Thursday, June 17, 2021

Happy Camper and Happy Mom: {Sponsored by Walmart}

This post is sponsored by Walmart and includes affiliate links.  I will receive a small commission from Walmart for any sale resulting from a link click.  Thank you for supporting my blog!

We've been busy getting my daughter ready to go to summer camp.  It can be overwhelming getting her prepared for a week away, but having our shopping done by someone else and then picking it up made things to much easier! It was so easy to use Walmart's Online Pick Up + Delivery Service to make my shopping a breeze!  I love their service because it is so easy to use, saves a ton of time, only requires a $35 minimum order and includes the same name brand products at the same low prices you see in stores.  It is available in select markets, so give it a try if it is available in your area...you have nothing to lose!  In the rare instance something is not to your satisfaction, just contact customer care so they can remedy the situation.  It really is something I depend on now to make life easier! 

So along with our usual grocery order, I was able to add all the camp necessities we still needed to grab before next week.  From sunscreen and rain ponchos to shower shoes and shampoo, they had it all ready to go for us!  Winnie was excited that we also got dog treats.  We went outside to go on a walk, we saw our order had been delivered....and she decided she didn't want to go on a walk anymore! I think she knew her treats were in one of those bags!


She was excited to be rewarded with a treat when we returned. While she enjoyed her treat, my daughter and I started packing.   

Here are some quick tips I learned along the way while packing and prepping!

1. Use large freezer bags for each day's outfits! My daughter has a day outfit and then each night is a them night so we have 2 bags per day.  She can just grab the labeled bag when she's getting ready and she'll have everything she needs!




2. A mesh laundry bag is great for transporting bedding to camp and then transporting dirty clothes back home.  The bedding is packed in the trunk for the way home and clothes are in the laundry bag ready for a good wash!

3. Label everything...I know, an obvious one, but so important.  Also, don't send anything of sentimental value or anything that can't get dirty! 

4. Shower caddies are a life saver...prepare all ready to go full of all the shower necessities.  Our camp has a shelf in the bathroom to store all the caddies so it makes it convenient to grab and take into the shower stall.  If your camp doesn't have a shelf, the caddy makes it super easy to take back and forth into the bathroom. Don't forget shower shoes!



5. Pack some extras...undies, socks, shorts, etc...things get dirty, the weather can be unpredictable, etc.  Better to have too much stuff than not enough.

6. Pack notes/cards from home, care packages and/or a few personal items.  Pictures of family and pets can help curve home sickness.  A hand written note from mom or dad can help the kiddos feel connected when they are away.  Our camp allows us to drop off cards and care packages at check in and the deliver as the week goes on.  Also, don't forget stamped envelopes and paper so they can write letters home if they want to!

7.  A battery operated fan (and extra batteries) are handy to have.  Our camp has AC in the cabins but a fan helps keeps my camper cool at night and the sound helps her sleep.

8. Save time, and money, by using Walmart's Grocery + Pick Up Services!  I do not even want to count the hours or how many stores we went to finding a one piece swimsuit for a teen girl...it wasn't fun, but the fact I can do an online order for some many things to have delivered saved my sanity!!  See for yourself how easy it is to Walmart Grocery + Pick Up Service by clicking here!  

More time to enjoy summer fun with your kiddos...and pups!


Shop my camp necessities here:


Monday, June 14, 2021

From Builder Grade to Affordable Upgrade: {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 June project with you today!

For this month's project, I wanted to show you some easy and affordable ways to update your home!  I have lived in my home for almost 4 years now and still have some builder grade basics that needed updating. I found some really great, affordable options from the Better Homes & Gardens line available at Walmart.  I love their quality products because they are so affordable and I can always find items that flow with my style! 

3 affordable and easy ways to upgrade a space are painting, new lighting and new hardware.  The Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart has everything you need!!

First up was my daughter's ceiling fan.  Last month I shared the progress we had made in giving her room a "boho" makeover.  What I didn't show you, on purpose, was the outdated fan that was here when we moved in and put in by the builder when the first owners lived here.  I am not sure why it took me so long to switch it out, but I am so glad we finally made the swap!  

Before:

Dark and dated....



After: 

Sleek and simple...





Link: Ceiling Fan

I love the simple, clean look of this all white fan from the Better Homes & Gardens line.  I was so reasonably priced and looks so good that I decided I am going to get another one for my guest room!  So crazy at what a difference this fan makes!



Next up, the master bathroom.  Okay....this is a space I never wanted to share because I truly hate this space.  I do not like the color of the tile, the layout or any of the fixtures.  My plan is to totally renovate this space at some point, but for now I was ready for some simple changes that didn't cost a ton.  

