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April 16, 2020

Pantry Makeover: Clean Water with ezH20

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

This post is sponsored by Elkay®. All opinions are my own.

I have a semi-unreasonable home detail that I lust after. I’ve spent many hours scrolling Pinterest (as many of us have been doing more of these days) looking at beautiful pantries. You know the ones. The ones made for a butler and seem to store only the pretty food in sight. They may even have a fancy built-in appliance or two. I’ve dreamed of giving our functioning, but not fancy, pantry a makeover, but it has never seemed to be the right time. It’s time… almost.* 

*Recent events with everything currently going on has put a hitch in starting the full pantry makeover we had planned this spring, but that’s okay! This is the story of how we took the first step towards #pantrygoals. 

Have you ever read, “If You Give A Mouse a Cookie?” Because this all started with a broken fridge. While in the middle of prepping for a holiday party, my fridge broke beyond repair. I fell for a new fridge shortly after. There was only one problem – it didn’t have an in-fridge water dispenser. I don’t know about you, but our family loves having ice cold water at the ready, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to give up the luxury. Turns out fate was on my side, because that very week, Elkay reached out to me to see if I’d be interested in trying one of their products!

Elkay, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, provides a host of products that touch every aspect of your everyday life, from the kitchen sink where you prepare your meals to the water filling stations that hydrate you on the go. If the pictures and lead up didn’t already give it away, I jumped at the chance to try their first-of-its-kind, built-in, chilled water dispenser; ezH2O Liv.

The sleek glass front with brushed stainless-steel alcove looks great in any room, and the intuitive alcove lighting brightens when dispensing water.


Why We Love our ezH2O Water Dispenser

What do we love about our ezH2O Liv Built-in Filtered Water Dispenser? A whole lot, actually. For one, it was really easy to install. A plumber can even install it in an unexpected area of the home. All you need is a nearby water line and electrical outlet. Think mudrooms, entertainment spaces, playrooms or even in a second-floor hallway! We chose the pantry for convenience, and because our plumber could easily access a water line from there. ezH2O Liv is designed to fit between your existing wall studs, so all that was required after the install was a simple sheetrock repair, which my husband was able to do himself.

I really appreciate that I know from now on our family can be assured we have access to fresh, filtered water. I think most of us have been reflecting about how fast things can change, so this huge privilege is not lost on me. ezH2O Liv has a long-lasting filter that is NSF certified to put cleaner, healthier water within reach by reducing lead and other harmful contaminants. I previously had been unaware that filters with lead-reduction capabilities are not standard and are rarely found on refrigerators with water dispensers. Making healthy choices is currently at the top of my mind.

Another huge bonus is that my kids can easily serve themselves fresh, clean and cold water. Though, I can’t say that they never ask me to get them water. I often wonder if I’m their Mom or waiter. Clearly both, but it’s definitely helped reduce the time I spend filling cups. ezH2O Liv comes equipped with a timed shut-off. Water automatically stops dispensing when the container is removed from the area, and if any water gets left behind, it swiftly disappears into the drain that we had installed. You can skip the drain if you don’t think it’s needed for your household. It also has a safety lock to prevent unsupervised use, which, with a two-year-old, is 100% necessary.

  • Hands-Free: Elkay ezH2O Liv with sensor activated to fill glasses, humidifiers and more, in seconds.
  • Colorful sensor lights indicate when the filter needs to be changed, so we always know we are serving filtered water.

While I enjoy the convenience of having an in-wall water dispenser, my kids enjoy the LED Green Ticker that counts the number of 20 oz. plastic bottles they have saved. Counting is a loved activity in this house. While it’s fun and games now, someday they’ll realize the positive impact that number actually represents. We’ve only had our water dispenser a short time, and we are already past 120 bottles saved!

I’ll continue to keep you updated on what we have planned for the pantry. If you are in the process of building or remodeling a space in your home, check out the Elkay ezH2O Liv Built-in Filtered Water Dispenser here. 

