
Hello Monday! Today is a hard re-entry into real life. We had the chance to sneak away for a few days to Scottsdale, AZ to soak up the sun and attend a work conference with John. We always try to take the kids with us whenever possible so that we can enjoy some family time, … Read more
Happy Monday! How are you today? I am feeling like I could happily crawl back into bed for a long nap, but there’s no time for that! I have finishing details on this darn house to manage! We just scheduled our stuff to be delivered from LA in a little over a week. I can’t … Read more
When we bought the 1987 Fixer Upper, the plan was to move into the partially finished basement while the rest of the house was under construction. It had two finished bedrooms, one finished bathroom and a couple of finished storage closets. My uncle Dave, who was helping us with the construction, moved most of the … Read more
By now it’s probably no secret that with the renovation on the #1987fixerupper we have been feeling a little out of sorts around here since the move. It’s been especially rough on the kids missing friends and not having a place that feels like a home to rest their heads. Living in a construction zone … Read more
I don’t know how it is that my Monday morning recaps always seem to turn into Monday afternoon recaps. 😉 These days, especially with the renovation going on, just get away from me SO quickly! With the kids gone all day at school I thought for sure I would get SO much accomplished, well…that remains … Read more
I don’t really talk about it much here on the blog, but I’m about to embark on something exciting that I’ve been wanting to do for a LONG time, so I thought it was about time I introduced Pink Peppermint Prints here. I have owned the Pink Peppermint Prints Etsy shop since 2011 and been … Read more
Things are heating up here at the #1987FixerUpper and I could not be more excited! The finish carpenters are just about done and things are looking SO much different. Have I mentioned how much I love woodwork? 😉 Ok, maybe a time or two, but it seriously makes such a difference! The entry way design … Read more
When we first started the renovation of our 1987 Fixer Upper, we had a budget (of course) but there were a few things I may have overlooked. 😉 One of them being the fact that we would need 22 new flush mount lights (not including the fun lights for rooms like the dining room, kitchen … Read more
Remodeling your home’s floor plan is exciting and fun, but can also seem like a scary and overwhelming adventure. It usually means knocking down a few walls and shifting things around, but the results can be amazing if you take some time to plan and think about how to create a space that works for … Read more
There is nothing quite like a summer night. The hot daytime temps create perfectly warm nights. All your usual indoor activities move outdoors so you can celebrate the season. If you’re looking for fun nighttime outdoor party ideas…look no further. An outdoor movie night party is the perfect way to enjoy those warm evenings with … Read more
I just got notice that my first Nordstrom Anniversary sale package should be arriving today! Woohoo! I can’t wait to unwrap all that fun stuff. Now that the sale is open to the public, I wanted to share the top 5 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Best Sellers while they are still available. Three of the 5 … Read more
Who knew that windows were going to be such a big deal? When I first walked through our 1987 Fixer Upper I knew that installing new windows was a must. It was going to be a big expense, but it was something that just couldn’t be avoided. The old windows were 30 year old aluminum … Read more
You guys! I have been the worst these last few weeks at updating our 1987 Fixer Upper progress. This last month has been SO tough. I mean SOOO hard. I’m sure we are wimps and everything, but moving stinks. Especially when you don’t want to move. The kids have been such troopers but it has … Read more
This week is seriously Christmas in July! Not only did we have Amazon Prime Day on Tuesday, but right now, in the wee hours of the morning, starts the What is and how do you get It’s when all Nordstrom card holders (credit and debit) get a few days of first dibs on all … Read more
It is T-minus 12 hours now until the biggest shopping event of the year, the or as it has become known all over social media…the #NSale. To be honest, I didn’t really get the hype of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale until just a few years ago. I love a good sale, and I love Nordstrom, … Read more
Hi guys! This week is a CRAZY one! Drywall, siding, exterior paint, insulation, cabinets are being finalized, floors are being purchased…Whoa! I just wanted to pop in and see if you had hit up the Amazon Prime Day deals today and show you the color of the brick! So happy to have that decision made! … Read more
I’m at the point in our own home project that I need to see something finished and pretty, so today it’s time to share a recent bathroom renovation I had the pleasure of assisting a wonderful friend of mine complete. These master bathroom remodel before and after pictures will knock your socks off…the transformation is … Read more
Happy 4th of July! I don’t know about you guys but we kicked off our celebrating on Saturday with a patriotic concert and fireworks show and the celebrating hasn’t stopped since. We’re looking forward to more fun with friends and family tomorrow for the big day. At first I thought I didn’t love the idea … Read more
This post is sponsored by . All opinions are mine alone. This has been a big week at the house. After what has seemed like weeks of tearing things apart, this week, for the first time, things are starting to be put back together. That is is an exciting and welcome change. It will still … Read more
Oh wow! Time flies when you’re having fun…or moving across the country. 😉 I cannot believe that I haven’t even had a minute to sit down and blog in the last 10 days. It has truly been a whirlwind around here! Moving was hard enough, but moving into an unfinished basement to live in during … Read more
Today is the day. The movers have come and gone, the carpets have been cleaned and we are handing the keys over to our renters tonight. This is a wild ride. I was reading a sweet story few days ago, trying to find some comfort in this whole move situation, and there, staring back at … Read more
School is out and the days are long and hot which can only mean one thing…SUMMER! 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 … Read more
It’s week 3 of our Fixer Upper construction and I have to say (knock on wood) that things are actually moving along really well. I don’t want to jinx myself though! 😉 This week was full of plumbing, more framing, low voltage electrical and cable, and masonry work. The family room/kitchen area is such a … Read more
Happy Tuesday! I love it when I get to say Tuesday when I’m doing a weekend recap…because that means it was a great 3 day weekend and that we are that much closer to the next one! 😉 I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating with friends and family. Do you have big … Read more
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I hope you are kicking things off this Saturday morning by relaxing and enjoying some time with friends and family. We spent a wild night in LA last night, so we are definitely lounging around this morning…which means one thing for me…online shopping! Memorial Day Weekend not only means the beginning … Read more
It’s time to warm up those wallets girls! The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. The is here, and it will soon be followed by the ultimate of all sales…the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I like to think of the Half Yearly Sale as a practice run for July. 😉 This is one … Read more
Happy Monday! I am suffering from a bit of a weekend hangover…no, not that kind…just too much fun in the sun with my favorite peeps. 🙂 I’m longing for those days to continue and not to be forced back to school and work. 🙂 This was an extra special weekend for me and I was … Read more
Every year at this time my red, white, and blue obsession starts to return. The weather is heating up and Memorial Day is right around the corner. I suddenly have the urge to break out the flag, toss some red and blue throw pillows around and wear stars and stripes. If you are super patriotic … Read more
Demo is in full swing at our fixer upper. This 1980’s house remodel is moving at record pace and I can’t believe how much has been accomplished in the last week! I wanted to share the entry way, living/dining room and office with you today so you can see the original space and how we … Read more
Happy Monday! How was your weekend? With Mother’s day yesterday and the school year wrapping up in just two weeks, our weekend was full of family activities, sports banquets and very needed haircuts. Andy cracks me up. He is usually an “I need my hair cut every 4 weeks” kind of kid, but lately he … Read more
I cannot believe how much progress has been made on this 1987 Fixer Upper in just one short week! It is incredible you guys! There were demo guys and electricians and plumbers, oh my! To see where this project has come in just a few short days is exciting. I’m up in Utah again today … Read more
What a week! So much has happened at the Utah house, I’m actually headed back up there today because there are so many decisions to be made. All of this back and forth, leaving my kiddos and hubby behind are starting to wear on all of us I think. This weekend my sweet husband surprised … Read more
It’s Friday night, the boys are at a hockey game and us girls are enjoying our own form of sporting…shopping! 😉 I have a list about a mile long for the new Utah house and so I am on the hunt for great deals. If you are too, you’re in luck, because some great stuff … Read more
I can’t believe it. The house in SLC is officially ours. We spent the last week there finalizing closing details and today is the day. After returning home late last night, I am hopping on a plane again tomorrow morning and heading back up to meet with the contractor, the structural engineer, and get demo … Read more
I had to make a quick stop at Michaels the other day (let’s be real…when is a trip to Michael’s ever quick? 😉 I have to look at everything. ;)) As I was wandering I found the cutest little wood elephant stamp. It was a need, so into my cart it went. 😉 I love … Read more
Yes, your eyes did not deceive you…the title says a NEW 18th century home. That was what initially grabbed my attention too. I understand a remodel of an 18th century home, but a new one? How does that happen? It happens when a design and construction firm decides to build new homes, based on old … Read more
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! We spent time at church, neighborhood egg hunts, visiting with friends, eating ham and potatoes, and getting fun visits from the Easter Bunny. Oh, how I love these days! It has become a tradition for us, since our dear family friends the Peo’s moved back to … Read more
This week has been a busy one at our house, and I am feeling more and more like a deadline is looming overhead with the new home project on the horizon. I know it is going to be a total pain but the reward will be so great! While the little ones are hunting eggs … Read more
Are you hosting Easter dinner this year? Or maybe you’re in charge of Easter desserts? Either way, we’ve got you covered with these cute and easy bunny ear cupcakes. The best part? You don’t even have to make them…unless you want too of course. 😉 I picked these delicious cupcakes up at Bristol Farms in … Read more
These DIY succulent pots are so cute and easy to make and they are the perfect addition to every upcoming wedding, Easter dinner, party, Cinco de Mayo fiesta, Mother’s Day brunch, bridal shower…you name it, they are perfect for everything! I whipped these up in about 5 minutes and you can too! Let’s get one … Read more
One of my favorite things about food, are the memories that it carries with it…kind of like music. When I hear a certain song on the radio I am transported back to a period of time like a Jr. High dance and can vividly remember that moment in time. When I make certain recipes, the … Read more
Spring has sprung! Tis the season for hats, bags, sunnies and fun jewelry! Yay!! The most wonderful time of the year! 😉 I love to update my usual white t-shirt, jeans and flip flops uniform with some fun pops of color in my accessories. Here are the latest trends and easy affiliate shopping links for … Read more
I’ve been doing some behind the scenes blog clean up lately, and when I was looking through old posts it came to my attention that I had never shared this beautiful outdoor garden wedding here on this blog. Wedding season is upon us and I love so many of these wedding ideas I wanted to … Read more
This school year has gone by SO quickly! I can’t believe that we are already about to celebrate teacher appreciation week! Crazy! I love to make teacher appreciation card printables because I love celebrating those that work so hard to teach our children. They use their time and talents everyday to ensure that our kids … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but as the days are getting longer and warmer, my thoughts are turning to SUMMER!!! The kids are already getting antsy. We have spring break SO late this year…there are only 4 weeks of school left after we head back. It’s like they can smell the ocean air and … Read more
Yesterday was the first of many “endings” for me here in this house…at least until we return. 😉 You are all familiar with me sharing home tours and pictures of our home design, but I’ve been keeping a bit of a secret for the last three years. It has been a bit of a challenge … Read more
With the big move getting ever closer I feel like time is speeding up. I have started packing, which makes everything seem much more real as I see the garage full of boxes holding our possessions that may never return to this home. This is so much more than a home. It’s a part of … Read more
I started blogging about 11 years ago. Way before blogging was really “a thing” I was hammering out post after post on my TypePad blog sharing scrapbook pages I had made, recipes I was cooking up and lots of pictures of my kids. It was a fun outlet I used as a young mom who … Read more
Th weather is heating up, the days are longer and spring has sprung! Welcome to our Spring Home Tour! I love teaming up with Marty from A Stroll Thru Life and participating in her amazing home tours each season. She is such a great hostess and I really enjoy looking at everyone’s tours. If you are … Read more
One of my favorite spots to turn for inspiration is Elle Decor. There are so many beautiful homes to oogle. This home tour of Emmy Rossum’s NYC hideaway caught my attention because it reminded me of so many of the beautiful European flats we rented while spending a few months over seas. The perfect mix … Read more
Are you feeling lucky? Well, you should! 😉 I am always on the look out for cute crafts for St. Patrick’s Day so here’s a little freebie for you. Something that can easily be turned in to a fun classroom treat or a St. Patrick’s Day party favor. Affiliate links are included in this post. … Read more
Happy Friday! Do you have fun plans for this weekend? The weather is heating up a bit and the days are getting so much longer around here so I am looking forward to spending some time out in the sunshine. There’s a great new little spot in Newport Beach that I have been dying to … Read more
This whole moving thing just got real. We are in escrow on our very own 1980’s Fixer Upper. I can’t believe it. For the last few months as I’ve wandered through what seems like hundreds of homes, refreshed Redfin and Realtor.com practically every 3 hours looking for new listings, and poured over every home source … Read more
As many of you already know, I am a total reality TV junkie. My love affair with it goes way back, and living here in the OC, shows like The Real Housewives of Orange County, Laguna Beach, and the Hills really captured my attention because I see people on TV that I run into at … Read more
Happy Friday! Welcome to another installment of iCandy. I am loving this series. It’s so fun for me to put together and take a look through all the things that have inspired me each week. Sometimes, I just plain forget things that I have seen or saved, so it’s fun to remind myself of things … Read more
I feel so fortunate to work with some of the best companies on the planet, and HomeGoods is definitely one of them. Back in 2012, HomeGoods ran a contest on Facebook for fans of their page. I, of course, being a huge HomeGoods fan couldn’t help but enter…the prize was a $250 gift card! Visions … Read more
Hello and welcome to our new weekly series, iCandy. For those of you that follow me on Instagram, you know I am constantly sharing images that catch my eye and inspire me, in hopes that they will inspire you too. I get TONS of emails and direct messages each time I post, asking for sources … Read more
January was a crazy travel month for me. When I bought my ticket to Alt Summit back in mid 2016, I had no idea where life would be taking me at this time in 2017. I was grateful that this year Alt Summit moved to sunny Palm Springs and so it made the travel much … Read more
I’m kind of in love with these silly little DIY valentines. The kids and I always get a kick out of checking our eyes when we’re at Costco. The optometrist has an eye chart that is visible from the checkout lanes, so we always pass our time waiting in line seeing who can read the … Read more
I’m so excited to be heading to Alt Summit today in sunny Palm Springs, but I have to say part of me wishes I could just stay home and snuggle my babies. January has been a super wild, fun and emotionally draining month. Between trips to NYC for an amazing, dream meeting with HomeGoods, (more … Read more
Known as one of America’s premier vacation destinations, Los Angeles is the Entertainment Capital of the World. It’s hard to visit California, without a stop in this vibrant, energetic city full of history, culture, shopping and dining…not to mention the miles and miles of some of the most beautiful coastline you will ever see! There … Read more
About five years ago I decided to turn our more formal living room into a second family room. We don’t have a big house, and the biggest room in our house (the living room) was sitting empty and unused all the time. I bought a black distressed console and a big TV, and had visions … Read more
I have a son that I’m pretty sure didn’t get any of my genes, because he doesn’t like chocolate chip cookies. Who doesn’t like chocolate chip cookies? Whenever given a choice, that is my go to cookie…especially if they are fresh out of the oven and there is a glass of cold milk to go … Read more
I am so excited to be heading back to my favorite city later this month, but boy, it is going to be cold! I have been to NYC in the winter before (well, technically I guess it was still fall, but it was December and the 18 degree temps sure made it feel like winter. … Read more
“It’s my mama’s birthday, it’s my mama’s birthday, so we’re gonna party like it’s my mama’s birthday.” The start of the new year officially kicks off birthday season in our house. Throughout the next six months there are a TON of birthdays…like this week with two in a row, so it always has me thinking … Read more
It’s hard for me to believe it, but it’s been almost two years since we painted our house. We were making the transition from brown to gray, since it had been 10 years and I wanted a fresh new look. I never realized how tricky gray can be! The granite in our kitchen has a lot of brown … Read more
I always enjoy spending the first part of a new year reflecting on the work I completed in the previous year, looking at what I had the most fun doing, where I can improve, and most importantly, finding out what you guys love and what I can do more of to make your experience with … Read more
January makes all of us want to organize, right? I think it has something to do with the influx of new things that come in during the holidays…especially kids stuff. We need room to store new clothes and toys, and if your house is anything like mine, we do not have extra space, which means … Read more
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. It’s always amazing to me when it seems like we spend countless hours preparing for the holidays over a period of several months, and then poof! it’s all over in the blink of an eye. A new year often brings with it the … Read more
Rumor has it that this season of the Bachelor may end up being pretty crazy. I won’t give any spoilers here, I usually don’t read any…but I happened to stumble on something yesterday on the internet that sounded pretty juicy and I couldn’t help but read it! Are you a Nick fan, or do you … Read more
Our New Year’s Eve parties are always a family affair. We have some dear family friends that we celebrate with every year…bowling, dinner and then festivities at home with games, more food and fun. Because we always involve the kiddos, all of our New Year’s Eve party ideas are kid friendly. This easy DIY New … Read more
Earlier this season I was browsing through the website (something I find myself doing often 😉 ) and I found these darling milk bottles that had seasonal sayings on them in gold. Cute sayings like “cheers” and “sips” that I thought would be perfect for a New Year’s Eve party. I bookmarked the page so … Read more
Happy Tuesday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to more fun coming up this week! This coming weekend is all about parties and great food to celebrate the season with family and friends. If you are hosting or attending a party and in charge of an appetizer, look no … 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 WAY less organized than usual this year and have found myself running from store to store (like this afternoon at the … Read more
Where has this month gone? I feel like I was just styling this wreath workshop and now it was already three weeks ago! When December 1st rolled around I knew this month was going to go SO fast, but man! Time really does fly sometimes. Marianne is such a talent, I was thrilled when she … Read more
Truth be told, I actually use this blog as my personal recipe file too. Whenever I need to make something I know that it is safely stored here so I won’t ever lose it and can always find the recipe. I had a bit of a panic moment a few weeks ago when I wanted … Read more
Do you love to travel as much as I do? The lure of exploring a new city, trying new foods, photographing new streets and people…everything about traveling makes me feel alive! Even if I’m not currently traveling, I am always researching places to go, restaurants to try, shops to visit, a great new hotel to … Read more
If you’ve followed me for awhile now, you know that I am all about beautiful, but incredibly easy entertaining. Don’t get me wrong, I am not afraid to put some time into creating beautiful things, but I want them to be easy to do. Easy table settings, easy food, easy, easy, easy! 😉 The best … Read more
Are you hosting this Christmas? I am and I’m pretty excited about it. There will just be a small group of our family, but I love setting a pretty holiday table. Can I share my absolute favorite tip with you for setting a pretty table? Buy white plates. Well, I guess there are really two … Read more
Are stocking stuffers a big deal in your house? I know in some families stockings are full of new necessities…undies, toothbrushes, socks etc., while in others, stockings are where the good stuff is hiding…jewelry, bath and body products, personal electronics etc. In our house it’s a mix of both. I like to fill stockings with … Read more
