Monday, May 23, 2022

Bonjour: {Paris Packing List from Free Assembly at Walmart}

This post was kindly sponsored by Free Assembly at Walmart and contains affiliate links. All opinions and reviews are my own.  Walmart rewards me with a small commission of any purchase made through my links.  Thank you so much for supporting my sponsors and my blog. 

Bonjour, friends!  My big trip to Paris is right around the corner and I am in full prep mode... maybe more like freak-out mode!  This trip was planned long ago and I am so excited it is finally here.  My mom, sister and I are headed to Paris and London to celebrate my mom's 75th birthday and I cannot wait!

One thing I always do with trips is overthink and overpack!  I like to have options when I get there and not be forced to wear an outfit because it is all I have left in the suitcase. The summer months in Paris can be tricky since it is cool in the mornings and evenings but it warms up during the day, so I want to make sure I am prepared.  My approach it to take a lot of items that can be mixed, matched and layered. I also wanted a few things that could be dressed up for dinner or styled casually for sight seeing during the day.  This is where the Free Assembly line at Walmart saved me!  

I scored some great stuff to take and am excited to actually be packing early instead of the night before like I usually do!


Free Assembly clothing is available in some Walmart stores but they have an amazing selection of items online.  I am sure you've noticed how Walmart has really stepped up their fashion game. I love this brand...the quality feels very "high end designer" but the prices are so reasonable!  I was blown away as I started shopping this brand and it is quickly becoming a favorite!

So here is what I am taking so far...and I have another order coming!


Links to shop: 

I will be mixing and matching the bodysuits with the jeans and pants. When it is cooler, I can layer one of the button down shirts or sweatshirt on top.  I think the dresses are very versatile and can be worn for a trip to the flea market and/or to a nice dinner.  The t-shirt dresses and romper are so comfy and will be great for long days of sight seeing! My favorite thing is the black jumpsuit and feel like it is perfect to wear during the day or evening.  It can be easily switched up by changing shoes and accessories.  I am so thrilled I found the Free Assembly brand at Walmart.  I knocked out so much shopping for my trip in a matter of minutes and got so many great pieces!  If you haven't checked out this brand, make sure to!  The quality is amazing and the price point is so reasonable!  They also have collections for kids and men...something for the whole family!  You can shop the whole collection HERE!

I am off to pack, feel free to drop your best travel tips for Paris and London in the comments!  Au Revoir!

Monday, May 9, 2022

Zen Patio Makeover: {Sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart}

As a Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker, I am honored to work with their amazing brand sharing their stylish and affordable line of home products available at Walmart! As always, any product reviews or opinions are honest feedback from my personal experience.  This post contains affiliate links to Walmart, which means the brand rewards me with a small commission for any sale resulting from a link click through from my blog.  I am excited to share my May project with you today!


In celebration of Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart's new TikTok account, members of their influencer network were asked to pick a TikTok trend to base our project on this month.  I had so much fun with this challenge and decided to create a zen (#ZenTok) space on my back patio...somewhere I could sit and sip coffee in the morning, read a book in the afternoon, enjoy a glass of wine in the evening or...scroll TikTok any time of the day because I am addicted!  I've shared a little about going through some tough times, thanks to a back injury and some other stuff that came up, so I decided I need to practice a lot more selfcare (#SelfCareTok)! I love seeing TikToks based on these trends and was inspired to join the trend!  It is so important to take care of yourself and I cannot wait to spend time on my "new" patio relaxing!

I am absolutely in love with this space now!  Look how amazing it turned out....



Let's quickly see what I started with...


I hadn't really done much of anything to this area in the 5 years I have been here.  Everything shown above was done by the previous owner.  I had some issues with the sprinkler system so this space needed a complete overhaul.  I did a good job at covering the chaos with cute rugs but I was so excited to see the old stuff go! My ex husband decided he wanted to help me get it into shape as a Mother's Day gift. It was such a thoughtful gift that provided me with a fresh, new, beautiful space to enjoy!  He ripped up the old pavers and got to work.  More on the patio transformation coming soon, but let's skip to the fun part...the decorating!

First up, I ordered this adorable egg chair from the Better Homes & Gardens line available exclusively at Walmart.  I've wanted this chair since they released it last year, but never thought I had the space for it.  Once I knew the space was getting a makeover, I wasted no time and ordered it!  Although it is very large, and some may think it is too large for this space, I am all about getting what you like and what works for you...and it makes me so happy!



This chair is so comfortable!  I know I will be spending a ton of time in this chair!