Where’s the most unconventional spot you’d put an ezH2O Liv water dispenser? I’d love to put one in our master closet or bathroom because I’m always craving cold water in the middle of the night!

 

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Instagram: @Elkay_USA | Facebook: @ElkayUSA | YouTube: @ElkayUSA | Pinterest: @ElkayUSA | LinkedIn: @Elkay-Manufacturing | Twitter: @Elkay_USA

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January 10, 2020

Planning Our Son’s Big Boy Room

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

We can delay no longer. Our little man NEEDS a big boy room because we need more sleep. He is a little displaced since we’ve been transitioning the nursery into our new baby girl’s room. Plus, he currently prefers a bed over a crib. The short story: He’s spending way too much time in our bed.

If you’ve been around for a bit, you know I get a little excited about kid’s rooms, so it’s no surprise I’m really excited about this room, but what you might not realize is my natural style leans a wee bit masculine, meaning I’m really, really excited about this room.

First things first. Let’s look at how the room looks now.

The Images That Inspired The Design

Previously we were using this extra bedroom as a playroom, since we already have a guest bedroom downstairs and our oldest was a tiny bit scared to be in the basement, where our playroom space is. Now that’s she’s older she has no qualms about it and our son loves being down there so most of the toys we were storing in here will be moving downstairs or will be donated. You can see the playroom in it’s former glory and find a tutorial for the rainbow book wall here.

Originally we were just going to keep his room bare bones and wait until he was a little bit older to go all out, but then I started scrolling Pinterest and found images like below and I couldn’t stop myself from dreaming up plans.

Design by Kate Marker Interiors.
Design by Erin Gates, Elements of Style
Design by Sunny Circle Studio

What I love about these rooms is that they are sophisticated but you can still tell they are kid’s rooms. That’s my goal here. I’m planning refined and easy to age up finishes, paired with whimsical details. While I’m taking cues and inspiration from the feel of these rooms, we’ll be doing thing a little bit differently.

The feel of the following image really inspired me. We are planning to add some type of permanent built in, which will probably be another bench, but I couldn’t help but be drawn to this image. Ultimately, I can’t picture a tween or teen boy loving this bookcase and this room isn’t about me, it’s about Kristian and future Kristian, so we will be skipping the adorable scalloped details. The detail I am holding on too, however, is the color pop. I’m hoping to incorporate a bit of this through our furnishings. I shared some of the furnishes we’ll be using here. I’ll share a more comprehensive plan in the future.

Image via Architectural Digest, Design by Giancarlo Valle.

While all of these rooms speak to me, there not exactly what I’m envisioning in my head, so I turned my Pinterest search to rooms outside the “boy room” filter.

I kept coming back to vertical shiplap painted rich colors with traditional crown like below.

House in Birmingham by architect James F. Carter

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but every single picture I’ve shown you incorporates blue. I’m drawn to blue. It’s all over my home. It’s my comfort zone. I want to have a little more fun here, so we are planning green. After all, it’s just paint. In the future if Kristian is as passionate about a color as Eva is about purple we may end up painting it anyways. Perhaps we’ll go with a green similar to this room by Rehabitat Interiors which is Farrow & Ball Smoke Green.

Design by Rehabitat Interiors
Design by Rachel Halvorson, Photography by Paige Rumore

Another thing you might not know about me. I can’t leave a ceiling alone. I love to paint them, wallpaper them, panel them… really anything but paint them white. I think of them as the fifth wall. Daren’s been wanting to incorporate natural wood into our home for a while, so I figured why not give it a try here. I’m the most nervous about this element because I don’t want the room to get to dark. We are hoping to source a really light wood, probably a white oak, with quiet details and very little yellow undertones. We are thinking about extending our hardwoods into this room. More on that later. The above picture gives me confidence a light wood ceiling can work with dark floors, though I’m picturing boards with a little less character.