Nothing gets me into the Christmas spirit more than heading to a fun place that is decked out for the holidays. We were very excited to be invited to visit Knott’s Merry Farm this last week to check out the fun and festive things happening at the park. Knott’s Berry Farm celebrates the merriest of … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but when I’m giving a gift card I am always looking for a clever way to wrap it up. I am always on the hunt for a cute gift card holder or gift card bag ideas…something that makes a pint sized gift look fun and exciting. I was at … Read more
Welcome to our Christmas Home Tour! I was so excited when Marty from A Stroll Thru Life invited me to participate in her wonderful Christmas home tour this year. She is such a great hostess and I enjoy looking at everyone’s tours each season, so I am extra excited to be participating this year! If you … Read more
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Do you have special rolls that your grandma used to make? Driving through neighborhoods looking for Christmas lights? Visiting Santa? I love to hear about other people’s Christmas traditions…so I thought I’d share one family’s favorite Christmas traditions with you too! 🙂 Every year since the kids … Read more
Hello and welcome to our Christmas home tour! I was so excited to join in Laura from Meaningful Spaces and some of my other favorite blogging friends to share one of our favorite holiday rooms. I love Christmas, and I LOVE traditional red and green Christmas home decor. This past year I finally committed to … Read more
You all know that I can’t resist a great excuse to make a fun DIY teacher Christmas gift and fun printable. This DIY Christmas gift idea isn’t just limited to teachers though! It would make a fun DIY Christmas gift for just about anyone. When I was at Michaels (same trip where I picked up … Read more
I love SO many types of design. Sometimes it’s hard for me to settle on a particular style…which is why I love my job so much! I love having the chance to create new looks with the same space and try different things. For this year’s Christmas Home Tour I tried something different with the … Read more
Happy Monday! I’m working feverishly on decorating for Christmas around here in between shopping sprees. I may have to show you a sneak peek tomorrow…but I wanted to pop in and let you know about a few great Cyber Monday home decor sales happening today. A few of them are one day only, so be … Read more
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Hallmark Signature through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Hallmark Signature, all opinions are my own. These years are flying by. I feel like we were just celebrating New Year’s Eve and now it’s almost time to ring in 2017. Whenever … Read more
Ok, I’ve saved my favorite and best black Friday sale for last! Next to the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, the really can’t be beat. I was all excited on Instagram yesterday about MY FAVORITE Nike’s that are on sale for $67…marked down from their regular $85. If you don’t own a pair of these yet…RUN to … Read more
Hey all! Just popping in between shopping trips to let you know about the 50% off sale at . EVERYTHING is 50% off. This is one of my favorite sales of the year because I buy almost all of my kids clothes here. They make the cutest girls dresses and darling jeans, sweaters and just … Read more
Alright! Here they are…the hottest Black Friday sales ready to shop! These are the best advertised deals I have found…and I’ve even been out scouring some of the stores that are open today (there isa huge Walmart here in AZ by my grandma’s house) and I can’t lie…it’s kind of exciting to be out with … Read more
I am quite giddy about the biggest shopping weekend of the year kicking off TONIGHT! I’ll be too busy eating orange rolls and pumpkin pie and spending time with loved ones most of today …but, watch out for late tonight…I might have to sneak in a post on the best Black Friday sales and deals … Read more
October nights in Southern California are the perfect time for eating al fresco. The heat of September finally starts to wear off, and crisp mornings give hints of cooler weather and fall holidays on the horizon. This October night was warm and wonderful as our family celebrated a weekend together at the Homestead at Bridle … Read more
The Christmas season is SUCH a fun and busy time of year. Something about decking the halls makes us want to gather our friends and family and celebrate with good food, Christmas party games, Christmas cookies and hot cocoa. I always like to get a chance to gather my girlfriends together and do something fun, … Read more
It’s almost here…the most wonderful deal day of the year…Black Friday…and it’s only 5 days away!!! I don’t know about you guys, but I like to have a plan of attack when it comes to Black Friday deal week, otherwise I miss out on everything. Seriously. I have found that if I don’t make a … Read more
I have a super easy and cute DIY for you today, just in time for all your fall entertaining! Can I tell you a little styling secret? Sometimes I have food around my house that I use in shoots for a LONG time. I work with SO much party food that I can’t possibly let … Read more
When it comes to plaid anything, I *might* have a slight obsession. Plaid ties, plaid scarves, plaid throws, plaid pillows, plaid plates…I am a bit mad for plaid to say the least. Something about this time of year just makes me want to drape the house (and myself) in plaid. Remember the plaid wall from … Read more
I was at Target the other day looking for Halloween clearance, and of course I was totally side tracked by the Christmas stuff that was going up. 😉 There were So many cute wrapping papers, gift bags and boxes that it got my creative juices flowing. I wanted to figure out a way to use … Read more
With cable channels dedicated to nothing but food and cooking, including shows for kids and teens, even my kids are quite knowledgeable about food. I think everyone considers themselves a bit of a foodie these days, but finding the perfect present for every foodie on your list can be a tough job. If you are … Read more
With the holidays looming, dining rooms across America are getting a face lift as people prepare for friends and family to gather around the table. Creating a pretty place to make family memories is fun, and it doesn’t have to break the bank! Most tables will last a lifetime, I know from experience…I often wish … Read more
Christmas time calls for the Elf movie to be on a continuous loop in our house. It is just too funny and really brings the holiday spirit. We like to kick off the holidays with an Elf movie night party. (and we may or may not kick off the Christmas movie watching in October…eek!) I … Read more
I don’t usually like to toot my own horn, but when it comes to creating a cranberry sauce recipe, I’m pretty convinced this is the best cranberry sauce recipe ever. 😉 The best part is, it was an accident. The mishap occurred about 8 years ago, but I always forget to write about it here, … Read more
Despite the little warm up we are having this weekend, there has been a genuine chill in the air the last few mornings. That makes me feel like I can finally break out the sweaters! I’ve rounded up some of my favorite fall sweaters for this beautiful weather. (affiliate links are included for your convenience) … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…when Santa is making his list and checking it twice and you can hold every little thing that the kids do to misbehave over their heads with threats of Santa not paying them a visit this year. 😉 Probably the best 6 weeks as parents, am I right? … Read more
I can’t believe it’s already November! Before we know it 2017 will be here and fall will be a distant memory. Spice up your calendar this season and host a fall party with these 5 tips for easy fall entertaining. (affiliate links are provided for your convenience) Take the party outside: When you move the … Read more
As many of you know, I am a photographer by trade, and because of that, this time of year I get a TON of emails asking about Christmas card photo ideas and tips. Family pictures are always a stress. Pulling together outfits, getting everyone to cooperate…it can all be very overwhelming. If there was one … Read more
I hope you have a wonderful, safe Halloween with all your little ghouls! May you find lots of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups in your little one’s stash. 😉 xoxo, tammy
We have a week left! The countdown to Halloween is on and the energy level in my house is palpable…how about in your house? We are finishing up the neighborhood “booing” this week, attending our yearly Trunk or Treat party, visiting the pumpkin patch, carving pumpkins and having class parties. Whew! By the time the … Read more
Happy Monday! I’ve got a little something fun for you today to kick off the holiday gift giving. 🙂 I’ve teamed up with several other bloggers to give away this amazing prize package worth over $1400! A Louis Vuitton Never full bag, Hunter boots in your choice of color, and a beautiful blanket scarf. You … Read more
Well, we’ve got a week left. A week to carve pumpkins, attend carnivals, parties, trunk or treats, participate in costume parades, eat tons of junk and trick or treat. Whew! Are you ready? If you’re like me, you always wait to the last minute and rely heavily on Amazon Prime to deliver Halloween to your … Read more
Saturday’s in our house are game days. We LOVE college football, and our Saturday activities usually revolve around football in some way, shape or form. Lately with Andy in high school too, game day has been extended into Friday Night Lights. The High School he attends has crazy football games with tailgating, contests and all … Read more
I can’t believe that it has been two and a half weeks since the BHG StyleMaker event already. Time sure flies! I am excited to tell you all about it and share pictures. I also want to make sure and answer the questions that I had before I left. Hopefully, if you find your self … Read more
Awhile back we made that cute sprinkle mix , remember? It’s time to bring it back and put it to use…this time a Halloween version! I used pre-made sugar cookie dough at the grocery store which can be a little bit runny. The cookies are a bit thin, but oh man! They taste amazing! If you have … Read more
I’m heading out in a few minutes for a fun afternoon exploring a new neighborhood in LA. One of my very favorite things to do is explore my own area like a tourist and get to know every nook and cranny….the shops, restaurants and must see places. Plus, it gives me a chance to take … Read more
Do you like to dress up for Halloween, or is that reserved strictly for your kids? I have been searching for the best halloween costumes, and is it just me, or do you blush when you are shopping for Halloween costumes…especially once you get into the teen and women’s costumes? Seriously…what is up with the … Read more
Chocolate pumpkin ice cream sandwiches. Does that sound decadent or what? You guys…I found the most AMAZING ice cream! Have you tried the pumpkin pie ice cream from Trader Joes? It is DIVINE! I knew when I tasted it that I needed to make something fun with it, and well, I had some chocolate chocolate … Read more
Every year I love to create something fun and a little bit spooky for both Halloween and Christmas on the wall in our family room. It’s a fun challenge for me to design something that is new and different, but also easy and relatively inexpensive each year. Last Christmas I created this Buffalo Check Plaid … Read more
There are two kinds of people… those that love beets and those that don’t. I am the latter. But I decided one day to come up with a recipe that I would like… and guess what? I not only love beets made this way… I absolutely love them.. as in I cannot stop eating them! … Read more
This weekend was such a welcome few days of fun and relaxation. I was out of town last weekend for work, and John has been working like crazy lately, so we definitely needed some fun family time. We were very excited to be invited to visit Knott’s Spooky Farm this weekend to check out the … Read more
“Bright light city gonna set your soul on fire.” You can’t think of Las Vegas and not think of neon signs lighting up the vivid skyline. But what happens to those iconic signs when hotels change names or are imploded to make way for the latest and greatest? Thank goodness for the Neon Museum and … Read more
Can you believe it’s October already?! Where does the time go? I feel like I was just lamenting about summer ending and school starting, and now, here we are nearly two months into school and the holidays are upon us! Starting around the middle of September I start getting the itch to break out the … Read more
Somebody pinch me! Today, of all days, I am sitting at the Better Homes and Gardens StyleMaker event, while at the same time, the Better Homes and Gardens Halloween Special Issue Tricks and Treats sits on news stands featuring a 6 page spread with a Halloween shoot that I produced! What?!!! This past year has … Read more
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HelloFreshPics #cbias #CollectiveBias Now that we have been in school for the last month or so, I have to say the schedule of having one in high school, one still homeschooling, early morning seminary, after school activities and … Read more
When we were planning our Europe adventure, we were going to be gone long enough that we felt fairly comfortable leaving some plans open ended and kind of letting life take us where it wanted when we were on the road. One of those happy little unplanned surprises was a quick one night stay in … Read more
A few years ago, while we were visiting the North Shore of Hawaii, we spent a long day of snorkeling at Shark’s Cove and were starving!! Aside from a grocery store across the street, there wasn’t much in the area at the time, as far as food was concerned. We parked in the grocery store … Read more
Halloween is just around the corner and next to Christmas, the Halloween decoration take up the second most space in the garage at our house. We LOVE this spooky fun holiday, and a party at our house is practically a must every year. One of my favorite parts of throwing a Halloween party is picking … Read more
John and I both happen to be history majors who share a particular interest in 20th century American history, in particular WWII for John…so needless to say, visiting Bayeux was high on our list while spending a few weeks in France. Bayeux is a charming little French town located on the Aure river in the … Read more
The other day Ash was watching the Pioneer Woman (her absolute favorite show!) and she was making some fudgy chocolate chip cookies, and they looked divine. I have never made chocolate chocolate chip cookies, so I decided that I needed to give some a try. I whipped up a batch and Oh man! They are … Read more
You guys! I cannot believe that I am headed to NYC in just 12 short days! I have always wanted to visit NYC in the fall and I am SUPER excited…but I am also totally stressing! Packages have been arriving practically daily a I try and sort out just what to wear. I feel like … Read more
While watching the Olympics recently, I was searching for something regarding Brazil on the internet and I stumbled on Anderson Cooper’s gorgeous vacation home. WOW!! If I had a beautiful retreat to escape to like this in Brazil, I night never come home! Architectural Digest did a beautiful job capturing these images and I hope … Read more
Welcome to our Fall Home Tour! I was so excited when Marty from A Stroll Thru Life reached out to see if I was interested in participating in one of her wonderful home tours this year. She is such a great hostess and I enjoy looking at everyone’s tours each season, so I am doubly excited … Read more
I have a favorite breakfast spot in Waikiki…the Hula Grill…do you know it? Not only is the view to die for, but their coconut pineapple pancakes is my absolute favorite! And the coconut syrup? Well, I could practically drink it. We love to visit Hawaii in September after school is back in session and … Read more
Happy Friday! Hopefully you are all gearing up for a fun weekend…the unofficial final weekend of summer. We’ve already been in school for three weeks, so this 3-day weekend could not come at a better time. I need a little extra sleep! 🙂 We are excited to head to our first high school football game … Read more
I pretty much won the award for coolest mom on the block this week according to my tween daughter. You see, my name appeared in the new J-14 Decorate Magazine, on a page next to the likes of Dove Cameron, Bailee Madison, and Sabrina Carpenter. Needless to say, it was a pretty exciting day in … Read more
When it came time to plan our summer across Europe, the South of France was high on my list. I envisioned planting myself in some Provencial home out in a beautiful field and letting the children roam with the goats and spend long days picking lavender and wildflowers. I didn’t realize that along with beautiful, … Read more
Happy Friday! And it’s about to get even happier! I popped into Anthropologie earlier this week and guess what? They have added a ton of new stuff to their sale section and it is all an additional 25% off right now. I picked up this top (love it over a tank with jeans) and this one . … Read more
A trip up the California coast is always a good idea, and when there is a cute boutique hotel like The Hotel Carmel to stop and relax at, it’s an even better idea. A mix of modern and cottage architecture, 27 guest rooms some with fireplaces, others with views of the hotel’s intimate courtyard. Relax … Read more
It is SO hot this month, I thought is was time for another infused water recipe to help us stay hydrated. A few months ago I told you about one of my favorite mixes, well, I’ve tried a few more recently and this recipe with strawberries, cantaloupe and pineapple is DELISH! The secret is to … Read more
Happy weekend! I could not be more excited to see this week come to an end. What is it about the first week of school that seems to drag on for ever and ever? We are all pretty wiped around here. Getting back into a routine is just exhausting for some reason, so we are … Read more
This week’s Destination Design takes us to one of my favorite spots in Los Angeles. Located on La Brea in an historic building dating back to 1928, that in true Hollywood style, it boasts it’s own famous past. According to Eater LA, Charlie Chaplin built the Spanish style brick building, complete with gothic arches, … Read more
It has been a long time since I took the chance on the blog to just write about life. I started this little blog 10 years ago next month…can you believe that? I can’t! While it’s changed names a few times and evolved with me as I have grown up, I want to get back … Read more
I’ll admit, sometimes when I tell people that I love Grasshopper Pie I get a funny look. 😉 For years I had my kids going, convinced that they were actually eating grasshoppers in this yummy dessert. When I finally told them the truth they didn’t find it too funny. lol! I don’t remember the first … Read more
When John and I were looking for a getaway, we knew that the south was one place we could go that would feel like a real vacation where we got to experience life that felt a little different than ours here on the west coast. We settled on Charleston, SC, but we also knew that … Read more
You guys!! I have some news that I can’t even believe! About three weeks ago I received a super exciting email. Now, to give this story some context, I get spam emails ALL the time. Do you guys? It seems like I am always winning some prize, being locked out of my bank accounts if … Read more
Hi everybody! Just popping in on this pretty day to let you know that TODAY is it! The very last day of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. If you have a few things left in your cart, don’t delay! The sale ends tonight and prices go up. Here’s what I’ve rounded up from my favorites that … Read more
I had been to Paris before, but I had never visited the Sacre Coeur. This time, we made it a point to visit the Basilica located in the Montamarte, on the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. The Montmarte is a bit of a gritty neighborhood and it was interesting to … Read more
After spending a chunk of time in Italy last year, I really just can’t get enough of all things Italian! With hot weather upon us and cold drinks in high demand, I decided to whip up a little Italian Soda recipe using some of the freshest flavors of the season. Have you ever made an … Read more
In case you haven’t noticed, I have a slight love affair with blue…blue in any shade, but particularly navy. It has such a calming effect on a space and it just so pretty. I’m a little excited about one of my favorite finds from this week! I found these darling pillows, feather inserts INCLUDED at … Read more
We are in full back to school mode over here, shopping for my favorite back to school supplies and taking the kids to get some new clothes. Ash is the hardest to buy for these days. She is very opinionated and wants to buy things that are quite a bit different than I would like … Read more
Nothing screams summer like smores and ice cream, so I decided to pair the two together for this amazing indoor smores recipe that is sure to be your new favorite smores dessert. It has all the elements of a classic smores : chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows, with a little bit of a twist. These … Read more
Hope you are all having a wonderful day! Just popping in to let you all know about a few great home sales happening this weekend. Tons of great spring/summer stuff is being clearanced out all over the place, including up to 50% off outdoor at Crate and Barrel and Land of Nod summer up to … Read more
The wait is over! Just minutes ago the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opened to all and it is time to get your shop on! I’ve spent the last few hours going over the inventory that is available…I can’t believe how much stuff has already sold out! eek! I wanted to make sure and come up … Read more
They’re here! A few weeks ago, after a scouring the internet for what has seemed like months looking for the perfect fabrics, I finally ordered fabric swatches. I narrowed it down to the 12 or so fabrics I posted about in this post, and now the pillows I chose have started arriving and I couldn’t … Read more
Pom Poms are EVERYWHERE!! They are decorating pillows, towels, shoes, bags and baskets…you name it, it’s probably got a pom pom on it. My pom pom maker is probably my favorite crafting tool right now and has been for some time. From garlands to cupcake toppers, I use pom poms for SO many projects and … Read more
Welcome to Destination Design, a new feature here on the blog. This is something I’ve been wanting to start for awhile, and I’ve finally decided to just jump in with both feet. I have a question for you… When you are browsing the internet, what makes you stop in your tracks and say WOW!? What … Read more
I’ve been on a pineapple dessert kick lately…it must be summer. 😉 Have you ever grilled pineapple before? One of my favorite Hawaiian sandwiches (recipe coming soon!) includes grilled pineapple and I just love it. This is a super simple, somewhat healthy dessert, because at least it’s fruit and not cake, right? 🙂 Grilled pineapple, … Read more
It’s Sunday afternoon and I’m preparing for the week ahead…a fun weekend that went way too fast. Speaking of going to fast, is it crazy that I already feel like summer is winding down? The kids have camps this week, and then we only have two weeks left before orientation and school starting. Summer is … Read more
I went…I couldn’t resist it. I had to go be a part of the craziness of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale on day 1, even though I had already shopped online. I wanted to touch all the fun fabrics and see all the beautiful colors and just be a part of the overall mayhem that is … Read more
