Tammy 
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
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
You may have heard me mention it here before a time or two ;), but I am a So Cal girl through and through. I was born and raised in San Diego and then transplanted to south Orange County 20 years ago when I got married and started my own family. I remember the day … 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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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’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
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 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
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
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
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
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 tacos, cold drinks and colorful decor! I whipped up a little something … 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 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
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! Ash had already decided last year that it was her last year trick or treating, so fortunately she won’t feel like she’s missing out on much even … 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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’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
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
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
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
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 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
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
If you are thinking about a family trip to Venice, Italy this year, look no further for a fabulous hotel. The JW Marriott Venice Italy located on Isola delle Rose Venezia is amazing! 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
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 few of my favorite recipes for delicious salads happens to be from Nordstrom Cafe. In Orange County, my local Nordstrom is about a 5 minute drive and 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 … 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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