I wanted to do a follow up from my last post "How I Survive Whole-30 and Paleo" with my weekly family meal prep. I do not make separate meals for myself from what I make for my family. I DO make a few tweaks to what I eat from the meal, but the basis of the meal stays the same. The BIG key to surviving Whole-30 and a Paleo lifestyle is a little preparation. And actually how to survive the "hangry" part of the day for the entire family. For two weeks in a row I carved out some time at the start of the week to prep some meals to feed us for the entire week. Dinner time can be the most ... Read More
Friday Favorites starts with Chandeliers
I am SO excited for this weekend. I mentioned in a different post that my husband travels for work in February. THIS Sunday he comes home from his last long trip! So let the home projects start back up again, just kidding...well kind of. So I have a quick Friday Favorites for you and it starts with some chandeliers. Thanks for all your feedback and thoughts on shiplap from my last post. I am thinking chandeliers now for my kitchen and contemplating changing out the chandelier (we have #4 on the list below) for something a little different. Below are some of my favorites, they are all ... Read More
Is shiplap a fad? Or here to stay?
I shared on THIS blog post that we are adding banquette seating to our kitchen. Unfortunately it has not been started....yet. I got a bid from our handy man who hung our track door, front door and installed wallpaper on Finn's ceiling. I also got a bid from a referral from someone who actually read my banquette seating post and his bid was three times the price of our handy mans bid! I got another bid just because our handy man is about a few more weeks out before he can start and I was getting anxious to get it going. But I can TOTALLY wait to save $1800. While I wait I have had time to ... Read More
Maximize every inch in your small kitchen
Hello! I have been asked a handful of times- "what is on the other side of your fridge?" No? You haven't asked that? Well I am going to tell you, I am sure you are totally interested now. It is actually one of the hardest 2'x2' working spots in our home. It really is all about maximizing every inch in a small kitchen, actually a small home for that matter. First I wanted to show you what inspired this space in our kitchen. I found THIS photo from Country Living Magazine. This home has a small kitchen too and a small home actually. I wish I had room for a little desk ... Read More
Friday Favorites starts with my Home Tour
This week has flown by, with kids getting out early and today being a day off from school. I have been kind of in a funk lately. I think we are all our worst critics, it really is sad. Lately I want to change everything in our house. Then I self reflect and think do I just feel that way because I am a designer/blogger who is exposed to too much? I went to someones house last week and oh man it was BEYOND cute. Like I would move right in and be happy. It was big, new, white, on the beach, lots of ship lap, lots of charm. It put me in a mood after seeing it. I finally snapped out of it- but it ... Read More
Kitchen Details- What we keep on our kitchen counters
I just read that to be organized you "don't have to hide everything away." That is so true- having a few things handy out on our kitchen counters has been a huge time saver! Just find the best looking version of what you want out! I change what is on our kitchen counters about daily. Sometimes it is a little tweek here or there and other times it is a complete overhaul. A few things always stay. I took a couple of quick pics this past Sunday after my hubby gave me my Valentines presents because well he knows my favorite place to shop and knows my favorite place in the house to buy me something ... Read More
Bookcase styling and a Blunt Facebook Comment
A fellow blogger shared the below picture on her Facebook page that has a lot of followers. It was super nice of her to share it and direct her followers to my Summer Home Tour on my blog. The post did have a lot of kind comments and likes, but of course I notice the one not so kind comment. I don't know why some people on Facebook or I guess in general, (but Facebook seems to attract the boldest people) that feel they can just say whatever they want- even if it is negative. It takes so much energy and effort to say something negative, I don't get it. I hear it from other blogger friends too, ... Read More
Friday Favorites starts with Turkish Dish Towels
I have been making THIS bread about every other day. Last week I prayed for inspiration for who to take the homemade bread to, someone who needed a boost. My prayers were answered and I took it along with a simple dinner to a family in my church. I don't share that to boast, I know there are so many of you doing the same thing every single day. I share that because sometimes we need a reminder to ask God for that direction and also be willing to let others serve YOU! My girls love the bread so we keep a loaf every once in awhile. I like to wrap the freshly baked bread in a tea towel ... Read More
Valentine Day Cookie Exchange- Winner-Swedish Cream Wafers
For 15 years I worked in the same design store. I started when I was 15, I roller bladed to the interview and got the job (I will save the rest of the story for another time). For years we did the same thing on Valentines. We would have a cookie exchange. With a group of talented, creative designers you know it was a good cookie exchange. We had the added pressure of knowing our cookies would be judged by our warehouse moving guys. They were such fun judges- they would come up with awards for everyone, like- "crunchiest" "best packaging" "most unique" so everyone went home winners. But not ... Read More
How to pick the Right Pillows
I just got some new pillows in our family room and I love them! I thought it would be a good time to share my tips for picking the right size pillows for your sofa. I have talked about this before, over a year ago and I know one person did see it because when I went to my friends house this past summer I totally noticed her pillows were on point, she said because she read my pillow tips. I switch my pillows out probably more than the average person. I always keep the inserts and I will give away the casing or sell them if they cost a lot. I do have a set of pillows that I keep- they are just ... Read More