FOOD - The . Thome . Home .

Let’s talk about Havenly!

August 7, 2017 by Abby Thome

You know that gratifying feeling when you add a piece of decor and suddenly it transforms an entire space? You sit back and think, “I can’t believe I did not do this sooner!” Whether it be a painting, new curtains or throw pillows, it is the missing puzzle piece that pulls a room togher. BUT – what happens when you cannot envision what you want your space to be. Whether you are stuck on enhancing one area of a room, or needing an entirely redesigned living space – it can be overwhelming and costly when second guessing decor options.

My new friends over at Havenly have cracked the code and created a concept so perfect it will help everyone take control of their lack luster spaces and turn them into a feature in a magazine spread. I kid you not! Check out their gorgeous site for inspiration!

Havenly has a team of brilliant interior designers, picked and chosen by you, that can help breathe life back into every space in your home.

Yes, even as a blogger I can become completely stumped on rooms in my house – I know what I want, but getting there can be so difficult. Remember this craigslist find from over 6 years ago??

It was an unflattering shade of oak so we painted it blue (what’s new?) and loved it so much it went into storage for the move into our current home where it seemed to just get lost in our giant family room.

SO much has changed in this space, it is turning my cheeks all shades of pink to look at this family room in this bare naked vulnerable state!

We’ve changed sofas 3 times in here, all of those pillows are out the door and every wall has been kissed with some piece of decor. All throughout these changes, one piece has remained. That blue nine drawer dresser that is heavier than most adults, and has stood the test of time with 3 incredibly messy boys. I love my husband, my three boys and our pets, and lastly I love this dresser, ha –

So what did we do to make this beloved dresser of ours really stand out ? A fresh coat of a deeper navy to make the white handles really pop – two new shelves that flank each side, filling out the wall and new artwork that wraps around my husbands obnoxious sized t.v. helping it to blend into the mix.

These few changes have created the most fantastic, family friendly space in our home and I could not love it anymore if I tried.

Clean, crisp and of course too many cookbooks and accessories that I undoubtedly need help with styling. But, alas – the wall this dresser deserves!

It is crazy to think that this piece is one of the most asked about on our blog and by visitors, and it cost us only $25. Just think how much you would have to spend to get a heavy, solid wood nine drawer dresser these days. I still count my lucky craigslist stars that this babe fell into our laps!

The Thome Home is a fool for mixtures texture – I have learned over time that I tend to stick to a more “neutral” tones and layer texture to add dimension and warmth into a space.

Adding the 12 picture frames surrounding the t.v. helped take the focus off of the 70″ rectangle in the middle of the wall and blurred the lines a bit, which I love.

I would love to get my spaces into the Havenly designer hands (our master bedroom for sure!) – I think it would help me push fast forward and avoid the awkward in between years that I spend trying to figure out the rooms in my house. Check out their brand new app, Havenly App which makes designing available right at your finger tips, where ever you go!

Let this blog post remind you that when decorating your home it is so easy to incorporate old with new. You can save money on one item, and roll that budget onto another piece of decor!

Now when guests walk into our home and want to get cozy by the fire, our feature wall will be one to smile at!

Thank you, Havenly for noticing The Thome Home. You’re a bloggers dream 🙂

Kids Bathroom Reveal!

June 23, 2017 by Abby Thome

We worked with a few different brands, who gave us discounts towards a few products you will see in the pictures below. A huge thank you to our friends at Wayfair, The Tile Shop and Active Kitchen & Bath Design Center!

Our late 70’s bathroom greeted us with stained vinyl flooring, a completely warped/worn tub and filth everywhere. It still boggles my mind how we went 3 years in this home without touching an inch of this space. One coat of paint on the walls and trim and we ran out of there and pretended the bathroom did not exist.

Kidding.

It was our main bathroom. So we were faced with it every single day.

Every pee spray session from our reckless growing boys that seem to forget where the toilet is.

Before and after each shower, attempting to scrub the stained tile grout.

I’d gag and whimper, reminding myself each day that we are lucky to have a roof over our head and not to be so dramatic.

But everyone deserves to be dramatic every now and again riiiiight?

We finally bit the bullet and came up with multiple mood boards and decided that it was time. We could not push back this renovation another day, another year. In hind sight, I am glad that we post poned this reno so many times, because our taste in decor has evolved so much.

Loves, take a look at what our bathroom was before we got our hands on it!

Yellow on yellow. Stains upon stains. Old upon older. It’s gives me the exact belly flipping icky feeling in my stomach like when I lift the toilet seat and see all of the dried pee my boys have left for me to clean off.

The above picture is the real-raw deal folks. Awful, ay?

I do have a hard time throwing away the bits and pieces to a room. The Abby you all know would revamp this vanity and give it new life. I always like to give furniture a second chance. But at nearly 30 years old, this vanity had a great life and I was more than willing to be the one to wave goodbye.