One of the best parts about where I live is the Nordstrom right down the street. But today, we are shopping online! Actually, I shop online a lot because it’s too easy to shop in my pj’s and then run down the street to pick it up all packaged up nicely for me. 😉 … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Also known in my house as Christmas in July, it’s the starting TOMORROW, July 14th!! I admit, I keep monitoring the site, hoping that there will be a technical glitch that will let me shop early, but so far, no luck. 😉 This isn’t just the biggest … Read more
On of my favorite things about summer is the abundance of the best fruit around! I love cherries and wanted to come up with an amazing salad Pear and Gorgonzola salad that included a vinaigrette celebrating these ruby gems. And not just in the salad… but in the dressing as well… yup.. double the cherry … Read more
I can’t believe I have never shared this tween boy room makeover here on the blog yet! When I was taking stock of the house and figuring out what projects I needed to complete this summer, I was talking to my daughter about making over her room and realized I never shared this! I started … Read more
Paris is known for for great shopping, and it did not disappoint. There are lots of great articles all over the internet about shopping in Paris and which neighborhoods offer the best shopping whether you are looking for high end fashion or home decor in the City of Lights, but I wanted to share a … Read more
Are you ready to get your shop on this weekend? There are some seriously awesome 4th of July sales happening, so if you have been holding something in your shopping cart, or just want to pick up some fun things on great sale, here is a round up what I consider to be the best … Read more
This post brought to you by Chobani. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Pink Peppermint Design. Long warm nights and summer holidays are here and that means it’s time to entertain! Successful parties don’t require long hours spent in the kitchen- just simple food, good company, and a pretty setting. This weekend … Read more
Alright Fixer Upper fans… this edition of travel Tuesday is especially for you. In October my husband and I had the chance to visit Dallas on business. Of course when I heard “Dallas” all I was really thinking about was Waco. As a huge fan of the Fixer Upper show and especially the cute Fixer … Read more
Remember that cute sprinkle mix that we made a few weeks ago? Well, we’re going to put it to use today with some of the yummiest and cutest sugar cookies around to turn yourregular everyday sugar cookies into something special. These are the perfect sugar cookies for all of your summer parties, especially the … Read more
Hello everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! I wanted to pop in and let you know that Tory Burch is having their semi-annual summer sale and all sale items are an additional 30% off! I know it is only June, but this is a great time to start thinking about Christmas gift … Read more
Hi everyone! Today we are back again to show you a few of our very favorite features from last week’s Pretty Project Party. There were some amazing projects shared this month, today we are featuring three that caught our eye, but you can see everything that was linked up HERE. First up, Making it in … Read more
It’s been a little while since I updated the progress on the house, so I thought I’d share a couple of things that happened this week. I finally got around to ordering a bunch of fabric samples a few weeks ago and I got happy mail this week! Yay!! I have ordered a few pillows … Read more
In a city like Paris, with SO many historic things to see, amazing museums and incredible monuments, it can get very expensive very quickly to visit them all. On our visit to Paris we read about the Paris Museum pass and decided that it would be a great option to allow us to see a … Read more
I LOVE coconut, so I am always looking for ways to incorporate a little coconut flavor into everything. I was whipping up some chocolate cupcakes for a get together the other day and I thought I’d try to create a yummy coconut frosting recipe. Just two simple modifications will switch up your regular buttercream frosting … Read more
The weather in Bruges, Belgium is chilly. The warmest month is August, and even then, temperatures rarely get out of the 60’s. Days are sunny, so be sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses and hat, but layer, layer, layer. Long sleeve shirts, a sweater and a coat with comfortable denim and some cute flats will have … Read more
Summer is in full swing (yay!) and hopefully you’ve been able to enjoy the warm weather and longer days. The Pretty Project Party is back today and we can’t wait to see all the pretty projects you’ve been working on over the past month. But first, let’s check out what all of the hostesses have … Read more
If you are wondering where to stay in Paris next time you visit, look no further. I’m sure you have seen the commercials on TV recently for apartment rental services talking about not just visiting Paris, but living there, and that is the experience I want you to have. When we were planning our trip … Read more
Strawberries are in season and nothing says summer like a sweet strawberry shortcake. It doesn’t get any easier than this strawberry shortcake recipe. I am a fan of homemade whipped cream, so I did use that for this shortcake recipe, but if you are afraid of making cream from scratch or running short on time, … Read more
It’s almost time to celebrate dad! My kids get so excited to think up creative Father’s Day gifts to give to their dad. Do you have any special traditions at your house? Ashley loves to decorate a tie for John. We find an all white tie and let her go to town with fabric paint, … Read more
Ash and I were browsing through the mall earlier this week and we ran into . It’s one of my favorite places to wander and through and look at all the fun gadgets and dishes. They had a ton of fun ice cream making supplies and . It was a fun mix of all different … Read more
I just returned from the most “heavenly” vacation in the French Polynesian islands and the food was incredible! A huge part of our trip was spent on the Paul Gauguin cruise ship and they shared with me their recipe for a Tahitian signature dish that is found all over the French Polynesian islands.. Poisson Cru. … Read more
This summer our little house is going through some changes. Some needed, some just for fun. Summer is SO short this year, and since we use our house as the base for our little homeschool during the school year, my timeline is limited. I have been researching and meeting with contractors over the last few … Read more
School is almost out for summer and that means it is time to break out the neighborhood parties! I live in a neighborhood with TONS of kids. And when I say tons, I mean like 65 under the age of 14 on our little cul-de-sac. Needless to say, it is a party all the … Read more
Traveling throughout Europe last summer has made recent events in Paris and Brussels hit a little closer to home. The possibility of terror attacks and concerns about staying safe while traveling abroad were constantly running through my mind as we planned our trip and as we traveled through foreign airports, train depots, and on every … Read more
It’s the official start of Summer and also officially the best weekend of the season to shop! I have been searching high and low for ALL of the Memorial Day sales and deals, everything from clothes, shoes and accessories, to furniture and travel deals. I already shared my favorites from the Nordstrom sale yesterday, … Read more
The people behind the Sale are seriously genius. I can’t think of any other store where I get so excited for a sale to finally come around. Between the Half-Yearly sale this month, Memorial Day Sales this weekend, and then the Anniversary sale coming up in July/Aug, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. … Read more
Thank you so much to everyone that linked up to our May Pretty Project Party! There were so many gorgeous projects this month, and a major increase in complete room makeovers. Talk about major eye candy! We’ve selected our top three favorite projects, but there were so many great ones that linked up, we encourage … Read more
It’s time to start planning all of your upcoming patriotic parties. Memorial Day , Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, and this year we even get an extra patriotic party with Election night in November! If you’re shopping for the best 4th of July deals and sales, find them all here. Red, white and … Read more
I love to travel and explore the world with my family. Nothing makes me happier than planning and preparing for a new adventure. When we headed to Europe for the summer I wanted to make sure that we all stayed as healthy as possible so we could enjoy our time together. I was happy to … Read more
“It’s my birthday, it’s my birthday, I’m going to shop like it’s my birthday….” Truth be told, I always feel a little guilty spending money on myself. I have NO problem spending it on the kids and the house, but when it comes to me, I usually don’t buy a ton of stuff…that is unless … Read more
Hello, friends! Welcome to the May Pretty Project Party! It’s been another great month for all the hostesses as we freshen our homes for spring and summer! We’re ready for it! And we’re ready for you all to show us what you’ve been up to as well. Here are a few things that have been … Read more
I was at Target a couple of weeks ago and found this super cute tote bag. I am always looking for cute bags to tote around all of my things, especially during summertime when we are back and forth from the pool and the beach. There are tons of cute tote bags at the store, … Read more
Do you hear the words “pancakes from scratch” and cringe? I know a lot of times people associate the words “from scratch” and automatically assume that it just means more time. But let me tell you…in this case it means a teeny bit more time but a lot more flavor, a lot more fluff and … Read more
After a wonderful 10 days spent in London, we were excited to head off to the next destination of our family vacation, Amsterdam, Netherlands. This was our first travel experience within Europe and boarding a plane in London to head from the safety of a country where everyone spoke English to head to a place … Read more
With summer quickly approaching I am always on the hunt for yummy ways to incorporate the fresh fruits and vegetables of the season. This mango salsa recipe is fresh and easy and can be made in minutes. Pair it with tortilla chips, or, to liven things up for dinner, use it to top grilled chicken. … Read more
I can’t believe that Mother’s Day is almost here. I feel like we were just celebrating Christmas and now the year is practically half over. YIKES!! I was walking through the mall the other day and was drawn into Lush by the smell of all of their amazing bath products…have you been there? It’s like … Read more
I was honored to be asked by my sweet friend Courtney of A Thoughtful Place Blog to snap some pictures of her at a beautiful evening at the store at Fashion Island. Have you ever been to a Kendra Scott store? Although I am familiar with her beautiful jewelry pieces from seeing them at all … Read more
Hello and welcome back! Do you know what one of the best things about hosting The Pretty Project Party is? The Inspiration! It’s like a mini Pinterest feed right on the blog— full of beautiful spaces, creative DIY’s and all sorts of amazing decor & styling tips and tricks! Today we are sharing our featured … Read more
It’s almost my favorite month. May is pretty good for me. Between Mother’s Day, my birthday and then just a few days into June is my anniversary, this is my month to sit back, relax and be pampered. 😉 I love putting together these Mother’s Day gift ideas. It’s a chance for me to gather … Read more
Amsterdam is such a charming city. When we visited I wanted to get a chance to visit a bit outside of the city too. Haarlem Netherlands was recommended by several friends, including Rick Steves, 😉 and after reading The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom I knew it was the perfect day trip from Amsterdam … Read more
One thing that John and I love about our neighborhood is that it is SO walkable. We spend LOTS of time out on walks as a family on the endless system of trails. We can walk to several retail centers as well, which makes for a fun date night or Saturday morning as a family. … Read more
Can you believe it is April already?! These months are flying by and that means it’s time for the April Pretty Project Party! We can’t wait to see all the pretty projects you’ve been working on over the last few weeks. Here’s a peek at what all of the hostesses have been up to this … Read more
Ashley and I love visiting those cute paint your own pottery shops and that is what inspired this quick and easy DIY. I stumbled on these cute modern ceramic faceted planters in the fun new Target craft section and knew they were going to be perfect for this DIY. Have you seen their line? SUCH … Read more
Visions of Amsterdam canal houses and bicycles were running through my head when we set out planning to visit Amsterdam. I knew that I wanted to stay on a canal, close to the city center, but couldn’t decide between a boutique hotel with family rooms or a traditional canal house. Beyond that, I didn’t know … Read more
I have spent much of the past week organizing, clearing out and getting ready for some changes around here. Our master bedroom has been begging for a little attention for a long time and it is finally time for a little face lift. I have been searching Pinterest and Instagram for bedroom design ideas … Read more
When we planned our 3 months in Europe, we decided that we would both start and end our trip in London. Because there was such a long period of time between our stays, I didn’t worry about making reservations before we left home in June. I figured we would play it by ear and pick … Read more
People…. this here salad is beyond words! I taught it in my last cooking class and everyone in the last class can’t stop telling me just how much they love it and constantly make it. It is light, refreshing and goes with everything! I served it alongside home made pasta and it was a match … Read more
It’s no secret that I am a picture fanatic! I usually have at least two cameras with me at all times and try to capture as many of our family’s adventures and as much of every day life as I possibly can. I am a memory maker! Last week we were invited to visit Knott’s … Read more
At any time of year, London is one of the best cities in the world to visit, but Springtime is like no other! We were there near the end of Spring and the weather was amazing. When I say amazing, it’s still London weather, so you’ll still need your wellies and coats, but you can … Read more
A cute friend of mine is expecting her third baby in just a few short weeks, and as all of us mom’s know, by the time your baby stuff has been through a baby or two, it’s time for a refresh! So, this precious new arrival is getting his own brand new nursery, and we … Read more
I’ve been on a bit of health kick lately, trying to get my self into better shape. One of the important things I’ve been trying to do is drink more water! I actually like water, but I just don’t drink enough of it throughout the day. I know there are lots of people who just … Read more
Fairy tales are real! Those pesky little trolls we read about as kids…well one of them is alive and well in Seattle living under the Aurora Bridge. The Fremont Troll is sure to delight your kids when you visit the Fremont District in Seattle. When we were planning our trip for the family and looking … Read more
If your house looks anything like ours, you probably have dozens of beautifully decorated Easter eggs taking up valuable fridge space and you are wondering how to use up all of those leftover Easter eggs. This year I have vowed to be better about putting those eggs to use and making a few delicious hard … Read more
Thank you to everyone that linked up to our March Pretty Project Party! You continue to amaze us with your talent, and we all feel like the selection process for features is getting tougher and tougher! Our first feature was this beautiful spring home tour from the talented April at House by Hoff. Such a … Read more
I am always on the hunt for fast and delicious appetizers. Little bites that I can pop in the oven and have made in minutes for guests. These Blue Cheese and Honey appetizers are about as easy as it gets and are always a hit (for people who like Blue Cheese ;)) You can make … Read more
Every year I like to take Ash out for a little photo shoot on her birthday to capture her on that day, in that moment. These days and moments with them being little are SO fleeting, I like to freeze every moment that I possibly can! When I took her out shopping for her … Read more
As the mom of a little girl who practically lives in a princess dress, and a boy who has grown up with Lightening McQueen and Mater as his best buddies, we have spent more than our fair share of time visiting all of our favorite Disney friends up the street at The Happiest Place on … Read more
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! The Pretty Project Party is back today and we can’t wait to see all the pretty projects you’ve been working on over the past month. But first, let’s check out what all of the hostesses have been up to this past month. ___________________________________________ Julie and her husband have a tradition of … Read more
With St. Patrick’s Day and Easter so close together this year I’ve barely had time to whip up some Easter goodies. Peeps are such a fun and colorful Easter tradition, here’s a little Easter Peeps favor and free printable you can whip up in a few minutes and have ready for Easter dinner guests and … Read more
When I think of Notting Hill, I think of a teeny bookshop nestled on a busy street full of white townhouses with colorful doors. I also can’t get “Ain’t no Sunshine” out of my head. Needless to say, when we were planning our list of things to do in London, Notting Hill was a must … Read more
This, my friends, just happens to be quite possibly one of the best desserts ever! No joke… because dessert is a serious thing to me! It covers all the “perfect requirements” a dessert should have…sweet… gooey… slight crunch…chocolatey,, caramel-ey…a perfect mix of different textures… it’s just perfect! My family gets so excited whenever I make … Read more
March is a dangerous month. It’s Ash’s birthday month and typically Easter…or close to it. The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and well…I get the itch to shop and make-over our wintry closets with fun, frilly, spring-y clothes. Something about it being her birthday makes me feel like I have a … Read more
I have been asking this question for the last 4 months…basically since it started getting dark here at 4pm in November! Honestly, as a photographer I LOVE daylight savings time and wish that we would never change times! Trying to take pictures in natural light is a lot more difficult when there is less of … Read more
Are your kids as excited for St. Patrick’s Day as mine are? Ashley is convinced that THIS is the year she is going to catch the rascally little Leprechaun that wreaks havoc on our house every year. She has been working on and perfecting her trap since January…I kid you not. She makes me laugh! … Read more
These easy to make thin mint ice cream sandwiches are sure to lure all the little leprechauns in your neighborhood. I mean, who doesn’t love a great mint and chocolate combination? I don’t know about you guys, but I LOVE to buy Thin Mints from the cute little Girl Scouts in my neighborhood and then … Read more
If there is one thing that’s a must when in London, it is having some sort of afternoon tea experience. Tea time and London are so inextricably linked, I do not believe you can truly experience London without participating in this cultural tradition. Tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace is one of these amazing … Read more
As the kids get older and all of our schedules get busier we have found it harder and harder to find time where all four of us are in the same spot. Does that happen at your house? When I was growing up we had dedicated family time both on Sunday afternoons after church and … Read more
There are always so many things that I want to share with you all, but they just don’t quite deserve a post on their own, or don’t necessarily fit into one of my usual blogging categories. So, I’ve decided I have to do something about this problem because sometimes, I just want to chat about … Read more
You’ve seen it in just about every skyline image of London, the huge ferris wheel towering 443 ft in the sky over Big Ben, the London Eye. Before we left for London I read up on tings to see and do in London and this was definitely on the list. There were many different … Read more
February has flown by. I can’t believe that we were just celebrating Valentine’s Day and red and pink were filling up my Instagram and blog feeds, and now it’s already time to switch to green for St. Patrick’s Day! Here is a simple but totally cute and delicious treat you can make this month to … Read more
Do you have fun plans this weekend? We’re headed to the beach for a picnic tonight (yes, it is that warm here right now! I am praying for some rain soon!) and tomorrow is calling for some serious retail therapy. I’ve been working on updating my home accessories and bringing in new pieces throughout the … Read more
Thanks to everyone who linked up at the Pretty Project Party. We had fun looking through all of the submissions and as always, it was hard to pick our favorites. I am always so inspired after looking through them all! Robin from A Home To Grow Old In shared her DIY Ikea Tassel blanket. I … Read more
The most glamorous night of the year is upon us and I can’t wait! Funny enough, I actually don’t watch most of the movies that are nominated, I just love watching for an excuse to party and to check out all the dresses. I kind of think the red carpet pre-show is more fun than … Read more
I am SO excited about today! Several of my favorite bloggers from around the web have invited me to join in on their fun, monthly link party as one of their two new hostesses, along with Rachael from This Is Our Bliss. We will both now be joining in the fun! Each month I’ll share … Read more
When we were planning our trip it seemed natural to start in London. We figured we would have some culture shock, maybe a bit of homesickness at some point, and to be honest, we were a little bit scared when we left, simply because we had never attempted anything of this magnitude before and we … Read more
I can’t believe it’s been a year since we started planning and six months since we returned. I’ve started this blog post probably 25 times, and just haven’t been able to adequately put into words the experiences of this past summer. But now I’m feeling pressure to get it written down before the memories start … Read more
I was browsing through old pictures the other day and couldn’t believe that I haven’t shared this party here yet! It is being featured in Mingle Magazine this month, and was SUCH a fun one to do. You already know I love all things Valentine’s day…the cheesier the better, and this party is no exception. … Read more
It’s time for another free printable Valentine! This is the last one in my collection of Handmade Valentines for 2016 I’m afraid! But don’t worry! I’m already dreaming up ideas for next year! Print out this “I’m Nuts About You” free printable valentine and whip up 20 of them in no time for all your … Read more
Looking for the perfect, easy Valentine’s Day breakfast that will only take a few minutes to make and will make the kiddos squeal with delight? Well, look no further! These red valentine heart pancakes with a powdered sugar heart are the perfect treat and SO easy! Simply make your favorite pancake recipe. When you are … Read more
