So that you have them all in one place here are the 2024 gift guides: Gift ideas for him, Gift ideas for her, Gift ideas for boys, Gift ideas for tween girls, Gift ideas for teen boys, gift ideas for teen girls, Gift ideas for little boys, Gift ideas for little girls, Gift ideas for families, and a bonus stocking stuffer gift guide! I spend a lot of time curating these and really hope you find them helpful! I also pride myself on choosing fun but practical gifts that fit a variety of budgets. Here goes:

I love a good family gift- sometimes distance makes it hard to shop for individual family members but a good gift everyone can enjoy is a fun way to still get into the gift giving spirit but make it easier (and sometimes lower costs). Here are a few things we have and would recommend or would love to have. ;) If you're interested in this post, you may also want to check out the 2023 Gift Guide for Families! 

Ninja Creami. $149 ($50 less here than elsewhere!). We are big into treats and snacks- we love our popcorn maker, air fryer, and soda stream- this would make a great addition and I keep hearing it's worth the hype!

 Shop the post (affiliate links included):

This is one of my favorite guides! Pre-teen girls are so fun and still at the age when a lot of what they want is cute and affordable so you can really fill those carts. ;) This guide includes the usual suspects- hello Lululemon and Kendra Scott- but also some fun finds like this Taylor Swift Eras tour makeup bag. Prices start at just $7.98. Check out this year's gift guide for tween girls (and my most viral gift guide- this past one for preteen girls).

I had so much fun researching and brainstorming these gift ideas for men and gift ideas for women. Whether he's on a health journey or into mixed drinks and whether she's into design or a traveler, there's something for everyone. Prices start at just $8 and these ideas can definitely be mixed and matched (male or female- don't we all find Oura rings fascinating?!). Check out the Pretty Real 2024 gift guide for men and gift guide for women here:

I've skipped this demographic for the past several years as I've focused on the age ranges of my kids. But my dear friend (and new assistant! eek!) Jami, is fostering to adopt precious twins who are 5 and she helped me curate these amazing finds. If you need ideas for gift ideas your littles will LOVE that are pretty to look at without being sad and boring for your kids (ha!), look no further! Here is the 2024 gift guide for little boys and the 2024 gift guide for little girls! Oh and I should add that obviously there are things on both lists that both girls and boys would love. Here ya go:

Teens and tweens are my fave to shop for. Full disclosure- we don't generally buy the kids many toys or nice-to-haves outside of their birthdays and holidays so I really spoil my kids at Christmas! I love to check off most of their wish list, although my oldest gives me a run for my money- quite literally. As for the gift guides, I spend a lot of time researching, consulting with the girls and formatting a fun gift guide to get your wheels turning. I focus on more than just aesthetics and aspirational items to include real life stuff your teen will love.  And while I don't have a teen son just yet- don't even think about growing up, Dax- I think you'll love some of the fun ideas for boys. Here it is: The 2024 gift guide full of fun and unique ideas for teen girls and teen boys. Let's go!

Bow Hoop Earrings. $8. I've never met a bow I didn't like and luckily my girls are into them too. These are so cute and would instantly level up leggings and a tee. 

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post.

Y'all have to check out the Black Friday Deals at Walmart! So many of their best sellers are on deal and the discounts are steep. If you have a hostess to buy for (or if you are the hostess), there are some great buys worth snagging. That said, every category has amazing deals so definitely take the time to peruse it for yourself. The deals end on 11/17 so don't wait- Oh and you can get 50% off a Walmart+ membership this week as well. We use ours constantly to save on grocery delivery, shipping, and even gas. Highly recommend! Here are some of the deals I snagged and a few more I wanted to share with you. What are you shopping for?

 Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own.

