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Our home is ready for Christmas! I mentioned on Instagram that I was scaling back and I promise I did. ha! I left several bins upstairs and let the girls decorate their own rooms. I barely touched either entry, the playroom (basically storage), the exterior (Joe put up lights but the porch remains unfinished) or the kitchen. But I love how it all turned out! Here's what made it out of the attic and I must say, our home feels really good and festive right now. ♥

Outerwear makes a great gift and this is the time of year to grab it! Come January, it'll be all sold out. And if you're like me, you love to have options when it comes to coats and jackets-  different styles, lengths, thickness, and colors. And don't get me started on accessories. I love boots, hats, scarves- all of it! Why did we move south again? I found so many cute options at Walmart and I could not believe the prices! I love that Walmart makes it easy to look hawt while staying warm (see what I did there) and all at a price that's easy on the budget. There's no way I could choose only one so I did a try-on with a few pretty jackets  (2 of the 3 are totally suitable for teens), boots- one pair as low as $18!- and hats. From fair isle to cable knit, to trapper...They're all so cute and ring in under $13! Here's what I found and how I styled it:

So that you have them all in one place, here are 2023's gift guides (plus 2 bonus guides- Stocking Stuffers + Gifts under $20 and Cozy Blankets at every price!). Here are gift ideas for everyone on your list! Wrap it up! See what I did there?

My friends over on Instagram overwhelmingly voted spouses the hardest to shop for and I agree! Whether he's the type that wants for nothing or literally wants nothing, it can be a challenge to find that clever gift that makes your spouse go "How did you know?!" But I got you- there's something on this list for everyone- the runner, the outdoor chef, the indoor chef, the bourbon collector...well let's get to it! Here are 2023's gift ideas for him!

 

 

I love to put this one together- Dax is fun, adventurous, and creative so I always get his input and add things he has or wants. Here's 2023's gift guide for boys or tweens depending on the item! Oh and of course girls would like things on this list too! Ok, here are some fun, inexpensive, and educational gift ideas for boys!

Usually this is the easiest list for me but for some reason I had to dig deep! I researched some top gifts but also thought about the things I have and love and the things I'd love to have and here's what I came up with- Here are 2023's gift ideas for her!

Every teen boy mom I've chatted about gifts with has said the same thing- teen boys are so hard to shop for! My girlfriend said it best "He probably wants 6 gift boxes with $100 in each of them." Ha! I mean that's not a bad idea but if you want to have a little more fun than that (and spend a little less) check out my gift guide for teen boys!

 

Well if this wasn't a labor of love, I don't know what is. ♥ Genevieve moved out of the girls' shared room 2 years ago and I'm finally finished creating a space for Nadia that's all her own. She requested something light and bright, "preppy" (the new preppy- IYKYK), and specifically said she didn't want it to be boho. Guys the boho pull is strong with this one (me. It's strong with me), so this was a tough ask. I made some missteps along the way and to be completely transparent, some I'm only 'seeing' after pulling it all together and photographing it... but in the end, she walked in and said "Mom, I love it." So that's enough. Reminder (one that I got from a friend yesterday) that homes are to "serve and nurture our families first, aesthetics are secondary." Ok, enough disclaimers. Here goes!

Listen, I know it feels like Christmas is upon us but let me give you permission to take a deep breath and observe Halloween and Thanksgiving first. (I'm also taking that breath haha). This year we leaned into Halloween by saying YES to hosting a Halloween/fall party for my 13-year-old and a few of her friends. Walmart made it easy to decorate our home and keep hosting budge-friendly, fun, and stress-free. Here are my tips for easy Halloween hosting on a budget! PS- even if you're not having a formal party, simply providing snacks and adding a few spooky candles before trick or treating (or any time in October really) levels up the holiday! Here are those tips:

I prefer subtle fall decor (ie you'll find just a pumpkin or two in my home). In that vein, I also prefer preserved floral, grasses, or twigs to faux flowers but sometimes it's hard to maintain preserved stems season after season. A few I'd stored lived their best lives and it was time to replace them. Here are the few stems I grabbed plus 6 more, starting at just $15. And here are some ideas to style faux fall stems!

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post!

Faux leather is TRENDING and Walmart is nailing it. I put together 4 looks with vegan leather from their fall drop and love them all! They're so fun and priced well. Oh and the jeans just had a restock but at under $35 will go fast! But I'm getting ahead of myself- keep reading to see looks featuring vegan leather from Time &Tru and Scoop plus denim from Free Assembly- all brands exclusive to Walmart. Check it out and tell me which look is your fave!

It's still in the 90s here but I'm craving fall fashion hard. I've been brainstorming looks other than my jeans and a t-shirt uniform, and Walmart's fall fashion is delivering. I thought it would be fun to choose one shirt and style it 4 ways with various layers from Walmart. The most expensive piece is $45- which is just crazy for a lined tailored blazer- but prices start at $15.98. Most of these items are available from XS to XXL or sizes 02 to 18. Here are the 4 budget-friendly fall looks I put together! Which is your favorite?