Sunday is the day we have all been waiting for…a little friendly competition, funny commercials, great halftime entertainment, food, friends and fun. What are you doing for the Big Game? Here are 8 Great Super Bowl party ideas that are easy to put together and adorable. Even if you haven’t planned anything official yet…don’t worry! … Read more
Here’s another quick and easy DIY for you for all of those upcoming football parties. These little party bags are so cute and SO easy. There are two ways to make them…either with paper or with tape. I found my little kraft lunch sacks at Michaels, they are available at most craft stores and you … Read more
With the Super Bowl coming up on Sunday it’s time to prep for parties with a few easy DIY handmade decorations. These simple felt pennant flags are SO easy and make great decorations and fun favors for your football party guests after the game. You can make them in any colors to match your favorite … Read more
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BringYourBestBowl #Target #CollectiveBias I don’t know about you guys, but this time of year just about the only thing that will get me out of bed on these chilly winter mornings is the thought of something yummy to … Read more
I have already admitted to being a huge football fan, but in all honesty I think I get more excited for football season because of the food! From tailgating to parties for the big game, the appetizers and finger foods that abound are something to get excited about even if your team doesn’t win! These … Read more
I have been fighting the urge to go to Target for so long. Everyone has been asking me “have you seen their new collection?” and it’s been killing me. Well, my will power finally gave out and I had to go see for myself. Oh, man! It is SO good. I want everything, but I’ve … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the time when I get to create cheesy valentine’s to my heart’s content. 😉 This easy “You Drive Me Wild” valentine is sure to be a hit with the kids and it’s candy free! The valentine is a 5×7 size and you can print it at Staples … Read more
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GameDayGlory #CollectiveBias Are you getting as excited for The Big Game at your house as we are at ours? After watching exciting games this weekend, the excitement has definitely built to a frenzy! I love a party and any … Read more
Walking through Nordstrom a few weeks ago, I noticed that they had cute necklaces and bracelets with keys on them. Such a simple idea, but so cute! Seeing those got the wheels turning, and so I came up with a little version of my own, a Valentine’s version. Here’s a new quick and easy DIY … Read more
Just because Christmas is over, unfortunately doesn’t mean that cold weather is over. 🙂 I usually associate cozy with Christmas time because around here, when Christmas is over, spring has practically sprung! This year however, with El Nino passing through California, I have found myself wanting all things cozy…I’m freezing all the time! Here are … Read more
I was at Michaels a bit ago and found this cool box in the scrapbooking and papercrafting department. I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do with it, but I knew I needed it. 😉 I finally figured it out…it was destined to be a cute DIY Valentine gift for friends, teachers, neighbors … Read more
With The Big Game on the horizon it’s time to think parties! Mexican food is always a favorite and this hearty and delicious crowd pleaser will make hosting a breeze. I’m always on the lookout for ways to simplify life and spend less time in the kitchen while still enjoying great food. When I … Read more
Yes, I can confidently claim these to be “The Best” cinnamon rolls ever because I have been told that by everyone that has had them! I’ve never had a Cinnabon cinnamon roll, but an owner of one asked if they could pay me to bake my cinnamon rolls for her… “best cinnamon roll I’ve ever … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…the time to clear out and organize the house and make everything feel fresh and new! Keeping my kid’s closets clean and organized is one of my biggest challenges..anyone else out there have the same problem? They are always growing which means clothes are constantly coming and going. … Read more
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GrabAWetOnes #CollectiveBias Winter is here and that means it’s time for the dreaded cold and flu bugs to start making their rounds. Our family often travels during the winter months, and that brings with it a greater risk of … Read more
I spent most of the weekend drooling over The Homestead at Bridle Creek’s Blueberry Buckle muffins, so yesterday, when the kids asked for waffles, I decided to add a little twist. 😉 Introducing the blueberry buckle waffle recipe. 😉 It’s not complicated, just my favorite waffle recipe with the addition of some blueberries and topped … Read more
Are you all ready for New Year’s Eve? I always feel like I don’t want to do anything major every year, until about 24 hours before hand and then I start feeling like I’m missing out on something so I quickly throw something together. 😉 Last year we went from not planning on doing anything … Read more
Here are some New Year’s printable tags for you. These would be great for wedding favors too! They match our line from last year as well, so don’t forget to pop over there so that you can download them for all your New Year’s parties too! 🙂 I added one of these to our glittered … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…those last 48 hours before the stores close and Christmas Eve is here! Its time for last minute Christmas gifts! Do you have everything you need or are there still a few people on your list that you are fretting over? Just in case, here are a few … Read more
One of the trickiest things I find when wrapping gifts, is trying to find a clever way to wrap a gift card. Here’s a quick and easy DIY that I came up with for your gift card giving this year. These cute DIY Glittered Muslin bags take just a few minutes to make and looks … Read more
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MinionsMovieNight #CollectiveBias Are your kids as excited as mine that the new Minions movie is finally available on DVD? I don’t think that the word banana will ever be said normally again in our house. They will always … Read more
Are you in charge of taking dessert to a Christmas party this year? Well, here’s an easy DIY cake topper that will make any cake, homemade or store bought, look festive and fun in minutes. These washi tape Christmas trees can be made with just a few supplies and you can make them in any … Read more
Christmas is full of family time, treats and traditions and these little guys are part of all three! My kiddos all look forward to making, decorating and devouring these yummy gingerbread cookies. I was the mom that was always in charge of bringing the gingerbread men to all the holiday school parties… and my kids … Read more
If you are looking for a super cute and easy DIY Christmas gift for teachers, friends and neighbors that requires NO baking and takes only minutes to make…look no further! It’s cute, useful and takes no time at all! This time of year when everyone is wrapping gifts like crazy, this darling jar of twine … Read more
Here are some free Christmas printable tags for you today. I hope they help with all of your Christmas wrapping! I’ll be back tomorrow with an easy DIY to add this tag to. 😉 This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. This is the paper trimmer that I use for cutting … Read more
The holidays are such a fun time, I like to spread as much of that cheer around the house as possible. A little bit in every room goes a long way. It is easy to give your bedroom or guest room a quick holiday bedding makeover by just adding a few touches. You can see … Read more
Looking for a fun, easy and thoughtful gift this Christmas? Here’s a perfect DIY for you. These diy painted wooden utensils and cutting board set are inexpensive to buy and can be dressed up and customized to match your recipients home or favorite colors to make it a truly personal gift. If you’re headed to … Read more
Are you hosting Christmas dinner at your place this year? Even if you aren’t, there is something fun about setting a perfect Christmas table. We are not the most formal people at our house, we eat off of paper plates most of the time because I like to cut down on the number of dishes … Read more
Are you salivating yet? Well, you should be, because these will definitely be some of THE BEST tacos you will ever eat. My sweet friend Jen, of Carlsbad Cravings has a delicious (like lick your screen kind of delicious) recipe blog and it is one of my favorite go-tos when I am in need of … Read more
Don’t worry, I didn’t forget the gift guide for the men! I just always have a harder time shopping for them, so it takes me a little longer to create the perfect gift guide for them. 😉 Does anyone else have a hard time finding the perfect gifts for men and boys? Oh man! I’ve … Read more
Shopping for baby is too much fun. With my babies WAY out of the baby stage, it always fun for me to shop for nieces and nephews and friends that are expecting. Everything is just cuter in miniature sizes. Here are some of my favorite picks for baby this Christmas, and any time of the … Read more
Happy Black Friday!! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The time when sales and deals abound and we can get our shopping on without feeling as guilty! 😉 I have been working feverishly over the last few days trying to round up a list of the best sales and deals around to put … Read more
One of my fun girlfriends hosts a “favorite things” party each year. Have you been to something similar? The way it works is each person invited to the party brings 2-3 wrapped gifts, each containing their favorite item of the year with a value or dollar amount set by the hostess (it is usually in … Read more
Happy Thanksgiving!! The kitchen is bustling this morning and the most amazing smells of stuffing, pies, rolls and now the 37lb turkey is in the oven just making our mouths water. I love this time of year and the chance to gather with family and friends around the table passing traditions, sharing stories and pictures … Read more
I can’t believe the time is here!! I feel like I was just putting all of these fun holiday decorations up and now it’s almost time to take them down. Before I do, I thought I’d give you a peek at our holiday home tour. In years past I’ve had green, brown and gold … Read more
I stumbled upon these cute little white ceramic feathers at Michaels in the dollar bins and they were calling my name. I decided to give them a little shine and add some metallic paint to the bottom half, giving them a dipped look. So easy, they take minutes and just a few supplies. Add them … Read more
Are you a traditional red and green Christmas decorator or do you tend to decorate to match your home’s colors? I recently switched up my decor to a more traditional red and green, but I wanted to share my beachy decor here as well! I love to pick up most of my decorations at HomeGoods … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The time when lots of bright orange packages arrive at my door! I’m always behind the camera and rarely in front of one, so this year it was an extra special surprise to get the four of us together in one frame. This summer on our odessy … Read more
I can’t believe that I haven’t shared this recipe here before. These buttery, sweet orange rolls are one of my favorite family traditions. Every holiday memory I have revolves around these orange rolls…in our house we call the time of year from Thanksgiving to Easter “Orange Roll Season” because we know they will pop up at … Read more
Oh it’s that time! Let the shopping season begin! It is so much fun to sift through thousands of ideas and pick out my favorites to share with you. If you have a techie on your gift list, this is the guide for you. Whether you are buying gadets for kids and teens or grown … Read more
Do you host for the holidays? I have lucked out these last few years and not hosted Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s funny, because I love to host…don’t get me wrong, but there is something really nice about being able to truly relax and enjoy the holidays without the chaos of making everything. Just because I … Read more
Late last night I heard about a contest and decided on a whim to enter. I’m not typically a dreamer in the sense that entering contests usually doesn’t appeal to me, but for some reason…maybe the fact that it was very late and I wasn’t in my right mind 😉 spoke to me. The … Read more
Whether you’re going on a long trip or a quick weekend in the country, there is a great bag to take you there this holiday season or any season! Great weekender bags are spacious enough to accommodate more than a weekend’s worth of outfits. And, thanks to their durable construction and handles, you’ll have no trouble carting your … Read more
People… I am dead serious when I tell you this is the best grilled cheese recipe in the world! And I have had my fair share of (Even taught some) amazing, eye rolling, unforgettable grilled cheese sandwiches. Not only is the best one ever… its also crazy easy! I got all but two of the ingredients … Read more
It never ceases to amaze me how brilliant and creative kids can be. The other morning I came downstairs to find Ash crafting at the kitchen island. She made the most adorable DIY Kid’s craft, I wanted her to show you how to make these fun Thanksgiving crafts for your party or Thanksgiving table this year. I have … Read more
Have you started yet? Christmas shopping that is?! Well, if you’re counting, there are exactly 45 days until Christmas, and that means we better get our shopping on! Since today is Travel Tuesday, I thought I’d let you know about my favorite products and the best travel books for the traveler on your list. When … Read more
Only 24 hours left until one of the most fun nights of the year! In case you are still looking for some great, last minute Halloween ideas, I’ve rounded up all kinds of great halloween crafts, printables and party ideas here from the blog over the last few years for you all in one spot! … Read more
Ah, the City of Lights. There are so many great places to visit in Paris that you can visit there multiple times and still not see everything. Climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower for breathtaking views of this magical city is undoubtedly one of life’s greatest thrills, a must do for anyone visiting … Read more
Here’s a sneak peek at the shoot I did for HomeGoods. Find me over on the Design Happy blog today talking all about fall entertaining tips! 🙂 There are tons of fun images too! 🙂 Happy Monday! tammy
On any given week I know that when it comes time to make the pilgrimage to Target, my wallet is going to be instantly lighter. I mean, let’s be real. With the Dollar Spot I can’t even get further than 10 feet into the place and I’ve already dropped $50…dollar spot my foot! 😉 Well, … Read more
Trunk or Treat is upon us! This fun night is one of my kid’s favorites. Probably because it involves about 1000 kids in costume running from car to car over and over collecting more candy than they can carry. Each year there’s a little contest for who decorates their trunk the cutest or spookiest. I love … Read more
Do you always want to create a fun, themed breakfast for your kids at the holidays, but feel like you never have the time? Well, here is the answer to all of your problems! 😉 You can whip up these delicious pumpkin pancakes in no time and top them with cute (and SUPER easy) whipped … Read more
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 Side tables are the easiest way to add style and functionality to your space. Whether you are looking to add a pop of color, an interesting shape or a fun texture to your room, these little numbers are … Read more
Hard to believe, but Halloween is just around the corner! Whether your hosting a party, staying home to welcome trick or treaters, or in charge of classroom parties, it’s time to start thinking about treats! Here’s a quick and easy tutorial for a fun treat bag for party guests and little Gobblins alike. Fill these … Read more
If the trend is good enough for Olivia Palermo and Taylor Swift, it’s good enough for me. With so many great options to choose from, whether it’s buffalo check to plaid, there’s an option for everyone to wear this season’s biggest trend. Bright and colorful or grungy, traditional checked prints are becoming more modern. This … Read more
These days, it is nearly impossible to get through a day without making a call, checking email, or posting to social media accounts. If you are planning a trip overseas, you may find that staying connected is more difficult and expensive than you expected, right at a time when you need to be relying heavily … Read more
This my friends… is a side dish that dreams are made of! Elote is a traditional Mexican street corn that they sell on the cob and is slathered in mayonnaise, lime, cotija cheese and spices. It’s absolutely delicious! This dish is a version of that (with a “Jenny Evans” twist!) but the fresh corn is … Read more
I fell victim to the donuts again. 😉 Those cute, holiday themed donuts at Krispy Kreme that is! Have you seen the adorable Halloween designs they have? Monsters, Spider Webs, Pumpkins, Halloween Sprinkles…Man, I’m a sucker for cute packaging and good marketing! 😉 As I was driving home with my fresh box of cute Halloween donuts, … Read more
Somehow, whenever I end up going shopping for myself, I end up coming home with bags for my littlest fashionista instead. John likes to call her my very own American Girl Doll. As sad as it is, he’s probably right! I know that my years of getting to choose what she’s wearing are waning, and … Read more
You bought them, and now it’s after Labor Day so they’re collecting dust in the back of your closet. Just like I grew up thinking I couldn’t mix black and brown, I also thought white had a season…from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Well…break those cute white pants out of hiding and celebrate wearing them in … Read more
Halloween is almost here!! My second most favorite time of the year! (hey, I’m a poet and I didn’t even know it!…sorry…I couldn’t resist!) 😉 I always have so much fun creating new projects each year to share with you all. Actually, sometimes it’s a bit nerve wracking to be honest. I REALLY want to bring … Read more
Now that school has been back in session for awhile I finally feel like schedules are becoming more routine and we are all adjusted back to regular life. It always seems like a full month before we are really in the swing of things, and once we are finally settled, it feels really good! It’s … Read more
I can’t believe that it is OCTOBER!! I was going to be on top of things this year and have the kids costumes ready to go by early September, and here we are, in October, and I haven’t even ordered them yet. eek! How that manages to happen to me EVERY year, I will never … Read more
via buzzfeed You’ve seen it on bags, shoes, jewelry…those cute little tassels and fringe that gives everything a playful, whimsical look. Well, good news…that trend has headed indoors too! via casa sugar You only used to find fringe on grandma’s couch…not anymore! Now grandma’s couch is hip again. 😉 via decorative bedroom Create an intimate, … Read more
This season anything goes…a rainbow of colors from earthy neutrals like Desert Sage, bold statement colors like Marsala, fresh pastels and patterns make sure that you will have fun putting your outfits together this fall and winter fashion season! I’ve put together a few of my favorite looks from my favorite color palettes for you… Marsala Red Reflecting Pond Call … Read more
Traveling through continental Europe by train is easy, convenient and reasonably priced. If you are thinking about taking a trip and seeing more than one city or country, it is definitely an option you want to look at. When coming from the United States it’s not necessarily the first mode of transportation we think of, … Read more
I know it’s only September, but before we know it its going to be time for the holidays and cookie exchanges. I try, notice I used the word try 😉 to make homemade cookies each Sunday night for the kid’s lunches. I bake and freeze them, so every day they can pull out a fresh … Read more
Let there be light! As a photographer, I am constantly thinking about it…where is the light coming from, what color is the light, how bright is the light…the list goes on! It should come as no surprise then, that I am slightly obsessed with light fixtures. 😉 Here are 10 fun fixtures for under $100 right … Read more
“Even though some of you are pretty thin, you all have fat hearts, and that’s what matters.” -Fat Amy I don’t know about you guys, but when Pitch Perfect 2 came out I couldn’t get to the theater fast enough. I was appalled to learn that my husband hadn’t seen the fist one, so we … Read more
Fall is in the air and that means we have a good excuse to switch up our wardrobes a bit. Adding in a few inexpensive, but on trend accessories, is the best way to make the staples in your closet transition to fall, without breaking the bank. Here are 5 of the hottest, must-have accessories all for … Read more
So often when we travel we feel like we barely have time to scratch the surface of the “main tourist attractions” of whatever city we happen to be visiting. One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to get off that tourist trap path and explore smaller, lesser known parts of a city … Read more
I’m SO excited that it is almost Halloween again!! You all know that I LOVE Halloween and all the fun spooky stuff that goes with it. Here’s this year’s free Halloween printable edition of a “boo”ing tag for you. The treat is SO easy, an oldie but goodie…one that I’ve shown you here before, just … Read more
Nothing says fall like breaking out the jeans, boots and sweaters, and this fall there is something for everyone in denim trends. Say goodbye to low waisted jeans, and hello to denim with a little bit more room to breathe as flared jeans make a return. Here are the four denim trends to stock your closet … Read more
As much as I love summer, I am much more of a jeans, boots and cozy sweater lover. So, naturally, when fall rolls around, I feel like I am in my element. This year I am seeing camel coats EVERYWHERE and I think one might be making it’s way to my closet as soon as it’s no longer … Read more
When we traveled to London recently for an extended period, John and I debated what to do for accommodations. If you have never traveled to Europe with your family, then be advised that it is rare to find a hotel room that will accommodate more than three people. While we were not opposed to booking … Read more
Well… it happened. For some, it’s a good thing… for the rest of us it’s not the best. School’s back in session… and that means back to alarm clocks, schedules, homework, running kids to and from this and that, bedtimes, packing lunches, and the list goes on and on. Basically… our lives just got a … Read more
With kids back in school, and the holidays on the horizon, the natural urge to purge and organize kicks in. I you’re looking for an inexpensive and stylish way to add more storage space and organization to your home, baskets may be the answer you’ve been looking for. Baskets in the Kitchen via Huffington Post … Read more
I was walking through World Market last week when I spotted a new light fixture out of the corner of my eye. It got me thinking about how often I am out shopping for projects, clients, or just for fun, and I run across great deals and fun finds that I don’t share here on the … Read more
Apparently I need to move. The weather in Southern CA clearly doesn’t fit my love of sweaters and boots. 😉 I had to laugh as I was sifting through all of the great sale stuff at Nordstrom this morning. When I looked at the favorites I had collected, I realized that the majority of what I … Read more
