Thursday, May 4, 2017
Bedding Design Balance
In the last month Mike and I have begun focusing on the design of the kids’ room. The girls (will soon) share a room and Finn has his own. When it comes to designing a space I’m terrible about making decisions because I’m constantly changing my mind. I know it drives Mike crazy, but he has so much patience and he’s so good to my indecisive mind. I’ve shared design idea boards in the past for the girls’ shared room and even the playroom, but I have yet to have a solid design in any specific room mostly due to budget. In recent months Kensi has been asking us to redo her room and we really couldn’t argue because there wasn’t much going on in there since we’ve moved the kids from bedroom to bedroom trying to figure out the best function for our family. Once that was settled we could start brainstorming the design of each room.
Mike and I don’t like characters splashed on furniture, clothes or bedding. I know some may think we’re depriving our kids, but when they own their own space they can do with it what they want. We allow our kids to fill their character needs with pajamas, coloring books, stickers, figurines and plush toys. This is a good balance for us because the kids can love and play with their toys and Mike and I can put them all away in their designated home. When it comes to bedding, we choose simple, neutral pieces that can be paired with fun colors and patterns but still keep everything clean and simple. Kids change their minds all the time and too quickly for us to drop money on character bedding, but there are several stores and companies that are constantly stepping up the bedding game and making the perfect sets for this type of balance.
Mike and I don’t like characters splashed on furniture, clothes or bedding. I know some may think we’re depriving our kids, but when they own their own space they can do with it what they want. We allow our kids to fill their character needs with pajamas, coloring books, stickers, figurines and plush toys. This is a good balance for us because the kids can love and play with their toys and Mike and I can put them all away in their designated home. When it comes to bedding, we choose simple, neutral pieces that can be paired with fun colors and patterns but still keep everything clean and simple. Kids change their minds all the time and too quickly for us to drop money on character bedding, but there are several stores and companies that are constantly stepping up the bedding game and making the perfect sets for this type of balance.
If we gave Kensi the reigns to completely design her space it would look like the Disney channel threw up everywhere. There would be stacks of Highlights and American Girl Doll catalogs, paper and sticker sheets hiding under every possible surface along with piles of who knows what that piece or toy came from as she’s kind of our little hoarder. Much like me when I was little. Fortunately, I’ve become quite the purger and we’re slowly teaching Kensi the same habits. As for her room, she would have it filled with all the bright colors of the rainbow and every princess character her little heart desires. I like things to be very clean and simple which can be a struggle when trying to make her own space. But where there is a will, there is a way.
In the girls’ rooms we went with the famous simple Jenny Lind style bed. We originally bought our crib for Kensi in this style, later found a spindle styled bed from an antique store. White may seem boring and plain, but it’s neutral and will go with anything we pair with it. As for the bedding Kensi asked for pink and there are so many beautiful pink comforters and duvets on the market today. A solid comforter is perfect for pairing with multiple different sheet sets whether it be black and white or a fun pattern full of color. I especially love The Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids and Teen for our bedding basics because pieces can be purchased individually like the rainbow pillowcase. There’s no need to purchase an entire sheet set and it’s perfect for mixing and matching. They also have the best accent pillows that can be changed out with each season!
In Finn’s room we went a little more modern with his convertible toddler bed. I love the two tone design. His bedding is very simple with bold black and white patterns a few pops of color. I found this geo accent pillow at Target last year on sale. He loves having his own space with his things all together, but he needs a little more color. We think he’s going to be our little traditionalist because he loves a routine and always does the same thing each night. He always keeps his books close and when he goes to bed we can hear him dropping the books one by one when he’s done down to the floor. Finnley is tall and he’s nearly at the point where his toes can touch the end of his bed when he’s laying on his pillow. We’re getting ready to switch him over to a big boy bed and I’m so excited to style it!
We still have a ways to go with pulling the rest of the rooms together, but I can’t wait to share more as we get a little further in the process!
\\ Sources \\
Bed | Antique, but similar here.
