Spring Outdoor Finds

Spring time and warmer weather is upon us, finally!  We've been enjoying more days outside in the yard and playing with the kids.  I love being outside in the sunshine and warm (but not too hot!) weather.  We've recently purchased a few outdoor dining chairs and are looking for a table.  We've also added a few hanging baskets and spruced up the yard after the winter.  

Below, I've gathered a few of my favorite outdoor finds to add enjoyment to your outdoor space!  All of the items listed are at affordable prices with the most being $230 for the teak bar cart.  What have you added recently to your outdoor spaces for the spring?

Watering Can: here | Flower Pot: here | Food cover: here | Umbrella: here | Bar cart: here | Drink cooler: here | Cornhole boards: here | Plates: here | Lantern: here | Adirondack chair: here

Easter Basket Ideas

We're just two and half weeks away until Easter.  I love Easter; the meaning of the day, the pastel flowers and dresses, cute bunnies and chicks, and of course sweet treats.  This Easter will still won't be quite the same as before 2020 but it will be a little more of what we're use to.  Church will be open for Easter service that morning and we're planning to see our family for lunch.  Mary-Grace has asked for us to have an egg hunt in our backyard like we did last year so we'll probably do that again in order to avoid crowds. Our little town is having an egg hunt but I'm not sure how many are planning to attend and we're still trying to social distance as much as possible.  What will your Easter look like this year?  Did you start any new traditions last year?  Below I've rounded up some sweet and fun basket and gift ideas.  Making Easter baskets is so much fun to me!  For more ideas,  here's last years roundup.

Bunny: here | Easter fun pack: here | Gift chocolates bucket: here | Knit bunny: here

We Are Gardeners book: here | Basket: here | Cross bracelet: here | Bow: here

Rain boots: here | Gummy carrots: here | Sunglasses: here | Peter Rabbit book: here | Chalk: here

Playdoh: here | Bunny ears: here | Jumprope: here   | Chocolate bunny: here

Benton's 4th Birthday

 Yesterday, the 28th was Benny's fourth birthday.  I can't believe my baby boy is four!  It seems like we just had his last birthday.  Time really is a thief!  We had so much celebrating him.  We picked up doughnuts for breakfast (Krispy Kreme had $5 dozens this week!) and enjoyed a slower morning prepping for a little party.   We invited a few family members over for lunch and cake.  We went back and fourth on whether or not to invite friends but decided to keep it small and just family because of the ongoing virus.  

Now for party details, we served one of Benny's favorites for lunch- hot dogs!  We kept it simple with a veggie tray, dips, hot dogs with toppings, chips, drinks, and of course the cake (lemon flavored requested by Benny).  I reused the blue birthday banner from his 2nd birthday party.  We already had the striped straws and cups leftover from another party so I just picked up napkins and plates from the Dollar Tree.  I had Publix blow up some in his favorite color blue balloons and a big number four balloon.  This was one of the easiest parties we've had yet in terms of prepping but I love how it turned out.  We all had a great time and made some sweet memories with our sweet boy.  

Dining Room Inspo

One of the rooms that's almost complete but not quite complete is our dining room.  We still need a new chandelier (we just have the builders fixture right now), drapery, and perhaps later on some paint or wallpaper.  Below is my inspiration board for the space including look-a-likes for items I already have.  I love the mix of traditional, formal, casual (the tray and pillows), and of course my favorite blue and white colors.  

Chandelier Shade | Lampshade | Buffet | Lapis Dinner Plate | Striped sage pillow | Curtain Panel | Trim | Sconce | Blue and White Plate | Blue planter | Tray | Tablecloth

In our dining room right now, we're using our dining table we purchased from Bassett about 8 years ago.  I think eventually I'd like a something that compliments the buffet better.  We have a beautiful antique buffet, similar to the one above that I bought second hand.  On top of the buffet we're using my grandmothers alabaster lamp bases that she gave us after we got married.  She bought them in the mid 1960's and they're such a treasure to have!  I do need new lamp shades on them and really want the ones blue and white pleated ones shown. 

 I found my gilt bow mirror on Facebook marketplace a couple of years ago and the matching sconces on Etsy from 2 different sellers.  The tea set and candlesticks also on the buffet were passed down from my aunt before she passed away and have a lot of sentimental value.  I found the grasscloth runner from Crate and Barrel and love it!

My blue plate wall is a collection of plates from various places including antique stores, discount stores, and Replacements, Inc.  My favorite place to source plates is Replacements, Inc.  You can find just about anything there!  

Valentines Finds

Who else really likes Valentines Day?? To be honest, growing up and even while dating/married to my husband I was never a big fan.  I thought it was overrated.  The restaurants were always over-crowded, the flowers and what not were always marked up in price, and it didn't feel like a "Hallmark" movie day.  However, after having children, it has become a much more fun and special day.  Last year we made cupcakes with friends, we made fun Valentines for Mary-Grace to deliver at school, and loved all things hearts, pink, and red.   I'm sure this year it'll be another sugar-filled day of love.  I've rounded up some really cute finds to celebrate the day or for a cute gift!

Pink sleep set: here | Sweater: here  | Pink shoes: here | Red sneakers: here 

Cake sparkler: here | "Love Is" book: here | Tote basket: here | Heart hair bow: here | Womens sleep set: here

Apron: here | Cookie cutters: here | Plates: here | Garland: here | Swaddle: here | "Hug Machine" book: here | Earrings: here