An Easy, Simple Fall Centerpiece

As a minimalist, I don’t like a lot on my table for everyday decor. So I rarely have a full tablescape, unless it’s a very special occasion. Here’s how I made an easy, simple centerpiece for fall for my dining room table decor…

The base is my large Dough Bowl, which is always the centerpiece for my table, and my neutral linen Table Runner, which I use pretty much year-round as well. I fill the dough bowl with assorted items, based on the season- flowers, moss, seasonal foliage, etc.

For example- here’s what it looks like in the spring:

I went to the dollar store and bought a $1 cheesecloth and then swung by my local Home Depot and picked up 4 medium sized white pumpkins. And voila…

I even threw in a couple extra small, decorative pumpkins I had for Halloween.

Come November, I’ll remove the polka dot pumpkins and probably add some cornucopia and an assortment of rich orange and yellows. 

Though the dough bowl was an initial investment, I LUV how versatile it is and how I can use it for all of the holidays. Stay tuned to see how it changes in the coming months… 😉

A Neutral, Unisex Modern-Coastal Kids Bathroom

The other day I revealed Corbin’s big boy room, and as promised, here is the kids’ bathroom reno we recently completed. The kids share this jack & jill bathroom, but each have their own vanity area connected to their room.

We ripped out the old, original builder-grade tile, tub, vanities and toilet and replaced them all. The floor tile is a matte fossil stone and for the wall tile we went with a matte white subway tile . I really like the natural finish of the matte tile, as opposed to a typical glossy tile, as I think it blends really perfectly with all of the natural finishes we’ve used in the renovations (including the white oak floors).

We used the same white shaker cabinets we put in the kitchen, laundry room, and other bathrooms to create unity throughout the house. However, each space has different hardware, so they each have their own distinct aesthetic.

We wanted something that was neutral like the other spaces, unisex and something that could grow with our kids. So naturally, I went with black and white.

Here is the side of the bathroom as you see it from Corbin’s room…

towel hook | bench is Homegoods | shower curtain | “hello” bath mat

sconce light | mirror and plant are Homegoods | modern kids’ chairs | bedroom ceiling light

toothbrush holder | stool is Homegoods | wall storage bar and canister

art & bench are both Homegoods

bath tub/shower fixtures | paper holder

We also replaced the old builder-grade ceiling light with this charming industrial ceiling light. And I went on a hunt for a curved, chrome shower rod, so I was so excited when I found this one.

Here is the view from the other side of the bathroom, as it looks into Corbin’s room. I like the way the neutral tones blend well with the colors of his room.

sconce lights in bunk bed

And finally, here is a shot as it peaks into Emie’s room on the other side… (Em’s dollhouse)

Thanks for checking out another reveal of our recent renovations! Got any questions? Just ask! I’d LUV to hear what you think! 🙂

 

Corbin’s Modern, Coastal “Big Boy” Room

We’d planned it that post-renovation Corbin would get his new “big boy” room. We got him a bunk bed (ours is IKEA, but here is a similar option) for his birthday (last December). But we knew we were planning to renovate, so his room was basically a big ol’ mess for the months prior to renovations. When the floors and bathrooms were completed, I got to work. I knew I wanted simple, clean lines (shocker), but I also wanted it to reflect his personality. Corbin is a Florida boy through & through, so these cool, laid-back coastal vibes suit him perfectly.

“Utensil Holder” used for chalk is from IKEA | Kids Chairs | Towel Hook

Reading time is a ritual at night around here. My husband or I crawl in the bunk bed with the kids and read. It was difficult to read in the bottom bunk at night, because there wasn’t enough light. So, I found these amazing sconce lights. They’re under $30 and you don’t have to have an electrician come wire for them, because they have a hanging on/off switch. I really LUV the addition of these lights. They match his dresser lamp PERFECTLY, and I LUV that they really get put to good use! (Style AND function… perfect.) I found the throw pillows at Marshalls and the curtains at Homegoods.

