How I Styled My New House with Polka Dots

Friday, July 31, 2015

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That's right - I used Metallic Gold Polka Dot Wall Stickers to do some amazing things to my new house.  This is the 2nd bedroom aka guest room aka my closet and get ready room.   So of course to go with the fashionista theme I covered the walls in gold polka dots.  It looks amazing! 

This is the wall before..


And after...

These were so easy to put up.   I basically just did 2 different vertical rows and then repeated them.  That way the dots were in a nice pattern that's appealing to the eyes. 


So chic!


Then I moved onto the dining room, where I wanted to get a more formal look and still stay with my Buddha theme.  Well..the gold went great with the Buddha canvas art! 
And then the office...I wanted the one wall where I sit to do my blogging to be covered in polka dots. 


And the best part is...if I ever get sick of these I can just peel them right off! 

And guess what?! One lucky winner will get a 4 sheets of dots for their own home. 2 of pink and 2 of blue (perfect for a nursery!) 




a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Helping Dogs Adjust to A New Home

Thursday, July 30, 2015

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Well it's no secret that I moved in June, and while my 4 chihuahuas seem to love their house - the first week was a bit rough.  There were times when they would become stressed and confused from all the boxes, new purchases, and appliances being set up and installed.  So here are a few ways I made them feel more at home. 


1| Treats!
Of course, every dog loves treats so I made sure to give them treats that would occupy their time and their brains so that it took the focus away from the confusion of the new house.  Chewy has these awesome bully sticks from I and Love and You.  They are actually free range so that means the cattle they come from is grass fed and there is no use of antibiotics or added hormones.  These are great to keep your dog busy when you need to get stuff done. They even support joint health and oral health!


2 | Exercise
To help get them used to their new territory I immediately took them on walks so they could get used to the area and the smells and I also let them run around outside so they got familiar with the yard.   Plus, exercise is a great stress reliever and it left them pooped at night so they fell right to bed. 



3 | Unpack them ASAP
I made sure that their beds, pee pads, bowls, and toys were unpacked and in place before they even arrived at the new house. That way they don't have to get used to where there stuff is and then I decide to move it and they have to get used to it all over again. 

It's been over a month now and they are very much settled in and happier than I've ever seen them!


What have you done to help your pets adjust quickly? 


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5 Ways to Improve Your Home's Curb Appeal

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

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The front yard is the first thing people see when they look at your house. At least I know that's what people enjoy looking at with our new home.   Why do you think curb appeal is such a big deal?  Sometimes the best money you can invest in your home is to make the outside look beautiful.   So whether you are looking to sell your home or just improve the way it looks on the outside, here are 5 ways to make it look more welcoming.


1\\ White Stones
I can't stand the look of mulch and maybe it's just me but I think stones make everything look cleaner and there is much less maintenance.   I spent a couple hundred bucks putting stone down in our front yard and it looks beautiful!  So clean and simple!  It's so much easier to maintain because weeds aren't growing in! 

2\\ Pathway Lights
These Modern Tier Solar Lights are from Outdoor Solar Store and I couldn't be more pleased with the way they light up the front walk.  You could also look for Solar Patio Lights.


These are so beautiful! Not only do these help people see at night when they come up to the door or are leaving a get together but they also help me feel more secure because who would want to break into a house if it's all lit up so everyone can see?   


3\\ Flower Pots
Look for pretty flower pots on sale and you will be amazed how much they improve the welcoming look of your home!


4\\ Minimal Shrubs
We got rid of so many shrubs and the ones we do have we keep up with by trimming and pruning them on a weekly basis.

5\\ A Hose Box
Minimizing clutter for a cleaner look can be as simple as getting rid of a hose on the ground by getting a hose box.   Get rid of any little embellishments that you don't use as well. 

6\\A New Roof
Although it is a big investment, SHS Roofing professionals believe the best way to upgrade your home's curb appeal is a long-term investment like replacing the roof of your home. Not only will a repaired or replaced roof make your home more attractive, but it will also be an attractive selling point if you choose to put your home on the market in the future.





How have you updated your home's curb appeal?




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Only the Essentials | Treating My Dogs in a Healthier Way

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

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I've blogged before about Vital Essentials and how they were a more nutritious option for my dogs but now I have to showcase them again because they just wrapped up a voting campaign and the new Vital Treat Flavor winners are amazing! 

The winning flavors that were voted on by pet parents, retailers, and distributors are: Chicken Hearts, Duck Nibs, Wild Alaskan Salmon Rings, and Bully Sticks.  But why are these so special for my dogs you ask? Well, Vital Essentials freeze-dried products are sourced, made, and packaged in the USA! They are grain free, gluten free, and guilt free.  The freeze-drying process they use retains all the active nutrients in the food and you can store them WITHOUT refrigeration.  
These Chicken Hearts were such a favorite in my house. It was a great treat between meals.  They are the perfect size for my chihuahuas but even if you have a large breed dog, it would still be a satisfying snack! 

The salmon rings were a great way to keep the dogs occupied for a little bit while they snacked away and savored every little bit.  Look at these things! They literally still have scales on them! 


See the thing about the ALPHA Prey-Model Diet keeps in mind that dogs and cats are natural carnivores so they instinctively thrive on the essential nutrients they get from whole animals aka RAW meat, bone, and whole vital organs.  And a diet like this helps support their overall health and wellness.  Vital Essentials Frozen RAW entrees are made from fresh, USDA whole animal protein and then flash frozen while cooking to lock in the nutrients like I said earlier.  


RAW is so much healthier because it's not loaded with carbs such as corn and rice like in a traditional pet food.  A lot of those types of ingredients are difficult for a dog's digestive system and can contribute to obesity and diabetes.  A lot of times, feeding RAW can help to reduce or eliminate allergies, itching, and rash and can even reduce vet bills and prescriptions.  It can also help dogs shed less and have a soft, silky coat.  And for small dogs like mine, that are prone to oral health issues, it naturally cleans teeth and cleanses breath.


I hope you will consider filling your pet's diet with more RAW from Vital Essentials!   
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Tour Our Home

Monday, July 27, 2015



It's finally here - our official first house tour! There will be many more posts about this and about all the changes we make but for now - here is the first look INSIDE our new house! 

Living Room \\ When you first enter our home you will be in the Living Room. 












 Dining Room \\ Next you will run into the dining room.  I wanted to go with a Buddha theme here. 







This wall transitions into the Kitchen...

Kitchen \\ My favorite place! Mostly because there is a skylight!




Screened-In Porch \\ Our dining room leads out to the screened-in porch. 



If you look down our hallway you will find 4 doors.  Behind each door is...

The Office \\ Our office is amazing and even has in-wall storage.  This is also where the dog pee pads are and our pet rat, Hoodie. 


Across from the office is..

Master Bathroom \\ Enjoy!



And then next is...

Master Bedroom \\ Which is basically where James has his clothing, dresser, and some decorations.  




which has a small bathroom..




And then... the moment you have ALL been waiting for..... last but certainly not least....... the second bedroom/guest room/ my get ready room .... This room contains my closet, my dressers, a bed, and my vanity.



















Stay tuned for a look at the basement, the garage, and the yard! 
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