Duvet Cover | Land of Nod
Star Sheets | Pottery Barn Teen (Discontinued)
Rainbow Pillowcase | Land of Nod
Star Pillow | Land of Nod
Plush Unicorn Doll | Pillowfort at Target
Convertible Toddler Bed | The Honest Company
Fitted Cloud Sheet | The Land of Nod
Coolest Kid Pillowcase | Pillowfort at Target
Geo Pillow | Target (Discontinued)
\\ Sources \\
Bed | Antique, but similar here.
Duvet Cover | Land of Nod
Star Sheets | Pottery Barn Teen (Discontinued)
Rainbow Pillowcase | Land of Nod
Star Pillow | Land of Nod
Plush Unicorn Doll | Pillowfort at Target
Convertible Toddler Bed | The Honest Company
Fitted Cloud Sheet | The Land of Nod
Coolest Kid Pillowcase | Pillowfort at Target
Geo Pillow | Target (Discontinued)
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Date Night : Popcorn Frenzy
Our weekend was jam packed full of fun with our friends and kiddos and it left us exhausted. We called our Friday night out with friends out date night for the week even though we had Olivia. We went out to celebrate a birthday at one of our favorite restaurants, known mostly for it’s incredible views of the ocean. We love having our own dates, but it’s also very healthy to be able to go out with friends and interact with others which is also something we don’t make enough time for.
During the outage, Mike and I weren’t able to have a date every week because there was no time and even if there was we were wiped out! To make up for it we plan to squeeze in a few during the week after the kiddos go to bed. We did just that on Tuesday and settled in on the couch to catch up on our favorite shows and decided to have fun making some creative mixes for our popcorn.
I am a popcorn addict. I love snacking on it all the time and I can crave it in the middle of the night. Thankfully I have a husband who is happy to make it for us every time we settle in on the couch for a good movie. We always pop our own in order to dress it however we wish, but it’s almost always simple and very basic. Mike loves his popcorn drizzled with olive oil and lightly salted and I’m a traditional butter lover.
We tried a few flavor combinations just to mix it up this time. Not only was it fun and creative, but we also discovered a few new versions we love. Popcorn flavor combinations are completely endless and it’s so much fun mixing and matching traditional and nontraditional flavors for something completely different! I hope you try one or more of these and enjoy them as much as we did. Our favorite was the buffalo style!
Buffalo Style
6 cups popped popcorn
2 teaspoons hot wing sauce
2 teaspoons melted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cilantro Lime
6 cups popped popcorn
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
4 teaspoons grapeseed oil
2 drops lime essential oil
zest of 1 lime
1/4 teaspoon salt
Italian Parmesan
6 cups popped popcorn
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
Monday, May 1, 2017
Our Weekend in Photos
This weekend was top-notch and summer like. Our weather was incredible and our days were spent outside soaking up the sunshine, hitting the beach and keeping cool in the sprinklers. The babes all woke up bright and early Saturday morning pushing us to start our day around 6am. They’ve been early risers this past week and we took advantage getting out of the house before eight by heading to our favorite donut shop. Kensi and Finn always get sprinkles on their donuts and mix it up by adding either strawberry, blueberry or chocolate icing.
Afterwards Kensi requested to find some seashells and so we headed to the beach. It was low tide and the sand was covered in shells which of thrilled Kensi. Finnley found two broken clam shells and quickly turned them into cars, pushing them through his sand race track. The water was still pretty cold, but it didn’t keep any of us from not dipping our toes in.
We spent the rest of our afternoon in the backyard working on the landscaping and having too much fun playing on the slip n slide. The kids have been loving all the backyard water play lately and I know they’re going to be disappointment this coming weekend since it’s suppose to be cooler and all the water will be off limits. However, I think it’s safe to say we’re ready for summer!