I found these affordable quilt/sham sets and super soft jersey sheets (that are under $20) for the beds. As you can see, I’m all about casual, especially in spaces for my kids. Ever since we got Corbin a bunkbed, our kids have slept in the same room, and they each have their own “blankies” they like to use to cover. So the quilts stay folded at the end of the beds the majority of the time (except when they’re building forts). This is the blanket that Corbin uses to cover every night. It was a gift to him when we switched his crib to a “toddler bed” when he still had a vintage/American/aviation-themed room and he hasn’t let it go since. It really is super soft, so I can’t blame him.

The rug we used is perfect for this space. It’s just the right size, cozy, soft and neutral with clean lines… just like I wanted. 🙂 I will say that it did shed for the first couple weeks, but after a couple vacuums, it is fine. (Just an honest head’s up!)

Here is the ceiling light we added. My husband hates that I like to remove all of the ceiling fans, but it’s amazing what a new light fixture can do for a space, so I win on this issue in this space. I HIGHLY recommend changing out ceiling fans to decorative lighting whenever possible for an easy statement piece. This light matches the rug and decor perfectly, yet is simple and would work with almost any decor, should we change it in the future.

We bought this dresser and absolutely LUV it! If you buy it for a nursery, it actually has a removable changing table piece so you can use it for a changing table/dresser and then just remove that part when you no longer need it. We bought it post-nursery age, so we never used that piece. But the drawers slide in and out so easily (which makes for easy use for a little one), and the color is absolutely perfect!

The pouf was a seasonal option from Target a year or so ago, but here is a similar option if you want the look. My son sits on it all the time to read, play school, etc.

kids’ kitchen | Art is Marshalls | Laundry Basket is Homegoods

We had the inside of his door and the inside of his closet painted Sherwin Williams Naval, and I LUV the pop it adds!

Hope you enjoyed the update! Thanks for taking the time to check it out. I’ll be sharing the kids adjoining bathroom update next, so stay tuned! 🙂

A Cozy, Bohemian, Nature-Inspired Master Bedroom Reveal

In the last 15 years, my husband and I have moved more times than I can count. Between college moves, relocations, and just the fact that I get the itch to move every year or two, we’re basically professional movers. But no matter how many times we’ve moved, how much furniture we’ve purchased or how many home renovations/updates we’ve completed… our master bedroom has hands-down been the most neglected space of each home we’ve lived in. So this go-round, we decided it was time to give her the makeover she deserved…

It all started with a mattress. If you don’t follow along on my insta and haven’t heard me shout it from the rooftops… I LUV THIS MATTRESS! In all my time blogging and collaborating, I’m yet to find a better deal than this mattress. Yes, this was a sponsored collaboration, but my opinion is 110% honest in telling you it is the absolute best mattress for the absolute best price! My husband and I are sleeping better than we ever have, and I don’t even hear him snore anymore. If you haven’t already read the reviews for this mattress, click on my link above (“mattress”) and do so! You won’t be disappointed! 

And check out this video to see how amazingly easy it is to arrive & set up!

https://instagram.com/p/BIdsjJLAI-V/

The bedroom furniture took up a large part of the budget we allocated for our house updates/renovations and were some of our “splurge items”, but we fell in LUV with the natural color and simple lines.  Here is a similar option for the bed, and here is a similar dresser and another similar dresser option. 

If you’re looking for the most amazingly soft, unique, yet affordable rug, I am legit obsessed with this rug. It has the vintage look I luv for a fraction of the price, and I think it really grounds all the neutral colors.

I found the pink bench at Marshalls, but here is a similar option I LUV! 

This Handira Blanket is from one of my favorite Etsy shops, and it’s an item I’ve been coveting forever, so I was so excited to incorporate it into the design. I wanted a throw for the end of the bed, and it’s global appeal works perfectly in the space.

The total inspiration for our room makeover was these bookends. My mom gave them to me years ago and I fell in LUV. They never really went with anything before our reno, so I decided that I wanted to design the room around these pieces. Here are a very similar option if you’d like a pair for yourself. For our side tables, I used this Lamp Base and this Lamp Shade in the large size. I’m obsessed with these lamps! So much so that I almost bought another set for my family room! I keep switching them between rooms because I can’t decide which space I like them better in! They’re amazingly affordable and totally versatile. The plant photographed seems to have just been discontinued, but here is a similar version.