If you have a daughter, you probably understand exactly why I found this shirt so funny. 😉 My son is messy too, don’t get me wrong, but there is something about a girl and her “collections” that just dials it up a notch. 😉 I grabbed this shirt while I was running through Nordstrom the … Read more
Sale Alert!! It’s the most wonderful time of the year…sing it with me now… 😉 Honestly though, who doesn’t love Labor Day weekend for some shopping?! When Kate Spade does her sales like this, I have a hard time saying no. Two years ago I got one of my all-time favorite bags that had originally … Read more
Light and bright are the words I would use to describe this fun living room project. I still want to add a few touches…a couple of pieces of art and a lamp…but I couldn’t wait to share! Aren’t those couches cute? We needed smaller scale couches for this space and these tufted ones from Pier One … Read more
The kids (particularly Ash) has been begging all summer for a lemonade stand and bake sale. Like any good mom, I have been dragging my feet and keep putting it off. It sounded like a lot of work for me, only to earn them money to buy a bunch of junk…you know…all those little trinkets … Read more
11 weeks, 77 days, 1848 hours. At the beginning of June, my family and I embarked on a journey of a lifetime. As luck would have it, a unique situation at work- timed perfectly with the end of the school year, allowed our family to truly use the world as our classroom for the summer. … Read more
These are dangerous. I’m just warning you. Every time I make this peanut butter cup cookie recipe I have to give some away so that I don’t eat them all. 😉 I love that you bake these in little muffin tins. Seriously, what can be better than chocolate candy wrapped in a cookie?? Are you drooling … Read more
AH…my hometown. I will always be a San Diego girl at heart no matter where the world takes me. I love this city. It has changed so much in the years since I left, grown up a ton. There are so many fun things to do in San Diego…so many great neighborhoods, restaurants, shops, sights…it’s … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. 😉 Football Season! At least in my house that is. I LOVE football! While my hubby and son are big hockey and baseball fans as well, I live for fall football. I will watch just about any game at any time. I look forward to weekend days … Read more
With back to school right around the corner it’s time to start thinking about after school snacks. My kiddos are pretty good about eating healthy…(one better than the other), but it makes it even easier to talk them into it when snacks look fun and yummy. I thought I’d share one of our favorite healthy … Read more
If you’re looking for a super cute and easy DIY for your next party or get together, this is it! The best part? You don’t even have to break out the cake pans. 😉 There are SO many fun colors of candy melts available these days, you can make this cake to match any party … Read more
Remember that fabulous find I had a HomeGoods just a bit ago…the acrylic table in the bathroom department? Well, I told you I was going to play with it and so I did. I set it up originally as a bar cart, but now it may have found a new home. 🙂 We don’t have … Read more
While I am vacationing in Hawaii, I thought it would be perfect to share a recipe I was inspired to make from Hawaii! Oh my… breakfast like this one is absolute perfection! The banana macadamia pancakes with coconut syrup combo can’t be beat in my book. I hope you enjoy this as much as me … Read more
Oreos hold a special place in my heart. My grandpa LOVES them. He used to sneak them without grandma knowing, and taught me his ways. 😉 I remember growing up, he had a cookie jar shaped like a stack of oreos that held the chocolatey sandwich cookies. When I ran across a recipe for this … Read more
Salt Lake City feels a little like a second home to me. I attended college a bit down the road from here, and this was the city I really “grew up” in. I became an adult learning how to navigate life on my own in Utah, had my first baby there, and spent the first few … Read more
A quick trip to HomeGoods yesterday was a great trip because I scored this amazing acrylic table. I found it in the bathroom aisle of all places, stashed in the bathroom dept! It was folded up (yes, it folds for easier storage!) and placed in amongst the vanity tables and chairs. WHAT?! I can think … Read more
This delicious spinach and citrus salad recipe was passed along to our family by my dear friend Mandi more than a decade ago! It has been a hit in our family ever since. So much so, that it was served at my brother’s wedding! It’s perfect for any time of year since the ingredients are … Read more
Well that isn’t an impressive alliteration, I don’t know what is! 😉 Here’s a quick and easy way to dress up your glassine bags for a party or gift. What you’ll need: Glassine Bags (mine are 5×7) Glue (I used Elmers) Gold Glitter ( I use Martha Stewart) Simply paint the bottom inch to inch … Read more
Each year after the Christmas craziness, we launch into birthday season in our house. Usually I have tons of ideas and have a hard time figuring out which option to choose, but this year was a different story. Coming up with birthday party ideas for the kids is usually so fun for me, but this … Read more
This cake is ALWAYS a hit…one of my favorite basic chocolate cake recipes, with chocolate buttercream, but it’s the toppings that make people go crazy! Something about seeing it topped with nuts, chocolate chips and marshmallows, makes this cake extra special. It’s SUPER rich, so I only frost the top and middle to help reduce … Read more
As my kids have gotten older, it’s been a little sad for me to watch as my son has lost interest in having big parties. Totally a normal teenage boy thing I know, but sad for this party loving mama. I have had to find ways to create something that still seems fun and cute … Read more
One of my favorite and “go to” breakfast dishes is this “no cook” over night oatmeal. I like it so much better than cooked oatmeal. It’s healthy, and loaded with lots of good for you ingredients. I always like to start my day off with a healthy “power food” and this definitely fits the bill! … Read more
As many of you know, I started out in the paper crafting industry. I have a deep and abiding love for paper. 😉 While I love the efficiency and convenience of email, there is nothing like a handwritten note. Adding special touches like these easy DIY lined envelopes makes it even more special. Here’s … Read more
Nothing says summer like Strawberry Lemonade. Especially when it’s served in a chilled Mason jar with ice and a cute straw. 😉 All you need is a porch to sit on and sip it and you are all set. 😉 Here’s one of our favorite summertime recipes. This Strawberry Lemonade Recipe is super easy and perfect … Read more
I’ve been working on a kitchen remodel and I was able to go and put the finishing touches on it recently…probably my favorite part because it involves all the accessories…like the jewelry for the kitchen. 😉 It’s a chance to bring in the color, the texture and dress it up a bit. Here’s a sneak … Read more
I’m not typically a pie girl, but this recipe has been in my family for years, and it is my absolute favorite Dutch apple pie. Something about the crumb topping makes it just irresistible! With the 4th of July right around the corner…what is more American than Apple Pie, right? Bring this to your BBQ … Read more
I have the pleasure of working with the young women ages 12-18 at our church. Each year a new yearly theme is introduced to the youth and there is a night to celebrate, introduce the new theme, and welcome those that will be turning 12 during the year to the program. This year’s theme is … Read more
I thought I’d try something new here and see what you all think. I frequently get questions via text from friends and email from readers asking for my favorites. They are visiting a city and want to know my recommendations for where to go, what to see, places to stay, things to eat…etc. Travel is … Read more
A while back I had the pleasure of designing and creating a graduation line for Shutterfly and styling a party using all the fun products. This triangle garland is a little something I created for the shoot and it is SO easy and can be made for just a few dollars and with a few … Read more
Happy Friday! Here’s a little summer sunshine in the form of a free printable for you today! 🙂 You can Download the free Hello Summer Art Printable here: Hello Summer The other printables pictured can be found in the Pink Peppermint Prints etsy shop. Enjoy! Tammy
If you’re headed to Southern California this summer, I have an activity to add to your itinerary. 😉 I grew up going to the Del Mar Fair (now re-named the San Diego County Fair…ugh) and it is always a favorite summer activity for me. I love the fair for the pictures, sights, sounds and smells, and … Read more
As many of you know I have been working on a big project for the last while. A cute family of six made a cross country move and settled in Orange County. They had been renting smaller, older homes on the East Coast, while renting out their larger home here for the last seven years. … Read more
There are salads and then there are SALADS! Trust me… this one is a SALAD that will make you swoon! First of all, roasting fresh beets makes all the difference in the world. And those golden beets… those are so, so good! And the goat cheese in this salad will win your heart over. Just … Read more
With summer in full swing in most parts of the country (we lag a little here in CA), I thought I share a quick and easy idea that I like to use in my house with the kids. Coming up with summer activities for kids and summer activities for teens can be a little difficult. … Read more
I have always been a fan of white kitchens. As a photographer I can’t get enough white and bright. When we bought our house over a decade ago, dark was in. Dark cabinets, dark countertops, dark floors…I was fortunate that white kitchens were seen as “less desireable” so I was able to get a white … Read more
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of books. You’ve heard me say it a million times here that they are a great way to add color, height, just overall personality to any space. Well, the kitchen is no exception to that rule. If you have countertops, open shelving or other little nooks in your … Read more
Salads just scream spring and summer to me. The gorgeous colors and flavors just make for a beautiful meal. The best part is, when it’s hot, you don’t have to slave over a stove! This spring salad is one of my favorite go-to spring recipes to add to your list of easy meals. 🙂 Ingredients: Strawberries … Read more
Lately Ashley has been asking me for a new room. Over the last few months I’ve been working on a home to four little girls…and it’s been killing her! She goes shopping with me often, and every time I purchase something cute she is begging for it to come home with us instead of heading … Read more
This year has flown by! Teacher appreciation day / week and the end of the school year has totally sneaked up on me this year. This year I whipped up a little something for you last week for teachers and I thought I would create one more teacher appreciation day printable for you all this … Read more
for a similar look: top / jeans / shoes / sunglasses / earrings / necklace I may be slightly obsessed with Kelly green. I don’t know what it is, but it just makes me happy. When I stumbled upon this shirt at the mall a week or so ago, it was a must buy. Confession … Read more
Happy Wednesday! Just wanted to let you all now that I am participating in a $300 Anthropologie Gift Card Giveaway today through Friday. If you love Anthro as much as I do, this is your chance to get some serious fun money! 🙂 Details on how to enter are over on instagram… And, if you’re … Read more
This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Godspeed Pictures, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #wherehopegrowsmovie http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV I don’t know about you guys, but for myself and my family I am always on the hunt for uplifting and inspirational movies and television shows to … Read more
Well folks… it’s springtime and who doesn’t get all happy about that? I mean come one… the flowers are blooming, the trees are all dressed up in their best, the sun is shining, the sky is bluer than blue and the birds are singing their celebration song about surviving another winter. It’s just a gorgeous time … Read more
Are you Mother’s Day this year? Mother’s Day always makes me feel like having a garden party. Light salads, fresh fruit, and something fun and pretty to drink. Here’s a recipe I love that is refreshing and perfect for Mother’s Day or any day! 🙂 Serving your beverages up in gorgeous glasses with fun straws makes … Read more
Moms are so hard to buy for…I know, I’m one of those that’s guilty of claiming that I don’t want anything but sweet kids and a happy day, but I have to admit it is nice to be treated like royalty for a day and be pampered. 😉 I wanted to create something this year … Read more
If you’re looking for an idea for easy entertaining for Mother’s Day…here’s one to throw together that will make it seem like you planned for days. 🙂 The grocery store bakery and Trader Joe’s are my secret weapons whenever I’m throwing together a little party. Whatever your grocery options in your area, grab an assortment … Read more
I love teachers and their dedication to our kiddos. The job seems to be getting more and more difficult each year with more students in each classroom and shrinking school budgets… even more of a reason to show our gratitude to them each year for teacher appreciation week. Here’s an easy printable and a round up of … Read more
Since you all know I am constantly re-arranging things around here 😉 I thought I’d share my latest coffee table styling with you! 🙂 I found the CUTEST bathing beauty figurines at HomeGoods a week or so ago, and knew that they would make the perfect addition to my summer coffee table make-over. I added a … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time, of the year… 😉 well, if you’re a mom that is! 🙂 Finally, for one day you are doted on, somebody else cleans up the messes, and you are showered with love and appreciation, all while the kids get along peacefully…at least until about 7:30am. 😉 I have learned over … Read more
As the weather heats up, so does entertaining season. With fun days ahead celebrating Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduations, guests are on their way! If you’re anything like me, you are always on the hunt for new recipes and ideas for spring entertaining so that your guests always have something new to look forward … Read more
Cute Jane from Lendingham Paper and Party Supplies submitted this darling Red, White and Blue Airplane themed party. I am in love with the bold colors and you know I love the travel theme! So many cute details…here’s a look at Jane’s beautiful styling: Isn’t that adorable? Thanks Jane for sharing your talents with us! … Read more
Lately, I’ve been seeing all of these gorgeous blue Chinese urns all over in fabulous room designs. I have been dying to get my hands on one, and last week, I had narrowed it down to three. I loved the shape of these, the size of this one, and just the overall look of this one. What to do?! … Read more
Who loves fresh homemade bread? Only everyone! Have I got the best recipe for you! This is seriously the yummiest and easiest bread recipe… and it gets even better…. you can make it in less than hour from start to finish! What? Yup… it’s true! Now hot, fresh bread is so doable for your weeknight … Read more
Palmiers are a sweet little french treat you can make at home! Start with defrosted puff pastry (found in most grocery store freezer sections), Nutella and cinnamon sugar. Spread the Nutella across the pastry with a rubber spatula or butter knife. Next, sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture and begin to roll one side … Read more
Move over pastels…this spring is all about going bold! While pastels are pretty, lately I’ve been feeling like I want something that will carry me past Easter, into the later spring. One of my favorite things about spring (and I’m sure yours too) are the beautiful blooms popping up all over. Most of these flowers … Read more
Granville Island Vancouver was a fun spot to visit last time we were in Canada. It reminded a little of Seaport Village in San Diego and Pike’s Place Market in Seattle. You know I love a good market! 😉 We lucked out and it was a beautiful day, so we had incredible views of the … Read more
Recently something very dangerous happened in our house. Amazon sent me a postcard, alerting me to the fact that they have now gone full blown into fashion with a killer addition to their website. I have a few friends that know my addiction to Amazon…especially their prime service. The fact that they now have one … Read more
Our house has gone through so many changes over the last bit, I realized I had never documented it’s progress here on the blog. While this isn’t entirely what we started with years ago, this is a little “before” from the images you have been seeing lately. Much more traditional than things look now. It’s … Read more
A few months ago I took a class at Peinture Studios here in Orange County. I had been reading about and seeing chalk paint ALL over the place and I wanted to see what it was all about. There were a couple of pieces in my house that I thought would be fun to change … Read more
Are you prepping to host Easter this weekend? Whether you’re hosting an egg hunt or dinner…or maybe both, here are a few of my favorite Easter DIYs from the past couple of years to help you out. 🙂 Lots of free printables and ideas for everything from hostess gifts to Easter favors in this DIY … Read more
Victoria, BC: This beautiful, sleepy island is home to a true Canadian landmark, The Fairmont Empress Hotel. I visited here when I was a child, and had memories of walking into the grand building and eating at its fancy restaurant. When we planned a tour of British Colombia for a family vacation, I couldn’t imagine … Read more
I’m back this week with a simple idea to dress up your Easter dessert table! It’s a completely edible treat, including wafer paper grass from World Market! Simply make your favorite frosted cupcakes (or grab some from your local bakery) and surround them with edible grass. Top with your favorite foil-wrapped holiday chocolate. Imagine how … Read more
Hunting for the perfect Easter treat or Egg Hunt party favor? Look no further! These are super easy, totally cute, and there’s a free printable! 🙂 I put my donut holes in mini paint pails, but you can put them in anything. 🙂 Attach a bow and one of the Bunny Tail free printable tags … Read more
I have always loved blue, but particularly navy. As a matter of fact, my bedroom when I was a tween had beautiful navy wallpaper with the prettiest white flowers on it. It was gorgeous! I had a crisp white eyelet bedspread on my canopy bed with a matching canopy…every little girl’s dream. 🙂 A … Read more
I love spring! The days are getting longer and warmer, and it signals that summer is just on the horizon. With Easter coming up I thought I’d share a fun idea for Easter parties, teachers, neighbors, or just a fun thinking of you gift idea. The best part is that you don’t even have to … Read more
From St. Patrick’s Day treats to Easter treats… it’s a quick turn around between holidays, so let’s get you ready to dazzle, create and amaze this spring! We’re talking easter bunny cookies, two ways. You could say level 1 difficulty and level 2; we’re going to focus on level 1 today, but here’s a quick … Read more
Easter is just around the corner and that means it’s time for cute bunny crafts and candy! Here is a cute and relatively easy DIY to spruce up those peeps and make them even cuter than they already are. 😉 What you’ll need: Lollipop Sticks Chocolate Chips (I used milk chocolate) Shortening Bunny Peeps Parchment … Read more
St. Patty’s Day is around the corner and today we’re making a super simple DIY Felt and Canvas Shamrock pennant banner that is SO easy you’ll be making one for every occasion. 🙂 Have you seen these pre-made and cut canvas banner pieces? They make this banner take all of about 15 minutes. 🙂 Here’s … Read more
The weather is warming up, the days are getting longer, and I’m sure wherever you’re located, you are starting to see signs of spring on the horizon. It’s hard to believe that Easter is only a couple of weeks away. I think that Andy will probably draw the line this year when I try to … Read more
Remember last week we made a gloriously tall rainbow cake for St. Patrick’s Day? Well why not kill two rainbows with one stone? If you’re going to all the trouble of coloring your cake batter six ways, let’s use that leftover goodness to make a whole new treat! It’s simple as can be. Fill cupcake … Read more
What?! Yup… Pizza Rolls! Because everyone loves pizza! And they are as good if not even better than they look and sound. Pizza in a roll form…. come on! These may become a staple in your home… good thing they are easy to put together! Make them tonight and see the smiles of joy come … Read more
Spring is in the air and that means wedding season is right around the corner! Woohoo! I get emails frequently from soon to be brides, looking for advice on planning and designing their big day. One of my favorite things to tell them is that it’s not difficult to personalize this most personal of occasions. With … Read more
I’m just an Irish girl at heart, and with St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to celebrate by making the magically delicious rainbow cake. Turn up the volume on your celebration this year! Add simple chocolate coin candy detail for that extra festive sparkle! Next, it’s time to play with food coloring. … Read more
I frequently get asked about the books around my house and what my favorite books to decorate with are. If you’ve been following me for a while, you have probably noticed stacks of books everywhere…antique books, design books, photography books, cookbooks…you name it. Yes, I love pretty picture books to look at, but more importantly … Read more
I don’t know about in your house, but in ours, the computer is front and center in the middle of all the action. I’ve shown you our office nook up in our bedroom, but this one is where the computer is and where most of the “real” work happens. When we moved into our house … Read more
As you’ve probably noticed, I’m slightly obsessed with garlands. 😉 Anything hanging from the ceiling or on the walls really makes it look like a celebration. Whether you’re throwing an actual party, or just celebrating life and wanting to bring color into your space, you can’t go wrong with a garland! Here’s a quick and … Read more
It’s been a while since I gave an update on the design project over at the Avendale house, and exciting thins are happening! We started with the twin’s rooms, the blue room and the pink, green and navy room, but things have also been busy in the family room, dining room, living room, nook and … Read more
I’ll just call this what it is… a dessert hack. It’s my take on strawberry shortcake, and it’s so simple and delicious! Take puff pastry from freezer section of the store. Thaw and cut pastry with your favorite biscuit cutter (or a drinking glass works well, too!) Brush the top with an egg wash (1 … Read more
The addition of wood in any space makes it feel warmer and welcoming. Reclaimed It enhances modern spaces and adds a touch of character and history to a contemporary home. It’s not just for your floors anymore either. Here are five of my favorite fresh design ideas to use wood and some great ideas for … Read more
Even though it’s been in the 80s here, it’s still only February, so I feel entitled to eat comfort food. 😉 A friend made this for me a few years back after I had Ash and it has been a favorite in our house ever since. The kids like to call it “fancy mac and … Read more
