I love sleep... I need it. I crave it. I daydream about it. And I want my kids to value it too. As a mom, I may not always get as much restful snooze time as I'd like, but I try to make the most of the limited zzz's I do get. And that starts with ensuring that my three kiddos ...read more
People aren’t the only ones who love to spend time in the family yard during the summer months. For the family pet, the outdoor living room serves many purposes – providing a place to relax, burn off some energy, play safely with friends (human and furry), and do their ...read more
The spring cleaning season is in full bloom, and there's no better time than now to get your living space in order. While you probably clean the kitchen weekly (if not daily!), it could really use a thorough deep scrub down--it is the (most frequently used) heart of the home ...read more
The era of living with less is upon us! You can thank the tiny home movement (and all those binge-worthy show) or credit Marie Kondo for encouraging us to pare down. Either way, if you live in a smaller space, you might find that you would rather leverage a closet to create a ...read more
China offers a beautifully simple way to recapture elegance in everyday living. You can use it every time you dine and entertain, and even use it to elevate the sparkle of your home décor. Here are seven ideas for using china to recapture elegance in everyday life: 1. Mix and ...read more
Clutter can be costly... in more ways than one. It can be a time-suck, an enegry drain, and, yes, an expense as well. How? One of out 10 American households need to rent storage units to house their extraneous"s "things," and 25% of people with two car garages can't use the space ...read more
March isn't always forgiving. The days are long and cold, and a seemingly endless winter can lead to cabin fever. You might be itching for an escape--a physical vacation, a mental getaway, a transformative trip. While you can't transport yourself to Hawaii just yet, you can ...read more
A living room is often the most-used space in your home, so it’s important that you really enjoy the way it looks to make the time you spend there the most fulfilling. However, the living room of a younger, single person may have different needs of those who have small children ...read more
My husband arrived home from work this past Tuesday positively gleeful at the sight of snow on our lawn and in our driveway. Indeed, I think he was more excited than the kids! Of course, snow-ball fight and sledding weren't the activities driving his white-out weather ...read more
My go-to Valentine gift for teachers? A $5 Starbucks gift card with a mug and message "I Love You a Latté." It might not be the most original or clever idea, but, hey, I'd be psyched to essentially be handed a gratis Grande. And I do believe that coffee and love go hand in ...read more
Baby, it's cold outside... and it's about to get a whole lot chillier in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. We will barely have time to clean up after this week’s upcoming winter storm before the COLDEST AIR SO FAR THIS SEASON(!!!!!!) sets in. Yeah, get your firewood, cocoa and ...read more
In case you haven’t noticed, there is a real emphasis lately on the value of acquiring experiences instead of things. The point is to have the money to be able to travel or attend events, go back to school or play more sports. None of these things can be accomplished if your only ...read more
Preparing for guests means more than just offering up your guest bedroom. The bedroom where they will be sleeping is the ideal spot for them to ‘get away’, so make it a space that they’ll enjoy being in, and not just a place for some shut-eye. So besides a set of guest towels and ...read more
Sometimes, a little goes long way. But when it comes to the holiday season, we often want "more." And I'm not just talking about gifts and treats. Even our decorative displays are over the top... More lights, more tinsel, more glitter and gold... Make it shine--we want our ...read more
Life at home has become much easier and more streamlined now that we have our own personal assistant. She's smart, she's savvy, and you'd hardly know she's there--she takes up such little space--seriously, just a wee bit of counter top is all she needs. Yes, we've come to rely ...read more
T-minus two days until the biggest feast of the year. Thanksgiving snuck up on us--it's actually the earliest possible day it can be on the calendar, so many of us find ourselves scrambling to clean, to cook, to prep, to set, and decorate. Whether you're hosting a fancy ...read more
Cleaning is not my favorite pastime. I know some people find it relaxing or therapeutic, but not me. There are about a million things I’d rather be doing than vacuuming and dusting and wiping and polishing—especially at this busy time of year. I’d rather be baking holiday ...read more
