I mentioned on social media the other day about how I am treating my home similar to my wardrobe.  It's the dress-for-the-job-you-want edition of home decor styling.  Not that I don't love winter and snow, cozy fires and blankets...just that we have a long season of that and I am ready for spring blooms, green grass, warmer temps, outdoor fires and maybe a butterfly or two. On the bright side, all these feelings coincide with our spring candle launch and so even if the outdoors isn't complying, the inside of my home can feel and smell like all the glory of spring! 
​Read on for an intro of each amazing scent...

Citrus Sunshine
Bring on all the goodness of the citrus grove as it heats up in the morning sunlight!  Notes of grapefruit, lemon, and mandarin are sprinkled with apple, peppercorn and a drop of vanilla so slight you’ll feel like you are wrapped in sunshine!

​Cashmere Sweater
A subtle fusion with plum, black cherry, currant, peach and jasmine grounded with notes of sugar, amber, and citrus.  It’s soft and feminine, yet intensely luxurious just like sliding into your favorite cardigan.

​Lilac in Bloom
Step outside your cottage to rows of lilac bushes in full bloom. Walk among the spring fragrance of these purple and white blossoms while taking in the full garden notes complimented by lily of the valley, rose, and jasmine grounded in the cover of sage and carnation.

​Fresh Herbs
All your favorite greens in a timeless bundle perfect for every season.  This clean and classic blend of eucalyptus, pine, rosemary, and chamomile is sprinkled with sage, sandalwood, and cedar.  It is mingled with drops of camphor and lavender softening out the fragrance of freshly cut herbs.

I hope you are either feeling the spring vibes or getting ready for all its goodness!
Stay...In The Moment,

In the midst of all the snow and polar vortex temps...I am just ready for spring and all I can think about is what I can paint and change and upgrade and makeover!  So, I realized I never shared our fireplace before-mid-and-after transformation, in case you are feeling the same.
Our fireplace has taken on a couple transformations over the last five years, partly because we moved in with a 1 1/2 year old (who is now 7), a little bit because we continue to change how we use the space, and even more so a result of our backyard oasis of trees that prevent light from entering the space. I promise it's because of all those things, but, if you ask my hubs, he would tell you it's because I like to stress him out by constantly changing things. I'd be lying if I told you that didn't make me laugh...probably more than it should. 

I think, in all honesty, this change may have been a bit more daunting for the simple fact that if I royally botched it, installing a new fireplace would have been neither in the budget nor anything either of us wanted to undertake while living here with 3 kiddos. But technically it transformed in stages, the first time, using more greys to lighten it and the second, using whites, creams, and light greys to brighten it to the shade it is today. 

If you have similar stone to ours and plan to tackle this, here are a few pointers...
Dry brushing is best; it allows you to control the paint, create natural looking stone variances, and add color slowing allowing you to adjust the shade as you go and change it slightly from stone to stone. 
Using an oval brush or brush that expands or splays at the end is easier to use...and using it by stippling the paint on gives you a better finish.  Keep in mind that you will likely just toss this brush after you are done, I used one of my fave oval brushes that had seen better days. 
Any palette-type piece will work to hold your plate...I got extra fancy and used a couple of paper plates stacked together. 
Move around as you go, revisit areas and readjust the color.  Layering colors and hand-mixing varying shades as you continue will give you a more natural look.  Wishing you all the beautiful fireplace makeovers that take you a little less time and give you instant gratification!
Stay...In The Moment,

Let me be the first to tell you all, I am not Willy Wonka, and I am certainly not an amazing chocolatier. And that, my friends, is what I learned from making Valentine's Day Hot Cocoa Bombs.  In truth, I could have made this a lot easier on myself, but as a result of watching too many baking championship shows over the holiday season, I thought tempering chocolate would be a good life skill to learn.  I am happy to report I got a perfect snap and sheen when finished, but it took way too long, lots of patience I didn't have, and a few too many hours covered in chocolate.  Trust me when I say, buying them is an option that seems more than appropriate.  My feelings could also be justified with the fact that I set out to make 50, and perhaps that was a little ambitious. In any case, they are totally do-able if you have the patience, time, and want to learn some new kitchen skills.

Supplies...not pictured is the chocolate,
because I was too consumed with tempering it
​(see Willy Wonka reference above). 

Here's to dropping all the love bombs,
eating all the chocolate, and if you are
experiencing freezing temps like us,
cozying up with your favorite people. 
Happy Valentine's Day!

Stay...In The Moment,

It's LOVE month...my birthday month...and a month I have reserved to be able to make a few more amazing changes in this tiny little internet space of mine!  I am not sure if I have ever been so excited for Valentine's day; it's not my typical jam.  But the world and each of us could probably use a little more love, hugs, and kindness, and so I have been anticipating it's arrival since the day after Christmas! 

This pom wreath was the first Valentine's project on my list!  I've included a couple videos below in case you'd like to tackle one too...but before you do, you should know that they really are super easy, take a little more time than you think, and you may want to put poms everywhere once you are done!

This goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway...if Valentine's Day isn't your thing, this pom wreath can be made with your favorite colors, sports theme hues, or you could get a head start on one for Easter or the 4th of July if that's more your speed.  The options are endless!  And although its hard to see, I did end up adding lace ribbon to mine as well...so add your favorite extras too and as always...
Stay...In The Moment,