The demolition went smoothly, surprisingly! We knew there had to be a hiccup somewhere, and boy oh boy we had a few along the way. Take a peek at some of our pictures from demo day…

See all of that mold?? YUCK!

By far not a surprise,though. If anything we were surprised to not find more. I always go into a renovation expecting the worse and hoping for the best. These days, thanks to all of the popular DIY shows, many homeowners are well versed in renovation lingo, so just think naughty thoughts and anything positive that floats your way will leave you doing the happy dance!

The plumbing had to be replaced and shifted. We switched from a single vanity to a double, and older bathrooms always have a few quirks to work around. Thankfully, Dan’s Dad John is our right hand man with teaching us how to get the job done correctly.

Unfortunately in the days/weeks that the bathroom sat like the below picture, Olive (our cat) got herself stuck in a hole underneath our brand new tub (see the hole above with the pipes sticking out? Yep! add the tub, and tile in and thats where she was stuck days later). The panic and frustration was real. The tile was up, tub was set in concrete and there was a maybe 4×6 inch hole (if I am being generous) that she crawled into to have a field day running through the floor joists of our house.

It took nearly 6 hours and one can of tuna later to get her to come out of her hiding spot. The little brat had a hell of a time and enjoyed herself so much that we had to board the hole up in between putting everything back together. I thought we would have to cut a hole in the ceiling of our kitchen and pray she would “drop out”! HA!

Anyways ….

I flipped and flopped over what I wanted this bathroom to look like. This bath is our boys main bathroom, so I needed materials that would stand the test of time and a look that was functional and fresh.

Let’s cut to the chase!

Welcome to our very new, very fresh and functional new bathroom…

From the hexagon floor tile, to our shiplap trim around the room – there are so many great details to this space that pulls your eyes in yet keeps the room feeling open and roomy.

This VANITY from Wayfair was on my wish list for months and months. When it arrived I was extremely impressed with the quality – and the fact that it looks exactly as it shows online. Unfortunately we ran into SO much drama putting this piece in. From having to cut out almost the entire back to fit new plumbing to purchasing new faucets. Oh, and the marble backsplash cracked in half like a piece of chalk – I was mortified! My biggest fair warning is that the faucets do not come with directions, and are nearly impossible to put together with the plumbing – lots of shifting and complaining on our end. BUT – Wayfair, as always, went above and behind to help us take care of the issues. (the best customer service!) And after all of that drama, I still would not pick another vanity. I adore this piece.

The opposing wall to the vanity holds our towel hooks and two large Target prints that I just could not let go! They are 24×30 and as a two pack, you get both for under $80 right now!

The pictures above the toilet still have the original photos in them (whoops!) – found at Target months ago, for under $20 a piece.

You can find these simple and sleek coat hooks at your local hardware store, ours were less than $3 a piece!

Hold the phone. We need to talk about the lighting that we picked out for this renovation. Our friends over at Wayfair hooked us up, and we are always stoked to share with you guys TRULY affordable pieces that anyone can add to their home on a budget! This 1-Light Star Foyer Pendant in particular stops everyone in their tracks on the way to the john!

The Saltzman 4-Light Vanity Light was such a fun piece to add for the boys bathroom. It’s modern, yet rustic all wrapped into one. It comes in rubbed oil bronze (which is this one, that I think looks black) and brushed nickel. I went out on a limb when I ordered this, hoping that the color would lean more towards black and we lucked out!

It is actually flipped upside down – I insisted on this giant wooden mirror, and if we wanted the lights facing downward we would have to reroute the electrical …. SO. Hubby won with not having to do more work, I won being able to keep my mirror and we both lost at properly installing the lighting. Hey, every space has to have its quirks, am I right??

We went to The Tile Shop, in Mentor, Ohio – where shopping for tile is so much fun and the staff makes the process run so smoothly. I cannot tell you how many emails I had going back and forth for two weeks, changing my mind, asking to see more samples and rearranging what I needed. The service was amazing and I highly recommend going there! We chose simple subway tile for the shower, accented with black grout which in return took this basic and affordable tile to an entirely new level.

I had so many marble samples in my hands – and at the end of the day when we wanted to make this bathroom usable, and well, with 3 boys that are just growing like weeds, I did not want a space that I felt like I had to hover over them and worrying about the finishes.

The shower head is magnetized, which is apparently so yesterday, but so futuristic to the gal who has always had 30 year old bathrooms. Oh, hey, that’s me!

It was a one stop shop for the bathtub and faucets – and delivery was $10! We were thrilled!

If you’re local, make a stop at Active Kitchen & Bath Design Center in Painesville, Ohio!

Give me all of the hexagon tiles! Simple, classic and timeless all wrapped into one pretty 6 sided shape.