The turtle shell was also discontinued, but here, again, is a similar option.

The baskets under the bench are also from one of my favorite Etsy stores I mentioned above. Click the link for the Handira blanket above to visit the Etsy shop to find these baskets and all of their other amazing items.

That’s all folks! Hope you enjoyed! We sure have! It’s been amazing having our own peaceful oasis, and I know the items we chose will carry us through for a long time. ☺️ Don’t forget to check out my insta for more design inspo at www.instagram.com/luvbec!

💗, Bec

A Modern Minimalist Master Bathroom Makeover

For those of you who have been following along on our renovation journey, you know our bathroom has been quite the process! It took far longer than expected to pull it all together, but we couldn’t be more happy with the end result. I’m realizing that as my style evolves, it simplifies. I’m liking cleaner lines and LESS STUFF. So the inspiration for our bathroom was clean, modern and minimalistic.

If I haven’t told you already, we had actually just done somewhat of a renovation on our bathroom. When we moved into this house 2 years ago, it looked like this… (well, the cabinets had doors, but I always forget to take the before picture BEFORE they actually start the reno). But, here’s the vanity side of the bathroom when we moved in…

We couldn’t afford to gut the entire house at once. Since we wanted to do the kitchen (and other projects) first, but the current state of the bathrooms was kinda unbearable for us, we decided to do a temporary fix to the bathrooms. So… we added granite and refinished the cabinets, and this is what it looked like after the first round of renos… (Sorry for the poor quality of the photo.)

Rug | Bronze Faucets | Vanity Lights | Cabinet Pulls | Bench, Mirrors & Decor: Homegoods

Skip forward another 2 years, and we gutted the entire bathroom (toilet and all), and here she is…

Mirrors | Area Rug

We added new white shaker cabinets (which we used in our kitchen, laundry room and all other bathrooms to create unity throughout our home) and added a tower of cabinets above the countertops because we really needed more storage. The design of the cabinets also gave us each 3 drawers, so the additional storage space is substantial.

White Stackable Vanity Organizer | Modern Widespread Faucet*

*The Sink Faucets are from ATG Stores, which is a go-to for me for finding unique cabinet hardware and modern, unique fixtures & home decor.

We found the lighting for all of our bathrooms at Shades of Light. Here is the Modern Globe Light we chose for our master bathroom.

Similar Soap/Lotion Dispenser

Before the renovations, our master shower was tiny, and our bathtub was huge. While the spa tub was pretty amazing, it was RARELY used. And since the shower was used daily, we decided the obvious route was to take out the tub and create one large shower. And we mean large…

The other side of the bathroom looked like this… (again, forgot to take a before picture BEFORE they actually started demo, but you get the main idea).

And the after…

We created a bench where the window sill used to be and used the same stone as our quartz countertop for the bench top. The quartz we used is Ella by Cambria. We also installed the same countertops in our other bathrooms and laundry room. Again, we really wanted unity throughout the house.

We did floor to ceiling tile and added 2 shower heads to each side. I found the shower heads and valves on Amazon. For the rainfall shower heads, I actually found it cheapest to purchase these shower heads with arms. And then I purchased these extension arms. You can also purchase a kit like this.

Shower Head/Trim Kit Set | Transfer Valve Trim Kit | Balancing Valve | Transfer Valve

Stool is Homegoods, but here’s a similar one. | area rug

Not that anyone really wants to see my (new) toilet, but I did want to show y’all how we added cabinets over the toilet. It really was another great way to add storage, if that wasn’t an obvious decision. It was driving me crazy finding the perfect storage piece for this oddly shaped-space to hide toilet paper, etc.

Thanks for stopping by to see our project! I’ll be sharing the full reveals of the other spaces we updated soon, so stay tuned!

Luv, Bec

Floral Dresses & Feminine Sandals… What Summer Style is All About!

With summer here (in Florida), I’m all about lightweight, feminine dresses that are easy & breezy! Pair with a great, feminine sandal, and you have effortless style in a minute.

