Anyone love summer break with kids, but also get a little scared? I am serious. I get scared that they will be standing around me asking what to do next or me reminding them constantly to read, practice math and all the other things that kids need to do to keep their brain active! I love when everyone feels productive and knows the plan. We enjoy getting out and doing active things. BUT I believe there are things that kids need to take ownership of daily. Just like adults. This will help them to feel empowered. It is also a leveraging tool to say "we can't go do an activity until you list ... Read More
Organized and Well Nested Home and Printable- Organizing Challenge
I am very excited to start an organizing challenge with all of you! Personally I just went through the steps to get to an Organized Well Nested Home. After completing all of our organizing and decluttering I thought I really could have used a check list! Or someone holding me accountable. Kevin was actually helpful when I would tell him that I need to work on the basement, he would say "just go do it! I kept talking about it and saying how overwhelming it was. So he would go to the basement with me and work. Most of it I could only sort through. But enlisting a partner, kids, a friend, parent ... Read More
Friday Favorites starts with Shed Magic Light Trick and STRAWBERRY TRICK
I am so thankful for your encouraging words on the shed makeover. Just by taking the time to appreciate not the design, but notice the hard work that goes into something is really a gift so many of you posses. You know it makes you a DAY-MAKER! And if there is something to strive to be it is that! My entire blog and life is about NOT striving for perfection. It is about doing it better than before. If you are working on a project and you have done all the research, created a design board, found an inspiration picture. Go for it! Don't over think it. And most importantly don't compare or ... Read More
$200 Black Shed Exterior Makeover
Kevin had a couple days off this week, the kids are still in school so we couldn't go anywhere fun. In the back of my mind was a FUN project. Always. A little shed makeover! And the way Kevin works it took a day, it would have been less if we didn't have kids and other things going on. I took a poll on Instagram asking what color we should paint the shed, either black or white. The entire time I had wanted to do black. But then I thought....hmmmm maybe white would be better to match our house. You want to know what everyone voted for?? It was basically SPLIT in half! And I just want to preface ... Read More
Five Must-Do’s to your Home for Summer!
Do you make seasonal changes to your home? Making seasonal changes does not mean bringing up a tote from the basement of seasonal decor. It actually could mean the opposite, especially in the summer. Taking things away. For me it does. I put away all the heavy throw blankets and the fuzzy wool pillows (that I LOVE so much). Spring is still chilly for us in Connecticut, so the real changes come about June. I have heard of people removing rugs in the summer for a more drastic change. Besides putting away the heavy throws and wool pillows I move things around, just changing art from one nail ... Read More
Friday Favorites starts with Why and Before and Afters
Friday Favorites with some amazing Before and Afters from some of YOU! The kitchen makeovers, painted cement steps and more just had to be shared! I love seeing what you are up to and possibly what I inspired you to do or try. It makes me so energized! Don't you get like that? We rode our bikes to the beach the other night and I saw someone working on their slats under their deck and I was like, YES! We can totally do ours. Yesterday I shared our Small Space Living Organizing Hacks. I get so many great questions from you that always inspire my next blog post or what to share with you. A ... Read More
Small Space Living Series- Organizing Hacks in Our 1200 Square Foot Home
Today I am finally sharing our home for the Small SpaceLiving Series! All of our organizing hacks and ideas. I took a video of all of the places we keep our stuff, so make sure to watch that at the end of this post so you can see our basement too...where the laundry is. I am warning you now, it is basic. I really don't want to do anything fancy to it, my goal would actually have it be almost empty besides the necessities and extra water! We try our hardest to keep it clean and organized because if it isn't it takes up space in my brain. Anyone else like that? Let's get right after it and ... Read More
Backyard Patio- Outdoor Furniture for Small Spaces
I recently helped some friends of mine (Jess and Scott) who live around the corner from us with picking furniture for their backyard. They have a really nice cape similar to ours, but it has a little addition on the back, thus leaving their backyard patio area on the smaller side. When you look at the before photos you wouldn't think you would be able to fit much but after measuring and drawing it out we were able to create a nice cozy seating area with a fire pit! I made a quick design board for them, I don't like to suggest furniture unless a design board is created. And I don't think anyone ... Read More
Friday Favorites starts with Father’s Day Gift Guide
Little late on my Friday Favorites. I made a commitment to myself to do a Friday Favorites every week for a year and I do not want to miss one. There are some fun things I want to share with you for this week. I had someone do a hand drawing of our new exterior! I LOVE it. Such a wonderful unique gift. A custom painting of the exterior of your home would make a great Father's Day Gift! Something very unique and thoughtful. Or of your childhood home for your Father. I had a couple days with low energy and Finn felt a little harder than normal (2 year olds!) I decided to just let it go ... Read More
Small Space Living Series- Mini Series with TWO Kitchens
I have two Small Space Living Mini-Series features for you! We are talking about kitchens. You may not have a small home but you could have a small kitchen. Or you could have a great kitchen and no pantry. These two kitchens just might inspire you like they did me! I believe you can love your kitchen, no matter the size. It can be organized and look gorgeous! It can be functional and stylish. Both of the kitchens are examples of that. First-up is my friend Annie from Most Lovely Things. I shared her home HERE on my blog. While I was there I took pictures of the "behind the scenes" ... Read More