Link:  Egg Chair


Next, I grabbed this amazing outdoor pouf. I saw it in the garden section of Walmart while picking up some plants and knew it was the perfect fit for my space. I love the texture and modern design.  It is perfect with the egg chair and so comfy to prop up your feet on after a long day!  The great thing about this pouf is that I can use it indoors when it is not being used outside!  A huge win for me! 





Link: Tufted Outdoor Pouf


I added just a few throw pillows to make the space super cozy.  I love Better Homes & Gardens line of pillows!  They are all so inexpensive and the quality is amazing! 




Link:  Woven Striped Pillow

Link:  Black Textured Pillow


Simple finishing touches completed the look for now! I have some more ideas for this space so stay tuned for those plans. As for now, a battery operated candle lantern adds a soft glow in the evenings and a few pretty plants, in Better Homes & Gardens planters, add a calming touch.




Link:  Battery Candle Lantern



Link: Resin Planter

Remember  the Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart "Containers Made Easy" succulents I used for my front porch?  Well I went back for more!  I absolutely love that they offer these!  It is so easy to pop them into a pretty planter of your choice and they look amazing! 



Don't forget to shop all the Better Homes & Gardens plant options at your local Walmart garden center!  They have such quality plants for amazing prices!

I couldn't be more thrilled with the way this space turned out.  I am so excited to have a little zen area to spend time in!  Stay tuned for some more fun projects I have planned for this space!



I hope this post inspired you to create your own space to relax in, because self care should be a priority for all of us!

For more inspiration, follow Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart on social media:

Facebook, Instagram,  Pinterest, Twitter

And their newest account, TikTok!




Thursday, April 7, 2022

Small Space Gardening Tips and Tricks: {Sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart}

As a Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker, I am honored to work with their amazing brand sharing their stylish and affordable line of home products available at Walmart! As always, any product reviews or opinions are honest feedback from my personal experience.  This post contains affiliate links to Walmart, which means the brand rewards me with a small commission for any sale resulting from a link click through from my blog.  I am excited to share my April project with you today!


Now that Spring is here, it is time to do a little gardening.  Full disclosure, I am not a pro and have killed my fair share of plants, but I have learned a few tips and tricks that work well for those of us that just do the best we can! Now, if you are a great gardener, then feel free to just scroll through the pretty pictures.  I am not sharing anything you do not already know, but for those that want easy ways to make your porch and patios vibrant for spring, here you go....

This sight makes me happy every year:


I actually love the garden section at Walmart.  I love that I can grab groceries, a candle, air filters AND pretty plants and flowers!  I always find myself out here even when I need nothing! They always have great quality plants and the prices are so much better than my local nursery.  I love the Better Homes & Gardens brand for their vast variety of plants in so many colors! 


Look at all those beautiful options!

If you are new to caring for outdoor plants, start with just a few, low maintenance plants.  I find ferns are very easy to take care of and make a big impact!  They do great in part sun/shade areas so porches and patios are ideal!  Their size makes a big impact, they look so pretty and they grow rather quickly.  They are also very affordable!



For a decorative touch, I like to pair plants with pretty planters and unique stands to add interest to the space.  I love this wicker look plant stand I used to hold the fern. 

Link: Rattan Plant Stand


Another great, easy to care for plant is a snake plant.  These do great in shade or indirect sunlight and can be planted in decorative pots and look great just about anywhere.  When the cool months arrive, simply move it indoors to enjoy all year long! 



I like to keep a plant mister on hand to keep the plants nice and hydrated!  Just a few plants add so much to a patio!


Link: Clear Plant Mister // Black & White Ceramic Planter


Another great idea for small spaces is to create a "flower bed" with these raised bed planters. They bring a flower bed feel to any space and are so easy to maintain!  

Make sure to start off with a great soil!  Don't go with the least expensive option, usually there is a reason it is so cheap!  I've had great luck with the specialty soil from the Better Homes & Gardens line and it is very reasonable!  With whatever brand you go with, make sure to read the labels and get the one best fitted for the plants you are using.  This will make a world of difference!



Mixing and matching plants and flowers in a variety of colors creates a gorgeous display!  Better Homes & Gardens brand plants have always done well for me! Make sure to read the care tags on the plants and make sure to place them in a location that will best suit them.  I love sweet potato vine because it is inexpensive, so bright and pretty, grows extremely fast and can be easily propagated!  Planted alongside pretty flowers makes as beautiful combo!