When I first moved in, I hired someone to paint the cabinets.  It made such a  huge difference and lightened up the space so much!  If you don't have the budget to totally demo a bathroom, painting the cabinets is a great way to make a huge impact without spending a ton.  You can make it a DIY to save even more!  Here is some great news, Better Homes & Gardens has a new paint line and the colors are gorgeous! You can check it out here: Better Homes & Gardens Paint Collection

Another easy update is to swap out hardware.  These cup pulls go with the modern farmhouse style of my home and were very inexpensive.  Better Homes & Gardens has a huge selection of hardware including pulls, 


Link: Satin Nickel Cup Pulls- Set of 6

Paint and hardware made a huge improvement but...


The lighting had to go....it was another builder grade selection that has been here way too long.  I came across this modern, satin nickel vanity light and decided it was a great option. Sleek...simple...affordable and goes great with any style.  One thing I noticed when I was measuring is that the builder did not center the lights over the sink!  The things you discover when you start changing things up!  Next on this list is to center the lights and replace the mirror...and retile everything...and add a claw foot tub...and the list goes on.  For now, the simple change made a huge difference!


It looks so updated now and so much better.  Why did I wait 4 years to change out the lighting?  Who knows, but I am so glad I did and now I am not totally embarrassed to share this room.  It is okay if everything isn't the way you want it to be.  A few changes make a huge impact.



I also added a new towel rack, tray, soap dispenser, bath mats and towels to finish off the update.




A few new accessories can make the space feel new again!



Link: Marble Look Soap Dispenser

Link: Marble Look Vanity Tray

Link: Counter Top Towel Rack


And of course, new towels were a must! 


Link: Dots Hand and Bath Towel Set

Link: Plush Bath Mat

Now the space feel like a spa...much better!

Next on this list is to center the lights and replace the mirror...and retile everything...and add a claw foot tub...and the list goes on.  For now, the simple change made a huge difference!

Another simple update I made was updating the mirror in my daughter's bathroom.  There was nothing wrong with the existing one, but this beautiful gold mirror from Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart gives it a more custom look.

Before:



After:

Much better...



Link: Round Gold Mirror

I love the round shape and feel like it looks great in this space!

And just another example of how small changes can give a more custom feel!

Also while on the subject of simple upgrades, I had to re-share these before and after pictures  from a previous project I completed using Better Homes & Gardens lighting.

Before:

Nothing wrong with these lights but they just didn't add much to the space...


After:

So much better and flow with the room and surrounding rooms better.  I love how light and airy the space looks now!



And one more...
The before was really heavy and didn't vibe with the style of the house....


After:

Adds interest to the dining nook and ties in well with the industrial look of the house.





If you have a room in your house that needs an update on a budget, Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart has a huge selection of products that will give you a fresh, new look on a budget!  Paint, lighting and hardware are 3 things that can be easily changed without spending a ton of money. The impact of these changes makes a huge difference!  Make sure to check out the Better Homes & Gardens line of products at Walmart for your next project! 

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







Sunday, May 9, 2021

Boho Teen Hangout Reveal: {Sponsored by Better Homes and 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!

This month is the 10th anniversary of BHG Stylemaker.  It has been a honor to be a part of this amazing group.  This month we were asked to put our signature style on display while updating a space in our home.  My style is constantly changing and it is fun to see the transformation over the years.  For this assignment, I wanted to include my 13 year old daughter.  We worked together giving her room a complete makeover.  The final result is interesting because she and I share a lot of the same style.  We both love neutral colors, tons of texture and an overall cozy feel.  While she likes more pop of color than I do, we share so much of the same taste.  We had so much fun working on the "living space" in her new room and couldn't wait to share it with you!  We are still working on the rest of the room, but here is the first reveal...

She wanted an "aesthetic boho feel"...and while I wasn't exactly sure what that meant, she said we nailed it! Taa-daa...


I must admit, I am ready to trade rooms with her!  We tried to stay on a pretty tight budget and sold a lot of her old furniture to make room for new.  We mixed in a  vintage love seat, bar cart and chair with new Better Homes & Gardens pieces.  This cube storage was a must have to hide all the "stuff" she wasn't ready to part with...books, games, journals, art supplies, etc.  


The woven baskets work perfectly with the vibe she was going for and add texture to this area.  The fact that this piece doubles as a TV stand and storage piece is a bonus! 

Link: Storage Cube Shelf - more color 

Link: Set of 4 Baskets






Flea market trays were used to bring in a whimsical touch and a yummy smelling candle adds ambiance into the room.  Candles always add coziness....and do not worry, it is only lit when I am around for safety reasons! Better Homes & Gardens has the best smelling candles!

 


After marking furniture off the list, it was time for the fun part...pillows!  Since the bamboo furniture we bought was vintage, we needed a solution for cushions.  I was delighted to discover these sherpa throw pillows and floor cushions fit perfectly.  They achieve the cozy look we wanted and  are so comfortable!  