With a few weekend getaways on the horizon, I’ve been shopping for cute bags to pack. Since I have to carry it on with me, it might as well be cute, right? 😉 Plus, with all the baggage fees I’ll save by carrying on, it will pay for itself. 😉 Here are my faves… Tory … Read more
They’re like rice krispy treats on overload; dense, peanut buttery, krispy goodness with a layer of decadent chocolate and butterscotch on top. If that’s not enough flavor for you, I’ve topped it with our homemade ganache recipe from last week! Why not, right? These bars make the perfect treat or after school snack! And an … Read more
Whenever I’m styling a party or dessert table I’m always looking for ways to add height. Suckers and treats on sticks are always super cute, but finding ways to display them standing up can be tricky. Last year when I did Ashley’s Fashion Camp party, I created these easy and cute spools to hold the suckers. … Read more
Here’s a little something yummy you can make with the kids while they’re off school today. It’s easy and tastes as good as it looks! 🙂 Happy President’s Day! Have a great day! tammy
I’m a total sucker for kids clothes. Everything fits kids, and they look adorable in it. It’s WAY easier than shopping for myself, that’s for sure! Because I shop so much for my job, I’m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest at a steal. Especially with their clothes since the grow like … Read more
Tomorrow is Valentine’s day, and Valentine or no I think you should treat yourself. 😉 I rounded up my favorite red and pink picks for today…these will carry you WAY beyond February and are just plain cute! 🙂 (this post s being a little weird, so if it’s acting up on you, sorry! 😉 Just … Read more
The fastest way to anyone’s heart is through chocolate ganache. It’s a scientific fact. And just in time for Valentine’s Day, here’s the best ganache recipe I know of… here’s what you’ll need: I like to make a double batch of this sauce and share it with neighbors and friends. It’s delicious over ice cream, … Read more
A few weeks ago at Alt I had the chance to take an up close and personal look at Minted’s art. Have you seen it before? As someone who regularly creates printables for you all and art prints, I always wondered how their printed material looked…paper quality (that’s huge for me!) and the color quality. … Read more
I wanted to show you all a little love this week! I just love creating things for you all and I hope you love them too! 🙂 Here is a little something special for you, only available through Saturday, so get it while you can! 🙂 So many of you asked about these little “Follow … Read more
Tired of the serving the same old same old? I bet your family is well. Here’s a new pasta dish for your family that will having them singing praises to their dear chef mama or papa! Not only that.. it’s fast and easy peasy to put together! Can’t beat that. This is even impressive … Read more
I was walking through Macy’s yesterday and their valentine campaign ads stuck out at me. I know it sounds crazy, but I never know when inspiration is going to hit! 🙂 The tag line was “follow your heart.” Instantly I thought of following…what do you follow? Arrows that point you in the right direction! An idea … Read more
I’m sure you’ve seen them all over the internet. The cute, DIY felted garlands using felted balls and fun shapes decorating kid’s rooms, mantels, Christmas trees…you name it. Did you know they are super easy to make? Well, I’m here to show you how you can make your own in minutes. Don’t buy a felted … Read more
Do you love handmade valentines as much as I do? Well, hopefully I can make things just a bit easier for you to create something fun! 🙂 Over the years I’ve made a bunch of handmade valentines…here are a few free printables to get the wheels turning and get you started creating! 🙂 You can … Read more
This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Universal Pictures, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BoxtrollsFamilyNite http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV We love movie nights at our house and I love nothing more than an excuse to party. 😉 I have been known to throw a few … Read more
With the world’s attention focused on Arizona today on Super Bowl Sunday, I thought that would be a perfect excuse to highlight “The Grand Canyon State” as our February vacation spot. There’s a reason most of the MLB teams have their Spring Training facilities here, and that’s because February and March are the perfect times … Read more
Everything is more darling in miniature form, don’t you think? This sweet cake is a simple little show stopper! Bake your favorite cake recipe and take a circular cookie cutter or a round glass and cut several layers. Frost between each layer and stack! Wouldn’t this cake be the most perfect 1st birthday dessert for … Read more
I can’t believe it’s been a week since Alt Summit. Only a week ago I was sitting in classes surrounded by talented and creative people trying to learn how to create more fun and inspiring content for y’all here on the blog. It was inspiring, overwhelming and physically exhausting! As ridiculous as this probably sounds, one of the … Read more
With the new year I’m thinking it might be time for a new bedroom. The walls got a make-over more than a year ago…eek! That sounds like a long time when I type it out! I took them from a harvest brown to a taupey-gray. I’ve been going back and forth on what to do…do … Read more
OH you guys! It’s one of my favorite times of year! Valentines! If you are at all familiar with the blog, then you know that I am crazy for valentine’s day. Not the mushy romantic stuff, but the cutesy, cheesy stuff. I love it. And I love handmade valentines. Each year I try to create … Read more
A few months ago I had the chance to introduce you to one half of the talented duo behind DIY Playbook when I featured Bridget’s gorgeous dining room. Well, today I get the pleasure of introducing you to her talented blogging partner Casey. When I was looking for dining rooms, I ran across Casey’s cute and … Read more
Are you ready for some football? How many of you are hosting a Super Bowl party this weekend? The best part about any football party is the food. It can range from down home to gourmet and it’s ALWAYS good! A must have at any football party in our house is some killer guacamole. … Read more
So excited to share this third installment of 48 hours in San Francisco. Hopefully my last two posts about where to stay, the best way to get around town, and day one itinerary have you excited for your trip! If you just stumbled upon this and haven’t seen those posts, you can find the post … Read more
How many cake pans do you own that have been turned dark and sticky from cooking spray? I’ve owned a million. I thought cooking spray was the best way to go for years and years. Once I started baking professionally, I decided it was time to get serious, get new pans and figure out a … Read more
A few days ago I was perusing some of my favorite sites and I stumbled across this inspiration board over on One King’s Lane: Did you ever watch Troop Beverly Hills as a kid? That is what came flooding to my mind instantly when I saw this board. Everytime I’m up in LA and pass … Read more
Well, the teams are set and the Super Bowl is on in just over a week. You know I love any excuse to party, so we are starting the party prep around here early this year. 😉 Are we really excited about football, or are we most excited about the food that comes with it? … Read more
A little secret about me…I have a HARD time finding art for my home. Are any of you in that same boat? My walls are pretty bare because I’m a bit of a commitment phob when it comes to actually hanging something. Another secret…I’m not a huge fan of wrapped canvas art. Not the pictures … Read more
Sometimes I want to eat bad things for breakfast, even when i’s only January and I just started my “new year healthy eating plan.” 😉 Fortunately I had some of my favorite Blueberry muffins in the freezer and because I make them with fresh blueberries, I don’t feel quite as bad about eating one…I mean, … Read more
I love the feeling of waking up in a big city! It makes me feel like there are endless possibilities and adventures ahead. If you’ve been wondering what to do in San Francisco, look no further! Saturdays in the city are tons of fun! Hopefully you had an easy trip in and started the trip off … Read more
Recently, my husband and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary at the gorgeous Rancho Bernardo Inn, located in beautiful, sunny San Diego. One of the highlights of our trip was enjoying one of the most decadent, cozy desserts I’ve ever had. At the hotel’s Veranda restaurant, Sean and I decided to try their cinnamon monkey … Read more
I am SO excited!! Ash is finally getting her closet finished next week. Hers is the only closet in the house that hasn’t had a closet system, and we are finally installing one. (More on that in the weeks to come! 🙂 ) I don’t know if it’s just her…or if it’s a girl thing … Read more
You guys!!! The Alt countdown is on and I am SO excited!! Maybe you’ve seen on instagram, but fun little packages from the amazing sponsors have been arriving almost daily over the last week or so. On Monday a package arrived from Microsoft and Wayfair that I was just a little excited about! 😉 In … Read more
I have talked to SO many friends who have struggles with their kids and getting them dressed. I know for some moms and kiddos it can be a super stressful, daily battle. While I’ve been fortunate enough to have two pretty easy-going kids in that department, talking to them about their struggles made me wonder … Read more
Over the course of the last several months, I’ve had the pleasure of working on a project for some dear friends of ours who just made a cross-country move back to our neck of the woods. They still owned their home here and had been renting it out for the last many years. Having left years … Read more
After a month of decadent eating…. and our pants getting tighter and tighter… January is always a month where we have the goal to eat healthier. Can you relate? But eating healthier shouldn’t mean less flavor or deliciousness. That’s just plain torture if you ask me! I have a great salad I want to share … Read more
This suburban girl LOVES the city. I’m sure if you’ve been following me for a while now, you know that I can’t get enough of a big city. New York has my heart, but I also love any excuse to sneak up to San Francisco. There are SO many fun shops, restaurants and things to … Read more
Raise your hand if you’re a fan of red velvet desserts! I’ve got both my hands up. Ordering this southern classic is easy as pie, but getting that bakery quality red velvet flavor and coloring is a whole other challenge. Until now. Let me introduce you to the cheat of the century. LorAnn’s Red Velvet … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but this week it was back to the gym for me. As much as I usually despise the gym, it felt good to get back into a routine after a month or so of doing way too much lounging around, eating holiday food (read=not good for you) 😉 and … Read more
Each year at this time, as much as I love the fresh start, it also calls attention to the fact that my kids are getting older and the time just keeps slipping away faster and faster! Many of you know that my journey as a blogger started out in the papercrafting/scrapbooking industry. Even though I rarely find time … Read more
Last year I debuted this Frozen party on the day the movie came out. I had NO idea that the movie was going to be so popular, and lucked out that I happened to jump the gun and base a party off of a silly little snowman that I had seen in a preview months … Read more
Are you ready for some gorgeous images of a beautifully designed storage space to get you motivated to get organized in 2015? Well, look no further! When I ran across Emily’s amazing pantry, I had to contact her and ask her to share it with us. Her entire home is full of beautiful design ideas. so be sure … Read more
Happy Monday! It’s official…everyone is back to school and work in our house today, the New Year is underway. While part of me gets a little sad that the holidays are over, the other part of me is excited to have a clean slate and get back to work! I spent a lot of time over … Read more
Oh man! How is it that Christmas break is already over? It seems like just yesterday that I was feeling free…like I had 3 weeks ahead of me to lounge around, play with my family and enjoy some time off from the craziness of everyday life. Whew! That went by WAY too fast! We are gearing … Read more
The holidays may be over, but winter is still here, and with it, plenty of opportunities to treat your family to a cozy dessert. This one couldn’t be any easier or more delicious! You don’t even need to build a fire for these tasty s’mores cookies! Start with your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe (you … Read more
Have you gotten used to writing 2015 on your checks yet? It will be May before I have it down. 😉 With Christmas break coming to an end this weekend and school and real life picking up speed again on Monday morning (ugh!) I figured it’s time for me to get organized. I am not … Read more
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful and safe NYE. We had a little shindig around here after a last minute trip to Party City yesterday, I couldn’t resist. We’ve all been sick this Christmas break, so it felt good to do something fun! Here’s a little glimpse of our Black and … Read more
I must have been living under a rock, because I have never seen these adorable little mini Martinelli’s bottles. Even my husband said he’s seen them a million times…where have I been?? These DIY Glittered Party Bottles are one of the easiest DIY party ideas, and it is SURE to get a lot of oohs … Read more
Do you have company coming for New Years? It is SO easy to create a cheese plate that is a show stopping appetizer. It is quick, tasty and beautiful…and it’s my go-to appetizer when I’m having company. I love it because it’s SO easy to put together and looks like a million bucks. Here are … Read more
It’s hard to believe the year is already drawing to a close. I feel like I was just celebrating it’s arrival! Here are some free printable New Year’s Eve Midnight Kisses tags that you can use this year or any year to come. They are so cute and make the perfect New Year’s Eve party favor! … Read more
I’m always on the hunt for new and fun cake ideas, and I’m obsessed with anything that resembles confetti, glitter or sprinkles, so this cake is pretty much perfection in my eyes. This simple confetti cake trick will leave a lasting impression on your guests, and it makes the perfect centerpiece for any dessert table! … Read more
I have been seeing some SUPER cute hot chocolate bars lately. Have you noticed them all over pinterest? They are just darling and very stylized…like a party in themselves! While you all know how much I love a party, and I love tons of details, I also love simplicity and EASY!! I have guests coming … Read more
If you’re entertaining this holiday season it’s always nice to have a few Christmas party drink recipes on hand. Here’s one of my favorites. In just a few minutes you can whip up something that looks beautiful and pleases a crowd. What you’ll need for this Christmas Party drink: 1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice, chilled … Read more
You guys! Are you ready for one of the easiest DIY projects on the planet? This DIY garland is it! You only need two things and about 2 minutes to put this together. I made it for the Shutterfly Baby Shower, and I’ve also used it for gift wrapping. It will be perfect for all of … Read more
Who says sparkling cider is just for drinking and toasting? Why not for dessert too? This sparkling cider pound cake recipe with cider glaze is the perfect recipe for your New Year’s Eve celebrations. The pound cake is moist and delicious and the glaze…well, let’s just say be sure to make extra because you will … Read more
I LOVE spice cookies. There are some super yummy ones at my local grocery store that I’ve been trying to duplicate for a while now and I think I’ve finally found a recipe that is pretty close. I whipped them up for a little gathering a week ago and they were a hit! 🙂 Here’s … Read more
Are you giving gift cards this year for Christmas? Here’s a quick and easy DIY Christmas Crafts Gift Card Holder that will make them look like something extra special. MATERIALS Plain Bags Permanent Ink Rubber Stamp of Your Choice Crinkle Paper A gift Card I found this cute stamp at Michaels last year, but … Read more
I am SO excited to have Courtney from A Thoughtful Place blog here today sharing her Holiday Home and holiday decorations with us. I feel so blessed to have had a chance meeting with Courtney earlier this year that has turned into a special friendship. She is witty, a sweet and wonderful wife and momma, and an … Read more
Peppermint bark is one of the reasons I get up in the morning during the gloomy days of winter! Creamy white and milk chocolate topped with crisp and cool peppermint is a dreamy, delicious way to spread holiday cheer! This Peppermint Bark recipe is so simple to make, you don’t even need those tricky little … Read more
I have a new obsession. Don’t worry. It still involves glitter. 😉 I have been wanting to make something with German Glass Glitter for years now, but for whatever reason, I just haven’t gotten around to it. I love the chunky-ness of it and the vintage feel. As an added bonus, it catches the light … Read more
Winter has arrived… even here is Southern California! If your family is anything like mine, hot chocolate is a big request… on repeat! A sweet, warm drink that just makes you feel good all the way down to your toes! If you have been serving hot chocolate from a prepackaged powder mix… do yourself and … Read more
I love the Sound of Music. You may already know that about me if you’ve read this post. It is a staple in our house. Even my kids, teen boy included 😉 … like to snuggle up and watch this classic especially during the holidays. Tonight I’m headed to a little get together in my neighborhood. It’s a … Read more
The countdown is on! Only a few more short days and Christmas will be here! I can’t believe it. This month always goes by so quickly. Will you be delivering treats to friends and neighbors this year? If so, I’ve created a free Christmas printables gift tag for you hoping to make your life easier. 🙂 It is the … Read more
Have you had the Nordstrom Tomato Basil Soup? It is out of this world good…and I don’t even like tomato soup!! I found a copycat recipe a few years ago on the internet and have spent the last little while trying to work it down to something manageable…the original recipe made 128 servings!! Needless to … Read more
OK, I promised it…so here you go! Fun gift ideas for boys and men in your life. I don’t know about you guys, but I struggle with shopping for my boys sometimes. Unlike girls that can be pleased with just about anything and have a million hobbies, my boys are HARD!! I’m finally figuring out why there … Read more
Hey everyone! I got in on this deal and wanted to pass it along if you guys are crazy Christmas jammie people like we are. I’m sorry…must be the photog in me, but I can’t resist new Christmas pjs each year for Christmas morning pictures! 😉 This ends today, so you’ll have to jump on … Read more
This week we’re talking sweets with staying power. We’re talking frozen cookie dough; and not just any frozen cookie dough, but the NYC’s Momofuku Milk Bar Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow cookie dough. Homemade, pre-scooped and fabulous for gift giving! Your friends and family can make fresh baked cookies anytime they want with your beautifully prepared … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…time to shower those we love with special gifts and think of others before ourselves. There truly is something magical in giving. I love watching my kids scour the aisles for the perfect gifts for their friends, not thinking of their own wants. Sometime though, gift giving can be … Read more
Christmas is the season of celebrations and I’m always looking for a good excuse to get together and Christmas girl’s night party to celebrate with friends. If you’re looking for some Christmas girls night ideas, here’s one for you…grab some pretty wrapping paper, great appetizers and some fun girlfriends, and turn what can otherwise feel like a … Read more
In case you haven’t noticed, I love these little bottles. They are SO cute, the perfect size for drinks, super sturdy plastic (so you can wash and re-use if you want, but also don’t feel guilty throwing them away if you don’t want to wash them) that makes them great for kid’s party drinks…and my … Read more
I have to say that this is one of my family’s absolute favorites. It’s definitely not on the diet, but for a once in awhile treat it’s ok. 🙂 I discovered it last Christmas. We were having a crowd over for Christmas morning for presents and breakfast AND we needed to be a church at … Read more
I know that you are probably distracted by their amazing shoe department when you’re there, but do you ever stop by the home and gift department at Nordstrom? Well, if not, you are missing out! Just like all of their other departments with a unique assortment of products, the home and gift department is no different. They already have … Read more
How many of you are headed out black Friday shopping tonight after the Thanksgiving festivities are over? I wanted to help get you guys in the gift wrapping spirit! Here are some free Christmas gift tag printables to get you started! 🙂 This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. I like … Read more
Ever wonder how your favorite bakery frosts their cupcakes so perfectly? It isn’t as hard as you might think. You just need the right tools, equipment and technique! The tools and equipment are affordable and easy to find, and in just a few short steps I can show you how to get the professional look … Read more
I’m SO excited to introduce you all to Lidy from Hello Lidy today! Do you know her? If not, add her to your list of “must visit” blogs and social media accounts. I fell in love with this gorgeous dining room of hers and asked if I could share it here with you all…here’s a … Read more
When I hosted the Nancy Drew party for my daughter this summer, I made a quick and easy coffee filter banner. It’s super easy and would be so cute as a Christmas banner! The best part about these is that they are inexpensive, easy and can be made with just about anything. It’s all about the … Read more
Tis the season for office parties, celebratory dinners, New Years bashes and more. Sometimes it stresses me out to try and pull the perfect outfit together…so I decided that this year I am going to be more prepared! Bottom line, I have to be comfortable and feel like I’m wearing something that is “me.” Thankfully, … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…baking season!! I’m making pies this week, and next week we start on the cookies! 🙂 Do you have a favorite family cookie recipe that you make for neighbors at Christmas time? I like to make a variety of everything from chocolate chip to decorated Santa sugar cookies. … Read more
If you’ve been following the blog for awhile now, you’ve probably noticed that I LOVE pretty things and I love to entertain…but I also love to find the easiest ways to make things pretty so that I’m not a huge stress case before and during the event. I want to enjoy it too, you know! … Read more
I love pumpkin desserts…but I don’t really care for pumpkin pie. Is that funny? I’m the same way with Bananas. I LOVE banana bread, banana chips etc., but I can’t eat a regular banana…they make me gag. 😉 Weird, I know. 😉 With Thanksgiving coming up next week, I thought I’d share one of my … Read more
