Boho master bedroom reveal

 Our master bedroom was the 'dump all' area of our home for years.  It's somehow the place we fold our laundry, remove our shoes, change diapers, relax, and watch movies.  While for many folks their kitchen is the heart of they home, our master bedroom was ours, and I HATED it. I hated that the place I wanted to escape to or relax in was always such a hot mess. It had piles of crap everywhere and laundry bins took over the floors.  Instead of returning to my room at the end of the day to unwind I'd walk into my room and had a never ending list of more things to do.  I had to clean up my room before actually laying down to sleep. It was the worst.  So my goal in redecorating our master was more than just hanging things on the wall and making pillows.  It was actually creating a space I felt relaxed in.  It was rewriting the purpose of my room from the catch all place to my own safe haven.  

I really wanted the eclectic feel of our house to carry over into our bedroom.  I love that though everything in our home isn't matchy matchy it still flows together. It makes sense together.  So, I went with a bohemian eclectic feel.  I brought in the inspiration of things that bring me peace from the outdoors, inside our room.  I want to be surrounded by the color of water and lots and lots of plants.  Am I hippie?  Maybe.  

Wood was also a big thing I wanted to incorporate.  We were given a beautiful antique hutch which my husband refinished last year.  He uses it as his dresser, and I wanted to pull the colors from the gorgeous wood tones it has into other parts of the room.  Those brown and orange tones were what inspired our headboard.  We made the headboard using a tutorial years ago and only cost us a little over $100...and in the beginning it was a light grey faux suede.  We loved it...and then we moved into our new home two years ago and it was the exact color of the walls in the room.  It just didn't stand out anymore and so the idea to reupholster it came to mind.  Poor Mike was NOT into the idea.  But he WAS into the idea that it would only cost $20 and some elbow grease. Marrying a handyman...and a very patient man...has paid off these past ten years.

 My bed pillows were like a vision that came to life...thanks to indigo dye.  A while back I took an Indigo dying class from Miranda @livefreemiranda and I just fell in love with the process, the outcome, and the beautiful blue hues.  I made them from cotton dishcloths and an indigo dye kit.  it was so easy and the dishcloths I didn't end up using for the pillows are now residing in my kitchen. I even sewed them!!!! GASP!!! I don't sew. The end. So this just goes to show you just how cheap I am...cause I'm sure I could have found some gorgeous pillows made from mud cloth, but the DIYer in me couldn't resist saving a buck.

 I huge goal I had in my room was to be organized.  Hence the purchase of an earring and necklace holder.  To think I never had one before makes me blush with embarrassment.  Why did I go so long without these gorgeous and purposeful things?  I also I had the hubby make me some essential oil holders.  They're just a stump of wood, sanded down, with a few drilled holes and, voila! New life to an old dead piece of wood.

 Lastly are my love for plants.  My advice for newbies to the plant lady life is to invest in some snake plants.  You can find them at Home Depot, Lowes, and even Ikea!  They require low light and low water.  I only water them once a week and they do great!

Most importantly, when I talk about redoing areas of my home I have to clarify that this didn't cost me thousands of dollars.  I spent about $200 on everything from my jewelry holders to plants to new bedding.  It wasn't about getting new things per say. It was more about creating a space that I love so that my motivation to keep it looking like these photos is higher.  No, it doesn't always stay this clean but when it is this clean it's like a breath of fresh air to my soul.  That's the goal with decorating.  Creating a space that brings you joy and happiness and I finally have that in our master bedroom.

10 years, 10 lessons learned

 I'm still amazed it's been TEN years since I said yes to this guy.  Time flies, especially when you're busy building a life with someone you love.  I'd never claim to be an expert on marriage or the like, but I've learned a lot these past ten years.  Many lessons learned had to do with my own internal battles while others were lessons we had to learn together.  But with ten years under our marriage belt, I thought I share a few of the things we have grown to understand a deeper meaning of.

