Wednesday, May 29, 2019

5 Tips For Sprucing Up Your Patio

Summertime, and the living is easy!  It's the greatest time of year if you ask us.  We love having our kids home from school, we love having friends over to grill out, and we love the lazy, laid-back schedules that come along with it.

The covered patio off our basement was kind of an after thought when it came to decorating.  We've had some furniture down there for a while, but it never felt like a very comfortable space and I hadn't really put any thought into that area. I really wanted to spruce up that space for summer so that it would feel more inviting and would encourage us to use it more.  I am obsessed with how it turned out and have loved every second we've spent out there so far.  I wanted to share all about what I did to make it feel just like another room in our home instead of just an outdoor spot to grill in the hopes that it would inspire someone else to do the same with their outdoor space.


5 Tips For Sprucing Up Your Patio For Summer

1. Treat it like an extension of your home.
When you start to think of this area like another room in your home you will immediately want to treat it like that.  Cleaning this "room" will become part of your normal cleaning routine. No one wants to go sit out on dirty chairs or deal with dead bugs.  If you keep the space clean and tidy on a regular basis, you're definitely more likely to use it on a regular basis!


2. Have comfortable seating and lots of pillows.
 Having somewhere comfortable to sit is key!  We opted for an outdoor sectional, but didn't go crazy with it. It's not top of the line, by any means, but it is great for what we needed and somewhere soft to land.


The outdoor dining table is a hand-me-down from my in-laws, but in PERFECT condition and the cushion colors just happened to match!


Adding pillows is my VERY favorite way to spruce up any space, both indoors and out!  I don't care if fabrics are treated for outdoors, I still use them outside and just wash as needed. To me, the pillows 100% make this space feel just like home. I love the buffalo plaid pillow covers from Amazon and the Vineyard Vines x Target collaboration one I snagged in my local Target last week!  The others are ones I had stashed around my house in other areas that I just repurposed for the patio.



3. Add a rug. 
This is probably one that my husband didn't agree with, but I knew it would make the patio feel more cozy and home like.  I wanted an indoor-outdoor rug that was durable and could be hosed off after pollen season, but that was colorful and comfortable to put my feet on.  I ended up going with THIS one in the 8x10 and could not be happier.


The price was right, I didn't have to pay extra shipping and it completely changed the look of the space. When my little guy saw it out there for the first time he said, "Wow!  That carpet makes it look way gooder out there."  And he was right!  This was the thing that completely changed the look of the patio.


4. Plants, greenery and flowers! 
I love little pops of green both indoors and out!  I use all sorts of artificial boxwood sprigs in fun containers inside my house and also like to use them outdoors, too!


I don't have a green thumb, but I do love potted plants or flowers because they are usually easier to keep alive (as long as I remember to water them!).


5. Don't forget the finishing touches.
Think about all of those items that make our indoors spaces feel "finished."  I'm talking about the candles, small decor items, wall art and just personal little items that make a home feel like a home. You add them to rooms indoors, so don't forget to use those outside on our porch or patio, too!


I just mostly used things I already had on hand, but also added a few new things.  I made the American flag sign at Board and Brush and I'm obsessed with it!


I also grabbed a few of these candles from the Vineyard Vines x Target collaboration!  Candles are great for keeping bugs away at night, too!


I really love the way this space turned out and know that we will enjoy using it all summer long!  

Do you have an outdoors space you use?  Any other ideas to share for sprucing it up?


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Friday, May 24, 2019

Summer Fun with Old Time Pottery {Giveaway!}

Thank you to Old Time Pottery for sponsoring this post. All thoughts, opinions and summer fun are our own. 


The unofficial start to Summer is here and we are so ready! School is out for most of the Mini Magnolias, and we are ready to spend the next few months soaking in all the Summer we can. With pool and lake time on the schedule from now until August we made it our mission this week to stock up on all the summer essentials.

I don't know about you, but by the end of each season we seem to lose about 90% of our pool toys. We end up with a mis-matched set of dive toys, a handful of water guns who lived their best life and only work on occasion, and our goggles are hanging on by a sad rubbery little thread.

When your crew and their band of pint sized friends tend to Marco-Polo/mermaid/water wrestle/race/dive/cannon ball/Category from sun up to sun down, you learn pretty quick to not spend a ton of money on anything they are going to be playing with at the pool. Pool toys tend to get thrown into one big splash fest, and floats get passed around and serve about sixteen different purposes. That's the magic of Summer - everyone is blissed out on all that Vitamin D and the unlimited possibilities that a large body of water can provide - no one cares (for the most part) whose is what. But all that magic doesn't have to break your budget.


