Happy Monday! I’m feeling a bit re-energized now that we’re in May and we can spend a bit more of our time outdoors. A lot of our state is slowly starting to open back up today (with a lot of restrictions and limitations). We’re planning to still continue on, staying at home for the most part as much as we can, and utilizing delivery and curbside pick-up services to see how things go. It actually still feels really weird to even leave our house! I think being able to spend a little time outside has definitely helped us feel less stir crazy these past few weeks! We’re so grateful for spring finally being out in full force!
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Home Projects & Updates
The weather last week in Omaha, for the most part, was absolutely gorgeous! So I chose to spend a lot of my “project time” outdoors.
Nope, this isn’t a repeat picture of last week. I simply added a few more plants to this mix over the past week. I’m still storing several in our garage because there are a few nights yet this week where I do worry about the overnight temps. But I knew if I didn’t buy the few I wanted, they’d be gone pretty quickly this week with Mother’s Day approaching!
Over the years, we had slowly lost a few perennials on this side of our house. I finally decided to get some color added back in and went with some catmint and knock-out roses. I love the pairing of the two! And this photos is definitely an optical illusion because they’re actually each about three feet apart from one another. Hopefully they’ll make it over here – this side of our house gets a lot of strong sun most of the day!
I also added this little spruce topiary to where I had torn out some ornamental grass. This side of our house still needs a lot of work but the little topiary already makes me so happy! For those wanting specifics, it’s a Conica Dwarf Alberta Spruce.
I decided to try some mandevilla in the little chippendale planters I ordered last week. I think they’re so cute!
And, over by the garage I added some oleander, petunias and sweet potato vines to my planter. I absolutely love oleander. But, if you’re interested in using it, please do your research and make sure it’s a good fit. Like several widely used plants, it is toxic if ingested, so just make sure you’re okay with it (especially if you have kids or pets that seemingly manage to eat everything). The flowers at the base look a little wimpy right now, but after a few weeks with some water and my favorite fertilizer I think you’ll be shocked how quickly they fill in. I’ll be sure to give an updated progress report soon!
We also did a little tree trimming while the weather was nice and before all the leaves fully fill in. It feels great already having a lot of our seasonal yard work out of the way already! We use this tree trimmer saw for the harder to reach spots. It uses the same battery as our hedge trimmer and cordless leaf blower so we basically always have a battery on the ready! And they’re all tools I’m not scared to use so I love them!
We’re supposed to have a few rainy days this week, which is great for my new plants! It will also give me the opportunity to wrap up some of the projects indoors that I need to finish, photograph and share with you!
Top Sellers Of The Week
Following are the top sellers of the week across all of my channels. Links to each item are below the graphic. You can tell a lot of you are just as motivated to get outside as I am!
Around Town & For Fun
I’ve had some new followers over on Instagram, so last week I shared some random facts about me as sort of an intro to those that don’t necessarily read the blog, as well.
KITCHEN & OUTFIT SOURCES: Striped Runner | Basket Pendant Lights | Similar Vase | Faux Greenery | Natural Wood Board | White Wood Board | Cabinet Hardware | Striped Top | White Jeans
I thought I’d share those random facts here in case any of you were interested!
✨ My morning HAS to start immediately with a cup of coffee. I usually then go right to my computer and start working for the day.
✨ Although we live in the middle of the country, we love being on the water: pools, lakes, oceans, rivers, all of it. It’s probably why I decorate with so much blue and white! 🌊
✨I grew up in Utah and lived there until I moved to Nebraska for graduate school. I met Kurtis within two months and we’ve never left!
✨ I have a Bachelor’s degree in math and statistics and a Master’s degree in business administration. And before becoming a full-time blogger I worked in the insurance industry for 19 years. Talk about a total 180!
✨ Kurtis and I were set up on a blind date. At a wedding. Needless to say, neither of us were that excited about being set up at first!
✨ Our cat Henley is named after Don Henley because I’m obsessed with The Eagles.
✨ I was a foreign exchange student in Finland one summer (and also got to visit Sweden and Russia while I was there), and since then I’ve tried to travel internationally as much as possible!
✨ I turn 40 in September, but most days I forget that I’m not 30 (or younger). It’s probably a sign of my advancing age 😂
✨ I need at least 8 hours of sleep each night or I’m a total nightmare. Don’t make me stay up past 10 PM either!
✨ When I was a kid, I would use graph paper to draw floor plans and house elevations. I also have a photographic memory when it comes to houses and floorplans. Too bad that was never on any tests growing up!
✨ I’m super bossy. It’s funny to watch home videos and see that I was ordering kids around twice my age even back then. I like to call it leadership 😜
✨ I get a thrill out of finding designer inspired home decor pieces for less.
✨ I’ve never been able to do a cartwheel. When I try, I think it looks good, but video has proven otherwise.
So, there you have it! A bunch of random facts you may have never even wanted to know about me!
