If you’re all caught up then you know part of getting ready for our growing family meant getting the house ready for our growing family. Because we had our first nearly a decade ago + moved cross country, we knew we’d be starting over with everything — with no hand me downs and nothing in storage. Ooof. Enter the baby registry.
Read MoreI have curated holiday lists for everything you may need to survive the shopping overwhelm of the season — prepping, organizing, hosting, gifting, and of of course… decorating! Because for some people, the idea of decorating can seem overwhelming — where to start, what to buy — I’m sharing 5 themes & color stories to get your inspired with just enough time to spare to get your decor up while enjoying your Thanksgiving leftovers… because round these parts, we decorate AFTER Thanksgiving, and never before.
Here are five holiday themes that you can shop from — mixing & matching is encouraged by the way — to get your in the holiday spirit this year.
Read MoreY'all... I don't have the words to even begin to put together for this post... and this ain't even a full reveal or a behind the design. For the past 6 or so months, we decided to finally cross off a major task from our exterior projects to do list - our deck!
Here's the thing... working on the deck wasn't just about the deck... it was about creating an al fresco lifestyle. This project was, first and foremost, always about bringing the hygge outside. While we'd always had a deck, because it didn't feel like an extension of our interior spaces, I didn't really appreciate or enjoy it. I would always joke that I wanna do more than just sit on a folding chair... because that was literally all I could do. And after all of the work that would go into upgrading the deck & adding a pergola + so many other details, the last thing I wanted was to resume just sitting on a folding chair. So once we made the decision to tackle this project, I simultaneously began doing what I do best - shopping!
Read MoreYa'll... this is the year I officially start gardening and I am super geeked about it. You guys have seen me talk about gardening before - both here on the blog and on Instagram - however this year work on #thehyggeranchjardin will officially begin... like with a plan. What do I mean? Up until this point the garden was (a) whatever we inherited when we bought the house or (b) a few seeds we tried out when we put out our new garden beds. There was no layout, there was seed planning... none of that. For the past 2 years now, while I have wanted to actively start gardening, other things always took precedence; however, not that we're nearing the completion of the deck reno, I feel comfortable moving forward with truly beginning #thehyggeranchjardin.
Read MoreIn this new digital age, just about everything is driven my technology — there isn’t anything you can’t do online nowadays! So it’s no surprise that there’s been a growing interest in smart homes — which, in lamens terms, is automation for different areas of your home for everything from lighting to climate control to your appliances. From voice activation to everyday appliances to cloud based integrations, here are 15 ways you can make your apartment smarter.
Read MoreA few months ago, I began sharing weekly and/or monthly edits of what you've been clicking & shopping... similar to my monthly Amazon favs series from 2021. Now that we're in a new year, I decided to look back at the entire 2022 year of shopping.
I recently purged my closet & it should come as no surprise that I have my fair share of black wardrobe pieces. When I turned my attention to shoes & sneakers, however, I realized I had a whole lotta color & very little black. With the exception of my Suede Nike Blazers (similar), stacked heel lace up bootie (similar), a pair of Mary Jane inspired pumps, and Crocs clogs, and Crocs sandals - so basically one of each shoe in each category lol - it's been a real long while since I've had an truly ALL black shoe... meaning no white sole or colored logo or some kind... just black on black on black. So, naturally, I began online window shopping for all black sneakers, shoes, and boots, in hopes that over the course of the year, I'll actually purchase a few.
Read MoreAfter a year of unpacking a lot of emotional baggage in therapy, I began to realize that there are already enough “rules” around the holidays & all of my anxiety was self-imposed. The only traditions I needed to observe are the ones we created together as a family - what activities filled our cup and brought us the most joy versus the ones society and/or social media said we should be doing.
Read MoreMeet Viva Magenta.
Viva Magenta is described as a "hybrid" color - "a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength."
New signal of strength.
From this description, I can completely see how this would be apropos going into 2023. It continues...
an animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint
When I think about this past year - past couple of years actually - I think we could all use bit more of all of the above. I know I could. Viva Magenta is a visually energetic color. It's bold color from a family of hues to play with, making it an exciting color to experiment with in home decor & fashion.
Read MoreI've never been too much a fan of "traditional" holiday colors, especially when I think about this time of year & Christmas. The widely celebrated holiday has become synonymous with reds & greens, which is likely why I was [consciously or subconsciously] drawn to this palette to close out the year.
Read MoreTo know me is to know I try to live a hygge inspired lifestyle - chasing creating moments of bliss as often & consistently as possible. With that, I've designed my home to be a very hygge inspired safe place for my family & I. One of the major tenets of hygge inspire design is color - and not a lack of... instead, it's about layering hues & textures to create movement in a space, even when the tones are all neutral. My home isn't all neutral. It's layered. This is why my November 2022 monthly moldboard inspiration may likely be my top favorite from the monthly moldboard series... not to mention being very on brand for the season.
Read MoreWhile I plan on shopping myself to do my tablescaping, I love to window shop some of my favorite tableware destinations for inspiration, especially when it comes to mixing & matching, and layering pieces. As I was clicking clacking around the interwebs, I came across a number of pieces that would be suitable for the season, depending on the meal & the company... because one thing about me is, I don't save my tablescaping just for company or just for dinner. If I did, I'd almost never have anything to tablescape lol.
Here are three ways to create a tablescape that reflects the season, while also being able transition between seasons and not having to do the most... which are two of my top tablescaping prerequisites.
Read MoreAs soon as Labor Day passes, most people take that as their cue to pack up their patios and backyards, marking that as the end of the outdoor season. By the time the calendar switches to Autumn, it's all about pumpkins and tablescaping... and while I will NEVER turn down the latter, I still have a lil more outdoor left here at the hygge ranch.
Read MoreWhen it comes to shopping for cookware, what you prioritize is gonna have to be in alignment with your lifestyle - your needs, your budget, etc - however, having some fundamental knowledge in places will make the whole process easier, whether you're an expert or a novice. No matter your skill level, everyone deserves quality cookware pieces to make their time in the kitchen as stress free as possible.
Read MoreWhile this is the Sherwin Williams COTY for 2023, the timing is also perfect inspiration for the upcoming Autumn season. With it's subtle warm undertone, in addition to toe hygge inspired, Redend Point very on brand for Autumn while still being a color that's an unexpected neutral.
Read MoreGoing into Autumn, there are certain hues & textures that are automatically associated with the season, regardless of their year round usage. For me, that's animal prints. Personally, anytime is a good time for an animal print - be it in fashion or interiors - however, the warmth & texture of most animal prints makes it especially synonymous with the season. And let's be honest, there's a reason, when it comes to fashion, Fall is just about everyone's favorite season. The footwear, the outerwear, the accessories... all get especially fabulous during this season.
Read MoreOften, when it comes to seasonal decor transitions, people think they have to go all in with the theme of the season and its holidays... which is fine if that's what you wanna do; however, it's not required. You can still honor the aesthetic of your home while acknowledging the season.
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