This week we made our way to our local Old Time Pottery to stock up on all the summer things. Old Time Pottery always has a great selection of high quality seasonal items for more than affordable prices.  Over the years they have become one of our favorite go-to places for re-stocking our summer fun stashes.

| Patio Umbrellas

They always have a ton of great items on hand, and their shelves are always fully stocked. So when you need to buy five identical pink mermaid sand toys (because apparently not all sand toys are created equal) they have your back.


Old Time Pottery covers all our summer fun needs. From portable chairs to plush towels to toys and everything in between - we love that we can walk in knowing we will be able to find everything we need to get us ready for summer. 

| Spyderball | Life Sized Dice | 3-in-1Sport Target Toss

This year was no exception. Usually it is the kids who I have to limit from going crazy, but this year I was having a hard time showing restraint. There were just so many fun things on every shelf you looked. We make our way to the beach in a few weeks with our extended family, and we love playing games on the beach. I was so excited to stock up on a few fun new ones! 


The kids found plenty of fun, unique new toys of their own too. And most were under $5! You can't beat that! 


But their favorite had to be the selection of pool floats they have on hand. Every kind of pool float you can image! The kids thought this pizza one was hilarious. Most floats are under $20 - even for the large "instagram-worthy" ones. 


Stocking up on the essentials is easy too. I grabbed a stash of new goggles because this seems to be the number one thing we tend to lose or break each summer. It's also nice to have a few extra pair on hand in case any of our pool guests need a pair too. 


The minute the girls spotted these mini collapsible chairs they wanted one. As certified soccer siblings they spend a ton of time on the sidelines cheering on their brother. They were so excited to see a "soccer chair" just their size, I couldn't say no. Especially for only $6.99! I grabbed a few for our crew and then grabbed one to wrap up as a part of a gift for a summer birthday party we have coming up. 


Beach shovels, sand toys, pool floats, splash balls, water guns, beach chairs, towels...you get the idea! We left Old Time Pottery totally stocked and ready!


The kids can't wait to play with all their new stuff, and the excitement that we all have for the summer ahead is almost bursting out of us. 







We are so excited that we just can't keep it all to ourselves. We have a little summer fun surprise for you too! 








 SUMMER FUN GIVEAWAY! 

We want you to go into summer just as prepped! We are giving away a $100 gift card to Old Time Pottery to one lucky reader! 


To enter just answer the question below in our comments! 


WHAT FUN DO YOU HAVE PLANNED THIS SUMMER? 


Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, May 31, 2019. Winner must 18 or older and a resident of the United States. Winner be required to claim prize in 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. 



Happy Summer everyone! 



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Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Mexican Inspired Charcuterie Board


Our love for Mexican food runs deep. I mean what's not to love about chips, salsa, margaritas, and -my personal favorite - cheese dip?! Today we present to you the Mexican Inspired Charcuterie Board

It's just as amazing as it sounds. And now we've been ruined of all other charcuterie boards forever. 


A few weeks ago we were trying to think of a quick pre-soccer practice snack. Practice falls in that weird time frame that you have to decide to eat dinner at 4:30p.m. or 8:30p.m. (or both). Charcuterie boards I've found are a good way to sneak in a little healthy snack/dinner. 

Call me crazy, but I feel like my kids are almost willing to eat a veggie more this way. It's as if broccolli being artfully styled near a block of cheese somehow makes it more appetizing. 


As we approached Cinco de Mayo, I thought why not make a Mexican Inspired one? It was super easy to come up with items to put on it (not to mention - all the dips!!!), and the kids loved it. 


I've thrown it in a few different entertaining situations we've had lately, and its been a huge crowd pleaser! 


We're chatting about all the different ways you can create your own Mexican Inspired Charcuterie Board on Savvy Sassy Moms. Pop over to check it out, and don't forget to swing by and grab the Strawberry Margarita recipe Carrie Beth shared a few weeks ago. Your Taco Tuesday just got a whole lot yummier! 

What are some of your favorite ways to make Charcuterie Boards? 



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How to Make a Mexican Inspired Charcuterie Board

Friday, May 17, 2019

Friday Favorites


Happy Friday y'all! Okay I am going to keep this Friday Favorites pretty short and sweet today because it's May and apparently in May we like to make sure at least 20 hours out of the day are consumed with as many activities as possible. 

We've had a crazy fun week full of field days, end of school year programs, sports tryouts, dance rehearsals, a random stomach bug, PTA meetings and post deadlines. On tap tonight is swim lessons and soccer practice/party and around 10p.m. I will crash in my bed before tomorrow's 5:45a.m. wake up call for a soccer tournament. 