This dress is under $18 and ridiculously cozy! It’s like wearing a nightgown! (I’m wearing a small.)

Pair with these sandals that are on clearance for $9, and we’re talking about one heck of a deal for a complete outfit! Hurry and grab the shoes! At this price, they’re selling out quickly!

I also LUV my blush, Tory Burch bag because it goes with EVERYTHING, transitions perfectly season to season and it’s a perfect size for us Moms that throw way too many things in our purses and need a large handbag!

Here are some of my other favorite super affordable floral dresses:

http://rstyle.me/cz-n/br6dwab5z7f

http://rstyle.me/~cz-8q3Ti

http://rstyle.me/~cz-8q3QD

http://rstyle.me/~cz-8q4cv

http://rstyle.me/~cz-8q3OP

http://rstyle.me/~cz-8q3W7_

And some awesome summer sandals:

http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bspibib5z7f_

http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bsph8sb5z7f_

http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bsm6u6b5z7f_

http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bsm6udb5z7f_

http://rstyle.me/~cz-7U5RO

http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bspizmb5z7f

http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bq4yhwb5z7f

Happy shopping!

💗, Bec

What’s black and white and elephants all over?… The cutest summer romper for under $20!

When you find a romper this cute, you buy it quickly! When you discover it’s under $18, you buy another one for your best friend!

And these black and white espadrilles are literally EVERYTHING! They’re super, super comfortable, and they go with everything! Pair with a little sundress, jeans (of really any color), shorts, a romper, you name it…

Pair with this straw bag and you’re ready to go.

But hurry up! These items have limited quantities, and sizes are already selling out!

Some other items I’m stocking up on for summer: tanning bronzer to save myself from all the sun damage AND bright lipstick… Ya know, the summer necessities! 😉

Happy shopping!

💗,Bec

The perfect summer party ensemble for under $100!

Summer is here, and I had to share this perfect summer ensemble, because it’s comfortable, flattering and the top and bottom are under $100 combined!

I’m obsessed with the black bodysuit! You can wear it with almost anything! Tuck it into these shorts shown, a pair of denim cutoffs or your favorite maxi skirt. The top is a little sheer, so I wore a black bandeau under it. Here’s a great, affordable option you can wear under this bodysuit and almost anything! Every girl should have a black bandeau in her possession!

Again, I’ve paired this outfit with my favorite earrings, but it appears they’ve finally sold out! 😦 So, here’s a similar pair of fringe earrings for a great price! I accessorized as I usually do with a stack of my go-to bangle bracelets and a $10 gold clutch!

I completed the outfit with the perfect spring/summer blue stilettos! Mine are last season, but here’s a super similar pair I’m obsessing over.

These pieces are extremely versatile and will work with so many styles! Pair the shorts with a comfy cotton tee and sandals for an easy, breezy casual comfort or mixed and matched with other staples in your closet. These are pieces you won’t regret adding to your wardrobe. Cheers to summer style!

💗, Bec

$5 bikini separates… A summer steal!

Summer is peaking just around the corner, and living in Florida, we sometimes wear swimsuits as often as our regular clothes! I have this thing where I LUV to sport new bikinis often, but the price tag on these tiny pieces of fabric is often a punch to the stomach! Did you know that you can get bikini separates for about the price of your morning coffee?! Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about…

The total price of my bathing suit above 👆🏻… A whopping $10! 

(Top: http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bqbmvrb5z7f | Bottom: http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bp9vc6b5z7f | Shoes: http://rstyle.me/~cz-82Qlp | My favorite dry oil: http://rstyle.me/~cz-82QiH | My go-to basic black ball cap: http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bqjh55b5z7f_)

You can purchase my sunglasses here… http://rstyle.me/~cz-86G1Z

OR you can also rent them at http://www.ditto.com for as little as $24 a month! Get one month FREE with code “LUVBEC”! 

You can even find kids’ suits for $10 or under! In the photo below, I purchased all 3 of our suits for under $30 combined!