Max stands at the tub allll the time. Like a puppy begging for a treat, only he wants to take 10 baths a day if he could. He totally gets my excitement level for this new bathroom.

When the sun goes down, the light gives off the prettiest star pattern on our ceiling. The price for this pendant is out of this world, and if you need an affordable statement light for a room – BUY IT NOW!

I am forever grateful that Dan and I did not push this project back another year. It is absolutely amazing what you can do on a dime. It may have taken us weeks longer than expected, but here she is all pretty and shiny ready to be at the mercy of our boys.

Do you have a bathroom you are looking to renovate? Are you feeling inspired by our affordable bathroom renovation? If you ever need help designing a space, and picking out pieces for a mood board, email me TheThomeHome[at]gmail[dot]com for pricing.

Lawn Games with Wayfair

May 11, 2017 by Abby Thome

The school year is coming to a close in just a few weeks – can you even believe it?!

We are so ready for ice cream trucks, tan lines and picnics. Neighborhood kids running around up and down the street, bike races and late night deck cocktails for the much deserving + exhausted parents. There is something about the sweet summertime that gives everyone a strange sense of urgency to enjoy the weather and slow down our crazy-paced life a few notches.

Here in The Thome Home, hosting a cookout is the ultimate way to get a crowd together and soak in the sunshine. We gave our deck a total makeover last spring, and have a few touch ups to make and we are ready to roll!

You can read all about that, by clicking Wayfair

At any outdoor function, I love coming up with different ways to keep the kids occupied. One of the hottest items in our yard is our hammock, from Wayfair.

Thankfully we bought the double size, so there is plenty of fabric for the rugrats to bunch up together and swing under the shade of our pine trees for hours.

Hopscotch is a oldschool must during the warmer months. I like to draw it out before guests arrive so it is just there for the kids to stumble upon.

This year I wanted to get a bit more creative, as I see that as my kids get a bit older they are getting into a stage of wanting to sit and challenge each other more. Not just in sports, but board games.

Check out our DIY tic tac toe lawn game!

You can find this circular cut round boards at your local hardware store – ours was less than $5.00 (you know I love a good bargain!)

I taped off the sections, much like a hashtag, with painters tape – and sprayed the rest with chalkboard spray paint 2x. Finished with a clear gloss sealant since it will be used outside. You can find the adorable little X + O pieces at a craft store, and paint them whatever color you desire.

It did not take long for these boys to sit down and hash out a few games together. It is a great chance for them to sit and cool off after running around the yard for forever.

I want to make a few more of these and have them set aside in the garage for everyone when we have guests. From checkers to hangman – these are a super durable outdoor game that will last all summer long!

I’ve got my eye on a few other lawn games by Wayfair that would be so great to add to our summer!

This Giant Connect Four would be a blast, I love when these retro games make a modern come back!

This Giant Tumble Tower could totally be a DIY, but with 3 kiddos I would love to just buy it and have it ready to go for our next party! Although this one is a total toss up between who would fight over it the most, the parents or the kids. Ha!

What are some of your favorite outdoor games?

Life lately in black + white

March 20, 2017 by Abby Thome

We finished our bathroom remodel last week, you guys! It really happened. It only took 4 months instead of 6 weeks, which we anticipated happening when you toss 3 kids into the equation and doing it all yourself. Woof – we are so glad it is behind us (minus a few decor pieces, duh)! Now when the weekend rolls around I know that Dan isn’t strapped to the project and we can finally enjoy some quality family time.

Get us out of the house, and hand us both a cocktail please. Preferably a delicious beer from our cousins joint, @HiHo Brewing Company. It is hands down our favorite place to bring the kids, grab a drink and play some board games with them. If you haven’t checked this place out yet, run, and do not be shy bringing your little ones – the atmosphere is family friendly all the way. Dan’s favorite brew is the touchdown brown, their new irish ale and mine is the smash and blonde.

The relationship between these two lately is amazing. Yes, of course they fight and punch each other in the gut here and there. But Brody is now 8, and Owen will be 6 next month – they are jiving together so well, and playing all day everyday. We’ve cut off ipads during the school week, and for most of the weekend which has resulted in our kiddos being SO much more well-tempered. Something about those screens can just turn (our kids at least) into either little jerks or complete iPad-aholics. It’s ridiculously refreshing taking them and “treating” them with ipad time at unexpected moments.

Max max max. Can you handle the cuteness? The pretzels at HiHo are so freaking good you guys, and Max literally screams and squeezes his hands together until we rip him off a chunk. He will eat everything and anything, and somehow managed to turn Dan and I into creatures that can survive off of an average 3 hours of sleep a night. I wish I was exaggerating, or kidding – but I am not. Hence the beer 🙂

WE ARE FORKING TIRED…

BUT. Family comes first. We may complain but we try to step it up and push our heavy eyes aside, because you simple cannot get days back like this. While we’d love to nap or take a break from getting out or socializing I would not sleep for the rest of my life to have more days like these. Truly.