A few months back I was invited to team up with HomeGoods for some fun projects. It has been such a fun experience for me, and to make it even better, I have been able to get to know some super talented designers. I instantly fell in love with DIY Playbook’s style. Bridget and Casey are so talented and … Read more
With Thanksgiving on the horizon I don’t feel like cooking much. I know that I have an entire week of cooking ahead of me, so I need quick and easy recipes to save me this week. 🙂 Luckily, this recipe fits the bill. I love that I can just throw it all in a pot … Read more
The last couple of years we have headed out on a winter vacation just so that we can experience some cold weather. While we’re not sure where we’re going just quite yet, I am sure that it is going to involve at least one of these pairs of boots. 😉 For those of you that … Read more
I can’t get enough of washi tape lately. This past May I had the opportunity to visit the Anthropologie store at Chelsea Market in New York. They were doing a big Washi Tape event and had decorated most of the store (floors, walls, tables etc.) in Washi tape patterns. It was quite the sight to … Read more
If you’re anything like me, you’re not quite ready to release your firm grip on pumpkin season. Sure, Christmas is everywhere, but it’s still November and I’m dedicating this month to warm, spiced desserts! My sweet friend, Maggie, shared this recipe with me last year and it’s my go to for something delicious and autumn … Read more
I was at HomeGoods the other day and even though I “just ran in for one thing” we all know how that goes. 😉 I passed by all the fun new fall decor and couldn’t help myself. I wanted to bring a little bit more of a fall vibe into my bedroom, so I grabbed a few … Read more
I don’t know about you… but me… I grew up on the boxed stuffing mix. That was all fine and dandy when I was a kid. Then… enter marriage and new Thanksgiving traditions. Since our families lived in the same town, we went to two Thanksgiving meals for years on turkey day! That’s a lot … Read more
images via 1, 2, 3, 4 I’ve been seeing this combination pop up a lot lately and I think I’m in love. I’m a big fan of leopard and black and white…but throw in that pop of burgundy and WOW! Love that you can wear the combination just about any way you want…something to fit … Read more
This time of year I like to mix up my usual décor with a few quick, easy and inexpensive updates. One of my favorite ways to bring in new textures and colors is to grab a few new throw blankets. It’s perfect for this time of year too just as the temperatures are about to … Read more
Oh the weather outside is frightful…well at least here it is. It is STILL 90 degrees!! Ugh! I’m starting to rebel by listening to Christmas music and decorating. 😉 A bright orange box of Shutterfly happiness arrived on my doorstep this week and made it a little easier to get into the “Christmas is coming soon” … Read more
A few weeks ago my hubby and son were out for the week at a Scout Camp in the Sierras. Ash, who is totally in love with her big brother, was absolutely devastated that she was going to be separated from her best friend for a whole week. They have NEVER been apart for any … Read more
Everyone knows that everything is better with Nutella. Pair a little of this incredible chocolate hazelnut spread with puff pastry, and you’ve got a simple, rock star dessert in no time! Here are our ingredients (not pictured, one egg): Start by laying out puff pastry on a flat, lightly floured surface, and use any shape … Read more
We are so excited to have Sarah from Life on Virginia Street sharing her amazing Dining Room Make-Over with us today! You will not believe the transformation of this space! 🙂 Hello, Pink Peppermint Design readers! I’m Sarah with Life On Virginia Street. I’m an insurance executive by day and a blogger/DIYer/home decor enthusiast by night/weekend/every other … Read more
I am so happy that it is finally fall and I can legally break out the pumkin and apple recipes! (I can be a little wild and I’ve been known to make a pumpkin dessert in July just cause I can’t wait!) Ashley has been asking me to bake with her, so I thought we … Read more
It rained!! Finally! We had a cold (well, for Southern CA 😉 ) rainy weekend and it was amazing. It held off just long enough for all of the trick or treaters to do their thing, and then it poured. In hopes that there is more awesome fall weather to come, I found a super … Read more
What are you having for dinner tonight? Every Halloween I do a traditional dinner for the kids and it’s become a favorite that they look forward to each year. I know that Halloween is a super hectic day, so this is purposely easy to put together. As a matter of fact, it can all be store … Read more
When Shana of Society Sweets contacted me early in September with an idea to style a shoot to feature some of her amazing Halloween desserts, I was so excited! I typically throw a big Halloween party of some sort…either a big carnival for my neighborhood, or an adult Halloween bash…but this year I didn’t have … Read more
Have you ever made homemade caramel apples, only to have the delicious caramel slide off the apple? There are different ways to make sure that doesn’t happen, but I’ve got a secret for you that will make your life so much easier! Sandpaper. Yes, I said sandpaper. Simply run the sandpaper over the entire surface … Read more
It’s here, it’s here! I don’t know about you guys, but I LOVE Halloween. There is just so much fun surrounding it…parties, pumpkin patch trips, trunk or treats, the list goes on. I love to mix up my décor each year sometimes with a theme, adding new vignettes and of course, adding a few new … Read more
There are a few things I really crave at this time of year, and one of them is definitely Starbucks Spiced Caramel Apple Cider. Fortunately, I can save you a trip to Starbucks next time you are craving it too. 🙂 There are a few things you can keep on hand to whip this treat … Read more
Because I started out as a photographer, one of the questions I get asked most, is “What clothes look best in family pictures?” I know that there is a LOT of stress that goes into picking those outfits and pulling everything together. I just snapped some pictures of the kiddos last weekend for out Christmas … Read more
Are you a fan of daylight savings time? I love the long days during the summer months…but when it comes time to “fall back” an hour this time of year…I can’t stand it! It gets dark SO early. Like 4:30pm early. Yuck. So, to cheer myself up, I thought I’d round up my favorite sources … Read more
I LOVE Halloween! I can’t get enough of all the fun. My kids, especially my daughter, is a girl after my own heart. She loves to celebrate any and everything and is ready to start decorating as soon as school starts. So you can imagine her excitement when I broke out the fake spiders a … Read more
As Halloween quickly approaches there’s just one question you need to ask yourself. Who doesn’t love a friendly little ghost? These little darlings are easy to make, delicious on their own, and also double as the perfect topper for a cake or cupcakes. These little cuties are spooky, sweet and delicious! Enjoy! To see … Read more
I’m so excited to have been asked by Tammy to step in as a guest Blogger on this beautiful Tuesday. I absolutely adore Tammy and I’m always inspired by her creativity and ingenuity with her approach to each and every project. I look forward to all of her posts and every morning you’ll often find … Read more
Dreaming of cold weather and rain has me wanting to make some homemade soup. This is one of Ashley’s favorite dinners and a regular in our house, so I thought it was about time to share it here. It’s super easy and delicious and you know how I feel about that combination! 😉 You can … Read more
It is FINALLY starting to feel like fall around here…although I saw temps are supposed to jump back up to the 90s by the end of the week. YUCK!! These few days with some overcast skies and cooler temps I’m breaking out the fall gear! Plaid is always a favorite of mine, it just LOOKS … Read more
I can’t believe it is already almost the end of October! My poor little girl has been begging to put out more decorations than just our measly pumpkins, so this weekend, I am going to deliver! 😉 With the help of a quick trip to HomeGoods earlier this week, I put together this easy fall shelf … Read more
Can you believe that it is the middle of October already? While we’re starting to break out the pumpkin treats and look forward to Halloween parties in the next two weeks, I don’t want to freak you out, but there are only 10 weeks until Christmas!! YIKES!! So, with that in mind, I’ve rounded up five things I’m loving right … Read more
Here’s a quick and easy way to spookify your Halloween meal. Spider Ice Cubes! It’s SO simple, you can’t help but make them. All you need…an ice cube tray, water and some plastic spiders. 🙂 Fill the ice cube tray, add spiders and freeze. Serve in your favorite beverage…I liked the idea of 7up or … Read more
You don’t have to be an experienced baker to add a little style to your fall desserts! All it takes are a few extra ingredients from the store, and you’re in business! I’ve made a pumpkin spice cake with maple frosting, but a boxed cake and frosting would work beautifully here as well. After completely … Read more
Hi there! My name is Claire, and I couldn’t be more excited to be hanging out with all of you Pink Peppermint Design followers! I have a blog crush on Tammy, so you can imagine my mini freak-out when she asked me to guest post! I first discovered Tammy on Instagram and then ventured over … Read more
Fall is right around the corner and with that comes the yearning for some good ole comfort food. You know the kind that makes you want to sit on the sofa, with your legs curled under you and enjoy a bowl full of warm and satisfying… in the most delicious way… kind of food! As … Read more
While Halloween is fun, October doesn’t have to be all about spooky décor. Celebrate the season by adding pops of orange to your normal everyday décor. The best part? It can stay after the holiday is over. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites from around the web to help you get started. 🙂 … Read more
On our trip to the Pacific Northwest earlier this year, we spent a few days in Vancouver Canada. What a beautiful city! It reminded me of a nice mix of San Francisco and New York. Our first night in town we were looking for a place to eat dinner. We have a strict rule when … Read more
I’m so excited to start this new feature on the blog! Doing what I do, I spend a lot of time out and about shopping and probably double that amount of time searching for the latest and greatest on the internet. 🙂 It’s not to bad to be able to call shopping research, but … Read more
Remember that class I told you all about a Peinture Studios? Well, I’m here to share the results of that little table with you. 🙂 It took me a bit to find the perfect accessories to dress I up, but I am SO excited with the finished product. It looks so much more modern and … Read more
Are you ready?? There’s a rumor that something big might be happening around here Tuesday. 😉 Can’t wait to share!! Have a great day! tammy
Halloween is absolutely one of my favorite times of year…but costume shopping stresses me out a little. Am I crazy? I love looking through all the cute options and then I have a tough time picking…fortunately she’ll still let me give her my opinion…I know those days are limited! She is pushing a bit for … Read more
I can’t believe it’s already that time of year again…Halloween! In our neighborhood it won’t be long before the “Boo”ing begins and my kiddos are racing to the door every time the doorbell rings, hoping to catch the fun person that leaves treats on our doorstep. I love to create a little something fun each … Read more
For quite some time now I’ve been hearing all about the wonders of chalk paint. I have several older pieces around my home, that were in need of some attention…you know the kind…not cool enough to be antiques, just old and beat up. 😉 In a search for more information about this amazing paint, I … Read more
I admittedly am usually a silver fan, but lately I can’t get enough of gold! Browsing through the Anthropologie website earlier today looking for some design inspiration I came across several items that are definitely going on my Christmas list! 🙂 Here are my faves…especially that pendant lamp!! Dying! Illume Boulangerie Jar, Tall Shimmering Jacquard Curtain … Read more
I don’t now about you, but I still love good old fashioned snail mail. I’m sure it has something to do with my love of paper. Whatever the reason, I still get a little excited each day when I hear the familiar sound of the mail truck, as the anticipation of what might be waiting … Read more
We are in the middle of a crazy heat spell here in So Cal…temps hitting more than 100 degrees. YUCK! To help keep cool I’m whipping up one of my kids favorite frosty beverages. It’s super easy, tasty and colorful…what more can you ask for? Here’s what you’ll need: Prepared Kool Aid in assorted colors/flavors … Read more
Oh! I can’t believe that another summer has come and gone. Only 2 more weeks of carefree bliss and we’ll be headed back to school here in OC. I’m grateful for one thing…the chance to play catch up with all the work that has been suffering due to our crazy schedule! While it may seem … Read more
It’s always such a pleasure to work with Shutterfly, and I’m so excited for my newest project. I know it’s not necessarily typical, but my favorite part of working with their amazing products is the opportunity that it gives me to design my own line of products. It’s a total dream. Here’s a sneak peek … Read more
We are in full back to school mode here! With only a few more weeks until we start, I am gearing up for another fun year of HomeSchooling. This year we’ll have some fun kids joining us at our home to participate in a little program which will super fun…but it also means that my … Read more
I have had the pleasure of working on the e-design of a fun family room these last few weeks. I love the chance to reveal the final product to my clients. I get butterflies in the few moments before I click the “send” button. I want everything to be perfect, everyone to love their space. The emails that I get … Read more
Last week I had the pleasure of attending a #hearthgathering that was held here in Orange County. I was excited that it was being held at one of my favorite design studios/furniture stores RJ Imports. If you are in the area and need some design inspiration, head down to San Juan Capistrano and take a … Read more
Ever since I stated working with the HomeGoods pinterest program, I have been super inspired! It’s been a great motivator to get me finishing all the little projects and areas around the house I have been neglecting. (I’m sure my hubby’s not too thrilled that my inspiration has also increased his lost of to-do’s. lol! ;)) … Read more
I am having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that schools are starting across the country in the next couple of weeks! This summer has gone by SO quickly. I’m grateful that we don’t head back until September around here. I love the carefree days and no schedule…so back to school is … Read more
I’m so excited to bring you our latest product! Our new monthly Paper Pack is designed to help make your life more scheduled and organized in a cute and fun way! Available as a downloadable pack, you can print out as many sheets as you need of each Paper Pack, print out multiple calendars, charts, … Read more
I’m sure you’ve noticed an abundance of trays popping up all over your favorite home décor shops lately. You can find them in so many colors, shapes and sizes, they are a great way to dress up a coffee table or shelf, and bring in a little more personality to your space as you curate … Read more
Are you looking for a fun and different party food idea? One of the biggest hits at the Farmer’s Market Wedding was a “make your own trail mix bar.” Guests loved being able to create their own custom mix of trail mix. I created custom bags with labels that matched the rest of the wedding. … Read more
When I hosted the little hooray for summer party featuring Oh Joy for Target products, I wanted little favors for each of the girls. I had originally bought the tray liners to line the cute plastic trays that came with the collection, and then I realized that I could turn them into fun favor bags. … Read more
This month has been crazy busy! I am so excited to be embarking on THREE new design projects and they are keeping me hopping…and I LOVE it! First up is a project for a cute baseball loving tween…my sweet Andy. His room has been on the back burner for a long time, and when he heard … Read more
One thing I definitely love about the summer is the freedom I have to make a few more homemade breakfasts. Usually we are rushing to get started on daily schedules and out the door for things, but these lazy days we are able to wake up late, lay around the house, and bake and cook … Read more
I was super excited when the talented Kristen Duke contacted me to see if I wanted to join in a fun blog hop. Can I confess something? This is the FIRST time I’ve ever done something like this! You know how much I love coming up with fun little inexpensive gift ideas and printables, so … Read more
I can’t believe I haven’t shared this here yet! The newest edition of Mingle Magazine is hitting store shelves as we speak, and this wedding is a feature in the issue! It was such a fun day with so many special touches. The Farmer’s Market theme allowed for arts and crafts, a super laid back … Read more
Ah, pillows. These little squares of fluff have so much power to change a space! If you are feeling like you want a change, there is nothing like updating your space with a few inexpensive pillows to breathe some new life into your room. One of my favorite things about having neutral furnishings is the … Read more
I LOVE the 4th of July! Fireworks, Red White and Blue, a warm summer night, great food and patriotism…how could I NOT love it? Do you have a favorite Apple pie recipe? You often hear the saying “as American as Apple pie,” and really, what is more American than apple pie? It is the perfect … Read more
I was at Hobby Lobby yesterday and ran across these darling printed burlap wired ribbons. They were begging to be made into a banner, so since they were 50% off I brought them home with me. 😉 This is one of the easiest things you can make…we’re talking under 30 minutes, and it is SO … Read more
With summer days and lots of little messy hands headed our way, I decided to share this quick and easy way to help keep messes at bay! I always love finding kid’s food ideas both that make my life easier and more fun. During the summer months my little Ash has a “popsicle a day” … Read more
This Dinosaur party by Sam of Sugarlicious Parties is SO cute! I love all the wild, very “boy” props and the super cute and clever names for the dinosaur themed foods. Here’s a little bit about the party from Sam… “When my little man decided he wanted a Dinosaur Party for his 3rd Birthday, my mind … Read more
I am always on the lookout for quick, healthy meals that I can make with minimal effort. With crazy afternoons running kids to lessons and practices, I need something that quick and delicious. Today I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite recipes for chicken and rice. I got this recipe from a friend years ago … Read more
Hooray for Summer!! I don’t know about you, but I would rather have my kids home all the time and no schedule than them gone all day and have a strict schedule. (probably why I’m a homeschooler! 😉 ) Maybe I’m funny like that…but I LOVE the freedom of summer!! 🙂 We’ve been enjoying summer … Read more
I’m so excited to bring you our latest product! Our new monthly Paper Pack is designed to help make your life more scheduled and organized in a cute and fun way! 🙂 Available as a downloadable pack, you can print out as many sheets as you need of each Paper Pack, print out multiple calendars, … Read more
You’ve probably noticed that I use paper rosettes a lot. I love them!! They dress everything up from favors to walls. I love that you can make them in minutes with very few supplies and in just about any size or color you need. I thought it was about time I put up a tutorial … Read more
Pink and Mint Green. That color combo always makes me laugh. When I was 9 years old I started in the party planning business. My parents were going to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary not long after my birthday…(hello honeymoon baby!) and I talked my grandma into helping to throw them a surprise anniversary party. … Read more
You may have noticed that I love these little DIY glitter votives. I use them ALL the time in my shoots and parties. They add the perfect amount of sparkle. The best part is they are easy to make and you can make them in any color! You will need: (affiliate links provided) … Read more
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and are looking forward to a wonderful week! 🙂 I was totally excited when Shutterfly asked me if I’d like to team up again on a new project. I had so much fun creating the Graduation party for them last month that when they gave me the opportunity to … Read more
For Ashley’s baptism a few weeks ago, I wanted to try something new. I was wandering the aisles of Michaels one day and ran across these Martha Stewart Foil Transfer sheets. Have you seen them? I thought it might be neat to try so I grabbed the supplies and came home to try it out. The … Read more
Ashley from Sugar and Soirees is showing us how to put together a cute and budget friendly Mother’s Day table today. Celebrating the everyday is a must and it doesn’t have to break the bank! Today I’m thrilled to share with you a budget friendly (and still crazy beautiful) DIY Mother’s Day Table setting. I love … Read more
I’m working on getting everything ready so I can share all the details of Ashley’s Baptism and the reception we held at our home, but I just couldn’t wait to share these. They are absolutely my favorite DIY project from that day and they were SO easy! When I saw the Michael Miller fabric (the … Read more
I’m so excited to share this fun and totally girly party with you! It was too much fun to make all the individual parts, and putting it all together and seeing it come to life is always so rewarding! I feel so fortunate to have Fashion Camp close to home and I love the … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but I have been in a cooking rut lately. I am tired of all of my old recipes and always on the hunt for new fresh ideas that don’t take forever to make. Thank heavens for pinterest! 🙂 I stumbled across this recipe last week from Better Homes and … Read more
This cute little Kid’s Easter craft is a perfect DIY for even the littlest kiddos in the family. It’s a great craft for your nursery school or preschool classes too. I love that it only requires a couple of easy to find supplies (most of which you probably already have on hand) and it will … Read more
Looking for a quick and delicious treat to bring as a hostess gift or party food for an Easter egg hunt this season? These cute Easter egg hunt treats are sure to please your guests and they only take a minute to make. That is my kind of party food! If you have made our … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but I grew up in a house where eating anywhere outside of the kitchen was a big no-no. It still is as a matter of fact. When I go visit my parents I have to make sure to re-program myself to only eat at the kitchen table. Well, I’m … Read more
As a party planner I spend countless hours searching the internet for the perfect party or picture prop, party favor, creative decoration or party activity. Sometimes it is challenging to find exactly what I have dreamed up, and other times it is just WAY too expensive and out of my, or my client’s budget. Most … Read more