1. Communication is Key

It's a pretty obvious lesson, right?  You're married so you should probably talk to each other.  But if we are being honest...which we are, let's talk about what I mean.  Talk about EVERYTHING with the person you're sharing your life with.  I know it's not always easy to pour your heart out to someone in fear of being judged but in this case we aren't talking about someone, we're talking about THAT someone.  The someone you chose to share everything with.  So share it!! I've learned to not hold back when it comes to sharing a piece of my mind.  Of course I think it through first because the objective isn't to hurt the other person's feelings but it IS to share what it is that's on your mind. If that means you write it all down first as to figure out what it is you really are wanting to say, then do that first.  I'm pretty blunt when it comes to my words and there's no doubt I've hurt other's feeling because of it.  When there's something on my mind that's been bugging me I write out what I want to say before I say it.  I figure out what can be left out, as to not hurt my hubby's feelings, and then we talk about it.  And we talk about it until we feel it's resolved.  It's makes our time together more pleasant because we aren't hiding what we want to say to each other.

2. Share the Load

Thankfully I married someone who shares the same ideals with me when it comes to gender roles...meaning we don't believe there are any.  I help him with what he needs help with and the same goes for him.  No one says that's your job in our house!  We help one another out.  Whether that applies to making dinner or patching holes in the walls.  We share the load...whatever it may be and we don't hesitate to ask for help.  It's a small part of what makes our days run a bit smoother.

3. Accept the Unchangeable

There's no doubt we all have our ideas of what would make a perfect spouse.  But I hope we all have understood that there's no such thing.  For instance, my perfect spouse would put his shoes away where they belong...hint hint. But what I've come to learn is that I can't change something in someone else.  I can encourage and uplift the other person in something I wish to see but the nagging and putting down doesn't do anyone any good.  I would feel like dirt if I was constantly reminded that I don't do things the way the other person prefers.  Accepting that there are things I can't change makes our day to day happier.  I can always encourage or ask kindly but I've tried to move past the 'ugh I wish you would just...' words because those are hurtful.  They bring awareness to the fact that we aren't doing what the other person WISHES we would do.

4. Listen

We all have ears so we should use them.  It can be really hard to sit down and really hash out a problem.  Sometimes our problems don't make sense to the other person but when we listen it means we care.  I've had to learn to shut my mouth and just listen.  To not give advice or criticism but to just listen and be the person he has come to to share.

5. Be a Friend

Aside from being the one they love, they also chose to marry you because you're a friend.  No doubt Mike is my best friend.  I go to him about anything because I know he sees me as the same, a nonjudgemental friend.  A friend is someone who supports you in your endeavors, is honest with you, gives you encouragement, and is there for you no matter what.  Being that kind of friend isn't always easy but if there's no friendship, there's no love either.

 6. Learn to Apologize

I mean, if we are being honest, we all know the wife is always right. Ha ha ha.  Ok in all seriousness, it's really hard sometimes to say you're sorry...even if it's not your fault.  But things resolve much quicker and easier if you apologize to one another.  It doesn't even have to be admitting to be wrong either!  But, I've learned that usually...even if I'm right I may have reacted wrongly or I didn't listen to his side.  And those all require an honest apology.  "I'm sorry for the way I reacted." "I'm sorry I said..." "I apologize for not seeing your side." These all help to resolve feelings that shouldn't be present when trying to resolve issues.

7. Compromise

It's key.  Not one person is a winner or loser in a marriage.  If I don't want to do something or go somewhere, we compromise.  If he doesn't want to eat there or watch that, we compromise.  That means I don't always get my way and that's ok because in the end, I love him and as much as I want to be happy I want him to be happy too.  Sometimes that means taking turns choosing and if that makes us both happy, then it's a win.

8. Date Night

Before we were married and living under one roof we dated to get to know each other.  Today the same applies.  We both have changed over the years.  Our stresses and daily life have changed.  Dating each other brings back those feelings of getting to know each other better.  Sure we talk about the kids and the business and the day to day things that need to be done around the house, but we also try to rekindle the love and feelings we had when we started dating.  He opens the door for me, I hold his hand, we have a fun night alone and happy feelings grow.

9. No one is Perfect

Pretty self explanatory on this one.  We are well aware that we, ourselves, aren't perfect but I've noticed that when I've realized that perfection isn't expected from the other person I'm much more accepting of the other person.  We're not over zealous in what we wish would be done.  We're more lenient on time and expectations.  Perfection is what makes us most unhappy because there's just no such thing in a marriage.

