Good morning! I hope your week is off to a good start so far. Coming off another very heavy and emotional week for our country and world, I found myself a bit on edge all weekend, which is not normal for me. Before we jump into the light stuff, I wanted to send out love and extra prayers to any of you that may need it this week. Between the hurricane, and fires, and what’s happening overseas, among other things, it’s a lot. I pray for healing and calm and peace and safety this coming week.
Here’s a bit of what we have been up to this past week.
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Home Projects & Updates
I shared a big pool house update last week, but here’s a bit more of what has happened since then.
We had a pretty big, fairly unexpected storm, again last week. It doesn’t seem to end! Unfortunately, water was coming in again where the two rooflines meet because the siding still wasn’t up.
Needless to say, they had to tear off some of the shiplap siding, drywall and insulation to make sure everything dried out. Kind of a bummer, but I’m glad it happened before everything got painted. Thnakfully the rest of the siding, caulk and gutters went up late last week, so it’s now done! We’ve even had another storm since with zero issues.
The other good news is, the guys took out the large sliders on this main wall and were able to grind the concrete a bit to resolve the tilting doors! They’re good as new now! I’m so glad we don’t have to order a new window!
CKF came out late last week to template the countertops. They had to take all the cardboard off the cabinets, so I was able to get a slightly better shot of how the island looks. It already needs a good cleaning (so much sawdust and drywall dust!) and the light can change it so much, but we love how it turned out!
If the humidity ends up dropping this week, we should be getting interior and exterior paint. The floors are set to be installed sometime next week after the holiday!
I mentioned in my update post that I’m hitting the point of analysis paralysis on a few things with our project. We got an initial bid for our closet, and we realized how dumb it was not to have it bid out a few other places. It’s been hard to commit to anything because the truth is, our old closet worked for us. It had zero bells and whistles, so now I’m overwhelmed by the choices that are out there. Not a bad problem to have, but I don’t want to jump into anything just to be “done” with it, if that makes sense. So I’ve decided to pump the brakes and really think through this a bit more.
So, long story semi-short, we decided to make an appointment at The Container Store to look at their closets. That may have been a huge mistake, because of course, I was drawn to the most expensive model in their showroom. Ha! But they were super helpful, and it really made us stop and think about what we do and don’t need. Let’s take a little tour of fantasy land closets. Isn’t this gorgeous? I love how deep the units are so that you can’t actually see the clothes without standing right in front of them. This is obviously way more elaborate and large than ours, but I loved the overall aesthetic.
Kurtis wants his section to have dark vibes like the one below. I’ve basically given him free reign, since he’s the one really pushing for us to do the closets right now. I was fine just finishing the space with drywall and then coming back to it in another year or so.
We’re supposed to get a bid and tentative layout back from them early this week. I’m sure it will be another serious case of sticker shock but it will be good to have something to compare the other bid to. Stay tuned.
Circling around to pool life. I mentioned in my Instagram Stories that I regularly have to rescue frogs from our pool skimmers. It’s such a relief when I can save them while they’re still alive. I immediately had messages coming in about this contraption. I had actually come across it several years ago, but Kurtis told me it looked like a gimmick. But, when I got so many messages that it actually works, I promptly ordered one.
So, here it is in all it’s FrogLog glory! I’m not entirely sure how I’ll know it’s working, since in theory, I shouldn’t see any frogs. But I guess if we can make it a month or so without any in the skimmers, I can call it a win!
For the past several weeks, I’ve contemplated painting this BM Van Courtland Blue wall in our den to BM Hale Navy. The lighter blue has only been up for about a year, but I’m already ready for change. I think I may have actually predicted that would happen last year 😉 I absolutely love the color, but it just feels like a bit much in here on such a large wall. And the truth is, I kind of miss the Hale Navy wall we used to have in our office, although I can’t commit to it there again. So, don’t be surprised if I report back next week with a darker and slightly moodier den! It’s a good thing I love I love painting so much!