I wasn’t sleeping great this past week for some reason so on Thursday night I headed up to read in bed around 8:00 pm. I opened the windows and it was all so peaceful and beautiful outside! Admittedly, it felt a little weird climbing into bed when it was still light outside 😉
With the beautiful weather last week, we tried to eat nearly every meal outside – including breakfast! Such a simple change in the monotony of our days really seemed to be a mood booster! The cats definitely love it too, when we let them on the patio for a few minutes.
For whatever reason, the cats have “found” this chair and all three of them want to be on it at all times. No idea why!
Another variation of the chair “sharing”.
Friday night I actually jumped in the pool! Although Kurtis had the week prior (right before his birthday), this is the earliest in the year I’ve ever gotten in. But with temps in the high 80’s it was perfect! It did feel slightly strange to have summer-like temps but with very few leaves on the trees.
Saturday we spent a lot of time researching a potential project we may partner on with some friends. I should know more this week but it will be really exciting to share if everything pans out!
I was reading on the sofa Saturday night and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hawkeye spring up to the mantel and instantly collapse and act like he’s always been there 😉 Sometimes I’d really love to know what goes through their minds!
Sunday afternoon was beautiful and we took a drive to the Dundee area of town. For those that aren’t local, it’s about 30 minutes from our house and near the University of Nebraska – Omaha campus where Kurtis and I both went to graduate school. As much time as we both spent down there, we never really explored much. We’d drive down for school after work and then drive home. It was fun to drive all the beautiful tree-lined streets and look at the older homes! So much beauty!
I even got dressed up for our drive. I curled my hair and wore makeup and my new Weekend tee I got from J. Crew. It was nice to feel human again! It definitely warranted an awkward selfie to try and show the tee 😉 I love the colors of it! I’m also wearing this lip balm in the color Orgasm.
With all the sun and warmth these past few days, our trees really made some progress and the leaves are developing! I can’t wait until it’s all fully green again!
We ended the weekend watching “The Last Dance”. It’s an ESPN mini-series about Michael Jordan that is a total of ten hours long. I don’t know how, but I somehow got sucked into it after Kurtis insisted on watching it. I’m waiting for the part where the Utah Jazz show up in the story! Kurtis and I still talk smack to one another about those glory days of basketball 😉
LIVING ROOM SOURCES: Linen Sofas(full review here) | Spindle Chairs | Striped Throws | Linen Pillows | Paisley Stripe Pillows | Patterned Pillows | Striped Rug | Raffia Coffee Table Similar | Similar Wood Chain Link | Faux Cherry Blossom Stems | Similar Vase | X-Bench Stools | Frame TV | Gallery Frames | Lamps
I also made the mistake (or maybe it was a good thing?) of stepping on the scale this morning. The quarantine 15 are no joke! I think we’re going to have to change our eating habits from here on out or we’re definitely going to be in trouble when summer arrives!
Recent Buys & Sales
Following are some sales that have carried over from the weekend. You can see some of my top picks here.
- ABERCROMBIE is offering up to 50% off their entire site. Plus get an extra 35% off at checkout. No code required. You can shop their sale here.
- AMERICAN EAGLE is offering 25-50% off the AE collection. Prices as marked – no code required. You can shop their sale here.
- AMETHYST HOME, one of my favorite local stores (that also ships nationally), is offering 15% off all gift cards as a thank you for supporting them during their closure. You can shop their site here.
- ANN TAYLOR is offering an additional 50% off sale styles, plus buy two sale styles get one free. You can shop their sale here.
- ANTHROPOLOGIE is an extra 25% off their sale section at checkout – no code required. You can shop their site here.
- BALLARD DESIGNS is offering 20% off everything, plus an extra 30% off all clearance! You can shop their sale here.
- BANANA REPUBLIC is offering 50% off everything plus an extra 10% off at checkout – no code required. You can shop their sale here.
- BLOOMIST is offering $20 off orders of $100+ with code MOTHER20. Another great way to shop small this weekend! It’s a great time to try one of the wood chains that looks like the one in our living room! There’s also several other options available as well (including marble and black) – just search chain! It won’t let me link directly to that page for some reason. You can shop their site here.
- BROOKE & LOU is offering 15% off Mother’s Day gift idea favorites with code ALLTHELOVE15. You can shop their site here.
- DAPPER DWELLING here in Omaha is the cutest apothecary-type shop that also had to close recently their physical store temporarily. But they are currently offering free shipping on all orders! I’ve bought everything from local honey to organic dry shampoo to natural laundry detergent from them. They’re currently offering free shipping or free contact-less delivery if you’re local! You can shop their site here.
- EBAY has some really great prices on certified Dysons if you weren’t aware! We were talking about getting another one to use to keep our basement clean (I refuse to use our regular one down there!). We currently have the V8 Animal and are obsessed with it – it will even get Kurtis to vacuum occasionally 😉 The Dyson store ships directly from eBay orders, and are certified refurbished and come with a six month warranty in most cases, so this will definitely be the route we go! And the prices are up to 70% off! You can shop their other sales here.
- EVERYTHING BUT WATER is offering up to 70% off in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
- FRONTGATE is offering 20% off and free shipping sitewide! No code required – prices update at checkout. I’m LOVING this faux lavender topiary that comes in two large sizes! You can shop their sale here.