I don't know why but fall = sweatpants. Is it just me? I want to be warm and cozy as the temps drop and while I could say this only applies to lounging at home, I'd be lying. From my kids' sporting events to running errands - I want to be comfy. The problem is no matter how hard I try to convince myself that comfort is the priority, I still want to look put together. I recently discovered the secret. And it's so so simple. Just add a trench. That's it. You immediately look more pulled together, regardless of what's underneath. I love the outerwear at Walmart right now- I have several jackets from Walmart and the quality for the price can't be beat! Take a look at how a trench elevates these casual outfits:

Do you dress up for Halloween? Once I started, I couldn't stop! I usually go trick-or-treating with the kids but whether you're walking your kiddos around the neighborhood or handing out candy at your door, it feels so much more festive if you're in costume. This year I'm not going all out but decided to add leggings and a costume accessory kit to the softest most comfy sweatshirt I'd purchased from Walmart...times 3! It's really the best type of costume because it's cute, cozy, and you can wear it again (without the antlers). Whenever I've created semi-DIY costumes, I've always shopped Walmart fashion for basics and accessories. Keep reading to see the 3 fun costumes I created with the $11 sweatshirt you absolutely need in your life plus butter-y leggings you won't want to take off- all from Walmart.

The "Base:"

For each costume, I started with a cozy sweatshirt and leggings. It's so soft, a great length (I'm tall so it will be longer on most of you), and comes in 4 great colors. I've worn it nonstop since I got it a couple of weeks ago. At just $11.98, I can't believe it's not sold out yet (but it's selling out in some sizes so grab it while you can)! The leggings come in a bunch of colors and the price can't be beat. They're comfortable, soft, and slimming and honestly rival a brand's we all know and love (rhymes with shmulu shlemon. haha). SIZING NOTE: I sized up in the sweatshirt. I always size up in leggings and did the same here, so I'd say order whatever size you normally wear when it comes to leggings.

Costume 1: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

I loved (LOVE) 80s fashion. This easy DIY 80's girl costume is so fun. The accessory kit is adorable and an easy way to 'dress up,' without a lot of hassle. I also added leg warmers, and bright makeup for a rad costume. 

Have you heard of 'the 3rd piece?' Rather than stopping at jeans and a tee, layer on a unique jacket or bag (your basic black purse doesn't count!) to immediately look more polished. Walmart's fall fashion is perfect for this! They have so many cute jackets ringing in at under $40. You can see here that I kept my outfit the same and simply added a different jacket to create 3 entirely fresh looks. Which is your fave?!

We started this entry renovation in January. January! It's been slow moving- especially after tacking on a collaboration with Pella for our new front door. It's ironic that it was an afterthought to reach out to them considering the door completely MAKES the entry! We've refreshed the entry a couple of times but mistakenly focused on aesthetics rather than function. Fast forward and now it's beautiful and functional. Keep reading to see how we added beauty and function to our small entryway.

Thank you for Walmart for sponsoring this post.

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post.

Just as I was about to pull the trigger on a pricey rug for the family room, I had an aha moment. It was 'Just how much lipstick are you gonna slap on this pig?' This would've been my 4th rug intended to hide ugly carpet, and while the price of a rug doesn't compare to the price of wall to wall carpet, it still felt like throwing good money after bad. So I talked to Joe, looked at the budget, and pulled out the rug samples we'd ordered from Home Depot back in June 2023. Depending on the price, we were ready to do this!

 Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post.

I've been refreshing the patio this spring and the next step was to replace or refinish the table. I decided to save my pennies and refinish it which made it real easy to justify buying new chairs ;). I loved our old ones but 2 of the 6 had broken and we need at least 5. When these chairs went on sale at Walmart, I jumped on it. I admit they're bigger than I thought they'd be- they'd make awesome front porch chairs- but I love them. They're so comfortable and well priced. I love Better Homes and Gardens at Walmart for outdoor furniture and entertaining. The style and price can't be beat. Here's a close up of our new chairs and a few more budget-friendly patio finds on rollback that are still in stock!

Supply List:

Watco teak oil + Stain in flagstone

staining cloths

Orbital Sander 

120 grit sanding discs

Step by Step Instructions:

First, I cleaned the table with a cloth and a tiny bit of dish soap

Next, I sanded the table 

I waited until I sanded it to see if I wanted to use teak oil on its own, or one tinted with a stain. Here's what it looked like after sanding:

After I allowed the table to dry thoroughly, I soaked the staining cloth and wiped in the direction of the grain while feathering the ends so there wasn't a clear line of demarcation where one section ended and the other began.

Per the instructions on the can, I waited 30 minutes and then wiped it off. 

If I had it to do over again, I think I'd use a brush for more even coverage, and sand a bit more. But it is a vast improvement from where we started! Tomorrow I'll share it with the new chairs and umbrella. It feels like an oasis!

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post.