Give me all the carbs — Brody and Owen pop right up on a bar stool and order our food now, and understand how to put it on our tab far to well now.

This guy right here deserves allllll the make out sessions in the world. If we had the energy, HA.

You all know by now that he works his regular job, travels, and sometimes I cannot get him off the computer through dinner when he’s handling business. Only to pick up his lap top and continue to do school work most nights until 10:00pm, only to wake up and do it all over again running on zero sleep. He’s absolutely the best, and supports me in everything I do (thank goodness because I can be a real pain in the rear!)

Keep an eye open for our bathroom reveal later this week, it is amazing if I do say so myself!

xoxo, abby

Baked Vegetable Egg Rolls

March 14, 2017 by Abby Thome

What makes you feel happy? Like giddy-slap happy-kinda happy?

Is it getting a manicure? Finally making it to the salon after ignoring your roots for 6 months? A date night with your spouse? A much-needed lunch outing with a girlfriend? Or simply getting those kiddos to bed early?

You know what really floats my boat? I’m taking makes me feel like I am on top of the world – like I’ve got all my shit together and deserve an award of some sort….

Grocery shopping!

99.9% of the time I do it with all three kids, which can create unnecessary chaos and an additional $30 of random things thrown into the cart. BUT, somehow I can muster through the screaming, diaper changes, and melt downs because I know at the end of it all I will have delicious food to cook. Nothing makes me feel more organized then coming home, unpacking all of the food and rearranging the fridge.

It is my jam! If that doesn’t make me sound like a big la-who-za-her I do not know what does but new groceries every weekend gives me this strange sense of a clean slate to start the week on a delicious note.

Starbucks is always my first stop in the a.m. — a bad, expensive habit I am trying to quit. I sit in the drive thru and read over my grocery list, which is often a complete replica from the week before unless I am feeling wild and want to try something new for dinner (which with kids is a total risk). Yesterday I had chinese food on my mind, and I always prefer homemade over take out because take out weighs me down and suddenly it evaporates and I am starving 30 minutes later. So to save my body from the msg and extreme sodium coma, I decided to whip up some baked egg rolls, packed with veggies that I could feel good about eating and serving to my family.

Grab your grater and these 3 veggies and you are on your way some baggin’ egg rolls that won’t leave you feeling greasy.

2 1/2 cups grated carrot

2 1/2 cups grated sweet potato

3 cups purple cabbage

5 green onions, chopped

1 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder

Pinch of salt

2 tsp ginger (you can use fresh, I just had powder)

A few teaspoons of sriracha, to your liking

2-3 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce

Get all of these ingredients onto medium high heat in a saute pan, let cook for five minutes and set mixture aside to cool before moving onto making the egg rolls – EASY right?!

I buy my egg roll wrappers from Heinens, and I have spotted them at Giant Eagle too! Place the egg roll wrapper down in a “diamond” position – dip your finger in water and trace all of the edges. Dollop a few teaspoons in the middle of the wrapper and get ready to roll! (It’s easy – trust me!)

Bottom corner UP and over the middle, left and right side fold in – roll roll roll untill you real the top. Place seam side down onto a baking sheet, that is lined with foil and sprayed with nonstick spray.

Voila! Get yo’ roll on babe.

Bake at 350* for 10 minutes, FLIP. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, checking until the bottom has turned a nice golden brown.

Serve with your favorite asian dipping sauce. We use a spicy chili sauce and mix it with honey for a sweet and spicy sensation. Dan grabbed one of these off of the plate while we were mid bathroom renovating and could not believe they were made of all veggies – they are SoOo GOOD!

Happy 8th Birthday, Brody!

March 9, 2017 by Abby Thome

We partnered with Sky Zone, Boston Heights (Ohio) to put together the most fantastic birthday party an 8 year old could ever ask for!

Brody turned 8 last week and Dan and I are still digesting it! How do we have an eight year old already?

Every year for the boys birthdays we celebrate with close friends and family – but we had yet to travel down the road of hosting a friends party. The very thought of it was overwhelming. Did I have to come up with a theme? Do we have to invite the entire class so no one feels left out? Does it have to be in our home – because I don’t think I could handle that in the winter.

I became the master mommy at dodging the boys when the idea would arise. Explaining that we only do parties with family, that a friends party would come much later in life – like 18 when they are in college 🙂

Here is where I eat my words – yet again.

We caved in MUCH sooner than later, whoops.

Let me start off by saying that Brody has had the best year so far with his health, and since our previous school years were complete crap and stress – Dan and I wanted to celebrate his birthday in an extra special way!