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Spring Cleaning
I officially got the itch to start my spring cleaning a few weeks ago. We currently have beautiful weather which makes for the perfect excuse to open the windows and let the fresh spring air fill our house. I always love the beginning of a new season as it not only makes me excited for all things new, but it sparks the motivation deep down inside me and each season is different. Summer makes me excited for water balloon fights, homemade ice cream, toes in the sand and late nights with Mike; autumn always gives me all the feels with pumpkin spice, crunchy leaves under my feet, cozy blankets and cool nights by the fire pit; winter sparks my baking addiction, arts and crafts for the cold days, layers of warm clothes and hot bowls of soup. Spring is making all things new again, like a fresh start for the year. I love decluttering and doing a deep clean throughout each room in the house. For me it’s a time to simplify.
One thing I’ve really come to simplify in our home over the last few years is our cleaning product stash. I enjoy using natural ingredients for my cleaning products rather than harsh chemicals for a couple different reasons. First of all, it’s much safer for my kids if they so happen to stumble into something. I know they’re going to be okay if they get into the white vinegar or the baking soda as opposed to bleach or a multi-purpose harsh chemical spray. Natural ingredients are also much better for the health of our home and our family. I hate spraying chemicals and then find myself coughing because it has filled the air and I’m now inhaling it. How can that possibly be good for anyone? Instead, I mix up my own cleaners using household ingredients and essential oils. Not only is it a healthier option, but they smell good as well.
For our showers and tubs I’ve tried everything over the years and I always get the best results using our simple shower spray with blue dish soap and vinegar. For me, it makes cleaning a breeze! We have removable shower heads in all our showers which makes it even easier for rinsing everything down in one easy step!
Shower + Tub Spray
1 part Dawn Blue Dish Soap
1 part White Vinegar
20 drops Lemon essential oil
Pour soap and vinegar into 16 oz spray bottle and shake gently to mix. Spray on bathtub and shower walls + floors. Lightly scrub and let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. This makes quite a bit so don’t feel you have to use all of it to clean one shower.
I usually always have my Thieves cleaner on hand, but when I don’t this is the next best thing! Simple and definitely gets the job done!
All-Purpose Spray
2 cups water
1/2 White Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
20 drops Essential Oil (lemon, purification, lemongrass OR thieves)
Pour water + vinegar into spray bottle. Add baking soda + essential oil and shake to mix.
This little concoction is our little miracle worker. We have a glass stovetop which easily gets dirty every time we cook. Mixing our Thieves Household cleaner with a little baking soda removes all the burnt over spill from our pots and pans. It’s also great for cleaning inside the oven. I use my Norwex cloth to help scrub and wipe away all the mess.
Countertop Scrub
1 capful Young Living Thieves Household Cleaner
1/4 cup Baking Soda
4 drops Essential Oil
In a small bowl add baking soda, thieves cleaner and essential oil. Mix into a paste and scrub on countertops, stovetop and sink to clean. Wipe away with a warm damp cloth.
When mixing homemade cleaners, be sure to label all the bottles. Using a handy label maker like this or this works well and the labels seem to stand up well to water. I also love making our bottles look pretty with Washi Tape! There are so many colors + patterns the possibilities are endless. Plus it’s always fun to swap them out for new seasons. A few of our other favorite products include...
Young Living Thieves Household Cleaner
This is a concentrate of 30:1 and lasts for a long time. I use these glass bottles and add half a capful to my bottle and fill the rest with warm water. I keep this on hand and use it to clean my kitchen countertops, high chairs, floors, and bathrooms. It’s also an awesome stain remover for carpet!!!
Norwex Mop + Cloth + Window Cloth
I purchased these three items last spring when getting ready for my deep clean and they’ve become absolute necessities and a game changer in our home. I love the double sided mop system and it’s replaced my all my Swiffer products. The mop has a dry side for collecting crumbs and a wet side for hard core mopping. Not only does it make cleaning easy, it makes it fast. I can clean my house in record time without ever feeling like I’m cutting corners.
The Norwex Envior-cloth only needs hot water and I use it to clean my appliances, doors and base boards. I even use it to get stains out of my white sofas and velvet pillows. You can find the mop, cloth and window cloth here.