- GAP is hosting their Friends & Family Sale with 40% off sitewide (no exclusions) plus an extra 20% off at checkout with codes GAPFRIEND and ALLYOU. You can shop their sale here.
- JCPENNEY is hosting their Friends & Family sale with an extra 30% off + up to 50% off sitewide with code 4FAMILY. You can shop their sale here.
- J CREW is offering 60% off swim and shorts, plus 40% off summer-ready styles with code SETSALE. You can shop their sales here.
- J CREW FACTORY is offering 40-70% off everything! You can shop their sale here.
- JOSS & MAIN is offering up to 70% off their outdoor sanctuary sale. This rope chandelier is gorgeous and currently 53% off! You can shop their sale here.
- KIRKLAND’S is offering 20% off your entire purchase with code DECORATE. You can shop their sale here.
- LOFT is offering 40-60% off almost everything with code SPRING. You can shop their sale here.
- MADEWELL is offering an additional 50% off their sale items with code BIGTIME. You can shop their sale here.
- MARK & GRAHAM is offering up to 40% off Mother’s Day gifts. I’m absolutely loving this tote! And these oversized leather tassel key chains always make great gifts! You can shop their site here.
- NORDSTROM is offering up to 50% off thousands of styles site wide! This wide leg jumpsuit is darling and a great deal now (fully stocked in four colors)! I’m also very interested in these darling pointed toe mules that come in three colors. You can shop their sale items here.
- OLD NAVY is offering their entire site on sale for under $25! Plus, if you’re a cardholder, get an extra 15% off with code EXTRA. You can shop their sale here.
- ONE KINGS LANE is offering 20% off finishing touches like mirrors, art, lighting, decor, throw pillows and more with code OKL20DECOR. You can shop their sales here.
- PARTY CITY is offering curbside contact-free pickup or same-day local delivery! You can shop their site here.
- PIER 1 is offering 40% off select furniture, lighting, and decor! You can shop their sale here.
- POTTERY BARN is offering up to 50% off furniture, bedding, decor, & more. Plus get up to 40% off in their Outdoor Event. Also get free shipping (on your non-oversized items) with code SUMMER. They also currently have 30% off performance fabric furniture like our sofas and sectional (read my sofa review and sectional review if you’re looking for more info on either)! You can shop their sale here.
- REJUVENATION is offering up to 30% off select lighting, furniture, decor and more. Some of my favorite finds from their store can be found in my Curb Appeal post. You can shop their sale here.
- ROSETTA STONE is offering $100 off their unlimited language lifetime plan, making it only $199! I bought it because we’ve worked on Spanish in the past, but I bought the unlimited to learn Italian during the quarantine. They also have a sale on their monthly plans. You can shop the sale here.
- RUGS USA is hosting their Spring Black Friday event with items marked up to 75% off! Plus get an extra 15% off at checkout with code 15BRTHDY! You can shop their sale here.
- SERENA & LILY is offering 20% off everything to refresh your home with code ATHOME. Plus, they have tons of items in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
- TALBOTS is offering 50% off one regular-priced item, plus 40% off everything else, with code MOM! You can shop their sale here.
- TARGET is offering up to 25% off home and patio items. I’m loving this Outdoor Wood Sofa and it’s such a great price right now! You can shop their sale here.
- TERRAIN is offering 25% off select furniture, decor, planters, dinnerware and more with code PATIOSEASON. You can shop their sale here.
- TORY BURCH just added new sale styles and there are lots of really cute finds! They still have these Millers sandals available in a lot of sizes. I’m also loving these leather thong sandals! You can shop all of their sale items here.
- TUCKERNUCK has also added some new sale pieces that are all darling! You can shop their site here.
- WEST ELM is offering up to 60% off bestsellers. You can shop their sale here.
- WILLIAMS SONOMA is hosting their spring cookware event, with items up to 55% off. And for the first time ever, they’re including Le Creuset! They also have 20% off cocktail essentials. You can shop their sale here.
- WILLIAMS SONOMA HOME is offering 25% off your order (no minimum!!) and 20% off outdoor with code HOME. Plus get an extra 25% off clearance pillows with code PILLOW. You can shop their sale here.
- WISTERIA is offering up to 50% off during their summer preview sale. You can shop their sale here.
- WORLD MARKET is offering 40% off tons of their outdoor items. You can shop their sale here.
I hope you all have a great week!
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disclosure: some affiliate links used
Kristine Thompson says
Hi Sara,
Love all the plants, the warm weather really makes me want to plant everything! Then I end up bringing most things back to the garage because of these nice surprise colder nights.
I’m in the Omaha area and haven’t had much luck looking for the Yucca plants( got the idea from your previous blog)
and the Oleander tree. Can you share where you found them?
Thanks,
Kristine
Sarah says
Thanks Kristine! I haven’t been able to find the yucca this year either (I can usually find it at Lowe’s or Walmart). I’ll let you know if I end up finding it though! And I found the oleander at Lanoha. They had some left when I bought mine! I’m guessing Mulhall’s carries it as well. Both plants are usually found in the tropical areas of all the stores.