Sweet Intro to 222 Fifth + A Giveaway

You may remember me talking about doing a baking demo, whipping up batches upon batches of berry scones. I took part in a bake off of sorts with the team at 222 Fifth in Boston earlier this Summer. It was a super fun day (also a little nerve wracking since I was being filmed) and the video is now up on the 222 Fifth blog, and I couldn't be happier about it! I mean, can't you just see me now with my own baking show?! haha well maybe I'm not there yet but I have definitely been brushing up on my cooking, baking and everything in between. It's exciting to be partnering with 222 Fifth again to introduce you to their brand and actually offer you the chance to win a set of their beautiful mugs for afternoon tea or coffee!

I have a new 222 Fifth Dinnerware set, the Takara print, that's like my new swoonworthy breakfast set up. I personally love anything that's blue and this is seriously my dream print is something that won't go out of style but also looks more modern than your Grandma's inherited dinnerware (not that there's anything wrong with that!). I've been enjoying this print and want to mix and match with some other pieces in the future for sure! I've got my eye on the French Garden and Lyanna next.

So do you want to win the Adelaide Mugs in Blue? You'll snag 4 great porcelin mugs, designed in New York City, plus they're microwave and dishwasher safe, which is a must in my house! I think these are great transitional pieces from Summer into Fall, well for any season... your tea would be perfect in 222 Fifth! Enter in the Rafflecopter below and we will choose a winner next week! (US and Canada Residents)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This giveaway is sponsored by 222 Fifth. As Always, opinions are 100% mine and I appreciate your support of brands that help to make Prim and Propah a success!

DIY Terrariums with World Market

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to take part in a workshop at my local World Market store (Framingham MA) and I wanted to share some of the tips and tricks from this DIY event since I knew it would interest a lot of you! I love all the terrariums at World Market so jumped at the chance to show shoppers and now you guys how easy and affordable it is to build one of these beauties for your home or even a friends home (super gift giving friend you are!)

Cori from Hey, Let's Make Stuff and a part of my World Market Tribe put together some super simple yet super fun steps on putting together your own decorative terrarium that is maintenance free (score!)... I even purchased all the goods to make my own, that's how much I loved this project! Check out my terrarium and everything you'd need to put yours together yourself!

Choose a Container: 

Live terrariums require a more specialized container (because you're keeping things alive) but the beauty of a maintenance free version is that you can choose whatever you want. Jars, wine glasses, apothocaries, candle holders and on and on.

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Fill it with Layers:

One thing I made sure to tell all my shoppers at World Market was that these customized terrariums were all about the layers. Building from the bottom up, you're creating the foundation then adding elements to make it your own. You can use sand, pebbles, glass marbles, soil and more!

Place Larger Elements to Create Height:

Adding some larger elements can help build up the height and add a little special something to the terrarium's personality. Try rocks in different sizes, driftwood, seashells, sticks and anything you can think of really!

Include some "Life":

Want your terrarium to have the live feel? Add faux air plants, succulents, cacti, dried moss and faux flowers to add pops of color and "life" to the little world you're creating!

Add Interest:

Do you have a theme? Is this terrarium for your beach house... add some seashells or dried starfish and urchins. Is this for your daughter's room? Add some fairy lights, butterflies and tiny figurine. Add the elements that make this a special decor item that you'll enjoy.

I would have to say that making a decorative (maintenance free) terrarium for right around $30 is money well spent. You've created something beautiful for your home that is affordable and customized. I would absolutely recommend picking up supplies, a bottle of wine and inviting your friends over to build your own. What a great way to spend some time!

Have you ever created your own terrarium living or maintenance free?

Budget Friendly Bathroom Refresh

* This Budget Friendly Bathroom Refresh is sponsored by World Market.

We have this bathroom in our finished basement. It's got a toilet and a sink and even a shower so by all definitions, this is a working and functional bathroom. My office space, laundry area and where my husband plays video games are all located close to this bathroom. For a space where we spend so much time, I have yet to "do anything" with it. Sure, I hung up a shower curtain, put out some hand soap and keep it stocked with toilet paper but I've never thought to make any changes until recently. What this bathroom needed was a quick refresh that wouldn't stress us out and wouldn't kill our monthly budget... so I am going to take you on a little Before+After adventure where you will see a really noticeable change for just about $200!

So what does a refresh on a budget entail? Well, we aren't replacing anything major, like no new toilet, shower and definitely not taking out the vanity and redoing any plumbing *shudders*. There are some quick and simple things that we could do that would make an impact and not break the bank. Let's take a look at what we're workin' with!

