12
This post is written in partnership with Crane & Canopy. All opinions are my own.
I haven't mentioned it since this post, but we're still renting our house on Airbnb. Cleaning the bathrooms is Ben's responsibility, and doing laundry and making the beds is mine (I think I got the better end of that deal). With three bedrooms that we're renting out, I've gotten a lot more practice at making beds comfy and cute. This week is National Make Your Bed week, so I'm partnering with Crane & Canopy to share what I've learned! With the weather quickly turning to fall, I added a few warm and cozy layers to make sure our guests stay comfortable. For Airbnb hosts, I think putting some effort into the beds will always be worthwhile. If your guests get a great night of sleep, they'll probably write you a great review! Here are the essentials:
1. Start with a great mattress. The quality of your mattress will directly impact your quality of sleep...so this is one purchase where it doesn't make sense to skimp or buy secondhand. Most mattresses have a lifespan of 8-10 years, so if yours is nearing that mark, then it's probably time for a new one. The mattress on this bed is a Casper and I would definitely recommend it!
Tip: Side sleepers will be most comfortable with a softer mattress, while back or stomach sleepers will sleep best with a firmer mattress.
2. Protect it with a waterproof mattress cover. This step is a must for Airbnb hosts...especially if it's your personal home that you're renting out. Having a mattress cover that we can wash between stays makes me feel waaay more comfortable about opening our house up to strangers.
3. Invest in quality sheets. Sheets make the difference between a blissful, luxurious feeling when you crawl into bed...or tossing and turning all night. Again, you won't regret spending a little more for better quality. 100% extra-long staple cotton is a premium choice that gives you the best breathability. I'm also a big fan of soft linen sheets. One note on thread count: be wary of anything above 430. To achieve those thread counts, bedding manufacturers often use creative counting methods that do not mean a better fabric. Look for a thread count of 300-430 for high quality you can trust.
Tip: If you like smooth, almost silky sheets, go for a sateen weave. For a lighter and crisper feel (almost like a men's shirt), try a percale weave.
4. Cover your comforter with a washable duvet cover. A duvet cover is a smart option that's easy to wash--so you can go ahead and skip the top sheet. Duvet covers are also easy to store compared to bulky comforters. That gives you the freedom to have fun with patterns and colors and switch up the look of your bedroom seasonally if you wish. We have this white linen duvet cover which I love because it looks perfect a little wrinkly, straight out of the wash...no steaming required!
Tip: If you find it frustrating to put your duvet cover back on after washing, you're not alone. Here are three tried-and-true methods (with videos!) that should make the process muuuch easier.
5. Layer on a quilt. In the summer, we do just a duvet cover. But for fall and winter, I like adding a quilt across the bottom half of the bed. It gives us a layer of warmth, and is an easy way to bring in some color and coziness. I put the Chevron French Blue quilt on this bed, and love it. It's super soft, and the dusty blue color is perfect.
6. Pile on the pillows. For Airbnb stays, I have started doing two sleep pillows for each side, one that's plump and firmer, and one that's flatter and squishier. That way, people have options for however they sleep! Then, I always add a few decorative pillows in the middle. You don't have to spend a lot on these since they're purely aesthetic...just look for cute patterns and colors that fit the look you're going for. This time, I went with dusty blues and mustard yellow to tie in with the quilt and hint at fall.
Tip: A single lumbar pillow in the front will tie it all together.
7. Finish with a throw blanket. I like this finishing touch for the colder months. A throw blanket gives one more layer for additional warmth, and gives off those cozy, curl-up-under-me vibes. I casually draped the light grey knotted throw over the corner of this bed. It's so cute and soft, like a favorite sweater!
I have to admit, I kind of enjoy making the beds for our Airbnb stays. But I'm still not very diligent about making our own bed! And yet, I have heard that there are all kinds of benefits to making your bed first thing in the morning. Here are a few:
- Making the bed has been known to boost people’s level of happiness because your bedroom looks put together after a long day.