Where is the BEST place to host a large kids birthday party? One where they go run wild, play till they are complete pooped and leave with the biggest smiles on their faces??

SKY ZONE!

21 of Brody’s classmates, cousins, and friends came to jump their hearts out and celebrate the birthday boy. Our Boston Heights Sky Zone location knocked this party out of the park, and left Dan and I wondering why we have always said no to a friends party!

Having been to this facility multiple times, I knew that all of the kids would have a total blast – I was just completely clueless with what a well oil machine Sky Zone was with hosting kids birthdays. Our experience there was unbelievable!

Upon checking in, our hostess had buckets ready for the guests shoes – coat racks for their jackets, and a push cart for all of the presents Brody’s friends brought him. Dan and I just stood back and watched our host orchestrate a flawless check in, and organized all of the munchkins on a bench until it was time to let the wild ones loose!

Once the clock struck 12:00pm, the party started and all of the rugrats just darted for the nearest trampoline for the next hour to jump. I love how Sky Zone has multiple employees keeping an eye on each section – it helped Dan and I have extra eyes on such a large group, ensuring their safety! Once we were 10 minutes in, I turned to Dan and said “This is amazing! Why did we always say NO!”

Trying to get any of these kids to stand still for a picture was a total joke. And while I wish I had better action shots to show you – I think the lack of pictures just speaks volumes. I could not slow these kids down, and they did not want to leave their friends sides. It was the best!

Max was in a total trampoline trance!

Our soon to be 6-year-old Owen could not get enough of their massive foam pit. The tricks these kids were doing were super impressive!

I paced back and forth, keeping an eye on all of the guests – feeling filled with the best butterflies in my stomach. NOW I finally understand why Sky Zone is such a hot spot for hosting kids birthday parties. It was worth every single penny and more.

Excuse my exhausted momma face – Max doesn’t sleep. Like, ever. So this “look” is now just me.

Once the hour of jumping was over, a host gathered up all of the kids and brought them up to our ultimate party room. Where, to our surprise – was already set up with plates, napkins, cups … You guys, the presents, kids shoes, coats, everything was brought up to the party – Dan and I did not have to scramble and think of a single thing!

A hockey cake for the win, for his favorite team – the Columbus Blue Jackets. Or Blue Jacket if the grocery store had no idea what you were talking about!

Goodie bags were filled and ready to go – the absolute only thing I had to do for this party.

When it was time to eat pizza and cake, our two amazing hosts passed everything out. I mean everything. They handled the drink refills, the spills, and even cleaned up the throw up from a munchkin who jumped to hard and drank too much fruit punch (ha!)

Usually at parties I am that frantic host, running around and missing all of the precious moments with friends and family.

Not this time!

A huge thank you to Sky Zone for partnering with us on Brody’s unforgettable birthday bash! A party that he will remember for years to come, and a party that we as parents enjoyed every last drop of.

Bathroom Remodel – 3 months later …

February 22, 2017 by Abby Thome

this post is part of a collaboration Wayfair – Lighting c/o Wayfair

Father time is busting my balls. Or at least the 4 set of balls in this house, I guess father time is busting my boobs. Wait, I don’t have those either. 3 months ago we broke ground on our bathroom remodel, in anticipation to be finished by Christmas Eve – because a 4 week bathroom gut is totally doable when you are doing it in your spare time, right?

Not so much.

I have changed the look of this bathroom SO many times in my mood boards, so deep down I am grateful this reno took us a bit longer to get finished –

THIS is a great example for all of you that are on the fence with a room renovation. It has been nearly 3 years living in our house, and I have changed my mind SO many times over the years about what I wanted our bathroom to look like. As hard as it was to live with the filthy and outdated space, it would be even harder to spend thousands for a bathroom I didn’t like.

The biggest differences between the mood boards for me was that over time, I pulled away from making the space so refined and sophisticated and officially wrapped my head around the fact that 3 little boys will be using this space the most. So as beautiful as I wanted it to be, I needed to make it completely functional for the boys and more importantly, give this bathroom a balance between my feminine touch and a space the kids could feel comfortable in!

Of all 18 items in these pictures, we only purchased one for the renovation. Yes, I changed my mind on everything else! SEE! So glad we didn’t jump the gun each time I was crying scraping dry piss off of the vinyl flooring (if you don’t have little boys, you just don’t get it. They pee everywhere).

This beauty made its way to the front of the line for our bathroom purchases. The New Yorker vanity from Wayfair just stopped me in my tracks. You should see its marble top you guys! Ugh, it’s so so so pretty! And while we did not pick the exact tile we planned for, we stuck with our desired shapes. Subway tile for the bathroom, and hexagon tile for the flooring. Dan was completely apprehensive when I told him I wanted black grout for both the flooring and the shower tile. He did not see the vision. Thank goodness I’ve learned over the years how to convince him to trust my ideas, because the black grout looks amazing! It gives the tile an old school vibe that suits the space so well. Now I totally get that saying, “once you go black you’ll never go back”. It’s totally a grout thing.