Design by Amber Interiors

Storage is always a high priority for us, if not the top priority. We will absolutely be incorporating some kind of built-in. The IKEA hack bench in Eva’s room is the most practical project we’ve done. Originally I was leaning towards some kind of bookcase solution like above, but Daren wasn’t super into it. He suggested another window seat but I really have my heart set on doing statement curtains and that would interfere with that plan.. During my Pinterest research I kept coming back to the image below. I think we can make something like this work on the wall that the rainbow book wall currently resides. We are undecided if it will be open or incorporate drawers, a la’ Eva’s room.

Our Boys Room Design Plan

So where exactly did we land? You can see our preliminary plans below. As any DIYer knows, these plans will likely change along the way, but this I where we are at right now. I’m calling this Ralph Lauren meets Scandinavian.

Car storage: @alwayschasinghome | Climbing wall: Mahno |Closet: @philip_or_flop

 

Want to see how the room turned out? Click here.

 

Ask me any questions you have in the comments or find me on Instagram!

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December 22, 2019

How to Keep Garland Fresh All Season Long

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

Call me a glutton for punishment, but I love fresh, REAL greenery draped all over my halls, and I do mean ALL over. It’s makes your home smell like a forest (festive) and while there are plenty of good fakes, there’s just nothing like the real thing. But fresh greenery can also be a bit of a pain if you don’t know what to do. Besides keeping your vacuum within arms length, here’s how to keep your winter garlands looking good through Christmas:

Keep them cold until you’re almost ready to decorate.
In the rare occasion I pick up garland more than a day before I’m ready to deck the halls I store them in the garage.

Soak garland for 24+ hours
Don’t waste any time. As soon as that garland passes the threshold get those greens in water. Soak them for at least 24 hours. I use a bathtub to get the job done, then lay them out to dry on the bathroom floor. Bonus points if you can find a spot to hang dry.

Thoroughly spray with an anti-desiccant to seal in the moisture.
Don’t skip this step! 

Spritz the garland with water every 2-3 days to extend the life.
I’m admittedly bad at this step, but when I remember I like to use this.

Bonus: Store extra evergreen bundles someplace cold to freshen up the garland as needed.
I like to keep a bundle or two of pine and/or cedar, which I get from local hardware stores, in my garage. Every week or so, I weave some into my garland. Then when Christmas is just around the corner, I throw the stems I didn’t end up using in a vase… instant holiday table centerpiece.

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November 27, 2019

The Two Items From Serena & Lily’s Huge Sale That Inspired Kristian’s Big Boy Room

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

This post is sponsored by Serena and Lily.

It probably comes as no surprise that I have quite a few projects left on my to-do list. Though my to-do list is more of a I-want-to list and my husband’s list is significantly shorter. There is one project we could agree on, however. Kristian needs a new room, or more accurately a new bed.

Then it happened, while browsing Serena & Lily I found it. THE BED. It was retro, stylish, yet playful and everything I was looking for. I’ve been eyeing Jenny Lind style beds for awhile but hadn’t found the right one. They were either too tall or too spindly. (Due to space, we’re crossing a window and I’d like to obstruct the view as little as possible.) This. This is the right bed. We ordered it in twin. Kristian is going to love it for years, according to me because he is a freshly 2-year-old boy with almost no opinion on furniture. Other than that he loves bean bag chairs. More on that later.

Image via Serena & Lily | Bed

Then it happened again. Lighting struck. Okay, I’m being a tad dramatic, but I did remember that Serena & Lily also has a rug that is stylish, yet playful. Which, again, is exactly what I look for when picking out foundation pieces for a kid’s room. My kid’s room formula is: neutral, slightly whimsical furniture + youthful accents + a dramatic wall treatment.

Image via Serena & Lily | Rug | Chair

Pair all that with huge 25% off sale Serena & Lily is hosting through 12/3 and we officially have a design direction for Kristian’s big boy room. Here it is:

Bed | Rug | Basket | Bean Bag Chair | Light

I just picked up this basket to store toys and we gifted Kristian this bean bag chair for his birthday this week. My parents have a bean bag chair at their house and he’s obsessed with it, so I knew he’d approve. It’s currently sitting on our main floor and Kristian and his big sister are already fighting over it. I caught Daren lounging in it a time or two, as well.