- Your productivity will increase because you will have started off the day having already accomplished something.
- You’ll sleep better. According to a 2012 National Sleep Foundation survey, those who make their beds every day were more likely to say they get a good night’s sleep.
Some good reasons to put some effort into my own bed, and not be so lazy!!!
04
If it doesn’t fit, don’t buy it
When you see a great piece at a bargain price, it’s tempting to snap it up, even if it’s not available in your size. Some people even set out to buy clothes that are too small as an incentive to lose weight or tone up. However, buying clothes that don’t fit rarely ends well.
In most cases, these items will languish in the back of your wardrobe until you donate or discard them. What’s more – every time you see them, your heart will drop at the thought of fitness goals you have long since abandoned. When you’re buying clothes to boost your style, only purchase pieces that fit well and can be worn today, tomorrow, and in the future.
Limit trendy pieces
Experimenting with the latest trends can be fun, but it isn’t always a great idea. After all, we all have different bodies, so one look won’t necessarily work for everyone. Instead of blindly following every trend that catches on, take time to assess whether they really work for you.
Additionally, consider how long trends really last for. If you want to build a stylish wardrobe, you don’t want it to be filled with last season’s trends. Instead, opt for classic pieces that will never go out of style and use on-trend accessories to stay relevant. If you want to enjoy some variety in your wardrobe, buy seasonal pieces that will feel fresh and exciting every time you pull them out.
Perfect your makeup routine
Whether you favor a natural, fresh-faced glow or a sultry, smoldering finish, the key is to have a go-to routine that you have down, so you can do it quickly! Using the right products for your skin type and tone is the first step. From there, you need to ensure that you’re using the right application techniques and tools.
If you want to enhance your makeup, don’t hesitate to get expert advice. With tips and tricks from makeup artists and brand ambassadors, you can get your questions answered and learn everything you need to know.
Don’t go on a shopping spree
When you’re tired of your wardrobe and you want to overhaul your life, it’s tempting to go on a blow-out shopping spree. However, going out with the intention of buying a selection of clothes means you’ll spend a bunch of cash, even if you don’t find something you love. A better plan? Keep an eye out for stylish pieces all year round and you’ll soon have a wardrobe filled with items you adore.
Find your own style—and be confident in it
Embrace your own personal style (instead of chasing trends), and you’ll spend a lot less on clothes and be able to shop more confidently and efficiently. Knowing what cuts and fabrics work for you gives you the freedom to create looks that are well put-together and effortlessly stylish.
26
I've been talking a lot about our kitchen and flooring, both of which are very, very exciting. But there's actually something else going on my life that's EVEN MORE EXCITING! Dun dun dun...I'm pregnant again! And I'm already 21 weeks along!!! So to put it mildly, our life has been pretty busy. Pregnant, living in a construction zone, wrapping up a flooring project and a kitchen remodel, with two rambunctious toddlers (one of whom we are potty training). Haha! What were we thinking?! It's crazy for sure, but all so good. So let's catch up about this pregnancy!
We found out back in May, before we went on a date to celebrate my birthday. I figured I should take a pregnancy test beforehand juuuust in case, since I might order a drink with dinner. I knew there was a slim possibility I could be pregnant, but I really did not expect it to be positive (I hadn't felt any symptoms whatsoever). Lo and behold, a plus sign appeared on the stick. What!?!??!?! I took another test, just to be sure (does anyone trust the first test?). It was positive too! So I rushed down the stairs and told Ben. We were both super happy, but SHOCKED.
I scheduled my first doctor's appointment and the first ultrasound, and we found out our baby's due date is January 2nd, 2020. I was already 10 weeks along! This was also a surprise, as I had thought maybe February would be the earliest the baby could be due. I know I'm lucky that I didn't get nauseous at all, and it really made the first trimester fly by. We didn't find out right away, then we already had so many things planned (a family vacation and all these house projects) plus it's not like I can slow down with two little boys, so time went by fast!
