Just when I thought I could not possibly write another article about The Bahamas, here I am Our family of 4 has the amazing opportunity to go to Paradise Island with my parents every other year. Our children have been going since before they could walk. My brother and I first visited the island in 1991. And, R has to be nearing double digits on his Bahamas passport stamp status. It was C’s first visit, and it was so much fun to have her there with us! First, A Recap One of our favorite activities that does not seem to get old is walking on Cabbage Beach and by the golf course to search th ..read more

Introductions When I think about this project, I cannot help but marvel at how seamlessly it all came together. But I shouldn’t be surprised. This friend/client has a beautifully understated sophistication about her and this easily carried into her selections and our collaboration together. It is no wonder that the project possesses a quiet luxury factor with clean lines, timeless choices, and a neutral color palette (yes, I am counting the color drenching blue-gray as a neutral ;). The result is a stylish, inviting, and comfortable space. Comfortable and Stylish Home: The Office/Sitting Room ..read more

It has been awhile since I have given a monthly update. Below is a recap of Thanksgiving and look ahead to Christmas preparations. DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase, I may receive some compensation. Thank you! Thanksgiving I hope that everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! We hosted 10 people and it was the perfect number. The sun was even shining, providing ample opportunities for football practices. For the centerpiece, I used some dried seeded eucalyptus, a faux eucalyptus garland, some dried greens/flowers from Trader Joe’s, and dried orang ..read more

The last gift guide for the season is one of my absolute favorites: Gifts for the 4 & Under Crowd. As the saying goes, this group would be happy with a cardboard box and wrapping paper. However, the options out there are just too cute to go that route. DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you click on the links/photos and purchase, I may receive some compensation. Thank you! For these little kids/babies, I suggest not only looking at the age recommendations but also checking with the parents to see if they are appropriate for the child 4 Year Old Gift Guide Our ..read more

Okay, I lied. The Gifts for Him gift guide was, in fact, not the most difficult guide to create. Even with the help of our 10 year old, this Gift Guide was more challenging for me. Naturally, there were several gaming and gaming gift card requests. But you don’t really need me, or a guide, for a lot of that stuff. So, here is a list, including some gaming things. As the weather gets colder here in the midwest, it was on our minds to add some games to our basement that do not require a screen. Options are always a good thing, especially with 10 year olds. This basketball hoop is so fun- we all ..read more

I’m back with another Gift Guide as I attempt to get as many out to you before Thanksgiving weekend shopping begins! This time, I have rounded up 9 gift ideas for her. **This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase, I may receive some compensation. Thank you! I recommended these boots for a friend, have seen them in person, and love them. Imitation is the ultimate form of flattery, right? Sorel boots are my all time favorite winter boots, and this pair might just be too good to pass up. This bubble vase is beautiful and would add a touch of interest to any room ..read more

We met my family in Roanoke, Virginia for a weekend trip in mid-October. It was beautiful! Given our short amount of time, we made sure to hit the big ticket items. A Little History Fortunately for us, the first big ticket item was our accommodation for the weekend. Built in 1882, Hotel Roanoke is on the National Registry of Historic Places. This tutor-style hotel was built by railroad magnate, Fredrick J. Kimball, to be the centerpiece of the town and a place of respite in between train switches. In the early 1990s, the hotel was sold to the Virginia Tech Real Estate Foundation. A multi mil ..read more

I thought I would tackle the hardest-to-shop-for Gift Guide next: Gifts for Him. I have included some items that have been given as gifts in previous years and also some new gift ideas. This post hasn’t been proofread or pre-approved by R, but here it is anyway **This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase, I may receive some compensation. Thank you! R received this book last year and it was a big hit! For anyone who enjoys cars, it is a great gift. We cannot seem to get a good/lasting coffee maker out at the cottage. I have heard nothing but good things about ..read more

Gift Guide for Teen Girls Our teen daughter and I were able to spend some quality time together this past weekend during a tennis tournament in Ohio. Her matches were quite spaced out so we were able to spend time having a leisurely breakfast, catching up, and doing some shopping conveniently located just outside of our hotel. I asked if I could share some of the items she would recommend/has on her list for a Gift Guide. She graciously allowed me to share some of the items on her list here. Below are twelve gift ideas for the Teen Girls in your life. **This post contains affiliate links, mean ..read more

Hi and Happy (official) Fall! Here are some September updates including a new book, baby gifts, a gift for our home, a quick trip up north, and things that have caught my eye recently. **This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you click and purchase, I may receive some compensation at no extra cost to you. Just click on the bold links and/or photos. Thank you! September Updates: A New Book William Kent Kruger is a favorite author. I read This Tender Land a few years ago and just finished reading his newest book, The River We Remember. His writing style and character development are ..read more