DEN SOURCES: Sectional (read my review here) | Coffee Table | Beach Art | Diamond Jute Rug | Scallop Light Fixture | Blanket Ladder | Roman Shades | Faux Greenery | Colorblock Vase | “Surf Shack” | “Escape” | Recycled Glass Beads | Marble Coasters | Palm Outdoor Pillows | Striped Outdoor Pillows | Textured Lumbar Outdoor Pillows | Tripod Lamp
Top Sellers Of The Week
Following are the top sellers of the past week across all of my channels. Links to each item are below the graphic.
BEST SELLERS (each number is clickable): #5 | #4 | #3 | #2 | #1
In Case You Missed It
Here are last week’s blog posts, in case you missed any of them! Click any of the titles below to be taken to the full post:
Following are the most read blog posts of last week (excluding any of the new posts already mentioned above). Many times this includes old posts that are popular on Google or Pinterest! It’s fun to see what is trending each week!
- The Best Green Paint Colors
- 50 Things To Do When Bored At Home
- The Best Blue Gray Paint Colors and Our Freshly Painted Front Door
- The Best Blue Green Paint Colors
- Pottery Barn York Sofa Review
Around Town & For Fun
I’ve mentioned before that it’s killing the cats that they can’t go out on their back patio any longer. Particularly Hawkeye. So, I let him wander one night last week when the floor had been swept. He acted like he owned the joint and was into everything. But he was so happy to get to explore a little!
Friday night, our neighbors invited us over for a wine tasting event. The CEO of Trujillo wines was in town from St. Helena, CA and we had such a fun night! We hadn’t spent much time with our neighbors since they moved it, so it was nice getting to know them better and hang out for a few hours! We had such a great time.
Trujillo also has a few wines under the Madelyn label (his daughter’s name). My shot is a little blurry because I didn’t want to be “that person” taking photos like I usually am so I only got a quick snap 😉 But the wines were all so good! Highly recommended if you’re looking for some new wines to try! If you’re local, Mahogany Prime is featuring them right now. You can also get them at Pacific Cellars in West Omaha.
Saturday afternoon, after running a bunch of errands, Kurtis and I snuck in some pool time! It’s already that time of year where the sun has shifted quite dramatically, and half the pool is in the shade. But it was nice to get out and enjoy the heat! You can also see below that the rest of our siding was completed (and they covered the pivot window opening for now). The gutter extension will actually run underground once we’re to the landscaping stage.
Kurtis had a fantasy football draft most of the afternoon yesterday, so I finally sat down and figured out some of my fall decor. I got a few orders placed, and am hoping to share my design boards with you soon, in case you’re looking to get a head start on decorating. I likely won’t be sharing a fall home tour until October, but it feels good to have it all figured out “on paper” so I don’t over-buy anything! Here were a few things I ran across at Target while shopping online that are still in stock from the Studio McGee fall collection! I’m definitely feeling the neutrals and olive green tones again this year.
SOURCES: Ladder | Blanket | TV Stand | Plant | Pendant Light | Color Block Pillow | Cream Pillow | Wreath | Tripod Lamp | Ottoman | Chair | Desk | Rug
My parents are visiting early next week (also my birthday weekend – or MONTH, as I like to remind Kurtis), so I’m looking forward to the weekend! But that may bump my usual posting agenda next week by a few days, while we focus on spending time with my parents. Have a great week!
Recent Buys & Sales
Following are the sales from the weekend that are still going strong.
- AMAZON has a number of deals sitewide in the Daily Deals section. You can shop their sales here.
- ANN TAYLOR is offering an extra 40% off all sale styles. You can shop their site here.
- BALLARD DESIGNS is offering up to 20% off indoor furniture as well as up to 20% off all outdoor! You can shop their sale here.
- BLOOMIST is offering free shipping on all orders and $25 off $125+ with code STYLE25 and free shipping on all orders. You can shop their site here.
- DUDLEY STEPHENS is hosting their Labor Day Weekend sale with 25% off your purchase with code LABORDAY. This is HUGE if you’ve ever wanted to try any of their turtleneck fleece! I’m obsessed with them in the winter months. You can shop their site here.