If interested in any Young Living products I use and mentioned, please email me and I’d be happy to help you get started with using essential oils products! Also, follow my Wild + Grape page on Instagram and Facebook Page for recipes and ideas of using natural products to create a healthier home!
Happy Cleaning!
XO
One thing I’ve really come to simplify in our home over the last few years is our cleaning product stash. I enjoy using natural ingredients for my cleaning products rather than harsh chemicals for a couple different reasons. First of all, it’s much safer for my kids if they so happen to stumble into something. I know they’re going to be okay if they get into the white vinegar or the baking soda as opposed to bleach or a multi-purpose harsh chemical spray. Natural ingredients are also much better for the health of our home and our family. I hate spraying chemicals and then find myself coughing because it has filled the air and I’m now inhaling it. How can that possibly be good for anyone? Instead, I mix up my own cleaners using household ingredients and essential oils. Not only is it a healthier option, but they smell good as well.
For our showers and tubs I’ve tried everything over the years and I always get the best results using our simple shower spray with blue dish soap and vinegar. For me, it makes cleaning a breeze! We have removable shower heads in all our showers which makes it even easier for rinsing everything down in one easy step!
Shower + Tub Spray
1 part Dawn Blue Dish Soap
1 part White Vinegar
20 drops Lemon essential oil
Pour soap and vinegar into 16 oz spray bottle and shake gently to mix. Spray on bathtub and shower walls + floors. Lightly scrub and let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. This makes quite a bit so don’t feel you have to use all of it to clean one shower.
I usually always have my Thieves cleaner on hand, but when I don’t this is the next best thing! Simple and definitely gets the job done!
All-Purpose Spray
2 cups water
1/2 White Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
20 drops Essential Oil (lemon, purification, lemongrass OR thieves)
Pour water + vinegar into spray bottle. Add baking soda + essential oil and shake to mix.
This little concoction is our little miracle worker. We have a glass stovetop which easily gets dirty every time we cook. Mixing our Thieves Household cleaner with a little baking soda removes all the burnt over spill from our pots and pans. It’s also great for cleaning inside the oven. I use my Norwex cloth to help scrub and wipe away all the mess.
Countertop Scrub
1 capful Young Living Thieves Household Cleaner
1/4 cup Baking Soda
4 drops Essential Oil
In a small bowl add baking soda, thieves cleaner and essential oil. Mix into a paste and scrub on countertops, stovetop and sink to clean. Wipe away with a warm damp cloth.
When mixing homemade cleaners, be sure to label all the bottles. Using a handy label maker like this or this works well and the labels seem to stand up well to water. I also love making our bottles look pretty with Washi Tape! There are so many colors + patterns the possibilities are endless. Plus it’s always fun to swap them out for new seasons. A few of our other favorite products include...
Young Living Thieves Household Cleaner
This is a concentrate of 30:1 and lasts for a long time. I use these glass bottles and add half a capful to my bottle and fill the rest with warm water. I keep this on hand and use it to clean my kitchen countertops, high chairs, floors, and bathrooms. It’s also an awesome stain remover for carpet!!!
Norwex Mop + Cloth + Window Cloth
I purchased these three items last spring when getting ready for my deep clean and they’ve become absolute necessities and a game changer in our home. I love the double sided mop system and it’s replaced my all my Swiffer products. The mop has a dry side for collecting crumbs and a wet side for hard core mopping. Not only does it make cleaning easy, it makes it fast. I can clean my house in record time without ever feeling like I’m cutting corners.
The Norwex Envior-cloth only needs hot water and I use it to clean my appliances, doors and base boards. I even use it to get stains out of my white sofas and velvet pillows. You can find the mop, cloth and window cloth here.
If interested in any Young Living products I use and mentioned, please email me and I’d be happy to help you get started with using essential oils products! Also, follow my Wild + Grape page on Instagram and Facebook Page for recipes and ideas of using natural products to create a healthier home!
Happy Cleaning!
XO
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