Yay for May!!!

Carrie Beth shared this video on Facebook this week and its 100% accurate. 


Now for a little Friday Favorites action. Even though we have been crazy busy, I've still managed to find a little goodie or two here and there that must be shared. Shopping can be a wonderful stress relief sometimes. 

Sorry husband. 



I shared this pic on Instagram stories a few weeks ago, but it bares repeating...THESE SHORTS ARE AMAZING! 

| Top | Shorts | Shoes | Gingham Rug | Doormat

I mean once you have elastic waistbands in your life its really hard to go back. The moment I tried on these shorts I bought them in all the colors. 


They are super soft, have a cute little double cut off hem thing going on and most importantly - elastic!! I know I said that already, but listen, I spent approximately three years of my life pregnant and I spend 90% of my days wearing yoga pants. I gave up on the button a long time ago. 


This white tank top also deserves honorable mention. It is so comfy! It is also super cute with its shoulder tie accent and it rings in under $10. I went back to purchase another color, and grabbed Carrie Beth one as well because it is that good. Its the perfect summer staple to add to your wardrobe. 



I'm a huge fan of rompers. I used to wear dresses a lot because they are so comfortable, but one or two incidences with toddlers and showing my goodies to unsuspecting patrons of various public places, I decided to be a little more strategic in my wardrobe choices. 


The moment I saw this little black romper, I knew I had to have it. I loved the slimming tie waist, the slight ruffle sleeve, and the back has a fun key hole opening that you can still wear a regular bra with. I've worn it to daytime functions and to a fun double date night out. 


It's super versatile, and feels like a dream. If it came in other colors I would scoop them up. 

Fit note: I'm a shorty, coming in at 5'1". I would say if you have a longer torso size up in this one. Otherwise it runs true to size. I'm in a 2R here. 


Not that there is a ton of free time this month for reading, but if there is I already have my next Book Club selection all picked out and ready to go! Kristy sent us her latest novel, The Southern Side of Paradise, and I can't wait to dig in! I also now want to head to the beach. 


And when I shared this on Instagram a ton of you asked about my outfit details. Here is a closer look at this super cute floral top. 

| Top | Jeans | Earrings | Sandals |

Willow Park Boutique always has the best little finds, and this tie shoulder tank has been a favorite find. It comes in a few other patterns and I want them all! 




Today marks the girls last day of school! They have a few more mornings snuggling together before their big brother infiltrates their routine. 


And while I love seeing them actually get along (for at least part of the day), I love my new rug and pillows just a smidge too. 


I did a poll on Instagram about this pillows and the only one to say "no" out of hundreds of votes was my husband. Clearly the good people of Instagram have swaying power because...swooning! 

I'll share more on this room later, but for now you get a sneak peek at the new rug and pillow set up



Temps went from cool to sweltering pretty quickly. And if I can't wear my beloved elastic waistband shorts, cut-offs come in a close second. 


These white cut-off shorts have been on repeat since I found them in February. I sized up one for a looser fit (these are a 26), and they are a great length. The distressing keeps them more casual, but that's how I roll in summer. 

This tee is also a quick favorite. I own in it like five colors and its currently on sale for under $5! I own similar tees from J.Crew and Madewell that I love, but for $5 its a no brainer and you can't tell the difference in any way in quality. The only difference I noticed is the neckline is slightly less revealing. Three years of nursing, and well...I'm okay with showing less of what's left. 

| Jewelry

I throw on some fun jewelry if need be to dress it up, but from now until October this is pretty much the outfit you will see me in... cut-offs, basic tee, and flip flops. 




And if I didn't stress my love for that wardrobe trifecta, here's another example to really drive it home. 

| Shorts | Tee | Sandals | Clutch (similar) |
I snagged these shorts when doing a little stress-relief shopping last week and they are a quick favorite! We both loved the hem instantly! They have the slightest amount of stretch to them. I bought them one size up and they don't stretch out too much. Definitely a fast favorite and they are currently on sale for less than $40! 


This graphic tee is so so soft! It comes in a ton of fun patterns! We really want the flamingo one next! 



Last on my favorites list lately is this fun lobster bracelet! 


We did a fun event with Keep Collective a few weeks ago, and when the coordinator showed us the new summer pieces added to their lines, I couldn't resist! They have so many cute charms, but the moment I saw this lobster with it's adorable little tassel tail I knew I had to have it! Plus those who know me, know anything red, white, and blue is my jam.

That wraps up my favorites for the week (month?!)! Here's hoping we all survive the back half of May together! 

Happy weekend friends! 




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