Design Ideas for Home Exteriors * Landscape Outdoor Ideas for your Home from the Parade of Homes 2021

29 September 2021

 Here are some exterior ideas from the Utah Valley Parade of Homes. Black windows and white paint are still as popular as ever

This one is from Blake Miller Homes:




Apollo's Ridge by Chatwin Homes:



The Wooded Valley Manor by Shelby Homes (my pic did not turn out -- this is from Shelby Homes)







Heart and Haven from Alair Homes



Maple Mountain Springs Ranch by Jensen MM Homes & Pools. I loved, loved this exterior color. It was the most beautiful creamy white - the paint color is Benjamin Moore classic gray. 






and here are some beautiful pools, patios, gardens, firepits, and outdoor spaces! Most were pretty over the top but you may be able to get some ideas.























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how to tile by showers and behind toilets

28 September 2021


 Sometimes we just have to learn by experience what works in houses and what doesn't. We learned that wallpaper behind a sink in a bathroom that is used frequently isn't a good idea. I actually filled three posts up about things we wish we would have thought about when building a home. 

Well, here is another to add the house lessons: mdf baseboards next to showers with shower curtains that don't always get closed all the way is not a great idea. I didn't think to take a picture until after we removed it but you can see the water damage:



This is in our basement bathroom. We decided to use a larger subway tile to go behind the toilet (which is also a very good choice with boys) and on the opposite wall where the towels hang to protect from water damage from the tub/shower. My parents were visiting last year for high school graduation and my Dad helped me get started. He is the best. We basically used the same method we did in Virginia for our kitchen backsplash.


The bullnose corners were the trickiest but we just used quarter round tiles like these and finished the corner with the tiles going vertically.



My favorite part is the grouting. It is like playing with mud but then you wipe over it with a sponge and 

it looks so nice and clean!



So, moral of the story is: I would use tile on either side of the tub and/or behind toilets that boys use frequently. I hope this helps! I don't think I've ever shown the downstairs bathroom but here is an awkward shot of it that you can't even see the tile but you get the idea.



Thanks for stopping by! We are halfway through!


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fall and Halloween decor * decoration ideas 2021

27 September 2021

 Hello! Can you believe we are at lucky Day 13 of Every Day September?? Here is some autumn and decor around our house and some Halloween spookiness on the front porch. 


My mom and I found these berries and the stoneware container (actually the pumpkins too from years ago!) at a favorite local store called Sun River Gardens.



the beautiful hydrangeas are from my friend Connie and they dried beautifully! That little lighted owl is from a road trip to North Carolina to meet my parents. I love decor that brings back memories ♥

The rest is mostly just from years' past. I linked the new Target finds here but everything else probably wouldn't be available...







And here is a video of the front porch Halloween decor -- the bats on the wall are still not up but I was going to try the ones I shared on Friday's deals and see how they are. I hope this works since I'm such a youtuber!! :)  The wheel of fate is still available at Oriental Trading!!

Thanks for coming by ♥ You can click here to see fall decor from last year
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courage for the week 9.26.21

26 September 2021

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finding beauty in ugliness

25 September 2021


I probably love growing flowers more than vegetables. There is something about cutting colorful flowers and arranging them into bouquets that makes my heart happy. But here's the thing: my flower garden struggles. It doesn't always look beautiful.  

Sometimes a sprinkler head pops off and it doesn't get the right water or the cats dig up part of it 
 or the sun scorches most of the flowers or the tomatoes overtake.
But there is usually at least one beautiful part of each plant that can be used and made into a colorful bouquet.

I try to remember this little lesson in life too. Goodness, there are some parts really struggling and honestly pretty ugly but there is always some beauty in there too. 
Favorite flowers in a cutting garden: dahlias, black eyes Susan's, hydrangeas, zinnias, cosmos. 
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