Say Yes to the Messiness of Childhood & a Free Printable!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Wet-Nap®, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #ConquerTheMess http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Kids are the most creative beings on the planet. Always surprising us with their ideas, imaginative play, and the wonder they embrace as they navigate this world. Sometimes their creative ideas come at a cost though…a huge mess. Many times as a mom, it can be easier to say no to these activities. After all, we already have a bazillion messes to clean up, don't we? The dishes, the laundry, the toys strewn about. We can find ourselves eventually in a rut of saying no more often than we ever imagined we would. I know, because it has happened to me.

I used to imagine the kind of mom I would be. Always laid back and coming up with creative fun. Always willing to let them use their imaginations to do wild and crazy things. Then real life sets in. And you realize all of that is a lot of work.

Living Room Redo with a New Leather Sofa

I have received product from Raymour & Flanigan in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own. Read my Full Disclosure Policy. 

I am so excited to share our mini living room makeover with you today! I have been working on it for awhile, ever since our new furniture from Raymour and Flanigan arrived. Then my grandfather died, and I lost all of my momentum. Life will do that to you. Right when you are going along thinking everything is just so…it changes. Your heart can be broken. And then needs time to mend. My grandpa was so special. Many days I still have a hard time believing he isn't here anymore. It has gotten brighter, even though I am still missing him every day, but I am able to find joy again in simple things like rearranging and decorating. I say this is a "mini" makeover since it doesn't look too different from the last time I shared a full tour of this space last fall, but there are several new things that I am excited to show you today!

As I mentioned, last Friday, I have been dreaming of a chesterfield leather sofa for ages, and can now say I am the proud owner of Raymour and Flanigan's Saddler Leather Sofa. I am in love with it! When the delivery men dropped it off, I was semi freaking out inside. It's one of those things I thought I would always dream of but never really have.

14 {Non-Candy} Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Kids

This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.

Valentine's day is just around the corner, but there is still time to get some cute gifts for the little ones in your life! Today, I have compiled a list of gift ideas inspired by my own kiddos, Hazel, age 3 1/2 and Owen, almost 2 1/2. They would love all of these things or already do as they have a few on this list. All of these items are under $25 each and come from Amazon.com*. Most are available with free Prime shipping if you are a member (more details below). 

I hope you enjoy these and find some inspiration here!

Home Improvements Made Easy {with Build.com}

I received product from Build.com in exchange for this review. All expressed opinions are 100% my own. Full Disclosure Policy.

If you are a long time follower of mine, you probably know that my husband and I are renovating our 1930's home that we bought back in 2010. If you are new here, you can read more about that on my home tour page. One of the rooms in our home, that needs the most upgrading is our kitchen. We have been pretty slow at getting things remodeled to our personal style, but recently I discovered Build.com which has helped us along in the process! I shared a sneak peek of our latest addition in my Holiday Home Tour last week.

When I went the site for the first time, I couldn't believe the wide array of products that they offer. No matter your style or what you are looking for to remodel your home, it is more than likely they will have it.

Making Spirits Bright in the Playroom {with Holiday Wall Decals}

I received product from Wallternatives™ in exchange for this review. All expressed opinions are 100% my own. Full Disclosure Policy.

If you recently stopped by for my holiday home tour, I mentioned some new additions to the playroom that are bringing all of us some Christmas cheer. I love adding lots of whimsy to my children's playroom, especially at Christmastime. When I happened upon the Boy Meets Girl Reindeer Removable Christmas Wall Decal Set available from Wallternatives™, I knew it would be the perfect touch. This set is from their new Jennifer Rizzo Designer Wall Decal Collection. You all know by now how much I love Jennifer Rizzo, right? Seriously, she is mega talented.
When I first saw this set on the website, I knew that my children had to have them. Okay, maybe I was a teensy bit excited for them myself. At Christmas time, I am still just a kid inside. 

Christmas at the Cabin: Holiday Inspiration 2014

I have partnered with Balsam Hill for this post. All opinions are my own. 