10. Sex IS Important

There, I said it.  And seriously for years I was the last person on earth who would ever admit to it.  But the last year, yes ONE YEAR, has opened my eyes.  Maybe it had to do with turning thirty or maybe my hormones decided to actually do what they were supposed to but I've been enjoying being intimate with my husband.  I'm getting real here people!! I used to hate sex and I'm covering my face in shame.  Now I say that out loud and it makes  me want to cry.  What a special thing we have the opportunity to share with our spouse and I'm over here saying no thanks! Well all that has changed now because my mindset has changed.  When we are alone I'm able to look over at my hubby and see the man I want to show my love to.  And I want him to feel that kind of love the way he best understands it...which for most men, is physically.  When we spend that time together I know that he knows that I love and appreciate him.  That I'm still physically attracted to  him and that our love is more than just verbally saying it.  I've also come to understand that communication is just as important in bed.  Talk about what you like and dislike and listen to the other person so both of you can enjoy the experience.  It's taken way too long for me to get to this point and gosh I hope I'm not the only one who's been there.  When kids come along and the days are endless it's rough to even feel like physically showing your love but I've made it a priority.  Why?  Because we are a happier couple when we've shown each other that kind of love.  We smile more, laugh more, hug more, joke more, and are all around just MORE in love with each other.  Gosh I would love to dive more deeply into this but I'll just leave it at that.

Marriage isn't always sunshine and rainbows.  And even though I've written out all these lessons learned, I'm still learning everyday.  I'm still having to relearn what I just wrote down.  But that's the great thing about marriage.  This person loves you and accepts you for all the good and bad.  So when we grow and improve ourselves, more love and acceptance is given. Here's to ten years Mike!  Grateful for everyday with you!!

Photos by Flash Gold Photography and Madison Larsen Photography

Deck Before and After

I bet you can't guess why we love our new deck so much. Ha Ha.  Obviously from this before picture it's pretty easy to guess why.  This house just called for a deck and what we had was a small landing held on by a few screws no less, and stairs down to nothing.  We wanted a place to relax, to socialize when we had company over, and a place our kids could play that still felt close by.  Well, the husband delivered.  After months and months of watching youtube videos and researching deck building he went to town and built our deck from the ground up. 

Rewind a few months since this project started we called upon some contractors for a quote to see what we needed to save up so we could make this deck dream come true.  Want to know the scary number they quoted us? Do ya? Really?  They gave us a quote of $25,000-$30,000 dollars.  Say what?  Mike and I both giggled when they told us.  I mean there's no way.  We might as well just buy a new house that already has a deck.  When the contractors left I turned to Mike and said, "You know what I think? I think YOU can build a deck for way cheaper." I was right, like usual, duh. We spent just under $5,000 to build our dream deck.  And I'm so proud to say that Mike built it.

Check out THAT before and after.  What a difference this has made in the appearance of our yard.  Yes, the plants are small now but you wait a few years and they'll be a few feet higher and our deck will look like it's just hovering next to our house. Also, I must say, I did my best to stage this so it looked perfect but honestly...our deck will never look perfect.  It's a place where the kids play.  It's where I hide underneath to escape the sun while the girls run through the sprinklers.  So, tidy is what I aimed for and that's what you'll find most of the time. 

Below you'll find me fake laughing and being an idiot because that's what I do when my sister is the one taking my photo. But in all seriousness she's an amazing photographer and I'm blessed I get to reap the benefits of her talent. Check her out here and give her some love.

I looked for a while to find the perfect outdoor seating that not only fit our budget ($1,000) but also fit our space and aesthetic.  It was a lot harder than I thought.  Unlike indoor furniture that comes in every shape and color under the sun...outdoor furniture basically comes in five colors and is either a million dollars and you'd have to sell your first born to afford it or it's really cheap and won't last under the extreme seasons of Utah.  I stumbled upon this sectional on the classifieds and luckily it was a brand new piece that a furniture business was selling. Plus it was under our budget ($895). WIN!! The rug was a steal on Rugs USA and it just made sense with the look and lines of the deck.

