Here are some inspiring tile designs from the Utah Valley Parade of Homes – they may be helpful if you are remodeling, building, or just dreaming.

I loved the penny tile in the niche and the stripe around combined with the larger tile:

Stone colored subway tile looks great with that black trimmed window:

Blue subway tile was so fun in this boys’ bathroom!

You can never go wrong with classic white subway, I like the diamond pattern that they carried on over to the vanities:

And more classic white with some different floor patterns:

And then we have basement kitchens. I do realize that many of these are larger than most main kitchens, but I liked the different layouts and colors

This was acutally a navy color, although it looks black

Very modern and sleek:

The green was so fun in this one:

The mine was the theater – a fun setup!

We’re back in town after a whirlwind couple of months of traveling, family reunions,and visitors. It’s good to get settled back although I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to summer yet!

* Best Buy is having their Black Friday in July sale! Crazy good deals:

- Iphone 6s 32 gb $12.99/month

- Samsung Galaxy s8  64gb $17/month

(a note on these: Verizon lets us pay off the phone whenever you like, so if you don’t want to do monthly payments, you still get an awesome price on a phone – just take the price per month x 24 months and check with your carrier & plan)

- Bose Soundsport in-ear headphones $49.99

- Bose noise cancelling over the ear headphones $149.99

- Kitchenaid Stand Mixer 300 watt $199

- Apple Ipad Pro 32 gb $399

- Apple Macbook Air 13” display $699, reg. $999

- Dyson V6 bagless cordless stick vacuum $199

- Insignia 39” LED HDTV $169

- save $1000 on this Sony 75” Ultra 4k hdtv $2499

* Score buy 1 get 1 free (up to $10!) at Chipotle – go to Savor Wavs, make your mix and you’ll get a mobile coupon

* Seniors (over 62) get your Lifetime Parks pass for $20! ($10 plus a $10 fee) This ends Aug 28

* Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System only $86 at Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale – also comes in pink!

* Anastasia Beverly Hills mini lip gloss set $28 – Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

* Muslin blankets buy 3, get 1 free $12.99 each

* Phillips 3 pack 22 year light bulbs that work with Alexa! $35.97

* Purina Beyond Natural Dog Snacks $4.50 when you clip the coupon

* Purina 6 lb Beyond Natural cat food $7.10 when you clip the coupon

* the hot toy of the summer -- in stock now: Nintendo Switch $299 already gone up by $100

* get $5 off a movie ticket at Fandango.com with code ANDROIDPAY4 – you can use whatever method you prefer to pay.

* 12 inch memory foam, cloud-like queen mattress $210

* Coleman portable folding double wash basin $3.10

* Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser only $7.40 when you enter code 3BWMLDRG at checkout (choose one time purchase)

* Tide Pods 81 count only $14.97 when you clip the $5 coupon

* 50% Off Everything at LOFT with code SUMMER17

* Child’s broom set $6.53

* Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad $9.80

Awesome deals on LEGO sets for the birthday closet – lowest prices on all of these:

* LEGO Creator Super Soarer $6.97

* LEGO Creator Ocean Explorer $8.99

* LEGO City ATV Race Team $12.79

* LEGO Creator Propeller Plane $12.99

* LEGO Creator Twin Spin Helicopter $19.37

Here are some exteriors that I thought were so pretty:

And here are some great pantry ideas. You know I love a good pantry!

This one looked like it was part of the cabinets but then

push open the door,

to this gorgeous light-filled pantry!

I loved this sliding barn door to the mudroom with a chalkboard. I also want to come to dinner at this house.

I loved the idea of lazy susans in the corners!

Here is another pantry combined wood with white and used drawers and bins for organization:

It also had open shelves, the microwave and a warmer:

This one was very clever as well.  See the pantry doors on both sides of the cooking area?

Here is the design on both of the cool swinging doors:

That opened to the pantry and notice the little grocery door to the garage for easy unloading from the car:

and turned into a long pantry that also had shelves, a bright white work area, a window, and a fridge and then you could exit out the other swinging door:

And a few more random ideas:

-cutest firepit ever – red is my favorite to use outdoors:

A blush pink dutch door to a walk-in closet??? ♥

I liked this family room set up with the fireplace, windows, and built-ins

And such a fun play area under the stairs with the faux printed brick, window, and light.