I am that basic girl who loves everything about autumn. Pumpkins, sweaters, boots, leaves, and lattés--I adore this time of year in all its Instagrammable glory. The chill in the air and the color in the trees; I enjoy spending these fleeting months outdoors. Football games, ...read more
Autumn is upon us. The air is cool, the breeze is crisp, and the outdoors are beckoning. While we'd love to bask in the colorful glory, we also recognize that winter is right around the corner. That's why, in between your orchard trips and pumpkin picking, it's important to ...read more
With the start of autumn comes the influx of coats and scarves, rain wellies and umbrellas, team-sports gear, sweaters and boots. It’s time to make sure that there is a designated spot for all of these things in your mudroom or hall closet. Or else, you know what happens? You’ll ...read more
What's the first thing you do when you wake u in the morning? Eat breakfast? Brush your teeth? Engage in a moment of meditation? For many, myself included, the first thing we do is make the bed. Nice and neat and tidy.r It feels so good to kick off the day with a clean slate and ...read more
Go back to school knowing your child's closet is filled with clothes that fit and a plan to keep organized all year long. Set the kids, and yourself, up for success by getting the closet clutter under control. Organizing a kid’s room can be particularly challenging, because ...read more
My newly minted six-year-old big boy is a crafting fiend. He loves to make, to create, to build, and decorate. He'd actually been art deprived since school let out in late June. His Kindergarten teacher was a bundle of artistic inspiration and every day Grant would come home ...read more
Putting away groceries often becomes a of a game of shoving and squeezing to fit everything in. It's a veritable game of foodie Tetris to make everything work. And then there’s the struggle to get the one thing you need that is hidden in the back. (Crash, boom, bang. No use ...read more
We shared some easy and chic tablescape inspiration for your July Fourth celebrations, but we left one must-have off the list... Flowers. Summer is in full bloom and we can't have an alfresco fete without fabulous florals decorating every corner, table, and planting pot. While ...read more
Who wants to see some super easy Fourth of July Tablescape ideas? I know I'm not the only mama who loves doing it up for any and every holiday right? And the Fourth of July just so happens to be one of my favorites. It could be because my baby boy was born two days after the 4th ...read more
The daily grind. From sunrise (when the kids wake up--sigh) to bedtime (when the kids are supposed to go to bed--ugh), we are on the move, on the job, and getting things done. It's all part of the #momlife hustle. The second I get out of bed, I'm moving, doing, making, going. ...read more
So, who wants to see some simple spring tablescape ideas? Simple is the key word here, right? I don't know about you guys, but spring has been, in a word, BUSY for this mama! Between the kids having mandatory testing at school, fundraisers galore, the usual lessons, homework and ...read more
Let's talk about how to style a coffee table tray for a moment...Shall we? Are you one of those people that love the look of a coffee table tray, but you're not quite sure what to put on one? I used to be. You see, up until we moved into our new home a few months ago, I had never ...read more
If I asked you if you would like to get a peek at the best spring organization tips around, what would you say? Heck yeah, I'm guessing right? I feel you. It's that time of year when most of us feel the urge to get our home in order. Sure, a good deep cleaning is on the agenda, ...read more
Have you heard about the HGTV Smart Home? Well, in case you aren't familiar, it's an impeccably designed home in Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina that's filled to the brim with the latest and greatest in tech. That's right. Not only is every room to die for decor wise (think ...read more
One of my favorite things about the holidays is tradition. Our family has been celebrating some of our own special holiday traditions since I was a kiddo and they're even more special now that I have children of my own. One of those traditions is Christmas breakfast. Whoever ...read more
The holiday entertaining season is officially in full swing. Parties, fundraisers, and shindigs abound! I'm hosting an intimate holiday dinner at my home this weekend, and trying not to sweat the details. Good food, great wine, and fabulous company: that's the recipe for a ...read more