Here is a sneak peek of the tile we did … do not mind the mess! This week is crunch time and we are rounding the corner to me be able to jump in and take over the rest of the space. (Ya know, like Chip and Jo – Chip does the tough work and Jo hops in and makes her design come to life.)

Blurry early morning shots from my phone, but they will have to do! As you can see to the right of the tub we added a new element to the space that we adore. Shiplap across the entire bottom half of the room just to add more context to the space. This bathroom is so small, so we wanted to add whatever dimension and contrast we could to make it pop.

I really cannot wait for you guys to see this reveal, we are truly (finally) in the home stretch. I will be painting all weekend, the vanity and toilet will be getting installed and then it is time to incorporate all of the decor!

Oh! And we chose lighting (I am just giddy over it)

vanity lighting …

you can shop it HERE

The pendant light that I think will change my life …

You can shop this beauty, HERE.

When all is said and done, I just know this bathroom will have me feeling all sorts of smitten.

I have been a part of this entire renovation, and every freaking time we do a room makeover I feel just as surprised when I see the finished space as if I had no idea .

Call me, the surpirse lady – because this is exactly how I feel just thinking about it.

February Favorites

February 20, 2017 by Abby Thome

Happy President’s Day loves! If you are in the mood to shop, you’ve come to the right place! I gathered up some of my favorite items for killer prices that you should all jump on before the day comes to an end!

I just ordered these sneakers the other night after hearing amazing reviews on them! Steve Madden knock offs found at Target – 1/2 the price and an additional 25% off with code STYLE!

You can buy them HERE!

My feet have grown after each pregnancy, and now I wear a 6.5 These seem to run big when I tried that size on, so I sized down 1/2 a size!

It was love at first sight when I saw some of my favorite Instagram chicks sporting these sunglasses from DIFF Eyewear. The polarized frames are everything, and you bet I picked two up to rock for the summer time! Make sure to look them up on Instagram, because they are constantly posting discount codes. I happened to nail a BOGO deal that sent me straight to their site and I snatched the cuties sunnies for vacation!

The Bella style is my fav, I bought the black matte in pink and blue polarization 🙂

Have I ever mentioned to you guys the cookware that I adore to cook with? When we moved into our house nearly 3 years ago I bought two skillets, and one pot to cook pasta/sauces in. Yes, 3 stove top pans (minus my dutch oven) that is all I needed. Why? Because the quality was insanely impressive and stood the test of time – even more so because I am a lady who cooks around the clock. My 3 beloved pans bit the dust a few weeks ago and I knew it was time to pick up a few more. Over the 3 years apparently this company has only grown and created more gorgeous pieces.

Lemme introduce to you the only pans you’ll ever need – Green Pan! I really want you to read all about their ceramic pans HERE and why I bought into them a few years ago. If some of you didn’t know, a lot of what you are cooking with is not safe. Some cookware omits chemicals when heated to various degrees (eek!) And we all know pans scratch, which brings your food straight to touch the icky source that could be pouring into your food. Green Pans are created with your health and safety in mind. AND THEY ARE AFFORDABLE!!

I picked up two of these deep skillets in turquoise LOVE them! And when the label says, “nonstick” they mean it. No spray or butter even needed for a grilled cheese. I’ve had to re think the way I would oil up a pan to make certain dishes thanks to Green Pan!

You can pick them up at many stores, I chose Target because I have the RedCard and get the additional 5% off! Buy them HERE!

Now can we move onto my main squeeze real quick? We are obsessed with watching Shark Tank – and when we caught Basic Outfitters explaining their brand and what they have to offer, Dan immediately jumped online and ordered himself a box. This company offers what I like to think of as a “Restock” for your man’s closet. T-shirts, socks, underwear, jogging pants … you get to pick all, in any style you want – Dan snagged all of the above for $60 and the quality was amazing. NOTHING beats not having to go to the store and shop for your husbands underwear. I hated it more than seeing a skid mark on my toddlers undies. Dan can shop, pick out exactly what he wants and it is all conveniently shipped to our house! CHECK THEM OUT!!

Even better, use Dan’s code and you will get $15 off of your first order. You guys, you can’t even buy a nice pair of joggers for $45 dollars these days. It’s ridiculous – get on it! http://basicoutfitters.refr.cc/danielthome

These are some of Dan’s favorites he got!

Meatball Sliders

February 7, 2017 by Abby Thome

During the week we are laying low on bread and pasta. And if I’m being totally honest with you, it’s killing me. Heavy, stick to your rib dinners are my jam and what I usually look forward to after a long day chasing kiddos and snacking my way through the hours.

