Everything you need to know to host a backyard movie night for less than $400 with recommended equipment, snacks, and seating. Core memory unlocked: backyard movie night! Over the years, hosting an outdoor movie night in the backyard has become one of our family’s favorite ways to make memories together. My favorite time of year is…
A list of over 100 best outdoor movies for all ages and all season to host the ultimate crowd-pleasing backyard movie night. Regardless of the season, setting up an outdoor theater is one of our favorite things to host in our backyard regularly. Even in December, setting up a good movie on the outdoor screen…
A DIY pergola built in 2 days and styled as a Serena & Lily inspired backyard cabana for less to provide extra shade by the pool. If you’ve ever dreamed of bringing South Beach Miami vibes to your backyard pool, look no further than this DIY poolside cabana. Okay, technically it’s just a DIY pergola…
6 simplified DIY tutorials for how to hang outdoor string lights without trees around a fire pit, around a pool, on a fence, on a porch, from siding, around a patio, or anywhere in the backyard. Ultimate Guide: How to Hang Outdoor String Lights I have no idea why it takes so much brain power…
Budget-friendly backyard ideas you can DIY to upgrade patios, pools, decks, sheds, landscaping, and back porches for an outdoor oasis. Over the past nearly 10 years, between our backyard and friends’ porches and patio areas, Robert and I have tackled a lot of DIY backyard ideas on a budget to make outdoor spaces an extension…
Everything you need to know to plan an epic swim party with themes, decor, games, and favor ideas + a free backyard party planning checklist. This post is sponsored by Leslie’s Pool Supplies. If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years of having a swimming pool in our backyard, it’s how to host a…
A thorough checklist to get your outdoor spring cleaning projects on track + products we use and love to make backyard clean-up easier. This post is sponsored by Lowe’s. Spring is FINALLY here! It feels so good to say that. It feels even better when the yearly backyard spring cleaning is finished so we can…
The 12 most popular, top rated yard games for adults and kids + favorite backyard decor to make your next backyard party a success. We’ve basically been training for a Yard Games Olympics for years… the backyard makeover is proof of that. 😉 Top Picks for July 4th Backyard Barbecue Prep With July 4th right…
Stunning backyard lighting ideas you can install yourself without the need of an electrician for a magical outdoor space. Pure magic! That’s what the backyard feels like after adding so much gorgeous backyard lighting! That’s because string lights, fairy lights, and solar lights basically have super powers whenever any backyard needs a perk up. Got…
All of the top rated budget-friendly Better Homes and Gardens patio furniture from Walmart and our refreshed DIY pool cabana layout. Once upon a time, 5 years ago to be exact, Robert won a trip at his old workplace to take both of us to South Beach Miami and stay at the Delano Hotel. It…
A full budget breakdown of how much our exterior remodel and backyard renovation cost, why we hired a few contractors, and what outdoor projects you can do yourself to save money. Technically, our backyard renovation still has one or two little projects for it to be deemed “officially finished”, but considering all of the things…
8 cozy fire pit ideas for outdoor fall decor and entertaining tips using budget-friendly finds from Walmart for a backyard campfire party. This post is sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart. I don’t know how we got so lucky with our gorgeous almost fall-ish weather this week, so we went all out with…
We had every intention of sharing more backyard progress today, buuuuuuut the universe had other plans as we’ve wrestled a project going awry and a sick kiddo over the weekend. But actually, it’s okay. Because I didn’t really make time to fully wrap my mind around “the vision” for our next backyard project: a pool…
A neglected backyard area gets a DIY beer garden transformation using folding tables and string lights for a charming outdoor dining patio on a small budget. We accidentally did another outdoor makeover. I don’t know how these accidental makeovers happen, but it’s pretty amazing when they do. Like… oops! We made a beer garden. Okay,…
A step-by-step tutorial for how to build a DIY backyard firepit + the best equipment for making the job faster and easier. By far, one of the best gifts my husband and I have given to each other is our outdoor fire pit in our back yard. Maybe some couples wrap jewelry or a new…
We weren’t kidding when we said this was the summer of the backyard projects. Between the pool makeover, the pool shed refresh, and the back porch set up, this yard has seen a lot of love so far since spring. Thank GOODNESS it’s been a gorgeous, mild June for us. Otherwise my usually sweaty self…
A breakdown of options to upgrade a basic, outdated vinyl liner in-ground pool and ideas to improve a backyard for beauty and function. It’s been two years, and somehow I’m just now showing y’all our backyard. I have no excuse other than we’ve had pretty much nothing but the interiors on our brains. But THIS…
To be honest, I’ve lost count of how many paint projects Robert and I have done after over a decade of DIY makeovers. But every single one always takes my breath away. Paint is the best way to make a massive visual impact for often not a whole lot of money… that is, as long…
Amazon Prime Day 2024 is here! Today and tomorrow, I’ll be hosting Amazon gift card giveaways and my favorite things on sale in real-time on my Instagram Stories. You can find my and Robert’s go-to Amazon Prime Day Deals List on our Amazon storefront. I’ll continue monitoring the deals and will update the list throughout…
This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. This might be the best DIY to ever appear on this blog: a DIY ice cream sundae bar. (I’m only slightly kidding.) I am so totally not the world’s best baker or cook. So I love it when an easy party hosting setup does most of the…
Four words I love to hear every spring: The pool is open! Our annual spring cleaning weekend is always a job I dread around here, but the reward is a huge pool party. So it’s impossible to hate our chores for long knowing that’s at the finish line. After a few years of salvaging some…