- GAP is offering up to 50% off top picks, an extra 50% off sale styles with code FLASH, and 10% off regular-priced styles at checkout with code YOURS. You can shop their sale here.
- J CREW is offering up to 30% off fall favorites and an extra 30% off sale styles. You can shop their sales here.
- J CREW FACTORY is offering up to 50% off all their new arrivals. You can shop their sale here.
- KIRKLAND’S is offering up to 30% off sitewide for their Labor Day Sale. You can also get 15% off your entire regular priced purchase with code REGULAR. You can shop their sale here.
- LOFT is offering $15 off $75, $30 off $100, or $50 off $125+ with code SOGOOD. You can shop their site here.
- MARK & GRAHAM is offering up to 40% off home, entertaining, and more. You can shop their site here.
- MARSHALL’s has a number of deals sitewide including new markdowns. This Round Braided Rug is a great designer look for less and is available in two sizes. You can shop their site here.
- NORDSTROM has a number of new markdowns sitewide. You can shop their sale items here.
- OLD NAVY is offering 25% off your purchase or 35% off $100+ with code MORE. You can shop their sale here.
- OVERSTOCK is hosting their Labor Day Clearance Sale with up to 70% off 1000s of items! You can shop their sale here.
- POTTERY BARN is offering up to 70% off 1000s of items and free shipping on non-freight items with a purchase of $99+ with code FREESHIP. You can shop their sale here.
- SERENA & LILY is offering free shipping sitewide with code YOUPICK. You can shop their site here.
- TARGET is offering up to 25% off select home items. You can shop their site here.
- TJ MAXX is has a number of deals sitewide! You can shop their site here.
- TORY BURCH has a number of new items in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
- TUCKERNUCK has added some new sale pieces that are all darling per usual! You can shop their site here.
- WILLIAMS SONOMA is also hosting their Midsummer Sale with up to 75% off tons of items sitewide. You can shop their site here.
- WILLIAMS SONOMA HOME is also hosting a clearance sale with up to 75% off 100s of items sitewide. You can shop their site here.
- WORLD MARKET is offering up to 30% off furniture for members, through the end of the day. You can shop their site here.
I hope you all have a great week!
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disclosure: some affiliate links used
Robin Alion says
Regarding the “Froglog.” We were experiencing the same issues. Frogs in skimmer and dead frogs in pool. We were extremely skeptical, but pool owner friends assured us this would work….. Lo and Behold….. NO FROGS IN SKIMMERS or deceased in the pool!!!! We’re utterly AMAZED something so simple works magically!!!! Great luck with yours!!
Sarah says
Yay! So happy to hear that!
Kimberley says
Next month is also my birthday month! My husband and I have separate closets (so nice!). He has a dark finish in his and mine is white. So don’t worry if you & your hubby like different closets. 🙂
Jeanine says
Happy Birthday a little early! My daughter will be 21 on Labor Day this year, and we also like to claim the whole month of our birthday as our special time, lol! I’m all for celebrating as long as you can!
I wanted to mention that we got our closet system from Ikea, and it has held up really well. My husband installed it, and it didn’t take him very long. However, I wish we had not gone with the darker wood, because even with a window and a light, it still seems dark and hard to find things in there. It also shows dust a lot more than lighter wood or white does. Just something to think about. Maybe if we had added can lights it wouldn’t be an issue…
I’m sure that your cats will enjoy your new pool house as much as you do when it’s all finished. Our cats love to go in our unfinished basement and explore, and they also love to chill on our screened porch.
Laura says
I know you have probably told everyone, but what company made your poolhouse sliders? I need to replace mine and need help. I had a 10” originally and sized down to a 9” French door unit. But I need a new unit! Thank you for all the photos of the kitties. Be still my heart!
Vikki says
I’ve been celebrating my Birthday all MONTH for decades! In fact, since my birthday is the first part of April I celebrate all the way through Mother’s Day ~ just over 6 weeks!!!
I celebrate Decade and Double-Digit Birthdays for the Entire YEAR!!!🎉🎉🎉
💞
Becky Fontenot says
I love your website. Would you be able to help me pick out a door color for my house? If so, how can I reach you to send pics?