See? It's not so bad but it could definitely use a little something! Here's what we did to make this bathroom a little more sassy without spending a ton of sweet moola! 

Paint Some Stuff: We repainted the walls from this matte very light blue to a more bathroom friendly, very sunshiney yellow. It did wonders for lighting the room up and of course, makes the space feel different. If your space is small, a coat of paint or two will really make a difference and won't cost a ton of money. Doesn't this color make the water closet "Boom Boom Pow"?! Editor's Note: A coat of paint in a bathroom can be an undertaking and may cause "irritated spouse syndrome" for a brief period of time.

Quick Decor: Little to no work and a few items that pop and your space is Va Va Voom! My bathroom had nothing special to call it's own but I swapped out our very blah shower curtain for this Coral Treetop Shower Curtain and brought in towels especially for this space (these gorgeous Alexandra Linen Flower Bath Towels).  Toss out a classic neutral bath mat, some bathroom accessories, sweet smelling tealights, pretty candles and a new hand soap... and the space really comes together very quickly. Since this is our "guest-ish" bathroom, I set out some soap, lotion, washcloths and towels for them to use! Also, I am a huge fan of trinkets and baubles so if you see 'em and you like 'em, then you buy 'em!

Frame Sentimental (Free) Artwork: A simple way to dress up the walls in any room you want to "refresh" is to frame sentimental artwork. My husband and toddler worked together on a drawing a couple weeks ago and I think they were both equally surprised when I loved it so much that I wanted to hang it on the wall as artwork. I collaborated on my own piece of toddler art and added it to the mix. This is more affordable than buying an art print and is meaningful too! "Propah Art" framed in these World Market Antique Zinc Metal Vertical Frames for your viewing pleasure!

Add a Houseplant: This is one of my favorite things to do in any room, really. I love plants and think that they add that certain something (living) to any space. Of course, you have to keep them alive, but there are plenty of hardy houseplants that will survive under the most extreme instances of "Forgetful Mom Brain". I added this Live Variegated Ivy in Burlap to the window ledge and it just livens things up, making it a little more personal (along with my previously mentioned trinkets and baubles). A little seasonal flare, like this hyacinth plant not only adds to the looks but smells like a dream in such a small space!

With some simple things, we really made this bathroom and cozy space that is inviting for us and for guests alike. It's not just all "business" now, it's a piece of our home that reflects a little bit of us!

*World Market provided me with a gift card to do this bathroom refresh on a budget. Though we worked together, my opinions are still 100% my own. Know this, with WM fares, a room refresh on a budget is an easy task.

A Rug Can Make a Room

I was originally going to write this post about redoing my somewhat masculine living room by merely switching out the area rug. I thought about something perhaps Jute and Sisal or maybe something more classic... but the more I searched Wayfair's excellent selection of area rugs, I was immediately inspired to do a play room for the little guy using the most amazing rug that I have ever laid my eyes upon, the Walk On Me Lion Kids Rug. He is obvi too young to notice anything I do, decorating wise, but it's great to use him as an excuse, especially when spending sweet moola is involved. ;-). I love that a rug can totally change a room. If you want to brighten it up? Get a lighter rug. Do you want to bring a more funky vibe to your living space? Well, get a funkay, fun rug! Wayfair has an amazing selection of fabulous rugs for every room and even your outdoor space.

Walk On Me Lion Kids Rug, Guidecraft Classic Kids' 3 Piece Table and Chair Set, Learning Resource Jumbo Jungle 5 Piece Set, Maxim Giant Noah's Ark, Wood Designs Contender Napsack 8 Compartment Cubby, X Rocker Classic Beanbag Chair 

I used the Walk On Me Lion Kids Rug as a centerpiece and built my play room around it! Sweet kids' table and chairs, add a dash of a bright colored bean bag chair, storage space and some jungle/animal inspired toys and I have a space that I could be proud to host a playgroup in! Do you have a space that needs sprucing up? Check out Wayfair's great selection of rugs and change a space by swapping one out!

Want 15% off area rugs from Wayfair? Use promo code RUGLUV04 which is valid for ALL Area Rugs from 7/31 to 8/4. Wayfair already has great deals so this added discount is most certainly a cherry on top of an already yummy sundae!

*This post was sponsored by Wayfair. All opinions are 100% mine.