Bean Bag Chair | Table Chairs | Bar Stools

Sale Picks For Kids

I knew I wanted something unique for Kristian’s walls, but I wanted to think farther outside the box than wallpaper. Vertical shiplap is a current trend, but instead of painting it the safe color, white, we’ll be going with an outside my normal comfort zone, grayish-green. Then because I’ve never met a ceiling I didn’t want to change, we’re planning to panel the ceiling in a very light wood, possibly white oak.

Paired with bright accents, I think it will be just the right amount of boundary pushing. In my mind kid’s room are MADE for ignoring self-imposed limits, I want magic in my children’s rooms and that doesn’t come without a few risky moves. If the plan doesn’t make me a tiny bit nervous it’s not the right one for us. For instance, our guest bedroom, which also happens to feature a fair amount of Serena & Lily products was designed with kid’s in mind and while simple, also pushed me outside my design comfort zone.

Basket | Blanket | Suede Pillow | Lumbar | Plaid Pillow

Serena & Lily is our partner in design for good reasons. Their products last. We only partner with brands we love and would happily purchase items from again and again.

Serena & Lily believes living well begins at home. They are known for their fresh take on casual dining, luxurious bedding, and well-made, comfortable designs for every space. From timeless Riviera chairs, which are the staple of our dining room, to luxurious rugs to cozy flannel pajamas, Serena & Lily has everything you need to give and to get this season.

Serena & Lily’s Thank You Event is their biggest sale of the year and it ends 12/3! Nearly everything is 25% off with the code THANKFUL.

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*Some exclusions do apply. See their site for details.

 

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October 28, 2019

Be Our Guest Part 2: The Details

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

This post is sponsored by Serena & Lily.

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If your like me, you’re already thinking about the holidays and getting your home guest ready is on your mind. We already talked about the basics, like creating a warm welcome with high quality linens and little luxuries. Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty details.

Styling a Guest Ready Bed

When it comes to picking bedding, Serena & Lily is my go-to brand for best-in-class bedding. We have their bedding in both are bunk room and now master bedroom. (Every once in a while, I like to play guest in my own home as demonstrated here.) If you hurry, you can upgrade your bedding for 30% off before their sale ends tonight. (10/28/19). Shop our favorite linens plus our recommendation on what pillows to pair them with here.

It’s a lot easier to make a bed when your excited about it. Are you a minimalist or a maximalist? The good news about a guest room is you don’t have to do it every morning. Here is your chance to display those beautiful throw pillows and pull out your styling skills! That is assuming you have the space to store bedding extras like a cabinet or oversized basket. You don’t want your guests having to navigate around a floor covered in pillows come the AM.

Wether you’re going for modern simplicity or maximum impact, we have you covered. Here’s two of our favorite ways to style pillows on a bed:

All the Stops:
Have a full or larger? Add in two oversized pillow plus a lumbar. Twin? A single pillow + a lumbar will do.

Simple Made: Keep it simple with stacked pillows and a single pillow.

Bonus points: Play bread & breakfast and provide your guest a tray of morning or night time necessities. For morning, perhaps some fruit, coffee and today’s paper. For night, water or tea, with a book they’d enjoy.

A Hotel Worthy Bath

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Invest in 5-star quality towels and stash them in a spot that’s easy for guest to access. I love using bath sheets like these. They’re a little large for everyday use, but are the perfect little luxury for guests. It’s like being wrapped in a fluffy sheet.

Welcoming guests into your space can be tricky, but putting in a little extra effort can make a big difference in both your and your guests experience. My biggest tip: There’s still time before the holidays. Take some time to pamper yourself and perhaps play guests in your own home. My favorite way to play “guest\” is serving myself good old fashioned breakfast in bed.