It warms my heart to look outside our back door and see our kids playing on this deck that my husband spent hours and hours building.  They love it so much and I love them so much so there's a lot of love happening here.  The girls have brought their doll house out on this deck and played for hours on it.  They set up bubbles for Daisy and jump around trying to pop them all.  They help me water my plants and gosh my heart could explode at how happy we all are out here.

These trays were a DIY must.  I could not for the life of me find an outdoor side table that I liked.  Maybe I'm picky...or maybe I'm just cheap and I can't spend over $50 on a side table.  So, these side tables are actually stools from IKEA for $5 and a tray from IKEA that I glued on top. They're amazing, stable, and can withstand the wear and tear from my destructive children.

Here are all the links to the items I could find online. Now, who wants to come party on my deck with me?

Rug isn't available anymore but just in case here is the item number XMP11468 in Silver

Sectional

Stool

Tray

A trip to the oregon coast

Every morning I woke up to the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the coastline, and every night I drifted into dreamland doing the same.  It may sound dramatic but this trip truly changed my life.  So much was put into perspective for me.  I was so much more aware of what's important, what brings me joy, and what fills me with peace.  

When Mike suggested we should have a reunion with his family and visit the Redwoods I was thrilled.  I'd never been and honestly, any excuse to visit the Pacific Northwest is fine by me.  I grew up loving the greenery, the water, the wild blackberries, and the wildlife as I lived in Washington State as a child.  It's where I feel most at peace and where I feel most at home.  The sometimes dreary weather never stops anyone from enjoying the outdoors and the fresh air fills your lungs and soul with clarity.  I miss the PNW everyday.

I'll be the first to praise my hubby in planning this trip.  He found the most amazing AirBnB right on the coast in a cute little town in Brookings Oregon.  It was minutes away from the most beautiful beaches and a quick 30 minute drive to the Redwoods.  The view from our room was breathtaking and the location was secluded yet close to the amenities and activities we were hoping to enjoy. Our first stop upon arriving was the beach.  The kids loved searching for shells and as the tide washed out we found jellyfish, starfish, a sea slug, crabs, and anemones.  No need to visit the aquarium!  Happiness really is sandy toes and a shell in your pocket.

Mike carried Daisy in the Jublii carrier through one of the hikes in the Redwoods and she left a sweet little sweaty profile for us to laugh at when we took her out.

The Redwoods were unreal.  In my mind I could image the magnitude of these trees but standing below them, looking up into the sky and not being able to see the tops was unimaginable.  Before we left on our trip someone told me to be still and quiet while in the Redwoods; to listen to the sounds.  There was a peace within the forest that I can't quite put into words.  There was no sound. Birds weren't chirping, the wind was stopped, and while I stood beneath the vastness of these trees I felt calm, relaxed, and serene. I wished I could have laid down on the forest floor and felt that peace for a while longer.  

Pictures truly don't do this place justice.  It is so incredibly beautiful and awesome. Here are a few places we visited and a few thoughts on what to expect.

Stout Grove: This is where parts of Star Wars Return of the Jedi was filmed. It's a really easy little loop stroll that the kids and adults enjoyed.  Along the trail are lots of areas to stop and places where the kids can crawl around on the logs and roots of the trees.  Nature's playground for sure.  Bug spray is a must...the mosquitoes were all over the place!

Simpson-Reed Trail: This is also a super easy loop trail.  Again, lots of places for the kids to enjoy and great photo opts.

Boy Scout Trail: While this trail was not difficult at all it was long.  We didn't even make it 1/3 of the way before the kids were over it and wanted to go back.  So I would advise to choose something else to hike if you're with kiddos.  Not worth the complaining.

I'd say it's pretty obvious that the kids loved the beach.  We made a stop there everyday.  And even though it was chilly it was still really fun to walk around and explore.  We went to quite a few beaches near Brookings and every single one was different and had new things to check out.

Mill Beach:  This beach was a quick walk away from our AirBnB.  It was easy to get to and had awesome tide pools during low tide.  Lots of shells for the kids to collect and really beautiful drift wood as well.  

