Gearing up for Spring Break this coming week and thinking how I will entertain my children?! Seeing that it really won’t be “Spring Weather” more rain in the forecast and closer to 40-50 degrees. If you have any great ideas, please help a friend out! Did I tell you I ordered a big play-set for the kids for an Easter gift? I am hopeful it will arrive and be installed this coming week but it is looking more like the following. I think tomorrow we will head into NYC to the Children’s Art Museum and go somewhere fun to eat. Love to hear what you are up to! For my Friday Favorites I have some “Simple” ideas for you! Simple pillow change, simple curb appeal and other simple Favorites.
Simple Sofa Change-
I was playing around with the pillows on our sofa in our front room and decided to take the back cushions off and make it just a pillow-back sofa! I felt like I was constantly fluffing the back cushions and Finn kept standing on them. I know, he CAN still stand on the throw pillows. But the back cushions don’t fluff up as easily so he was damaging them. We will try this for now. The pillows I have are 24″ with down inserts. Actually one of them isn’t down and it is driving me bonkers! I am going to go to Ikea today to grab a couple of the 26″ down inserts for a few pillows I have. (White Pillow HERE // Gray Pillow HERE // Pink Rug Pillow IKEA sold in stores only).
Simple Secretary Desk-
Unfortunately my Secretary Desk is discontinued. One of may readers asked about it to Target and they said it is coming back. I really love the size and storage it offers. I have gotten a lot of requests to share other options so here you go! Some are on sale and some are just a great value.
#1- Pottery Barn Shorter Secretary
#2- Pottery Barn Secretary Desk I like the hardware on this piece and all the compartments!
#3- Home Depot Beadboard Secretary Desk
#4- Secretary Desk with Cubbies I LOVE all the cubbies and this one is a really good price! It has file storage too.
#5- Gray Secretary Desk This one is the least expensive at $149! You could really add some character to it with new hardware even spray painting what is there gold!
A few other (simple) Favorites from the week-
- I will be sharing our bathroom remodel this coming week! I have showed you the shower curtain I got. I found THIS one for half the price and it comes in gray and blush.
- Ordered THESE shoes for summer! Really great deal. I had some similar last year and wore them out! Happy to find a replacement.
- I am working on a fun blog post about curb appeal that won’t be out until May. I came across THIS Brass Rain Chain. I am dreaming where I could use one.
- My favorite little outdoor settee is on SALE until tomorrow! Find it HERE I have it and my friend does too!
- Stopped by our local book store and snapped a picture of the “Lifestyle Best Selling Books”. I downloaded “Make Your Bed” on Audible because a few of you recommended it over on Instagram. It is good so far. I think I will listen to “Designing Your Life” next. Have you read or listened to any of these? I have listened to #3 and liked it.
Favorite (simple) Nester Share! (something I inspired you to do or from our FB Group)
- Erika shared this in Nesting with Grace FB Group (you just have to be an email subscriber to join)- “A fellow nester, Emily, suggested I get a carriage kit for my garage (found one on Amazon HERE), and dang, she was spot on! I had NO IDEA these things existed, especially affordably, so I really love this group for all the great ideas! I also ordered THESE faux window magnets – sure, they look fake up real close, but from the street, they look truly realistic! Believe it or not this was a $85 transformation (you could even find cheaper kits than that) and it all took about 5 minutes! Yes! 5 minutes! I can’t wait to swap out our light fixtures for black ones, power wash the cement walkway, and plant some pretty plants in my new planters (it snowed here yesterday lol) – we’re on our way to curb appeal though!”
I LOVED this simple update! I had never heard of this before. Instant SIMPLE curb appeal. Also she painted her door black, added a wreath with fun ribbon, and THIS “Hope you like Cats” doormat. (I just ordered it for my mom for mothers day! I don’t think she reads my blog. haha).
Keep it simple. Don’t over think it…just TRY it!
Wishing you a lovely SIMPLE weekend.
Do you know where she got the black and white outdoor rug???
Here- https://rstyle.me/n/c25pfqb5qwf
yes! HERE- https://rstyle.me/n/c25pfqb5qwf
Love everything about your blog! where did you get your sofa? Is it comfy? Thanks!!
Thank you! It is very comfy! You can find it here-
https://rstyle.me/~9Hiyg
Hi Brooke – here are some suggestions for April vacation:
Have you discovered letterboxing? My son loved doing this when he was younger – it was like a treasure hunt. Letterboxing started in England, and CT has more letter boxes than any other state as a naval family had been stationed in England and brought it back with them to the New London area. Clues are found at letterboxing.org website.
The Roger Williams zoo just south of Providence is excellent.
Making plaster casts of the dinosaur tracks in Rocky Hill.
Staying overnight at an inexpensive hotel that has an indoor swimming pool.
Springfield, MA museums, which include statues of Dr. Seuss characters and the Basketball Hall of Fame.
I’m hoping winter is finally finished in the Northeast 🙂
You are AWESOME!!! Thank you so much for all of this, I have not heard of Letterboxing! OR the Dinosaur tracks. Well all of it. Thanks Libby!
There is a good book called something like Family Fun in CT or Fun with Kids in CT that I had (my “baby” is 21!). It had lots of good day trip ideas with themes: history, outdoors, etc. Not sure if it was updated and still available. You might already know this, but most of the libraries in CT have membership passes to different museums.
Another idea is making presents for mother’s day for grandmothers. One year we made umbrellas with kid hand prints on them using fabric paint. Messy…..but recipients loved the gifts.
Have a great staycation! Possible snow in the forecast for tonight….Nooooooooo!