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October 2, 2019

Get Your Guest Room Ready for Guests

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

This post is sponsored by Serena & Lily.

It’s nearly the most wonderful time of the year. And with all that hot cocoa, pumpkin spice and holiday cheer comes something else… guests. What better time than now to whip your guest bedroom into shape? And what better sale is there to do it with than Serena & Lily’s Friends & Family sale?

Serena & Lily believes living well begins at home. There’s a reason they’re known for their luxurious bedding and refined, but relaxed coastal style. It’s welcoming, for both you and your guests. Refresh your space by shopping the Serena & Lily’s Friend and Family sale, where everything is 20% off from October 2-14. (Some exclusions apply.)

Keep these simple tips in mind to create a space your guests will want to come back to again and again. (Assuming you’re into guests year round.)

1. Create a warm welcome with minimalist decor.

Keep guest room decor simple, clean and inviting. Think of what makes your favorite hotel special. It’s likely clutter free, with lots of little luxuries thrown in.

 

 

2. Make a comfortable & well-dressed bed.

Invest in a really good mattress and clean, high quality bedding. We like to start with a white comforter and change out the linens and pillows seasonally. Don’t forget to add in a throw at the end of the bed. It adds style, plus it comes in handy for colder nights. We even store a few extra blankets, just in case, in a hamper nearby.

 

 

3. Provide fresh linens.

You never know when a guest may need an extra set of bed or bath linens. Accidents happen! Make both available. If you’re lucky, you may even get a guest who insists on using the extra bedding to make the bed when they leave.

 

 

 

Here are a few of our favorite pairings for a well-dressed bed. Not the hosting type? That’s okay. You can shop these linen pairings for your own bed. We won’t tell:

 

Clean & Crisp 1 | 2 | 3| 4 | 5 Soft & Natural 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Modern Prep 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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September 27, 2019

Life at the Counter with Serena & Lily

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

Thank you to Serena & Lily for sponsoring this post. All thoughts an opinions are my own.

What’s the most used room in your home? For us it’s hands down our kitchen. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon chat or fifth afternoon snack, you can nearly always find one of us there. Particularly, at the island. Seriously, I swear my kids are always snacking and I’m always idling in the kitchen whether I’m cooking or not. Parties? Yup. You’ll find everyone gathered right here.

We share food. We share laughs, We share tears. We share dreams, and numerous other things, right here at the counter.

Given our penchant for the kitchen and my liking for beautiful, functional and easy to clean things, you’d think I would have picked up a good bar stool around, I don’t know, year one. Truth… those old ones that we lived with for YEARS, they were the wrong height (They were bar height, when we needed counter!) and not meant for anyone past adolescence to sit on. Which got a little embarrassing when we hosted and a little frustrating when the adults in the household wanted to sit, namely me. Nine Months pregnant over here!

We’ve only had the Tucker Counter Stools from Serena & Lily for a little more than a week, but they’ve already made a huge difference in how we spend our time at the kitchen counter. The higher backs provide safer support for our nearly 2-year-old. I’m no longer nervously huddled behind his back and we can all comfortably settle in to end our day while sharing our highs, lows and likely a little bit of sugar.

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It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Serena & Lily. After all, I’m constantly raving about our bistro dining chairs. Seriously, you really can hose them off! Hello, kid friendly! They’re one of our go-to sources for home decor and I love that Serena & Lily offers a fresh take on casual dining. I tend to lean towards traditional architecture, with modern elements and furniture mixed in. Their soft, slightly coastal vibe is often the missing piece I need to tie the whole room together. From the gingham sheets in our bunk room, to the perfect stuffed animal hamper in my daughter’s room to our new stools, I can always find a place for Serena & Lily.

Scroll down to shop more of our favorite Serena & Lily kitchen products. Then tell me where your family gathers!

Serena & Lily Kitchen Faves

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May 22, 2019

Serena & Lily Memorial Day Sale Guide

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

This post was sponsored by Serena & Lily.