Secret Beach: When we searched for beaches to visit, this one was a must.  It's a quiet little beach and it's only access is a bit of a steep hike through the trees and down a boulder.  We all made it there though so it's for sure not too difficult to get to.  It's serene and unpopulated.

Lone Ranch Beach: One of my favorites and I guess it was one of the kids favorites too.  We arrived in the morning around low tide and the rocks were covered in starfish, anemone, mussels, and barnacle.  The kids loved exploring and climbing on all the rocks. The waves brought in beautiful stones and shells as well.

Harris Beach State Park: Another favorite!  At high tide, the dips in the sand fill with water and then pools are left at low tide.  The kids played in the ocean water pools where it was warmer and shallow.  It was great for rinsing off all that sand too.  There was tons of room on the beach to fly kites and build sand castles, and the kids even got buried in the warm sand.  

One of my favorite activities was playing in the rivers.  Chetco River is right in Brookings and the water gets warmer the farther upstream you go.  We read about a swimming hole called Elephant Rock up the river and had to check it out.  The kids splashed around the rocky shores and the parents jumped off the big boulders into the river.  If you're into a thrill you'll have to check it out.  We found the easiest way to get there was driving up Chetco river about 13 miles and taking the Redwood Bar exit and then driving back down on the bar about a half a mile.  You'll stop at the end of the bar and see the big Elephant Rock.

Another river we visited was Smith River.  I have never seen such a gorgeous river in my life.  The water is turquoise blue and clear as clear can be.  The water is COLD but refreshing and it was such a thrill to jump in the frigid water.  

Can you even believe the view from our AirBnB?  It was dreamy.

I left a part of my heart on this trip.  I'll always look back on all we did with such fondness.  I hope to never loose that feeling of peace I experienced in the Redwoods and I hope to never loose fact that time with family is more important than anything in the world.  I'm so grateful the kids could see, feel, and experience all they did and I pray we will return again someday to enjoy it all again.

Kid Friendly Recipes

sRaise your hand if your kids are picky eaters?  I'm guessing most hands are raised...mine included.  To be frank, I don't get it.  I'm eating the same foods they are and I think they're delish.  Ok, yes there is sciene behind it so I DO get it but it's annoying.  No one likes to spend a good hour on getting a meal on the table only to have their kids refuse to eat it.  With that said, I'm sharing some recipes with you that are tried and true in our house and the kids devour these recipes.  In fact, they ask for them!  What's better...they're easy for baby to eat too and only require a bit of cutting up. Genius!!!

First up is MY all time favorite food and my kids are obsessed! Not only that but it's a quick 30 minutes and dinner is on the table.  I like to pair it with a salad or garlic bread.  This also serves a small army so lots of leftovers...and it tastes better and better as it sits.  

SLUMGULION

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. chopped green pepper
15 oz. can tomato sauce
14.5 oz can Hunt's stewed tomatoes
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 lb. elbow noodles
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta to box instructions draining pasta when it's al dente (you do not want to overcook the noodles or they will become mush later on). While the pasta cooks, sauté onions and peppers until tender and translucent.  Add ground beef and brown.  Season with salt, pepper, and chili powder.  Once combined add the tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes. Break apart the stewed tomatoes if they're not in bite size pieces.  Combine sauce and noodles and add cheese.  Stir to combine and pour into 9x13 oven safe dish.  Sprinkles with extra cheese to your liking.  Bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until bubbly.



This next recipe is a go to because it's easy to assemble and is a crowd pleaser.  In fact, this is one I love to make for friends after they have their babies.  I get it all ready to go and all they have to do is pop it in the oven til bubbly.  I haven't met a person who doesn't like this.  Serve with rice and guacamole.