At our 13 week ultrasound, the tech told us about the "nub theory." I had never heard of this before (have you?!). It's a fun way to predict gender early on, although not totally accurate (she told us she keeps track of the ultrasounds she does and it's accurate about 75% of the time). According to our baby's "nub" it was a girl...which made me start dreaming about adding a baby girl to the family. I LOOOOVE my boys (man, do I love them) but I have to admit I've always wanted a daughter as well...a girl to go on "girl's days" with while Ben takes the boys on their own adventures. I could see her as a little girl with a bouncy ponytail and cute little outfits (because girl clothes are way more fun than boy clothes)...then having coffee and deep conversations with her as a teenager. And yet, deep down, despite the "nub", I had a feeling this baby was another boy. And I was excited about that possibility too! I could just imagine my three boys, thundering down the stairs and racing around the house, full of energy and best buds with each other. It would be fun and exciting either way...but I had to KNOW! By the time of our 20 week ultrasound the suspense was killing me!!!
That morning, I was like 90% sure it was a boy. So when out ultrasound tech said, "It's a girl!" I was shocked (again)! But really happy! I made her double and triple check (haha, just to be sure!). She assured me, we really are getting a GIRL!
I am really thrilled, and a bit nervous, truthfully. Raising boys has become my comfort zone so I have a lot to learn! But of course, every baby is different anyways so we'll just roll with it as her little personality starts coming out. I'm excited to see what the dynamic in the house will be with a girl! Ian and Emmett are really excited to have a little sister (a "mei mei" in Chinese) and they love to say hi and talk to her through my belly button. ;) It's very cute. I love when they yell "HI BABY!!!!" and tell her about what's going on in their lives.
That's pretty much everything for now! I am a little nervous that I might get preeclampsia again, like I did with Ian...but since I made it to full term with Emmett I am hopeful this pregnancy will also sail by smoothly! I feel like January might be a good month to have a newborn, since it'll give us something to look forward to after the holidays. And I'm excited to be pregnant in the fall! Haha. It's my favorite season for food... comfort foods and soups and baked goods and hot lattes. I'm ready!
P.S. The sweet blankets in this photo are baby girl's first gifts. They are from my friend Josie who runs a shop here in eastern Washington called Jac&Jae Designs (named after her daughters). She sells handmade, heirloom quality blankets in the most beautiful colors, designs, and trims. And they are soooo soft!!! Check her out if you're looking for unique and special baby gifts!
05
This post is written in partnership with The Home Depot. All opinions are my own.
It's been two years since we moved into our house, and we've made a lot of changes we're proud of. But nothing compares to this one! We just got new flooring installed throughout the main level of our house, and it is SUCH a huge improvement!!! I'm over on The Home Depot blog today, chatting about the flooring we chose, the whole process from shopping to installation, and how we feel about our new floors (spoiler alert: we love them!!).
After taking home many, maaaany swatches and obsessing over them for weeks, we landed on a hickory engineered hardwood by Malibu Wide Plank. It has that Scandinavian look that I love, with wide planks, light wood, and a low luster finish. And the price was pretty hard to beat!
This was also our first time using The Home Depot's installation services. We had a great experience, and would definitely use them again. If you're curious about that option, I explain the process in this blog post.
I'm really happy with our choice and I think the new floors are absolutely gorgeous! They have great variation between the boards, while still looking beautiful and consistent overall. As I mentioned in this post, we aren't quite done with the installation yet. We ordered new white cabinets (yay!!) and once they arrive, we will get the floors leveled, cabinets installed, and the rest of the flooring can FINALLY go in. I can't wait to show you guys a fulllll house tour then. You'll see how the new flooring ties our whole house together and makes it feel way more luxurious! But for now, the guest room is a preview of the goodness to come.
I'm honored to have our new floors featured on The Home Depot blog today! Make sure to check out my post here.
If you're looking to update flooring in your home, now's the time as The Home Depot has the latest trends in flooring at great prices - check out other hardwood flooring highlights here.
- Search
- Archives