How to revive your patchy, weed filled front yard into a green plush lawn in a year or less using these simplified lawn care steps. Not all makeovers happen overnight. But this one felt like it was as slow as watching grass grow… literally. (har har) After a few years of frustration with our front…
A full step-by-step tutorial to paint a concrete pool deck and patio to make it last for years and save thousands by doing it yourself. Painting our concrete pool deck surface was by far the best money-saving project we did in our backyard 4 years ago. And that’s saying something because we’ve done over 40…
How to build a modular outdoor kitchen kit in a day with just two people and 1 simple tool, plus how it held up after 3 years. Holy smokes! (Oops… is that a grilling pun?) We built an outdoor kitchen in a day! If you have your own outdoor kitchen plans this year, this blog post will…
A full review of the Better Homes and Gardens River Oaks and Brookbury patio furniture from Walmart and how they have held up 2 years later. Robert and I have been super into all things backyard lately (and we have 41 DIY backyard projects to prove it… WHEW!), but one of the most frequent questions I always…
Decorating guide of vintage wall sconce lights from high-end designers and low budget look-alikes + the best types of wall lighting for every room of the house and why. If there was ever a way to kick a room up a notch in the lighting department to create that moody, cozy effect, it’s definitely by…
How to design the perfect small home theater setup with flexible media room seating, storage, lighting, and decor for a cozy space to spend family time. Even though I say this every time we finish a room makeover, I’m not even exaggerating that the playroom to media room conversion is by far our favorite project…
5 favorite battery operated Christmas lights and candles from Amazon to use on garlands, wreaths, Christmas trees, windows, and mantels. I don’t know how my parents handled decorating our house for Christmas back in the 80s/90s, but I do remember there being way more electrical cords involved than we have nowadays. The job has gotten…
A round-up of the best board games for families, large groups, and two-players that are favorites for ice-breakers and relationship-building. In the months when the days are shorter and the sun sets earlier, we love carving out more time for family game nights. Once school started back, Robert and I vowed not to slip into…
An honest, unbiased review of the Bartesian cocktail machine, pros/cons to consider, if it’s worth the money, and top rated drink flavors. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It has been a little over ten months since Robert bought our Bartesian cocktail machine for me as a Christmas present, and ever since…
Christmas gift basket ideas for the homebody, spa lover, DIYer, entertainer, baker, movie lover, and coffee fanatic. I’m calling it. Christmas shopping is DONE! I have to tell myself to “officially” stop or else I’ll just end up giving my heart out right up until the day. Having the gift giving love language might be…
How to throw an epic bonfire party with these hosting tips for food, drinks, seating, lighting, and games for a memorable night with friends and family. If there’s one thing we love on any given cool evening, it’s a bonfire party! Or I guess technically, since we have to keep it small living in town…
A round-up of the best preserved flowers and dried stems for fall or any time of year + how to dry flowers and leaves yourself. Somehow my ritual of drying bunches of hydrangeas every fall sends me down the rabbit hole of obsession over ALL of the gorgeous dried flowers and stems out there. Okay,…
16 beautiful DIY fireplace ideas using electric inserts, faux mantels, or updating existing fireplaces for all budgets and all skill levels. Apparently, we are in tackle-all-of-the-procrastinated-projects mode lately as we refinished the side porch, replaced an exterior door, and now cooking up DIY fireplace plans for the back porch. Back when we first moved in,…
Along with the side yard play area makeover we did a few weeks ago, allow me to introduce you to another area of our house that was such an eyesore, we kind of pretended it didn’t exist: the side porch. Even when we moved in, this small deck walkway area on the side of our…
A round up of the top rated fake plants to use on porches, decks, and patios and how to style them to look like real foliage. Want to know a secret? We use artificial outdoor plants for the front door. Don’t tell the neighbors. 😉 Ha! Just kidding. The neighbors have witnessed how I kill…
In all of the years we’ve been in this house, I think I’ve only shown the side yard play area maybe once. Ever since Robert and I hauled a trampoline into the corner of our fence for the kids a year and a half ago, we let it fall into a state of semi-disarray. Play…
For whatever grief choosing a paint color causes for my decision paralysis, choosing the perfect exterior wood stain color is INFINITELY worse! What’s up with that? BUT after days of indecision, I finally found the absolute best deck stain color of all time! We have been living in our house for exactly 6 years, and…
Today kicks off Wayfair Way Day! I don’t go bananas over very many sales, but Amazon Prime Day and Wayfair’s Way Day sale are two that I always browse to scoop up furniture or household items if we have any upcoming home projects. The Way Day sale only lasts for 48 hours April 26-27. It…
Garage organizers that will change the way your garage functions using smart storage solutions for tools, paint, and sporting equipment. It’s life changing what some decluttering, smart storage, and a fresh coat of paint can do in an entire garage remodel. Our garage is proof that the cost-effective way is sometimes you need to get…
A beginner’s guide for making a simple DIY charcuterie board in minutes for any occasion with tips to make it look like a professional spread Maybe most girls are excited about it being pumpkin spice season, but I’m just excited that it’s almost put-on-your-stretchy-pants-and-pig-out-at-home season. Who am I kidding? That’s acceptable any time of year,…
16 odor-improving recipes, cleaning tricks, and room freshening ideas to make your house smell good the natural way with non-toxic ingredients. Ask me what it’s like to move into a 60+ your old house, and I can sum it up in one word: musty. You know how you can just walk into a house and…