Link: Cedar Raised Garden Bed // Organic Soil Mix // Raised Bed Soil Mix


If you want to take the super easy route, check out these Better Homes & Gardens "containers made easy" at Walmart.  Hello, genius!!  Such an easy way to get an amazing grouping of plants and flowers.  All you have to do is plant them in a pretty planter and you're good to go!  From succulent groupings to several different combos of gorgeous flowers, they have something for everyone!




I picked up two of these and couldn't be more pleased with how they look on my porch!




Don't these pink and yellow flowers just scream spring! They add a pop of color and are so welcoming on my front porch!



Succulents are one of my favorite plants because they are so easy to care for and handle the Texas heat like a champ!  I love all the different types of succulents this container included!




And those planters...so perfect here!  This was by far the easiest porch refresh I have done!  Now it is time to grab some more "containers made easy" for my back patio!  I love these simple projects!! 

Link: Ceramic Planter on Stand


If you are in the market for planters, check out all these awesome options from Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart!  So many great choices!



Link: Planter Collection

Looking forward to spring mornings sitting here sipping coffee...


Links: Outdoor Rocking Chair - 3 colors // Reversible Pom Pillow

Hope my tips have helped all the non-gardeners feel like taking on a spring refresh project!  Just a few plants can make such a difference! 

For more inspiration, follow Better Homes & Gardens Live Better on social media:

Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter



Thursday, March 17, 2022

Spring Prep...Patio Edition: {Sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart}

As a Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker, I am honored to work with their amazing brand sharing their stylish and affordable line of home products available at Walmart! As always, any product reviews or opinions are honest feedback from my personal experience.  This post contains affiliate links to Walmart, which means the brand rewards me with a small commission for any sale resulting from a link click through from my blog.  I am excited to share my March project with you today!

Temps have been warming up here in Dallas and we are ready for patio time!  We still have a few cold days ahead, but warm days are finally outnumbering the cool ones!  Today I am super excited to share this patio makeover I did using amazing finds from the Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart. Their patio collection is fabulous this year!  They have so much great stuff at reasonable prices!  For this makeover, I went with a boho style and love the way it turned out!

I like putting together a quick mood board to get a good visual of my ideas before I start buying things!  I love how it all came together! 

The plan....


The outcome...



A few to consider when planning an outdoor space...

1.  Functionality - what is your goal for your outdoor space?  Do you want somewhere to gather with a large group of people?  Maybe you just want somewhere to enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine...or a nice meal?  It is definitely the first thing to decide on!

2. The size of you space - what type of furniture do you have room for?  Make sure to measure and then check dimensions before you buy!

3. Budget- no fun to have to set a budget, but definitely necessary!  Luckily Better Homes & Gardens has so many affordable options!  

4. Style - focus on items that reflect your personal style. Do not get too caught up with trends.  Stick to what you love.

5. Use what you have then shop for what you need!  I love mixing ad matching old and new stuff for a unique look!

6.  Accessories - rugs, pillows, planters, accents, lighting and plants make all the difference!


With all that in mind, the first thing I shopped for was a bistro set and I love the design of this one that I selected.  It was the perfect size for this patio and created a new and very useful outdoor dining space.  I love the rattan look out here!


Link: 3 Piece Bistro Set


I added these beautiful black pillows to accent the chairs with.  I love the contrast of the dark pillows against the light cushion.  The pillows give it a cozy look!



These pillows are so inexpensive and can even be used indoors when not being used outdoors!


Link: Modern Stripe Outdoor Pillow


To tie everything together, I went with this pretty striped, fringe edge rug.  I love how the rug really anchors the space and makes it feel like an outdoor room.  This rug is amazing! Better Homes & Gardens has a great selection of outdoor rugs this year!




Link: Striped Outdoor Rug




Next, up...plants!.  Although it wasn't quite time to add a ton of plants until we know we are 100% done with cold weather, I couldn't help but add a few.  When I found this rattan look plant stand, I knew it would pair perfectly with the furniture. 




The great thing about this stand is that you can remove the plant and use it as a small table.  I would be the perfect spot for drinks, snacks, a book, etc. if needed!  For now, this huge fern is the perfect fit!  I love the pop of color the fern adds!



Link: Rattan Plant Stand


On the table, I used this adorable, ceramic planter.  I love the way the black and white design compliments the rug and pillows.  




Better Homes & Gardens has some amazing planters this year! Make sure to check them out if you are in the market for some new ones!




Link: Black & White Ceramic Planter


And because every patio needs a touch of ambiance for those relaxing evenings, I grabbed these two cute lanterns.  Best part, they come with a battery operated candles!  I love the soft glow of lanterns for a nice patio dinner!  