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Other titles included "Resting Bench Face" and "Don't Be a Bench." 😆 I can't help myself. Anywayyyy, I finally pulled the trigger on a bench I've been watching for about a year and of course it immediately sold out. So I thought I'd pull together a round up of modern shaker style wooden benches at every price point. I literally love them all! Prices start at $140. Which is your favorite?

Back to school shopping used to be fun. Unlike when I was a kid, the lists now are very specific and very...how do you say...boring. For example: "Red folder. Black Expo Dry Erase Markers. 3" White Binder." No Lisa Frank or Trapper Keepers (showing my age here) allowed. The pro of a very specific back to school supply list is that you can skip the store and have all of the school supplies delivered right to your doorstep- which is precisely what I did! I did 90% of my school supply shopping on Walmart.com, back in May but I almost wish I'd waited because the rollbacks are insane! This time of year can be expensive so I'm happy to save where I can and Walmart makes it easy. Here's how to do your back to school shopping in MINUTES plus my favorite supplies from Walmart at the end!

When Nadia requested a canopy, I knew exactly where I'd go for fabric. I always regretted letting go of the girls' darling twin beds that I reupholstered in gorgeous fabric from Spoonflower and this was a chance to redeem my regret! What I didn't know is that Spoonflower offers so many home decor products, including bedding. Custom bedding in the fabric of our choice was a dream! In the end, we ended up with a pretty canopy, a duvet cover and shams, a sheet set, throw pillows and a velvet-y throw- all made with quality materials and amazing craftsmanship in fun patterns.

In one of the very first patio posts, I mentioned wanting to close in at least one side of the pergola. 3 years later we finally did it! Here's how:

This post is sponsored by Walmart. As Always, all opinions are mine.

We built our patio in 2020 and since then, it's been a place of respite and memory making. To continue making it the summer oasis we want, we decided to add a privacy wall to the pergola. Our neighbor's home is pretty close to ours and staring at their siding wasn't giving (as my teen would say). We also needed a place for Joe's new griddle. With a privacy wall, the griddle can live next to the grill without slipping off the edge of the patio. Testing out the new griddle was the perfect excuse to grab a few patio must-haves from Walmart. I purchased the griddle from Walmart in June for Father's Day but it's still on rollback! Walmart is always first on my list for affordable and pretty finds and when will I stop being surprised at the selection?! Their patio and garden section is FULL of things I wanted but I used some self control and limited my haul to a few fresh pots, outdoor serve ware, and pillows for our outdoor sofa. Here's how the privacy wall turned out.

There are certain home décor categories that you innocently delve into before realizing how broad they are and how expensive they can be. I almost always see a photo online and instantly fall in love with something well out of my price range. oops. Thus begins the quest to find something I love that's easier on the budget. Next comes me sharing with you, well, because I love you.  And generally on said quest, I learn a few things too. So here are a few things I've learned about window coverings and my favorite budget picks that we have in our home. Make sure to check out the GOAT budget option from amazon, at the end!

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post!

I had given up hope. After ordering several "full coverage" suits that could only be described as LIES, I thought I'd never find a suit that was cute, flattering, fun, and covered my bum. But as is the case more and more lately, Walmart came through! I found an adorable swimsuit for under $30 plus a bunch on my weekend getaway list (happy 19th anniversary to Joe and me!), including cute PJs, and a date night dress! I always search Time & Tru, Free Assembly, Scoop, and Joyspun- all brands exclusive to Walmart that do not disappoint! Here's the try on:

 

Nadia's room refresh continues and the next step was choosing her nightstands. I've always gone the asymmetrical route when it comes to nightstands, for aesthetics (it seems fun in a kids room doesn't it?) and to stretch the budget. In both Dax's and Genevieve's room I paired a small side table with a nightstand. But when I did this experiment, I loved the high end look of matching nightstands and Nadia's room seems like the perfect place for that look. I love the thought of her pretty headboard flanked by two substantial nightstands. Here are the light and white nightstands I considered and the one she chose. The price tags start at just $80 and they all ring in under $280! Side note, it's a good idea to narrow down options for kids- both to set them up for success and to avoid overwhelming them. I showed her 3 of these and she chose the one we bought!

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post!

It's been like 5 minutes since I shouted Walmart Fashion, so let me tell you what I'm diggin lately. First, let me say Walmart is now a legit style destination thanks to exclusive brands like Scoop, Free Assembly, and Time and Tru. My weekly grocery order often finds a piece or two from these brands 'added to cart.' The prices are incredible, the quality is legit, and the style is so good! I've grabbed a few things lately that are now sold out but here's what's still in stock:

 

Father's Day Gift Guide:

Need  more ideas? Check out this post!