Wayfair's Daily Deals are Worth a Daily Look

I don't know if you have heard of Wayfair and all the amazing things they offer for home and well. life in general... and if you haven't? This is me introducing you to them officially. I have been a fan of Wayfair for quite some time, even before I was fortunate to be welcomed to their Homemaker blogger family just recently (yay!) so I am excited to tell you about one of my favorite things about Wayfair, their daily deals emails. I know what you're thinking. You are thinking that most emails that flood your mailbox from your fave stores are often deleted with your passing glance but I ALWAYS visit Wayfair straight from their daily emails... everything they offer is just so dang enticing for this home decorator wannabe. My most recent obsession? Sprucing up the deck and my outdoor spaces. In all honesty, Wayfair always seems to have my seasonal needs (mostly wants) under control and in this case, it's dressing up my outdoor oasis. Check out some items that I'm talking about, all plucked from daily deals this week.

Canterbury Hanging Planter in Black, Lincoln Ivory and Blue Outdoor Rug, Oak Bluffs Side Deck Box in Chocolate ,Maru 10 Light String Lights in Warm Ivory, Acasia Wood Bistro Set in Teak Oil

My Fave Things for the Home Right Now

We are finally getting this house together and while I have slowed on collecting things for the house (and have picked up on collecting things for a baby) there is still a part of me that wants to decorate, decorate, decorate... and then find some more space to decorate. My husband has been on a painting world tour, currently with a stop in the dining room, after a long stay in our downstairs bathroom so I am being enabled before this baby comes... so while I (he) am painting, I need to update the spaces, right?

Surya Decorative Mirror, Wayfair $224.40, Room Essential Acrylic Rectangular Lamp, Target $17.49, Pine Cone Hill Throw, Wayfair $140, Threshold Oversized Suzani Toss Pillow, Target $34.99, Barreveld Metal Filigreed Floral Candle Holder, Wayfair $90.00, Fiesta Braided Fringe Rug, Pier One $19.95, Red Mason Jar Vase, Kirklands $5.99

What are your favorite homegoods right now?

My Fave Things for the Home Right Now

I have been on the lookout lately for new things for the home. We are still filling up the "new" house and I am always keeping my eyes peeled for cute and special pieces. I have begun collecting my favorites (yellow cabinet is awaiting husband to put it together) and look forward to adding more pieces to my home.

,Threshold Windham Accent Cabinet in Yellow, IMAX Cat Bookends, Nate Berkus™ Elephant Tealight Holder, Uttermost Meena Clear Glass Table Lamp, WovenWorkz Betsy Woven Throw, Howard Elliot Ceramic Vases in Cobalt Blue Glaze, Lulu and Georgia Botanical Vase, Caldrea Citron Ginger Kitchen Candle 

What are your favorite home goods right now?

Diamond Candles, Combining Two of My Favorite Things

So I'm sure you remember that I have quite the affinity for candles, so much so that I tried my hand at making my own last month, with varying degrees of success in multiple batches. After that post went live, I was contacted by Diamond Candles to do a review and giveaway of their all natural soy candles. My first instinct was to say no, because I guess, who wants to read someone's review of a candle? Well, I know that isn't high on my list... but then I checked out their site. Not only do Diamond Candles come in a wide variety of sassy scents (my faves are the fruity ones) but, now here's the fun part, each candle has a ring tucked into it's wax for a big reveal. Apparently, they range in value from $10-$5000... So I thought, why not give 'er a try?

Before and After, the Sun Room Bistro Set

While the cat's away, the mice will play... isn't that the saying? Well, the man was away on business for over a week+ and Mama was certainly busy. While he was gone, I took it upon myself to really get our home together! I had a million ideas of what I wanted to do, how our home would be complete in just one week... well, I was sadly mistaken in my thinking I would get everything done but I did, however, complete  something that I am really proud of. You might have remembered me tweeting a picture last week of a set of chairs and a small table suitable for a sun room that a woman was selling on Craigslist. Not only did I haggle (thank you, Lara Spencer) her down in price buuuuut it also fit in my car without having to bungee cord something to my roof. It was success from the very beginning! Want to see what became of it? Check it after the jump.

DIY Citronella Candes, a Summer Staple

Since we moved into the new house, I have become acutely aware of something that I wasn't used to in apartment living... and that's bugs. All different kinds of bugs you see but mostly the ever pesky mosquito. I literally went to Home Depot and spent a paycheck on bug spray, Off products and citronella candles. I realized very quickly that it was not in my change purse's best interest if I spent my entire Summer purchasing citronella candles sooooooo I bought everything a girl would need to make enough candles to last the Summer plus!