You know I can’t let a holiday pass without a free printable! 😉 I whipped up a little Easter printable for Easter treats, classroom parties, egg hunt party favors…you name it! 🙂 You can download the free Easter printable here: Looking for more Easter printables and ideas? You can find more of my favorites here: … Read more
Spring has finally sprung! Hopefully those of you in cold climates will soon begin to thaw out and the sight of flowers blooming and sound of birds chirping will warm your soul. 🙂 We’ve been enjoying unusually warm temperatures all winter long, which has been great…minus the severe drought conditions! 😉 We may not be able … Read more
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We’re celebrating today with one of our favorite breakfasts- rainbow pancakes. St. Patrick’s Day is an extra special day in our house because it is also Ashley’s birthday. She gets SO excited for the leprechaun to come…it has become quite a production in our house. The leprechaun trap building starts in … Read more
I’ve been working on a new project, and I am SO excited with how things are coming along! 🙂 This coffee table find at HomeGoods was almost too much for me to handle! We’ve added a few pops of color and some new fresh accessories and pillows (also from HomeGoods) and it is looking like … Read more
Growing up St. Patrick’s Day was NOT a big holiday in our house. It was more or less a day that we just made sure that we wore something green so we didn’t get pinched. Well, fast forward to today and things have changed a little in our house. 😉 Now St. Patrick’s Day is … Read more
I am a sucker for a good holiday celebration! And since I am 1/4 Irish, I count down until March, when I get to cook up as much hearty Irish food as my family can handle, decorate with way too much green, and summon mischievous leprechauns to wreak a little havoc around the house, and … Read more
I don’t know about you guys, but one of the things my kids love most about Halloween is getting “boo’ed” by our friends and neighbors. Even more fun for them is getting to actually DO the booing! They love making the treats and then waiting patiently to run them over to the doorstep, knock and … Read more
This year is flying by!! It feels like I was just prepping for New Year’s Eve festivities and now here it is March already! Here’s a little something for you just in time for St. Patty’s day. There are a couple of different files…one is a set of tags that you can punch out with … Read more
Are you ready to reel in some fun??!! I had a blast working on my boys’ birthday party this year. I think one of the main reasons I enjoyed it so much is because I teamed up with Angela of Angela Marie Events to collaborate on the styling. She brought so many creative ideas to … Read more
Here’s a quick photography trick that will add a little brightness to your party table! Whether you are taking photos indoors or out, most pictures of your party details can benefit from a little bounced light. In photography terms, “bouncing” means placing a reflective surface in the path of your light source, so it reflects … Read more
Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you are all having a wonderful day with your loved ones! 🙂 I wanted to let you all know how much I love and appreciate you! 🙂 Here’s a little present from me to you…but you need to act fast, because it’s only available today! 😉 You can download these … Read more
I love valentine’s day. All the cute, corny cards and stuff that the kids make are just too fun! I put together a little valentine party shoot with some fun things I gathered from the @target last year. Most of these things are from the dollar spot, and the melamine heart plates were over in … Read more
So excited to announce our newest contributor Laura of Laura LeAnn Photography. Her work is gorgeous and you will love her creativity! Check out her blog for more of her amazing photos and fun ideas! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and I can hardly wait! This year, make your valentines extra special by … Read more
I can’t believe how fast January has flown by! I feel like I was just prepping for New Years and now it’s February already! Wow! I have been meaning to get this photographed and up on the blog for you and it has taken me WAY longer than I planned…that’s life I guess! 😉 I … Read more
I am so excited to share the valentine’s I’ve been working on this last week. I LOVE valentines day! It is just too fun to be able to create little fun handmade gifts for your friends and family. This Totally Kool Valentine is an option for you that is super reasonably priced, peanut-free (for all … Read more
Here’s an oldie but goodie…our most popular valentine ever…pinned hundreds of thousands of times! Wow!! Yep…you read that right! 🙂 These were created using pillow boxes a little satin ribbon, a 1.5 inch circle punch, a 2 inch scallop punch and some goldfish crackers. you know, a little salty to cut through all the sweets … Read more
[pinit] Is it just me, or are cakes getting more beautiful by the day? I’m getting hungry just looking at these. There are a few cake styles trending that I love! I’m sharing a few here today. If you see one you like, check with your local bakery to see if they can make that … Read more
I’m not much of a gamer, but thanks to my kids I am now a HUGE fan of Candy Crush. When I first saw this awesome Candy Crush themed party by Mona of Lush Parties, I knew I had to share it here! 🙂 The colors and fabulous details on all of the sweets are … Read more
If you’ve been following me for a while, then you know that I LOVE making valentines!! 🙂 Each year I get such a kick out of coming up with something that is handmade and has a cute or corny saying. I start thinking of these things in about November and jot ideas down as I … Read more
The theme of this party was based off of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but we changed it to Breakfast at Lola’s (the birthday girls name). Instead of going with the traditional accent color of silver we did everything in GOLD. – The children’s tables were set up as a Kings Table on little mini 6 fts and … Read more
I was so excited when one of my best girlfriends told me her three-year-old requested a donut theme for his birthday party. Donuts… who doesn’t love donuts! We decided on Lane’s donut shop with a vintage flair. As guests arrived Saturday morning, everyone received their own apron and personalized donut hat. Lane served up lots … Read more
Ok, admit it…how many of you are fans of ABC’s The Bachelor or The Bachelorette? With the number of seasons that it’s been running…I’m pretty sure there are a lot of you out there!! 🙂 With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching and the premiere of The Bachelor featuring the much talked about Juan Pablo, I couldn’t … Read more
I’m working on a project and wanted to share a quick and easy idea for upcoming valentine parties, weddings, or any other fun event! These are super simple and take about 5 minutes to make a dozen. Here’s what you’ll need: Brownie Bites (you can use homemade or I purchased mine at Coscto) White frosting … Read more
I hope that you all have a wonderful evening and happy healthy new year! 🙂 xoxo- tammy
Only one more day until my top secret cold and frosty shoot. 🙂 I’ve been working on a few treats around here and wanted to share. Here’s a super easy, inexpensive (and pretty cute I think) treat that you can make in minutes and is sure to be a big hit! 🙂 What you’ll need: … Read more
It is finally starting to cool down around here. Today is the first day that it has been overcast, a little drizzly and less than 75 degrees. I’m loving it!! 🙂 It’s the perfect weather for my upcoming shoot, celebrating all things cold. 🙂 To get in the spirit, I created this easy, cute … Read more
These DIY Turkey cookies are always a hit for Thanksgiving. My kids love to get a couple of friends together and make them. They turn out so cute too. Each one has it’s own personality. 🙂 Here’s what you’ll need: mini reeses peanut butter cups oreos…double stuff are the best whoppers candy corn (5 or … Read more
I have been wanting to do this for a LONG time. The black paint has been sitting in the garage calling my name, but I was afraid!!! 🙂 Last year when we had some stuff done to the house, I had Ash’s room wainscotted and painted pink and white. I LOVE it…but it has been … Read more
I was sifting through old posts today and I reaized that I never posted this party!! I can’t believe it! It was SUCH a fun one to put together. When little G’s momma hired me to put something together for his first birthday, there was one requirement…that it had to do with puppies!! Little G … Read more
I LOVE Halloween. This year I’ve been a little bit of a slacker so far as far as decorating goes, but last year…I had some fun! 🙂 I threw a little shin-dig (more about that later 😉 ) and I wanted to do something really special…a show stopping feature. I decided on a Haunted Hospital theme … Read more
I ran across this darling Monster Mash party and had to share! The colors are so bright and fun, and with it being October, the Monster theme is extra fun! 🙂 Rachel and Victoria are so talented. Be sure to check out their blog for more fabulous ideas! 🙂 enjoy! tammy
Can I just tell you how excited I am that Ding Dongs are back??!! I thought of this little idea last year, and no joke, within a week…Hostess announced they were closing down and Ding Dongs would be no more. I couldn’t believe my luck! Well, now after patiently waiting…they are back! Not in … Read more
These are such a quick and easy party snack and they are super cute to boot! They would work perfectly for just about any birthday party, Disney Monster’s Inc. Movie Party, or a Halloween party. Make them in any combination of colors to fit your theme. Here’s what you’ll need and the simple instructions to … Read more
You can’t have a great party without sweets, right? When I first surveyed the property at The Homestead at Bridle Creek looking for the perfect locations for each set-up, I found this pumpkin patch and KNEW I had to use it for the dessert shots. The pops of orange were too perfect against the black … Read more
So many of the great Halloween items that Pottery Barn has out this year are skeleton related. When I thought of putting together a dinner party, the theme of “bon appetit” with a little twist to “Bone Appetit” to make it spookier, just seemed too perfect. Adding in some of the awesome bug themed products they … Read more
On a recent trip to South Coast Plaza, I couldn’t help but linger at the windows of Pottery Barn with their beautiful displays, showing off the gorgeous offerings from their towering two story shop. I LOVE to walk in and browse for design and decorating ideas, and feel like, even if just for a moment, that I am living … Read more
I can’t believe it’s almost October already! I have been in Halloween mode for a few weeks now as I prepped for one of my favorite styled shoots of my career. So, I thought since the Bugs and Kisses tags have been so popular, it’s time for a 2013 Free Halloween Printable! 🙂 This is a … Read more
I love to photograph beautiful things. I think that’s really why I started creating parties. I was a photographer, and then I needed pretty things to shoot! 🙂 While I don’t shoot much in the way of family pictures anymore, I do REALLY enjoy setting up fun, styled shoots for special occasions. This week I … Read more
This summer has been so much fun. While I’m sad that the kids are getting older and I’m missing those little baby stages, it’s also fun to have kids that are getting old enough to participate in fun things like art camp! 🙂 A cute friend of mine who also has a little girl that … Read more
We are HUGE Disney fans at our house. I’m sure living minutes away from the Happiest Place on Earth doesn’t hurt, but with the amount of time that my kids spend watching The Disney Channel, I’m sure they would be huge fans anyways! I am always looking for a reason to throw a party, … Read more
Oh, I am so excited to show you this party!! I can’t wait…so here’s a sneak peek! 🙂 Lots more pictures and info coming on how you can create this darling party AND stay within your budget! 🙂 Have a great day! Tammy
Are you looking for a show-stopping idea for your 4th of July party this year? These layered drinks are incredible looking and easy as can be to make. It is absolutely as simple as pouring three pre-made, store bought drinks into a container or glass. Think you can handle it? 😉 Isn’t that cool? This … Read more
Just in time for all those 4th of July bbq’s I made a little 4th of July printable pennant banner for you! 🙂 It will go with all your 4th of July décor. 🙂 You can print it on your home computer, or take it to your favorite office supply store and have them print … Read more
There is something that is just so absolutely fun about all the bold, bright colors of the rainbow. You just can’t help but be happy! 🙂 I was able to create a new fun printable party set for this rainbow party for a darling little girl. It was SUCH a cute party! Here are all … Read more
I am so excited to share another party by the talented Kelly Allison! This adorable rainbow butterfly birthday party has so many great beautiful and budget friendly ideas I don’t even know where to start! Here are a few of my favorites: -Colored water in jars with a single white stem in each. So eye … Read more
This is a little party I threw for my Eloise crazed daughter a bit ago. Looking back at the pictures reminded me of what a crazy week we had at our house that week with pipes busting, contractors, plumbers etc running through the house, pouring rain all week, and trying to put the finishing touched on the … Read more
With summer just around the corner I am so excited to share this amazing Jaws party by the fabulous team over at Hello My Sweet. These adorable pictures make me want to host a movie night at the beach and show Jaws, complete with this fabulous spread! Enjoy the eye candy here. So many fun … Read more
One of my favorite client parties was a baby shower I put together for little Sloane. I love it when clients trust me enough to give me simple direction…in this case…minimal pink and not too frilly…and then give me the rights to let my imagination run wild and create something fun for them. Here’s what … Read more
You all know I’m not usually crazy about Disney character parties, but I may have to change my mind after running across this ADORABLE party by Andrea over at Where the Green Grass Grows Designs. I ran across her absolutely darling Dumbo party on one of my web searches and fell in LOVE. The cake, … Read more
I get such a kick out of creating fun, easy and free teacher appreciation ideas. Here is another gift idea for you for next week. I created these initially as beginning of the year teacher gifts, and then got an email from a fun reader, Megan, asking me to tweak it a bit for end … Read more
It’s that time again! I LOVE Memorial Day, Flag Day, the 4th of July…EVERYTHING patriotic! I am always looking for patriotic party ideas. Red White and Blue is just such a stellar color combination, it just makes any party supplies and party food look fun. Here’s a SUPER easy and budget friendly DIY treat that … Read more
I’m so excited to share our next party in out Get the Look series! I hope these ideas are making it easy for you to create your own beautiful and budget friendly parties at home! 🙂 Introducing “Ice Cream Shoppe” This is such a fun and girly party! Lime green, sky blue, bright pink, and … Read more
I’ve been busy working on a new “Get the Look” party for you. The shoot is complete…just editing and putting it together for you. Tutorials for pom-pom garlands, mini ice cream cone treats, and covered ice cream cones coming soon..stay tuned for more pictures next week! 🙂 Until then, here’s a little sneak peek…
In my never ending hunt for amazing parties, I stumbled across Kelly. I’m always excited when I find photographers that love to party…because I know they are all about the pictures just like me! 🙂 She is SO talented!!! I had to ask her if I could share a number of her parties because I couldn’t … Read more
Looking for a cute and easy gift for the crafty women in your life this Mother’s Day? You can make this fun and easy gift in a matter of minutes and there’s a free printable Mother’s Day tag to go with it! If you don’t want to make the DIY sewing jar, head to your … Read more
Happy Teacher Appreciation week! 🙂 Here’s a round up of all the free Teacher Appreciation Week ideas I have for you. I have tried to create cute and easy tags and ideas that can be used in conjunction with a variety of different products and that allow you to attach gift cards to them in … Read more
These are the cutest little gumball machines that you can use as both decorations and party favors at your next birthday bash. If your kids are anything like mine, they will LOVE these to take home because they are gum fanatics!! 🙂 The great thing is you can make these in any size. Just like … Read more
The simplicity and clean lines of this party by Leanne of Sweet Style in Australia, really caught my eye. I love that it is a party idea that can be used for boys or girls. These pictures obviously show a girl version with the pink, but you could easily mix in a blue with the red in … Read more
Ashley has just recently taken a liking to sewing. She loves to get out her sewing machine and try out different stitches and create. When I was trying to figure out what to do for her birthday I found this adorable party by Pure Joy Events and emailed Christine to see if she would let … Read more
This little DIY cookie jar is so cute, easy and inexpensive to make! They are the perfect thing for your next cookie exchange, cookies and milk baby shower or birthday party (how cute would they be in favor size??) and even as a gift. You will need the following: -a round jar/vase in any size … Read more
You can make this adorable cookie jar in minutes with a few supplies and then attach this free teacher appreciation printable to it. They are super simple and cute and have so many uses for parties and favors too! I have made this one in a larger size to hold actual cookies, but you could … Read more
I LOVE Easter!!! I think it’s the fact that it really signifies spring is here and summer is on the horizon. The fun bright colors, the pretty frilly dresses…LOVE it! 🙂 I styled a little Easter party earlier this month for an upcoming Easter Egg Hunt party. Here’s a peek… I am absolutely in love … Read more
I can’t believe it’s already that time again! Teacher Appreciation week is right around the corner and have no fear…I’ve got you covered! 🙂 I’ve been working on a new end of the year teacher printable and some fun ideas. Here is the first of this year’s freebies. I hope you like it! If you … Read more
Birthdays are so fun! I have spent many years planning birthday parties for friends, family and clients. Most are usually very “theme-y” (yes, that’s a word 😉 ) which is fun, but sometimes you don’t want or need a theme. That’s why I decded to create this generic “celebrate” party. It is SO versatile! You … Read more
I can’t believe that it is already the time of year again for Teacher Appreciation week! This year feels like it has flown by. The older my kids get the faster I feel like time is slipping away! I created a few free teacher appreciation printables last year, you may have seen this one … Read more
Looking for a fun DIY Beach Party decoration? Look no further! Ashley’s pink beach birthday party would not have been complete without a sandcastle. The trick was finding a way to create one with no sand. 😉 When I was dreaming up ideas for this party and the activities I would have the kids do, … Read more
Welcome back to Beach Party Week!! 🙂 When it comes to decorating for a party, I am an equal opportunity shopper. 🙂 I look EVERYWHERE. The internet for sure, but also party city, big lots, stein mart, homegoods (of course), cost plus, pier one, marshalls, Tai Pan, Hobby Lobby, Kohl’s, Michaels, JoAnns, Walmart, Target, antique … Read more
I am SO excited to finally share this party here on the blog. It has been a long time coming! 🙂 Three months to be exact!! 🙂 I decided that I would dedicate this almost first week of summer to all the fun details of this party. Starting about December I kept asking Ashley … Read more
I saw this idea in one of my many web searches and wanted to share it here for all of you. It is such a fun idea for your next party! Kids LOVE piñatas! Wouldn’t it be fun if they each got to take home their own? with all the amazing balloons on the market … Read more
Easter is almost here and nothing screams Easter more than some chocolate bunnies. Have you ever used candy melts or candy molds before? I tried using them a bit ago for a birthday party and guys…they are SO easy! I thought it would be fun to share some DIY Easter party food ideas and so … Read more
The Mario Brothers sure make for a popular party!! Did you know that it is one of the most searched terms on the internet when it comes to parties?? WOW!! I’ve been meaning to put a little something together for those of you that are looking for a few party styling ideas for your next … Read more
Here’s another quick valentine. This can be used for friends, teachers, neighbors etc. Enjoy! tammy
Here’s another fun and easy idea for you. 🙂 If you haven’t checked out the bakery department at Walmart you are missing out! They have so many fun little desserts that you can’t find anywhere else. Like these little pies for instance..and to top it off…they are 50cents each. Yep, you read that right…50 cents. … Read more
I am so excited that I finally figured out imovie!! 🙂 I have been wanting to start posting more how-to videos for you all, but I have been a slacker in getting going with all the movie editing stuff. 😉 Not that i edit a ton…it’s just putting it all together that has me a … Read more
I can’t believe that I’m already working on valentines! These years go by SO fast! Here’s what I’m working on for Ashley’s valentines this year…and I have made them to share! 🙂 Theyare SUPER easy to put together. You just put a fortune cookie in each box, cut up a strip of the pink and … Read more
Ok, here’s another one for you! 🙂 How about some angry birds? Only they aren’t so angry here. 😉 You can make this valentine quickly and easily with the following supplies: Clear 3 inch boxes (available here) Baker’s Twine (available here) Angry Bird Graham Crackers (available at your grocery store/target or walmart) and these free … Read more
How about another free printable y’all?? 😉 I hope you are having a merry start to your Christmas season! Here’s a little something that makes a GREAT teacher gift, neighbor gift, friends gift, etc. These take out boxes are filled with a (at for $1 a bag) and jolly ranchers…hence the Holly Jolly Christmas tags. … Read more
Happy Monday! Ok, so I know this might be a little bit early, but I couldn’t resist!! Let’s face it, I LOVE Thanksgiving, but we’re all secretly looking forward to Black Friday and the start of the Christmas rush, aren’t we?? 😉 The Halloween version of this was SO popular…(like 100,000+ downloads popular)…I thought I … Read more
Ok, here it is! 🙂 I know I told those of you that follow me over on Facebook that I would come up with a free printable for this darling sign I saw…so here you go! 🙂 This is an 8×10 size, and once again I made it black and white so that even those … Read more
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! It was beautiful here–record setting temps in the 80’s so I enjoyed some spring cleaning and opening up all the windows and doors to let the sunshine in!! 🙂 I also worked on a little party collection. For Ashley’s birthday this year we’re doing a … Read more
I never thought that I would have a little boy that was so in love with Star Wars. Is is just me, or is Star Wars a much bigger deal now than it was when we were little? It seems like every little boy goes through a Star Wars phase now. Of course the boy … Read more