The DIY office renovation is finished and we are so happy with it! We started chatting about it and planning all the way back in August so it's been a long time coming but now that it's finished (well 95% finished- more on that later), I can officially say it was worth the time and effort. It always is, isn't it?! Home takes time. Our first idea is rarely our best...aaand whatever other cliches help get you through to the other side! Here are some things to look for:

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this Post!

My mom and I were talking about our pajama situation the other day and we looked at each other and at the same time said "We should get each other pajamas for Mother's Day!" aaaand this post was born. The spring new arrivals from Walmart's Joyspun line are so cute, comfy, and perfect for gifting (but I won't tell if you grab some for yourself). I love that they're made with high quality materials and are easy on the wallet. Here's how they look on and a round up of my favorites!

We found a leather chair for the office and it wasn't easy! Since I spent so much time searching, I rounded up my faves to save you some time. Because I love you, that's why. Per usual, I had specific parameters- like a genuine leather chair, a small footprint (but not too low to the ground), and a neutral, vs a caramel tone that I knew would look orange beside our blue built-ins. I also wanted it to be relatively budget-friendly because of course I did. Here's the one I chose and a round up of 8 other top contenders starting at $467 for GENUNINE leather! Sorry I'm yelling but that's a good deal people.

 Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are mine!

I'm a jeans girl. I try to branch out but I'm most comfortable in denim. The problem is, wearing jeans and a tee or sweater everyday is...yawn. The fix? Switch it up by wearing jeans in different washes, silhouettes, and rises. Then pair them with something special instead of a plain tee or simple sweater. Add fun shoes, and you've got yourself a lewk. With that in mind, here's how I styled my new Free Assembly Denim from Walmart. Literally everything you see is from Walmart and I could not love it more! It's cute, on trend, affordable, and made of quality materials. Guys Walmart is showing up as a legit style destination! Oh and I share a BONUS non-denim look at the end! Ok, here we go!

The built-ins are done! Ok, so 90% finished but potato-patato okayyy? Not only are they finished but they're looking all cute for spring thanks to Kirkland's Home. Here's a peek (full reveal coming soooon!) and my top tips for transitioning your home to spring!

Guys, our trip to St. Thomas was pretty magical. Joe and I love to travel and it feels like we're coming out of that that natural hiatus that sometimes occurs after you have kids, buy a house (or two), and experience a worldwide pandemic. It happens. But with the kids being older, restrictions being limited, and living debt free (I  need to share more on that journey!), we're coming into what I hope is a season of more travel. Anyway, the purpose of this trip was to celebrate my mom's 65th birthday- she chose the location- and it was such a special celebration.  Sharing my review, pictures, tips, and a harrowing story of survival below so keep reading!

 

Heart Mini Waffle Maker. $9.99. We bought these last year and they're so fun and cute. I promise it makes waffles taste even better. ;)

Oversized Printed Pajama Set. $35. Bonus- matching sets available for the fam!

"I just want to be friends..." Dwight Valentine's Day Card. $6. I got this for Joe a couple of years ago and we still laugh at it. Plus it didn't immediately go in the trash. Always a plus.

Stanley Classic Tumbler for Kids. $26. So cute for your mini-me. It's too bad Genevieve made it very clear that she's holding out for a purple one. 

Cologne Sampler. $17.99. I always feel weird about choosing a scent for someone- this solves the problem.

8 cup Pour Over Coffee Maker. $19.79. Perfect for those late to the pour over party. It's me. Hi, I'm the problem, it's me. 

Ceramic Mug with Protective Sleeve. $24. In the prettiest shade of pink. Heart eyes.

Gummy Luncheable. $5.99. Remember "gummy vs. real food?" My kids are still obsessed with gummy food and I gotta be honest; so am I.

Quad Goals Multi Palette. $16. This comes in a few colors and let's face it- is adorable. 

Gummy Controller. $9.99. For your little sweet tooth gamer. (Adds to cart).

Essential Oil/Candle Warmer. $40.07. Are these trending?? If not, they should be. Love the thought of not having to remember to blow the candle out (also thanks Joe for always remembering).

Date Night Ideas scratch off book. $19.99. A gift for both of you! Challenges and dates to shake things up! It's on its way to me- I'll keep you posted!

Nintendo Switch Sports. $49.99. I love the idea of a family gift and this nails it. So much fun!

Beats Studio Buds. $99. Joe gifted me air pods one Valentine's Day and it was the best gift- I never would've splurged on myself but sure appreciated him doing it! Bu also a teenage boy would love these too!

Mini Finger Skateboard Ramp. $11.99. Dax has been begging for this for like years. I finally got him a finger skateboard as a stocking stuffer and it only stoked the fire. They're super fun and why am I a sucker for anything miniature?

Herschel Beanie. $15. This is a men's hat but looks pretty gender neutral to me. Love the color.