But on the weekends, WE SPLURGE.

And while these meatball sliders are hardly a hardcore splurge, they turned out so ridiculously delicious! Great if you have guests popping over – they are simple to make and the perfect finger food that will fill your up your belly!

When it comes to anything BUT baking, I hardly write a recipe down. It’s the old school, “little bit of this, little bit of that”. Thankfully, these sliders are totally fool proof. So let’s whip them up!

1lb ground turkey : plain bread crumbs : 1 egg : salt + pepper : garlic powder

Mix it all together in a bowl, start with 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs and add more if your meatballs are too wet.

In a baking dish, pour 1/2 a jar of marinara sauce on the bottom. Roll your meatballs, and place on top of the sauce.

Bake at 375* for 25-30 minutes.

Ok! Next!

Take one package of those amazing Hawaiian slider buns and slice the buns in half. Set them up in a baking dish, bottom side only. Place one meatball on top of each bun bottom, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Smush the top half of the bun to close up the sammy.

I whipped up a little butter/cheese mixture to spread on top of the sliders to give them a little bit more oomph. It was worth the extra minute to whip it up –

1/2 stick melted butter : bit of parmesan cheese : shake of garlic powder + oregano.

Smear the butter bliss over the buns. Place them back into the oven for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese melts and the buns toast up a bit.

You see up there? Yeah, that is carb/meat/cheese heaven. What I live for.

Make these for an easy dinner or whip them up for your next party!

V-day Challenge + Bloggers Pick with Wayfair!

February 4, 2017 by Abby Thome

Day #3 into our Valentine’s Day Challenge – the kids are loving running downstairs and seeing what their act of kindness is for the day. I’d compare it to the excitement of the elf on the shelf minus the pain in the ass of remembering to move it the night before (ya feel me?)

Day 1 we played a board game at dinner together, and yesterday our task was to make a present for the boys teachers. When thinking up ideas to do for our random acts of kindness should be, immediately I knew we had to do something for the boys teachers. My boys both have their own special little quirks (like most kids) that make them unique. At the same time, I know that their own little quirks can definitely challenge me on a day to day basis. Imagine multiplying your own childs “quirks” times 20 or more children. And being in charge of every last one. Adjusting your day, your teaching ways to help each child.

WOOF. I know I could never do it.

I’ve seen such growth in both Brody and Owen this year and I know their teachers are the ones to thank!

So the boys decided that chocolate and Starbucks was a sweet treat to surprise and hopefully brighten their day…

They both came home from school and were so happy that they loved their surprise. It made my day too! The entire purpose behind the 14 day challenge is to get my kids to really understand how one simple act can make someone’s day better.

Day #3 was to invite a friend over for a sleepover – the boys got really lucky and were able to go to a hockey game with their dad and papa along with a sleepover! So while the boys are away (minus max) momma is enjoying a glass of wine and catching up on work!

Speaking of “work” – Wayfair has a great feature each month, their “Bloggers Pick” and I was chosen for this month. You pick a theme, and feature whichever products you would like to show shoppers. Dan and I have a long time dream to own a beach house one day. So I wanted to pick decor that I would love to fill our dream beach house with. Coastal living, a beach house fit for a family!

Just scrolling through my picks have me jonsing for a beach house purchase. C’mon babe, let’s get on it!

Check out my picks that are live on their site!