(My daughter’s $10 swimsuit: http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bqfz4eb5z7f | My top: http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bp9vevb5z7f | my bottoms: http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bp9vfvb5z7f | My son’s suit: http://rstyle.me/cz-n/bqbmj5b5z7f)

Follow along on My Instagram for updates on some of my other affordable summer favorites! Y’all know I’m always here to find you a deal! 

💗, Bec

Textiles by Wendy Bellissimo for Smith & Noble… a Gamechanger.

As you all know, I’m all for finding a good deal… and sharing it with you. But if you’ve been with me a while, you also know I’ll let you know when a splurge is worthy. Well… spoiler alert… this is one of those moments.

We’ve lived here 2 years this month, and we’re just working on the windows. A project we knew we’d want to do right, so we took our time. I’ve bought some super inexpensive Homegoods curtains for other, non-apparent rooms (i.e. guest room) and some West Elm drapes on SALE for my dining room. See here. Don’t get me wrong, they’re pretty. But these Smith & Noble ones are game changers, y’all! For our family room, I really wanted something serene, neutral, classy. And for some windows, you just need custom to find the length/size you need and to make everything look cohesive. I wanted something that would stand the test of time both style-wise and in the sense of quality. If you follow Wendy Bellissimo on Instagram, you’re probably as smitten with her style as I am. She’s literally what people speak of when they say #onetofollow. Her easy, boho-inspired style is both sophisticated and laid-back, which is basically my design love language.

Since I followed her so avidly and looked up to her as a mentor, she started becoming a friend through the amazing small world that is Insta. When a collaboration became a possibility, there were few people I knew I’d be as excited to work with than her. I do NOT endorse a product I don’t LUV/believe in/adore. And anything with her name on it, is something I’m totally happy to endorse.

So here’s what we went with. A gorgoeus Natural Woven Shade and Sonata Linen Drape. They’re soft, extremely relaxed and they LITERALLY transformed my room.

In case you’re wondering what the room looked like before…

The panels that were up before were basic Pottery Barn panels and we basically jerry-rigged a couple curtain rods to be long enough to span all of our windows until we wanted to budget ourselves for a custom rod. I know- talk about cutting corners.

The new drapes, rod and natural woven shades are spectacular, in my opinion, and I can honestly say that I highly recommend them!

Wendy also sent us some pretty amazing pillows! Her textiles span many different styles, but I’m most smitten with anything boho-inspired, neutral and tons of blues/golds. Here are some photos showing the different ways I styled her pillows. I usually mix her pillows with other super affordable pillows, such as covers from IKEA and Homegoods. Adding some of her pillows to my other non-designer pillows creates a richer, more sophisticated look.

(Gold/cream pillows shown above are Wendy Bellissimo for Smith & Noble. This print is the Bohochic in Parchment.)

(Tan/Black pillows shown above in Umbria/Iron.)

(More photos of the Bohochic in Parchment shown above.)

(Pillows shown above in Hollister/Navy in the corners and Tribal Chic in navy next to those.)

As you can see, there’s all kinds of ways to style her pillows, but the bottom line is a couple designer pillows can totally transform a room and add a bit of sophistication. If you aren’t going to hire a designer to complete your room, your friends will at least think you did when you add designer textiles!

So there it is! My review of Wendy Bellissimo Home for Smith & Noble. I wouldn’t endorse something I wasn’t completely happy with, and I’m ecstatic. Furthermore, I’ve collaborated with a lot of brands, and never have I had such a warm, personal experience. Wendy’s hands personally touch her designs. She’s super involved in every aspect of her brand. When we started this journey, she actually got on the phone with me and chatted about life and relationships and her brand. If you Google Wendy, you’ll see she’s basically the head of an empire. And the fact that she personally speaks with people like me, well it shows what an amazing person/enterpreneur she truly is. So, if you have any questions, let her know! She’s accessible via her Instagram page and you can follow her on Snapchat @ Wendy Bellissimo as well. Tell her I sent you!

(I’d also recommend you ask for Anita when you call Smith & Noble. Her service is unrivaled. Tell her I sent you as well! Mention my name and they’re currently offering FREE SHIPPING on all Wendy Bellissimo home items to anyone who mentions my name.)

, Bec