Aren't these so cute?  I love the texture and think they look great with the rest of the items I used!



Link: Rattan Battery Lantern

Link: Black Woven Battery Lantern


In the corner, I used this funky chair that the homeowner had.  She had it out there not thinking I would actually use it, but I thought it was fun and could definitely be used to create a little seating area.  She has plans to paint it, but I wanted to style it anyway.  I used a few throw pillows to cozy it up a little and give it a softer look.  I also added a small plant stand to use as a little accent table. It is now the perfect spot to chill in with a good book!




Link:  Faux Marble Plant Stand

Link:  Oblong Woven Pillow


I love the way this quick patio makeover turned out!  Now we just need to add some string lights and a few more plants!  I cannot wait for the weather to warm up so they can enjoy their new and improved outdoor space!



Do you have plants to update a your patio?  Make sure to check out all of the Better Homes & Gardens patio goodies out now in stores and online!  Here are a few more of my favorite finds...




For more inspiration, follow Better Homes & Gardens Live Better on social media:





Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Relaxing Bedroom Retreat: {Sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens}

As a Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker, I am honored to work with their amazing brand sharing their stylish and affordable line of home products available at Walmart! As always, any product reviews or opinions are honest feedback from my personal experience.  This post contains affiliate links to Walmart, which means the brand rewards me with a small commission for any sale resulting from a link click through from my blog.  I am excited to share my February project with you today!

February, the month of love...and chocolate...and candy...and pampering.  Whether you are a hopeless romantic and go all out or aren't quite into all the festivities, something that will bring everyone joy is a cozy bedroom.  Bedrooms seem to be the last room of the house we decorate for some reason, but it is so important to have a beautiful space to seek a little zen in after a crazy day.  For this month's project with Better Homes & Gardens, I decided to spruce up my sister and brother in law's already beautiful room.  She is an elementary school counselor and he stays busy running several franchise stores they own...need I say more? They need a break after long days at work!

As mentioned above, their space was beautiful to begin with, but I made a few changes just to give it a fresh update. Now they have a gorgeous space to unwind after those crazy days at work.

Look how pretty it turned out...



The first thing I shopped for was nightstands.  I went with these gorgeous side tables that offer functionality and look great.  The mix of metal and wood materials add interest to this room.  The bottom shelf is for sure a bonus for storage space! 




They ended up being perfect in this space!



Link: Wood and Metal Side Table


Up next was the bedding.  They already had a gorgeous set that was more for looks than function, so I found this cozy, faux fur set to layer with the existing set.  I love mixing and matching bedding so you can switch it up seasonally or just when you want a new look. This set was so reasonably priced at under $80 and the quality is amazing.  





And yes, it feels as plush as it looks!  The medallion design adds some texture and mixes well with the set they already had. 



Link: Faux Fur Bedding Set


Next was adding a few throw pillows to tie everything together.  I am obsessed with all the affordable throw pillows from the Better Homes & Gardens line. 




This textured Aztec style pillow is my favorite.  Pretty sure I need one in my own home!

Link: Aztec Textured Pillow

The dark blue trellis pillows bring out the blue in the bedding set she already had.  I have these pillows in another color in my home. These are awesome and so affordable!

Link: Tufted Trellis Pillow


Accessorizing was kept super simple but impactful.  I spotted these pretty blue planters in the garden section and knew they would be perfect in this room!  Plants bring in a natural element that adds to the calming feel of the space.



Link: Devi Round Planter

Link: Large Blue Planter


To bring in added light, I went with this gorgeous glass and brass lamp.  In bedrooms, I tend to like lamp lighting more than overhead lighting.  It creates a more peaceful ambiance and glow in the space. 



Link: Brass and Glass Lamp


These super simple touches were all it took to give this space a polished look.





I kept the side table accents super simple using things they already owned but did grab this gold geo decor piece.  It looks great stacked up on books my sister is currently reading. 



Link: Gold Geo Decor


I love how inviting and cozy this space feels with also looking so beautiful. 




And who wouldn't want to eat breakfast in bed in this soothing space?  This cute wood tray is perfect for just that.  I do not think my brother-in-law reads my blog, but maybe my sister can send him the link to this post and he will get the hint!  




I hope I inspired you to take some time to refresh your bedroom.  We all need a room we can go to to unwind and recharge. Creating a beautiful room for you and your sweetheart doesn't have to cost a fortune, I found everything I needed from the Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart.  Make sure to check out their amazing products for your project!




I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's day with those who love you and bring you happiness! XO


For more inspiration, follow Better Homes & Gardens Live Better on social media:







 
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