The holiday season is officially underway in this girl's book and that means it's time to talk holiday decorating! I spent this past weekend adding some festive new pieces to my holiday decorations reserves. And on my shopping list was something special for my holiday tablescape. ...read more
Gobble gobble! The kiddos wake up on Thanksgiving morning with energy and excitement for the day ahead. Before you watch the parade or head out on a family 5K, whip up a crafty-cute breakfast your kids will absolutely adore. These sweet cinnamon roll turkeys taste good and look ...read more
There is one thing I love almost as much, if not more than the holiday season...And that thing is COFFEE! I'm talking coffee drinks, coffee bars and even just a good old fashioned black cuppa Joe. I love it all. There is nothing quite like the feeling of holding a steaming cup of ...read more
The holidays can be a joyful time of fun and cheer, but the season can also be stressful and exhausting. Between shopping and entertaining and decorating and celebrating, it can be hard to stay on top of all your to-do's. Having your home organized ahead of time is a great way to ...read more
To Brunch or not to Brunch?? If it gives you a reason to serve this pomegranate mimosa, TO BRUNCH it is! Always brunch! And what better cocktail to have with brunch than a mimosa? With the holidays quickly approaching, gatherings will be happening more frequently as we focus ...read more
November is my birthday month. And my birthday just so happens to fall around Thanksgiving each year... And sometimes it's even on Thanksgiving, so Turkey Day has always been one of my very favorite holidays. While I'm all in with every holiday, I can't ignore the merits of a day ...read more
We're already a few days into November, and I can barely believe that Thanksgiving is just two-and-a-half weeks away. Time is flying, and the festive fall entertaining season is upon us. With lots of plans and parties on the calendar, we're excited to celebrate with friends and ...read more
We recently moved to a new home and after nearly a decade with my more contemporary decorating style, I decided to switch things up a bit and go for a more rustic, homey vibe. Like most of the country, I crush on Joanna Gaines' perfect grasp of farmhouse decor and while I haven't ...read more
This cocktail combines some of my absolute favorite fall flavors! I typically stick to cold brew during the warmer months, but it just goes so well with this pumpkin pie liqueur. So creamy and flavorful, I know you will fall for this cocktail just like I have. The pumpkin pie ...read more
Have you tried pulling the Jimmy Kimmel prank on your kids yet? I did, and felt the wrath of two very candy-coated kiddos. They're proud of their loot. After all, they trick or treated for a full hour and a half. That's serious business and real work in the eyes of of a five ...read more
When it comes to food, I'm not fancy. I like my dishes simple and delicious. One of my favorites: sandwiches! I know, I know... how grown-up of me! But a sandwich can be more than peanut butter and jelly slapped onto white bread or soggy egg-salad squished between whole wheat. ...read more
We took a trip to the local pumpkin-patch this past weekend, and the littles had an absolute ball. Nothing like a bit of crisp air and some wide-open spaces to refresh the mind and revive the soul. The husband and I must've been feeling the festive spirit too; we told the kiddos ...read more
Grab your kids, costumes, and candy bags; it's time to get ready for Halloween 2017. Such a fun time to be a kid and an equally anxious time to be a mom. The dreaded “sugar highs” that are in our immediate future can be difficult to manage. No need to fear, this Spooksicle will ...read more
Entertaining guests this weekend? No need to cater your shindig with fancy or expensive appetizers. We have a few inspired recipes to help you easily elevate your cheeseboard game and bring instant excellence (and elegance) to your table. These decadent dishes, created by ...read more
When in doubt at dinnertime, we eat tacos! Taco Tuesday, Taco Wednesday, Taco Thursday, Taco Friday… it doesn’t matter to us! Every evening is fiesta-worthy with queso, corn, and guacamole galore! Gimme spicy beef, sliced steak, or chipotle chicken—I don’t discriminate. Bring ...read more
There is something to love about each and every season... Am I right? The magic of winter holidays...The beauty of spring's renewal...The relaxation that summer brings with it. They're all responsible for wonderful moments, but there is just something about fall that is ...read more
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and so the ladies of Momtrends want to raise awareness and our glasses with a few pink-tinted cocktails made with Mionetto Prosecco. Sherri and I sipped for a cause this week on Facebook Live--and you can too! For the third consecutive ...read more