Can you believe Christmas will be here soon? I know, I know…today is Halloween, and I should be stuffing my face with candy and thinking about trick-or-treating, but honestly, Christmas is already on my mind. And you know what style you can never go wrong with? A rustic, cabin Christmas.

Now all of you "Don't-you-dare-put-a-Christmas-decoration-up-before-Thanksgiving" folks out there, please don't get me wrong…I am not about pushing the holiday ahead, but rather making it last longer. It always comes so quickly and I would hate to only get to enjoy it for a few weeks, you know? I want to savor each day from now until the new year.

Protecting Little Feet and My Floors {with Eco Friendly Rug Pads}

I have partnered with Rug Pad Corner for this post. All opinions are my own.

In the past several months, I have acquired a couple of new rugs for our home, including a brand new shag rug and a vintage kilim rug. Our house has laminate flooring downstairs and painted pine flooring upstairs, so rugs are a must, especially with two little ones. Since we have a rug in every room, and young children who love to run around, I knew that I should eventually get pads to keep the rugs in place. But which ones?

Back in the day, I used to nanny for a family with two small children. I would also do household chores for them, like vacuuming the hardwood floors and rugs. There was one of those thin, plastic pads under every rug, which always stuck to the floor. And while the pads stuck to the floor, the rugs always slipped anyways. I hated moving those rug pads and rugs and then getting them lined up again just right. Ugh.

Boho Chic Living Room Makeover: Finding the Perfect Rug

I partnered with Rugs USA for this post. All opinions are my 100% my own. Full Disclosure Policy

Sometimes a room makeover only takes one piece to inspire you. I have had my mind set to transform our living room from rustic farmhouse to more boho chic for several months. I knew that I wanted something major to make the change though…like a new rug.

DIY Homeschool Preschool Daily Activity Calendar {with homemade magnets!}

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Office Depot, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #inspirestudents http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Getting prepared to start homeschool preschool can be a daunting task, but with a daily activity calendar and some fun magnets you can keep on track!

When I recently made the decision to start homeschool preschool with my three year old daughter Hazel, I felt a little overwhelmed. The reasons for going with homeschool preschool included Hazel not yet being potty trained, the cost, and the fact that she just turned three this summer. I felt another year at home would be good for her (and me!). We will venture into sending her off to preschool next year.

DIY Outdoor Storage Organization {Without a Garage or Shed}

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Rubbermaid, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #FallFixUp http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

One of the most difficult quirks about some older homes, is that they lack in adequate storage. Our home, is no exception, and one area where we especially struggle is outdoors. We have no garage or storage shed. We have a large covered patio at the back of the house and a smaller porch area off of the mudroom. And that's pretty much it. 

Is there any hope for those of us in this situation to get our outdoor space organized?

Since we are constantly working on our home, the small porch area has sadly become a space for anything and everything. I have long wanted to create a designated trash and bottle & can storage spot, and finally decided enough was enough. With fall on the way, now was the time to do it! Cold weather will be here before we know it, so I had to take advantage of a warm summer weekend. Don't you love when you finally get the motivation to do something you have put off for years?

First, I suppose, I have to show you the porch before. But I must warn you: It. Is. Scary.

Are you ready for the truth behind this blogger's house? 

Gifts for Difficult to Shop for Men {and a Review}

I received the cocktail shaker featured in this post, from My 1st Years, in exchange for this review. 

All opinions are my own.*

Do you know a guy who is difficult to buy gifts for? Well, I do. That would be my husband. And not because he is picky or anything. Precisely the opposite. He is neither here nor there about gifts. Actually, he usually says he doesn't even like gifts. I can't even imagine that sort of life. I always love a present!

Well this past Father's Day, I finally got him a gift that he not only loves, but will put to good use.

Happy Birthday to My Mom {& a review}

This post contains affiliate links, and is brought to you by Cardstore.com.* All opinions are my own.

My wonderful mother's birthday was back on June 17th. She celebrated it with Hazel, Owen and me at our house. They love a birthday party, so we had fun coming up with some "surprises" for her before she came, including the kids' homemade cards, streamers and balloons.