Do you ever wake up with an urge to paint? I can't explain it- some days I just have an itch to paint that won't go away! And then there's the other end of the spectrum; times I procrastinate out of fear of making the wrong choice. This was the case with the entry. I told myself I was waiting for our door to arrive to choose a paint color, but once it arrived, I still hadn't moved forward. That all ended this week when I woke up and thought 'Enough is enough. I'm choosing a paint color TODAY.' But there was a problem. I needed a few supplies and I really didn't want to add a trip to a home improvement store to my day. But my seize the day energy could not be denied. Walmart makes it so easy to get what you want or need now. I was able to order a few more painting supplies on Walmart for same day delivery. A few hours later, I was painting. Seize the day! I rounded up a few paint supplies I ordered or use regularly that were available as soon as same day in my area. (Heads up: delivery speed varies by region so make sure to slide the 'fulfillment speed' bar when you search to filter results).  

The next time you get the urge to paint and need supplies, grab them on Walmart! Did I choose the color you voted for? (This one is #3 from the reel!)

 

 

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post!

I initially grabbed this shorts set for this post and then immediately grabbed it in yellow. I've worn both so often (both as a regular outfit and as a swimsuit coverup) that I thought it would be fun to show you all the colors styled with different swimsuits. Matching sets are so easy, yet still feel stylish and put together. I also have always preferred shorts to a dress, as a cover up and since these come in such fun colors, they match all my swimsuits perfectly! And speaking of swimsuits, these three are all under $30 and have the cutest details! I continue to be super impressed with Walmart fashion- both style, value, and quality! Let me know which look is your favorite!

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post

Last year the girls and I wore Walmart Fashion for the 4th of July but by the time I shared, it was nearly all sold out. I learned my lesson and am sharing early this year. And it's a good thing because it's ALL SO GOOD. I know I'm yelling but I can't believe the style and quality for the price! I've really been digging the Scoop and Free Assembly line but the Time & Tru shorts set is the literal cutest and I want it in every color! Here are my picks for Memorial day and/or the 4th of July. Oh and if you're a Walmart+ member, these items ship SO quickly. I'd love to know, which look is your fave?

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post. 

Walmart does it again! The last time I worked with Walmart, I grabbed a shorts set (and here) I didn't intend to share. It just felt like a great versatile outfit to have on hand for summer. So when Walmart contacted me to work together again, I knew exactly what I'd feature- this pretty linen blend shorts set styled 3 ways. I'm picturing it for work, date night, vacation, or a school function- it's appropriate for so many occasions. I may need to grab the shorts in black too! I've felt like Walmart fashion is underrated for a long time, but they continue to step up their game. Walmart is often the first place I look when I need something - especially when I want to stretch the budget! I also want to point out that this set is Time & Tru which tends to stay in stock a little longer than Free Assembly and Scoop (other Walmart exclusive brands). Anyway, take a look and tell me- which look is your favorite?

 

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post. And thank you for supporting the brands that make Pretty Real possible.

Joe has had his office chair for about 6 months now and I thought it was a good time for a review plus I rounded up a bunch of other luxe options starting at $137! Here's the good and the bad about the gorgeous Pottery Barn Masterson Velvet Swivel Office Desk Chair (PS it's on SERIOUS sale right now!):

The kids' bathroom floor was peeling up and water was getting under the linoleum. It was one of those nagging 'to-do's' that I needed to...well, do. Luckily Chris Loves Julia released a new colorway of their floor pop tiles, which was the motivation I needed. I ordered them immediately and added the project to the docket. I'll cut to the chase and say I loved working with these tiles and definitely recommend them but here are a few things you should know!

Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post.

After Christmas, the spring fever hits hard. I want to wear pastels. I want to travel. I want an entirely fresh wardrobe. Luckily Walmart is just a click away and I can make these dreams come true. Fine, I don't totally replace my wardrobe, but at these prices, it's tempting! I shopped on Walmart to grab a few looks for our upcoming winter break, church (also would be perfect for work) and general spring things. I can't wait for you to see how far $40 gets you. Oh and I should add that I've been a fan of Walmart fashion for long enough that I can vouch for the quality. Despite the low prices, it wears and washes well. Here's what I grabbed:

I cannot believe this jumpsuit is $36. It's so cute and structured yet still comfortable. I paired it with flat espadrilles but I can't wait to dress it up with wedges.