The Memorial Day Sale is one of Serena & Lily’s biggest events of the year with everything 20% off! It’s no secret, I’m a big fan of the brand. I have Serena & Lily products all over my house, from bistro-style dining chairs to coastal baskets to crisp, cotton gingham sheets in our bunk room.

Serena & Lily believes living well begins at home. They are known for their fresh take on casual dining, their luxurious linens and their inspired, weather-proof collections that make the outdoors a true extension of your home. Yes, even if you live in North Dakota and that time is short lived. From their plush beach towels to coastal inspired furniture, Serena & Lily has everything you need for summer, making their Memorial Day Sale one you don’t want to miss!

1. Eastport Umbrella: $698 $558.40 This umbrella is a top contender for our patio. I love how it’s old-school and playful all at once.

2. Bedford Tray: $198 $158.40 Cane details are currently trending and I’m here for it.

3. La Jolla Baskets: $78 $62.40 We have these in our guest bedroom and in our daughter’s bedroom. I’ll vouch the largest size holds a surprising amount of stuffed animals.

4. Crosby Teak Chaise: $1998 $1598.40 This is admittedly a huge splurge, but I’m considering it for our side patio (paired with the Eastport Umbrella). It’s weather-friendly teak and even has a hidden pull-out tray! I’d customize mine with removable all-weather cushion covers in Perennials® Performance Basketweave – White.

5. Riviera Kid’s Play Chair: $188 $150.40 Two of these are currently in my cart. If I purchase the set, I’ll claim it’s for the kids, but we’ll know it was really for me.

6. Riviera Kid’s Play Table: $288 $230.40 What’s the point of a cute set of chairs without a matching table?

7. Palermo Cotton Throw: $228 $182.40 I’m on the search for summer blankets to use when cuddled up by a backyard fire. This Turkish cotton one looks light and airy.

8. Campania Pillow Cover: $88 $70.40 Another thing I’m on the hunt for is outdoor throw pillows. This one is subtle without being bland. It’s in the running.

9. Perennials® Lake Stripe Pillow Cover: $128 $102.40 I’d pair this with the Campania Pillow to add some pop.

10. Teak Step Stool: $128 $102.40 Functional and easy on the eyes. My very favorite combo. My kids use this in their bathroom and it’s remarkably sturdy. I’m even thinking of getting another one for my main floor.

11. Porto Linen Pajamas: $148 $118.40 These lightweight PJs are in my shopping cart.

12. French Felt Slippers: $128 $102.40 Honestly, I didn’t know I needed these, BUT now I do!

13. Dip-Dyed Stool: $78 $62.40 Of all the products I’m highlighting, these are the best deal. I have both sizes. I’ve used them for everything from side tables to plant stands. They’re water resistant teak and currently serving as stools in our guest bathroom shower.

14. Outdoor Hanging Chair: $698 $558.40 There is nothing I have lusted after more from Serena & Lily than their hanging chairs. We just don’t have the right spot for one in our home. This outdoor version might be my best bet.

15. Capri Fouta Beach Towel: $48 $38.40 The must have accessory of the summer! Bring on the water balloon fights!

16. Newport Lounger: $248 $198.40 My friend has two of these in her playroom and they’re amazing.

17. Riviera Side Chair: $238 $190.40 If you didn’t get the memo I’m obsessed with this bistro chair, you must be new here. It’s life and kid friendly. Use it indoors or out. Just make sure you take it in if it rains.

Deals (Under $250 after discount)

Splurges ($250+)

*Some exclusions apply to the sale, subject to change: art, gift certificates, Limited-Edition PUBLIC C7 Bike, and final sale.

Chairs | Basket | Sheets | Towel

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January 21, 2019

High/Low: Acrylic Mirror Dupe

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

The acrylic mirror that made the perfect statement piece for our daughter’s room has a nearly identical twin! I can hardly believe my eyes. The only real difference is the size and of course the MAJOR difference in price!

