Six grands in the family. Many different ages. Lots of personalities. And zero bags of jelly beans. (The jelly beans were hard to give up!) This year’s Easter baskets were all about making it personal — starting with affordable Aldi baskets and filling them with things the grands will actually use, wear, and remember. A puzzle, a board book, a toy, a custom Cricut shirt, hand-painted eggs and tags, and a few Gap Factory finds. Similar items but sightly different for each child. Here is how it all came together. Link to the goodies! The Base: Aldi Easter Baskets Aldi...
Misc Tips and Topics
Easy Crockpot Italian Beef Sandwiches (Chicago-Style Slow Cooker Recipe)
This easy crockpot Italian beef recipe came from my sister Colby. It’s one of those simple meals that takes just a few ingredients and turns into something everyone loves. The chuck roast cooks in the crockpot with ranch seasoning, Italian dressing mix, beer, and giardiniera until it’s tender and easy to shred. Pile the beef onto good buns with melted provolone, and dinner is done. It’s a perfect slow cooker dinner, great for feeding a group, and it freezes well too. Ingredients 1 chuck roast 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix 1 packet Italian dressing seasoning (i.e. Good Seasons) ½...
Copycat Mariano’s Cranberry Orange Walnut Loaf Cake (Bakery-Style)
If you’ve ever picked up Mariano’s (fancy local grocery) cranberry orange walnut loaf cake from the bakery case and thought, I need to learn how to make this at home, this recipe is for you. This is not the quick bread version you’ll find on their website. This is the richer, dessert-style loaf cake you see in-store: soft crumb, bright citrus flavor, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts — with an optional orange glaze that takes it straight into bakery territory. Perfect for brunch, gifting, or slicing up with afternoon coffee. Optional Orange Glaze (Bakery-Style Finish) Whisk powdered sugar with orange...
Marry Me Chicken Recipe (An Easy, Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner)
When you search Valentine’s Day dinner ideas, one recipe shows up again and again: Marry Me Chicken.Creamy. Cozy. A little fancy—but still totally doable on a weeknight. I finally tried it, using the version from Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman), and now I get the hype. It’s one of those meals that feels special without being complicated. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, date night at home, or honestly… any night you want comfort food with a little flair. Why This Recipe Works One skillet Simple ingredients Creamy, flavorful sauce Feels restaurant-worthy without restaurant stress Serve it with pasta, mashed potatoes,...
Did You Know You Can Customize Colors on a Spoonflower Design?
I didn’t realize this at first, but many artists on Spoonflower are open to adjusting color in their designs. (Scale too!) When I started asking about customization, a designer shared a few tips from her side of the process—and those tips made everything go much more smoothly. Here’s what helped. Start With Clear Color Information The biggest takeaway: hex codes are incredibly helpful. If you’re working from a paint color, this matters—Sherwin-Williams publishes hex codes for every paint color on their website. That gave me a clear, digital reference to share instead of trying to describe color by eye. It’s...
The A-B-Cs of Design & Décor for 2026
A calmer, more meaningful way to create at home—without pressure. Over the past year, I’ve heard the same thing from so many friends: “My space feels tired.” “I have dated pieces.” “I want to make changes, but I don’t even know where to start.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and the good news is, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. As we move into 2026, I’m not interested in rushing into big changes or chasing trends. I’m interested in clarity. These A-B-Cs are the principles that help me slow down, find a starting point, and make thoughtful decisions—whether I’m...
Christmas Day Chicken
Every Christmas needs at least one recipe you don’t have to think twice about — this is mine. I’ve been making this Christmas Day Chicken from Taste of Home (2008) Best Holiday Recipes for years, and it never disappoints. Easy, cozy, and always a hit at the table. DIRECTIONS Place the chicken in two large resealable plastic bags. In a bowl, combine the sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Pour over chicken, seal bags and toss to coat. Refrigerate overnight. Drain and discard marinade. Coat chicken with cracker crumbs; place in two greased 13 inch x 9 inch...
A Cozy Christmas Centerpiece Using What You Already Have
This Christmas centerpiece came together as some of my favorites do — without a big plan, a big budget, or another shopping trip. I used items I already had on hand, leaned into natural textures, and let everything work together instead of forcing a theme. The result feels classic, cozy, and calm — exactly what I want my home to feel like this season. If you’re craving something festive but simple, this is a great example of how less really can be enough. What I Used for This Centerpiece Here’s everything that went into it below. If you are missing...
The 2025 Let’s Make It Pretty Again Gift Guide
Simple, thoughtful gifts I actually use, love, recommend or have gifted. And, they are on SALE! Every single thing in this guide is something I’ve used myself, gifted before, or personally own. I’m a big believer that gifts don’t have to be complicated — they just need to be useful, pretty, and chosen with intention. You’ll also find some DIY-friendly items and everyday household pieces that make perfect, no-stress gifts or nice to stock up! Each category below links to a full collection with images and shoppable details:👉 (Link to Gift Guide) BEAUTY PICKS | MY sister’s favorites (CLICK HERE) My...
A Simple Candle Idea for Any Gathering
Sometimes the smallest gestures make people feel the most appreciated — especially during the holidays. This year, I wanted to give everyone at our family get-together a little something thoughtful to take home. Nothing complicated. Nothing expensive. Just a pretty, simple idea pulled together well. And that’s where these boxed candles came in. What Inspired This Gift A few weeks ago, I walked into a home décor shoppe and spotted the cutest boxed candles — each with a simple label, a cozy scent, and a charming little saying on the front. They were clever, warm, and felt like the kind...
Better Than Sex Cake
This Better Than Sex Cake is rich, ridiculously indulgent, and always gets recipe requests. This recipe came from my sister, and I’ll be honest — the name made me laugh the first time she said it. But after one bite, I got it. It’s the kind of dessert you bring to a gathering and leave without leftovers — or dignity, if you’re caught scraping the pan. It’s sweet, messy, and nostalgic in all the right ways. And best of all? It’s surprisingly easy. Let’s make it.
Chicken Pasta Ceasar Salad
🥗 Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad A fast favorite — cool, creamy, and satisfying. ✨ Ingredients: 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce, rinsed and dried 2 cups cooked and cooled bow tie pasta 1–2 cups grilled or baked chicken, chopped 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2–3/4 cup Caesar dressing (to taste) 1/2 cup croutons 🥣 Directions: ✅ Quick Tips: