I have come to accept that I will almost always be stepping on legos and dollhouse pieces, and picking up abandoned dolls and trucks in every room. However, there are a few toy organization ideas that have helped both my kids an I with keeping clutter at bay. I think when everything has a general place to go, it helps with not being overwhelmed by messes! We recently added cabinets to our living room renovation so we had a place on our first floor to store games, toys, and books. We have a play area in the basement, but if I am on the main floor that is where they want to be! Having a few pu ..read more

As we wrap up the living room, I am starting to make plans for our dining room! Before we ever start on a room I try to take time to think through how we want to use the space. This room has several doorways since it connects the living room and kitchen, and it also has entrances to the laundry room, our toddler’s bedroom (temporary set up), and the side porch. It is the center point of the maze so to speak! With this in mind, I came up with a few ideas. Italianate homes traditionally had landscape murals, and I love how captivating they can be! If the ..read more

Dress (similar ) // Espadrilles We are due with our new little one at the end of the summer. We are all anxious to meet him or her already. I have been extremely grateful that this pregnancy didn’t bring the usual first trimester evening sickness. Being extra tired put a lot of things on hold for a bit, but I am a lot kinder to myself this pregnancy – not putting too much pressure on myself to be productive. Getting out of stretch pants is a challenge though – especially when nothing fits anymore! I thought I would share a few things that have made me feel comfortable and happy wearing. A pre ..read more

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 11 // 12 // 13 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 21 // 22 // 23 // 24 // 25 // 26 // 27 // 28 // 29 // 30 I love finding little surprises to put in the kids baskets every year. We do a few trinkets, a few sweets, and a book or stuffed animal for our little ones. Sharing some easter basket ideas for all ages today! Some of these items are repeats every year in our house since they are such a hit! I split up the larger packs of the chalk or fossil eggs between a few of the kids. We do not have many stores near us anymore since we are in a small ..read more

1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. // 7. // 8. // 9. // 10. // 11. // 12. Since our living room has no overhead light, we need to rely on lamps! I went on a hunt for a round table lamp with a pleated shade and had the hardest time finding one in the size and color I needed. So in the process, I bookmarked a bunch of favorites I thought I would share in case you too are on the hunt for a good one! 24 modern traditional table lamps in all varying price points! 13. // 14. // 15. // 16. // 17. // 18. // 19. // 20. // 21. // 22. // 23. // 24. I found this helpful cheat sheet for types of lamp shad ..read more

This year felt like two years in one. The first half was facing some of the hardest decisions we have had to make as a family, and the months of a big move following. The second half of the year was landing our feet in a small town and starting over again. There were days I didn’t think I had it in me to uproot again, and yet Gabe and I both knew that the answers to many of the hopes and prayers we had for our family were waiting on the other side of this move. It felt heavy and hard in the moment, but once we took the leap so much of that weight lifted. I wasn’t expecting to feel so much im ..read more

I never seem to remember to check if I have something to wear for the holidays until the last minute, so this year I went ahead and checked my closet early. I I do enjoy dressing up for Christmas festivities and NYE, so I wanted to share 5 holiday outfit ideas I love! (Outfit above was for my sister’s sparkle theme birthday party! Sequin pants, top, red lipstick. My sister’s skirt is no longer in stock, but here is a similar one.) ONE // TWO // THREE // FOUR // FIVE // SIX SEVEN // EIGHT // NINE // TEN // ELEVEN // TWELVE c/o satin dress // shoes // clutch // red lipstick kit Sweater // sa ..read more

This is always my favorite guide to pull together. I hope this helps in your hunt and find for gift ideas your kids will actually use and love! 1. + 2. Backpack sleeping bags – I love all of the pattern and color options for these backpack sleeping bags. Made with plush fabric. Would be a fun gift for the 5-10 yr. age range. Flower design + Dino design. 3. Electric Race Track – We got this for Max for his birthday (10 yrs.), and he and Rocco have loved it. It’s well built (the hot wheels tracks never last in our house!), and well powered! 4. Star Wars Luke Skywalker X-Fighter – I think Legos ..read more

Blessingway ceremonies have been around for a long time originating from Native American tradition. There are different variations, but the one I hosted for my sister Angela was a gathering of family members in town to surround her in prayer and loving support. When I shared about this on instagram, I received so many questions that I thought I would put everything into a post for you! “Just as a tree grows best when anchored firmly in the earth, so can a pregnant mother feel strong and capable when supported by a sisterhood of nurturing friends.” – April Lussier This was the general outli ..read more

It’s always fun for me to round up items for the men folk for our annual gift guides. I have included items that would make great gifts for any age at varying price points. Hope you enjoy! – Gabe 1. Tracking Tiles – An amazing tracker for all those items easily lost. These little guys have saved me an innumerable amount of times after absent mindedly losing my keys, wallet, phone, etc. (Anna can confirm this is on the daily.) 2. Soundcore Motion Portable Bluetooth Speaker – This has the best ratings for sounds and quality, and I love the portability aspect. 3. Leatherman Steel Multitool ..read more