On the left is the Polk Mirror from McGee & Co selling for $1965, and on the right is the Safavieh Donzel Round Mirror for $336! The Safavieh diameter is 26″, while the McGee & Co mirror is 36″.

I definitely prefer the scale of ours, as a I love a good big mirror, but that price tag is really hard to ignore. What mirror would you choose?

I think I’d still go with the Polk mirror. We needed a large sized mirror to block an ugly cable box! It is admittedly a huge splurge for a kid’s room, but I got it directly through the manufacturer for less than retail cost and we cut cost elsewhere in the room to make up for it. (For instance IKEA hacking the bench AND Yes! I’m working on a tutorial!)

Shop all our rooms, including our daughter’s big girl room, here.

Wayfair usually has a similar 26″ mirror for even less, but it is currently sold out. It should be available in March. Click here to sign up to be notified when it is back in stock.

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December 31, 2018

Top 10 Insta Posts of 2018

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

See you later 2018! You were good to us.

We made a lot of changes to our home, finally got a back yard (over 4 years after moving in and just before the snow fall. Woops!) and got to spend our first entire year with 2 kids!

Our Instagram community also expanded in big ways. Give us a shoutout below if you started following us in 2018. So we thought it be fun to close out the year, with YOUR favorite moments from 2018 according to our main platform, Instagram.

Share your homes with us at #prettydomesticated

 

No. 10

Number 10 might actually be my number one because it has almost all my favorite things. My kitchen, Christmas decor, flowers, a vintage rug, food, and Target apparel.

Shop my dress here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqTgGqkFPt_/

No. 9

Who didn’t dream of having a bunk bed as a child or as a child-at-heart? Me? I’m living vicariously through my children and you are here for it.

P.S. This is actually our guest bedroom.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkljFlpnBnd/

No. 8

I fell for our new Cle Tile and so did you. It also didn’t hurt that Chris Loves Julia shared this post in their stories.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmoLL2UgDiD/

No. 7

Same room. New angle. Thank you for justifying my childhood fantasies turned adult realities.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnkLFc_ANYv/

No. 6

I like Christmas, you like Christmas, and we all REALLY LIKE the sunroom that was completed this year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq2fEUGl2fs/

No. 5

Not going to lie, this one surprised me. I thought it was a simple filler post, but as with most things in life, it turns out I don’t know anything.

You loved our new tree from Balsam Hill as much as we do. Which just so happens to be on major sale right now.

Oh and I’m wearing Target again.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqGg1YyldVz/

No. 4

My favorite place to gather in our home and your number four favorite post. Pretty much everything you see was new to us in 2018. The shiplapped ceiling we partially DIY’d, the life-friendly chairs, the light and the table – All new.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoiJGE0FH0B/

No. 3

A few updates to our TV room made a big difference and you guys approved with likes! I also revealed my top secret styling weapon – cut branches from my yard.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoaONEMFJ8Y/

No. 2

Want to talk about something that gives you the warm fuzzies? When you announce you hit 10K on Instagram and your following makes it the second most liked post of the year. Thank you!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpNCtAhFNkj/

No. 1

Our number one most liked post has almost all the same ingredients as number 10, and was taken right after our kitchen update was completed. We were excited and it appears so were you!

Oh, and you guessed it, I’m wearing Target.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm_dtskALYt/

My takeaways from these analytics? You really like the back of my head, my main floor and when I wear Target. You are also a super wonderful, supportive community.

We are looking forward to seeing where this platform takes us in the new year and we’d love your input on what you’d like to see in 2019. We are planning more blog posts, more tutorials and a little more of US (particularly Katie, since I’m the one who actually photograph writes and produces the content. Though for some reason I’m always using the word “we.” lol.)

Head to our Instagram stories to give us input or simply comment below.

Happy New Year! Thank you for following!

 

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Our Home
December 25, 2018

Holiday Home Tour + VIDEO

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We hope you’re spending the day with family and friends, but to thank you for your support we wanted to welcome you into our home this holiday season!