SALSA VERDE ENCHILADAS

1 rotisserie chicken (meat taken off and shredded)
16 oz. jar mild salsa verde
3 scallions
1/2 c. lime juice
1/2 c. cilantro chopped
10 flour tortillas
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. chicken broth
shredded mexican blend cheese

Shred chicken in a large bowl and add 1/2 jar of salsa.  In a medium pan combine the rest of the salsa, scallions, and lime juice.  Simmer 2 minutes.  Stir in 2 T. cilantro.  Lower heat to keep warm and place one flour tortilla at a time into the sauce coating both sides.  Place tortilla in greased 9x13 oven safe dish and add chicken to each tortilla (about 1/3 c.). Sprinkle chicken with small amount of cheese.  Roll up and place seam side down on dish.  Continue until all tortillas are rolled.  With remaining sauce from pan add chicken broth and sour cream and cook over medium heat until heated through.  Pour over tortillas and sprinkle with cheese and remaining cilantro.  Bake for 30 minutes.


Lastly is one that takes no time at all to fix.  It's quick and fills the belly.  Serve with salad, roasted potatoes, rice...you name it.  That's why I love it...it's versatile.

LEMON GARLIC SALMON

1 salmon fillet cut into 4 inch sections (you'll get about 5-6 if you use the salmon from Costco)
1/2 c. mayo
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp. lemon zest or 1 drop lemon essential oil
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. honey
s&p

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Season salmon with salt and pepper and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Combine other ingredients in a bowl until combined.  Spoon a heaping tablespoon of sauce on each salmon fillet and spread to cover.  Continue until all fillets are covered.  Bake for 13-14 minutes.  Do not overcook the salmon.  It will become dry very quickly.  Allow to rest on the cookie sheet for 2-3 minutes before serving. This will help it stay together when you removed it from the cookie sheet.

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as my family does.  You'll see more pictures on the IG feed soon.  Check out more recipes by searching #allielovestocook on IG.  Click link below to check out the awesome counter high chair from Regalo.  It's easy to install, only $35 and FREE shipping! You need one!  I'm obsessed with mine and Daisy can't crawl out of this one...unlike her actual high chair.  Sneaky baby.

Regalo Hook-On High Chair

Every Step is an Heirloom

Maybe I'm the only one that stashes away clothes here and there that my kids wore when they were tiny so that when they're older and having their own babies they can pull those clothes out and reminisce on the days of yore.  Just me?  Can't be true.  I know you do it.

When I first had Remee I was actually kinda bummed that my parents didn't keep a single item of clothing that I wore when I was a baby as to pass it down to my own kids.  Then I remembered I was born in the late 80's...not great in the fashion department if you know what I mean.  Still, I thought about that a lot as Remee grew.  What would I keep for her so that she could dress her own babies in the same thing.  Now I'm more like a packrat and keep things here and there that are in good shape that have been favorites for each of the girls.  One child has a ton of swimsuits, another might have more onsies and hats.  But Daisy...she has moccs.

Daisy is my last little baby.  So naturally I've spoiled her silly in every shape and form.  I've nursed her the longest...ok that was Daisy's fault though.  I buy her more expensive clothes, she got a top of the line car seat, and lastly she's been the only babe of mine to sport Freshly Picked moccasins.  I just can't help myself.  Her tiny little feet in those adorable shoes...I mean can you blame me? NO!! There's no doubt that they'll stand the test of time.  They'll hold up even after she's run them to the ground.  When she grows out of them they'll hold tiny imprints of her feet...and ,aybe a tiny piece pf my heart. Awwww.

But if I'm being honest, yes their cute, but these little moccasins hold so much more than that for me. These little shoes are what I'm choosing to pass down to my grandkids when Daisy has her own babes.  They're what I'll gift her when she's pregnant and I'll hold those little moccasins in my hands and shed tears remembering so many beautiful and precious moments that I hold so dear of my Daisy.  I'll remember they were the first shoes she ever wore just months after being born.  They're the shoes she wore in our first family pictures.  She sported them in so many of her monthly picture updates and I'm sure they'll be the shoes she's wearing when she takes her first few steps.

Kids get older so fast.  It's like lightening speed fast.  So holding on to things here and there that bring back fond memories of younger years is a must.  Within months Daisy will grow out of her clothes and shoes and I'll pack away a few of them with tears in my eyes knowing there's nothing I can do to slow time down.  All I can do is hold on to the items that give me a glimpse back into the years when she was small, always wanted momma, and got into everything and anything...including her moccs.