“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” — Maya Angelou
Editor's Note: This story was originally posted in spring of 2019. These travel anxiety tips have helped us tremendously over the years. Since we are currently in the midst of…
Yellowstone National Park This post contains affiliate links A Bucketlist Destination Yellowstone National Park is one of those "bucket list" destinations that you have to see at least once in…
A fireplace is something that helps make a house feel like a home - especially during the holidays. When we first bought our house, I was really bummed to find…
Sometimes an idea rattles around in your skull and you just have to get it out... irony intended! Skull cakelets are the perfect spooky treat for any Halloween celebration. As…
I usually don't like pumpkin spiced drinks. The ones that I've gotten at coffee shops are always too thick, too syrupy, and leave a weird after-taste in my mouth. So,…
I often feel stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to parenting. This is especially true (and painful) when it comes to parenting and bonding with…
Editor's Note: This story was originally posted in September of 2020. I wanted to repost it to celebrate the reopening of the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique on August 25, 2022. You…
I freaking love skin care that makes my skin glow! I’ve been using @herbalfacefood for a few years now, and it’s really helped with anti-aging and evening out my skin tone - I also love that it’s also 100% natural! I just recently tried the soap for the first time, and I’m so impressed with it. I honestly never even thought about soap before, I usually just washed my face with whatever. But now that I’ve used it I don’t think I can go back. It’s packed with all the same goodness and botanicals as the serums and creams. If you want to try it out, use my promo code “stayingblonde” to receive 30% off your purchase. Link in bio. #skincare #matureskin #matureskincare #herbalfacefood #soap
I am seriously loving my pool! They have them in stock at Costco right now. If you can’t find it there, I also have it linked in my bio. #costcofinds #inflatablepool #summerfun #tanningpool #ltk
Here’s to another fantastic 4th of July week back in Indiana with family, friends, food, fireworks and fireflies! I love my 4ths back home in Indiana. Nothing beats a Midwest Fourth of July. #midwestsummer #4thofjuly
Just throwing some quintessential summer vibes out there. Where do you go to soak in the summer sun? #summer #santacruz #santacruzboardwalk #summervibes @beachboardwalk
Painting concrete is a budget-friendly, and surprisingly transformative way to refresh outdoor spaces like patios, walkways, and side yards. Although it does take some preparation and special paint to make sure the finish will be smooth, durable, and long lasting. Before considering a concrete painting project of your own, here are a few things to know:
•Start with a deep clean We borrowed a pressure washer and thoroughly cleaned the entire surface. This is a crucial first step – don’t skip it! Once clean, let the concrete dry completely overnight.
•Fill in the cracks: Use a concrete crack filler to patch up any gaps. This step helps prevent moisture from getting in and keeps the paint from peeling later on.
•Prime the surface: Just like with any paint job, primer makes all the difference. Ensure the primer is completely dry before applying the final coat of paint.
•Use the right paint: You can’t use just any paint for concrete. We used Behr Elastomeric Masonry, Stucco, and Brick Exterior Paint, which is designed to adhere to rough surfaces and withstand the elements.
I have the full set of instructions on how we did our DIY patio project up on Staying Blonde right now. Link in bio. #diypainting #diyhomeprojects #diypatiomakeover #budgetfriendlydiy #concretepatio #concretepainting #diyinspiration
Did you know that you can paint concrete?! I only learned this recently, and I wasted no time transforming our ugly, patchy, concrete side-yard into a more serene, usable space.
Painting concrete is a budget-friendly, and surprisingly transformative way to refresh outdoor spaces like patios, walkways, and side yards. Although it does take some preparation and special paint to make sure the finish will be smooth, durable, and long lasting. Before considering a concrete painting project of your own, here are a few things to know:
•Start with a deep clean We borrowed a pressure washer and thoroughly cleaned the entire surface. This is a crucial first step – don’t skip it! Once clean, let the concrete dry completely overnight.
•Fill in the cracks Use a concrete crack filler to patch up any gaps. This step helps prevent moisture from getting in and keeps the paint from peeling later on.
•Prime the surface Just like with any paint job, primer makes all the difference. Ensure the primer is completely dry before applying the final coat of paint.
•Use the right paint You can’t use just any paint for concrete. We used Behr Elastomeric Masonry, Stucco, and Brick Exterior Paint, which is designed to adhere to rough surfaces and withstand the elements.
I have the full set of instructions on how we did our DIY patio project up on Staying Blonde right now. Link in bio. #diypainting #diyhomeprojects #diypatiomakeover #budgetfriendlydiy #concretepatio #concretepainting #diyinspiration #patiomakeover
Have you ever had Five Cup Salad - a.k.a. Ambrosia Salad? It’s an old vintage recipe that’s been around forever, and for good reason. It’s a sweet and tangy side dish that’s perfect for summer barbecues, holiday gatherings and potlucks alike.
This particular version is technically a 6 cup salad. I add a cup of chopped pecans to give it an extra buttery crunch that makes it irresistible. Is a tiny twist, but it makes a big difference.
I have the full recipe linked in my bio and in my stories. #fivecupsalad #ambrosiasalad #saladrecipes #easyrecipeideas #vintagerecipe #summerrecipes
Happy Summer! I feel like I wait all year long to finally come alive these next few months.
Now that summer is officially here, I love wearing my whites, my linens, and now my new favorite - crinkle gauze! I love this crinkly gauze material because it gives you the look and breathability of linen, but doesn’t wrinkle like linen does. I wore this outfit on the plane and I looked just as refreshed after a six hour flight as I did before I left. Do you love crinkle gauze clothing for the warm summer days? I have a few pieces linked on my LTK in my bio and in my stories. #happysummer #summerstyle #crinklegauze #travelstyle #styletip #ltk @shop.ltk
Rome is Calling. It keeps popping up in my photo memories, and I figured that was my sign to put together a reel. Two years ago today, we were on our Roman Holiday, wandering those cobblestone streets, eating gelato, and falling (even more) in love with the Eternal City. Rome might just be my favorite city in the world...and one I’ll never get tired of visiting.
You can find my 3-day Rome itinerary, packed with all the must-sees, linked in my bio. What’s one place you could return to again and again and never get bored? #rome #romeitaly #travelrome #romeitinerary #rometravel #italytravel
Who else is ready for summer adventures?! Something about these next few months always makes me feel more alive. Next stop for us: Japan.🇯🇵 Where are you headed this summer? #wanderlust #familytravel #europesummer #summertravel #travelinspo #travelideas
A few snaps from our kid-free escape to Mexico to celebrate our 25th anniversary.
It had been seven years since we’d gotten away, just the two of us, and did we need it! You forget how relaxing a vacation can be when it’s not full of refereeing sibling fights. The only people we had to yell at were each other! 😂
We stayed at the Royal Hideaway in Playa del Carmen, a favorite of mine from past girls’ trips. It’s small, quiet, and perfect for doing absolutely nothing. 10/10 would recommend for anyone needing to hit the pause button.
Celebrating 25 years of marital bliss. Now, was it all bliss? Of course not. But it’s been love, laughter, growth, and grit. It hasn’t all been candlelit dinners and romantic getaways... it’s also been bills, laundry, loud chewing, and figuring out who’s turn it was to unload the dishwasher. And guess what? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Marriage isn’t always easy, but building a life together for 25 years? That’s something to celebrate! Here’s to us and all the adventures still ahead. ❤️ #25yearsmarried #anniversarylove #happyanniversarytous