We’ve put together a little holiday home tour. We hope you like it, but please remember we are not professional videographers! So you are more or less getting a home movie.

 

Video isn’t your thing? Thats okay! We also are sharing pinnable holiday pictures of our home below! Happy Holidays!

Looking for our holiday kitchen? We shared that here.

Office

Dining

Family Room

Sunroom

Bunk Room

E’s Room

 

 

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Gift Guides
December 9, 2018

2018 Gift Guide: For The Girl Like Me

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.
  1. Kate Spade New York “One in a Million” Initial Pendant Necklace $58: Whether it’s their initial or a loved ones, this is sure to become a cherished item, and likely an everyday staple. (I wear both my kids initals.) Bonus: Free shipping.
  2. Helena Sweater $130: Own it and love it! A kiss of cashmere and color. It’s totally holiday appropriate, but no one will think you’re headed to an ugly sweater party. Promise.
  3. Echo Spot – Smart Display with Alexa $90: I’m already addicted to my Echos (yes that plural was intentional), so why not add another device to our every growing Alexa-family. With Spot you can watch cooking tutorials, see shopping lists, spy on your children, video call your grandma (you’ll need to get her one too) and much, much more. 
  4. Women’s Linen Half Apron in Sand Natural $45: Made from eco-friendly linen. Whether your loved-one cooks or just pretends they do, this will give them a timeless look in the kitchen.
  5. YETI Rambler 20oz Tumbler with MagSlider Lid, Seafoam $29: If I was Oprah, this would definitely be on my favorite things list. It’s made of steel… literally. It keeps my drinks (ok, mostly coffee) cool or hot for hours on end and it almost survived being ran over by a car. After that minor hiccup,  I upgraded to the 30 oz version.
  6. Love Your Melon Red Rose Foil Beanie with White Pom $50: Also, on my favorite things list. These hats are stylish, comfortable and support a cause I’m incredibly passionate about. Fifty percent of their net profit supports the fight against pediatric cancer. I also love their blankets and scarves.
  7. William Sonoma Personalized Peppermint Bark, 1 pd $31.16: Don’t trust anyone who says they don’t like peppermint bark or that says they are on a holiday diet. Peppermint bark is for everyone. 
  8. Molly on the Range: Recipes and Stories from An Unlikely Life on a Farm by Molly Yeh $17.92: A girl who lives on the North Dakota/Minnesota border, blogs and has a sense of humor sounds like a girl I’d like to know. (P.S. In case you missed the memo, I also live on the ND/MN Border, blog and every once in a while have a sense of humor.) Plus her recipes are really good, especially the mac-and-cheese.
  9. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis $16.09: I haven’t read this yet, but I want to. Apparently it is filled with a combination of honesty, humor, and direct, no-nonsense advice. Plus, if you ask my Mom, “wash your face” is excellent advice.
  10. Perfect Wall Calendar $38: Clean, simple and incredible useful.
  11. Made Solid Hand-Shaped Leather Tray $32: The perfect hand-made catchall for jewelry, keys or anything else that needs a resting place. 
  12. Diptyque Roses Scented Candle $35: Roses die, a rose-scented candle last forever longer.
  13. Contrast Basket $58: Baskets are under-rated. They are pretty, make it look like you’ve cleaned up AND can double as a planter. Buy your friend a basket; buy several. There is no such thing as too many baskets.* (*Apparently some men think there is such a thing as too many baskets. Namely, my husband.)
  14. Gathre Adult Yoga Mat, Sunset $100: Perhaps the only leather Gathre product I don’t own. Hint. hint, loved-ones. (Currently 15% off with code MERRY15 or 20% off with code MERRY20 when you spend $200+)
  15. Sorel Lexie Wedge Boot $170: I like that these say “I tried,” while also saying “I’m a tiny-bit practical.” Because balance.
  16. Apolis Customize Your Market Bag $68: One of those things you don’t know you need until you’re gifted it, and then you wonder how you ever lived without it. I want the wine tote next.

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