Tall Recycled Glass Balloon Vase Whether you have a green thumb or not, these Tall Recycled Glass Balloon vases would be a perfect touch to center along the dining room table. Filled with either fresh picked flowers, or faux branches, a vase that can be used year round. This vase reminds me so much of beach glass, giving any room an ocean front feel with fresh blooms to brighten every dining table.	Evanston Sectional The Evantson Sectional has over 20 upholstery options to choose from, making customizing your space extremely simple. Usually, sectionals are bulky and overbearing. The Evanston Sectional has managed to pull off sleek, crisp edges and a clean design which makes this couch the perfect pick if you need the ample seating, but are afraid of a sectional overwhelming the room. I adore the cooler tones this sectional offers, creating a soothing statement to layer other elements of your dream coastal home.	Chambray Pillow Cover Nothing says beach bonfire to me quite like a crisp white pair of shorts and a chambray button down. Beachy comfort at its finest. This Chambray Pillow Cover is the perfect addition to any summer sofa. It offers a cozy backdrop to layer other pillows with, giving off the perfect beachy cool vibe. In my opinion, the more pillows the merrier!
Dolores Coffee Table Coffee tables are the easiest way to bring a crowd together in one spot. Combined with the right sofa, a large coffee table will give everyone a spot to set their drink down and enjoy a bite without having to leave the room. The Dolores Coffee Table has all of the right elements to add to your coastal house. Reclaimed wood and sun faded lumber, gives a rustic drift wood feel. I love how large this coffee table is, leaving plenty of storage space underneath for books or baskets. Go big with your coffee table, kick up your feet!	Charlton Pendant Walking into a beach house, the lighting can set the tone. This Charlton Pendant has a gorgeous glass star shape, outlined with a dark steel frame. The contrast provides great detailing to an entry way, or even a hallway upstairs. This pendant comes in two different finishes, the clear glass is my absolute favorite. Providing crisp bright lighting to shine through. Any hallway or entry would be lucky to be adorned with a few of these pendants.	15 Drawers Accent Chest This 15 Drawer Accent Chest is the answer to every shoe storing problem! Everyone knows you should be barefoot at the beach, including your house! Kick off those sandy flip flops at the door and toss them into a drawer. Set beside a front door, or mud room, this chest has a more funky feel – perfect for tossing odd ends into. I would get more than one, a few set side by side would look darling adorned with table top decor. Fresh flowers, a bowl for car keys and a picture of your loved ones who are crashing at your beach house.
Remy Striped Pillow Cover Nothing screams coastal vibes more than stripes! Darker pillow cases are an essential for large gatherings, and this Remy Striped Pillow Cover gives the right balance of dark and light, giving just the right depth to hide spills and minor stains. Adding stripes, floral or tribal print pillows to your coach is a great way to switch up your decor without the commitment. Swap them throughout the seasons, giving your space endless design options.	Vintage Beach Framed Photographic Print Plaque A bamboo frame paired with an ideal vintage beach scene is the perfect pair to decorate your coastal home walls. The cool ocean tones and faded feel make it seem like a picture you found in an old photo book. For less than $50, adding art to your beach house could not be more affordable.	Ford Light Blue Area Rug Listen, I love a good jute rug for coastal living. But, having said that, with a vacation home that has plenty of foot traffic I appreciate a good rug that has plenty of dimension and a variation of color. This Ford Light Blue Area Rug has just the right touch of pattern, softness, and color. Simple enough to ground the room, yet bold enough to entice the eye.
Grammont Tufted Upholstered Wingback Headboard The only thing better than a day at the beach, is falling asleep in a gorgeous beach house bedroom. This Grammot Tufted Upholstered Headboard screams comfort, along with an even better price point! The nail head trim adds great detail to the soft tufted cushioned finish. Just imagine piling on a duvet comforter, with a plethora of pillows set against this gorgeous backdrop. The perfect addition to any bedroom.	Ramala Duvet Cover This Indian-inspired print comes in three gorgeous colors. Coral, Indigo and Sky – all three of which would be just the right touch of coastal colors to add to any bedroom on the beach. The Ramal Duvet Cover has a distressed look, along with a super soft feel made of 100% cotton. Using a great down comforter to fill this duvet would fluff up this duvet to create the most comfortable covers to tuck yourself in with at night.	Urban Loft Pompom Throw Pillow Urban Loft Pompom Throw Pillow is the perfect addition to either a sofa or bed, at an amazing price! The soft pink is my favorite, and I would toss it right on top of the Ramala Duvet Cover mentioned to add a lighter pop to the space. This pillow comes in many beautiful colors, along with an enclosed zipper for easy removal and washing ability. I love how the pompoms add a such nice detail to the trim and a touch of fun!
Havana Chest This chest is one that I own two of and love. I have them flanked on each side of our tufted king size bed and it is the showstopper of our master bedroom. I adore the driftwood feel, along with the mirrored fronts. Two large deep shelves offer a ton of storage! Not to mention all that you have to put together upon arrival is screwing on the feet. Everyone that walks by our master asks about these Havana Chests and it is no wonder, they are so well made and beautiful.	Heming 25.25″ Table Lamps (Set of 2) The texture of this lamp base had me at hello! These would be the perfect bedside table lamp, just the right height and I love that they are white and keep the eyes moving across the room. The dimpled effect on the ceramic base add a touch of dimension, and the face that you get two for the low price of under $80 is just fantastic!	5th Street by Bree Madden Framed Photographic Print Lifeguard on duty! This vintage-feel print would be the perfect piece to add to your art collection. The soft, muted tones keeps the print bright and airy. Wayfair has this print with the frame for less than $50!
Superior Sea Grass Basket Let us think outside the basket, shall we? At a beach house packed with family and friends, baskets can be used for endless reasons. Kids toys, beach towels, blankets and more. These large wicker baskets could be tossed into each room for easy access, and for the low price, making it even easier to do!	Winding Wave Throw Just because it is hot at the beach, does not mean that one will not want to cozy up on the couch on a cool summers night. This Winding Wave Throw is woven to perfection, taking coziness to an entirely new level. Toss a few in a woven basket for your guests to snatch up and keep warm at night!