To add a few pops of color, she wanted to use different shades of pink, rust and yellow. We found some great options from the Better Homes & Gardens line.  You guys know how much I love their pillows.  The price is always so reasonable and the quality is amazing!



The darling yellow lumbar pillow caught our eye first!  It definitely has that boho look with the tufting and tassels and pairs perfectly with the pillow we already owned!

To balance out the color pops, we doubled up the pillow power in the corner.  A textured blush pillow mixed with a metallic palm pillow compliment each other without being so matchy-matchy as I call it.  I love mixing pillows for an eclectic look.  She actually wasn't sold on the palm pillow until she saw it in person and now she loves it. I have linked all the pillows below!


Such a cute and cozy corner...



Shop pillows here:

Link: Sherpa Throw Pillow - lots of color options

Link: Sherpa Floor Cushions - more colors

Link: Blush Tassel Pillow

Link: Metallic Palm Pillow

Link: Yellow Tufted Lumbar pillow - more colors


And it wouldn't be a boho room without cute planters and plants.  I have mentioned before how Better Homes & Gardens has the best selection of planters.  We added a new one to compliment what we already had.  There isn't such a thing as too many plants, right?



The white stone and terra cotta detail made this one the perfect choice for this area. It is such a happy little corner now.

Link: Savona Planter

To finish off this area, we added a macramé hanging planter alongside a moon decor piece.  We had the macramé planter but I found some great options from Better Homes & Gardens that will give you the same look!

Link: Macramé Plant Hangers




We are so excited to have this space completed!  She loves it and I love that she played such a huge part in this design.  It was so much fun working together and seeing her style on display with the final look.



Stay tuned for the reveal of the rest of the room coming soon!!


If you are looking to update a room in your home for spring, check out the Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart.  They have such a great selection of home decor, bedding, furniture and much more at such affordable prices! 

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






Monday, April 12, 2021

It's Patio Weather: {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!

It is officially patio weather in the Dallas area!  Texas weather can be tricky...we do not get much of a spring before it gets hot...so we are enjoying it while we can.  The mornings are still a tad chilly, it warms up during the day and the evenings can be either one...you just never know.  Today I am sharing some great products I added in order to get this space ready for entertaining so we can enjoy the outdoors before it's too hot! 

Can you spot the new additions?



First up was a little DIY project...and by "Y", I mean WTHOBHGAW..."with the help of Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart".  The original plan was to build wood planters to add to the DIY rock beds created last month, but when I came across these at such a great price, it just made sense to go this route.  Better Homes & Gardens made this project so much easier for me! The quality of these raised beds is amazing and I love the way they look!  I picked up some beautiful  flowers from Better Homes & Gardens line and some soil made specifically for raised beds...all at Walmart.  It didn't take long to get everything planted.



All done and so pretty! These "DIY" raised flower beds made such an impact on this space!  The gorgeous flowers pop against the black and white color scheme and add so much to the space.  I love how the planters make the patio feel separated from the rest of the yard. Now the patio feels like a cozy, outdoor room.


I highly recommend these!  They are so easy to maintain and look amazing!

Link: Cedar Raised Garden Bed

Link: Raised Bed Soil Mix




Make sure to stop into the garden section next time you are at Walmart.  The Better Homes & Gardens brand has lots gorgeous plants, hanging baskets, planters and flowers to add to your outdoor spaces!


Can't wait for the flowers to grow, it is going to be so pretty!


Once that was done, just a few thins were added to get the space ready for family and friends to enjoy. For additional seating, two new poufs were added.  You can never have too many seating options and these can be easily moved around as needed!  I love how the modern pattern ties into the throw pillows and rug. 

Link: Diamond Print Outdoor Pouf

They're great to put your yummy breakfast on when you want to dine outside!



Another new addition, this awesome fire pit.  I can see lots of nights spent around the fire pit with family and friends...bring on the s'mores! 




Link: Fire Pit

Look how cozy and inviting it looks now with the fire pit and lights!  



If you plan on entertaining this spring, check out the new serving pieces from the Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart.  They have everything you need!  I absolutely love these rattan pieces I found.   


These products are great to use indoors or out!

Link: Resin Round Tray

Link: Resin 2 Tier Stand

Link: Rattan Serving Caddy


And their plastic tumblers and wine glasses are perfect for the outdoors.  No need to use the breakable stuff! Cheers!







Link: NuGlass Wine Glass

Link: Striped Tumbler

Link: 2 Pack Kitchen Towel

I have a feeling this space will be getting a ton of use now that we have it all ready to welcome family and friends!  Who wouldn't want to spend time out here?



All set for entertaining and enjoying the beautiful spring weather...



Shop all items here:

If you are looking to update your outdoor oasis or even a small patio or porch, make sure to check out all the goodies from the Better Homes & Gardens line available at Walmart!  They have quality products at such reasonable prices.  

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

Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter



 
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