Our Little Cheetah Bathroom Glow-Up
If there was ever a room that gave me the green light to go a little wild, it was this one. Our half bathroom may be tiny, but it came with a big opportunity to pack in all the personality I could. So I did what any maximalist at heart would do and covered the walls in cheetahs.
The wallpaper really sets the tone in here. It’s bold and a little playful, but it still feels polished and grown-up. I pulled in more warm tones with the gold mirror, a vintage-style towel ring, and that marble and brass console sink that kind of steals the show. Everything works together to make the space feel styled and intentional without tipping into full-on theme territory.
One of my favorite little spots is right by the sink. I use a decorative box to hold paper towels, paired with a textured glass soap dispenser, and it all just works. It feels pulled together without trying too hard and adds a little bit of style to an otherwise functional corner.
Even the back of the toilet got a glow-up with a thrifted woven basket that holds spare rolls and looks way cuter than anything plastic. Little things matter in small spaces, and this room is proof that no corner is too small to style.
So here’s the takeaway: if there’s a room you’ve been playing it safe with, maybe it’s time to go for it. Try the bold wallpaper. Add the fun details. Make it a space that feels like you, even if you're the only one who sees it.
Links At A Glance:
Decorative Box (mine was thrifted but I’ve linked something similar)
Soap Dispenser (this one is out of stock but I’ve linked something similar)
Toilet Paper Basket (thrifted)
Candleholder (thrifted)
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DIY Turtle Sandbox Makeover: From Thrifted to Adorable
How to Give a Faded Sandbox Turtle a Fresh New Look
I found this classic turtle sandbox at Goodwill for $5, and I knew right away it had potential. Sure, it was faded, scratched, and looked like it had lived a full life, but the shape was iconic, and I love a good transformation project. A few hours and a couple cans of spray paint later, this little guy got a whole new lease on life.
What You’ll Need:
Scrub brush and soap (for cleaning)
Spray paint made for plastic (I used two coordinating colors: one for the body and one for the lid)
Contrasting paint for the shell details (I used some craft paint I already had)
Small paint brush for the shell details
Clear outdoor spray sealant (non-yellowing)
Painter’s tape (for detailing—especially the eyes!)
A comfort grip spray can handle (optional, but makes a huge difference for even coverage and avoiding finger fatigue)
A bag or two of sand (for the fun part)
How to Do It:
1. Clean it really well.
Start by giving the turtle a thorough scrub with warm soapy water. Mine was definitely showing its age, so I made sure to get into all the little nooks and rinse it really well. Once it was completely dry, I wiped it down again just to be sure there wasn’t any leftover grime or residue.
2. Protect the eyes.
Before painting, I used painter’s tape to cover the turtle’s little eyes. It’s a tiny detail, but keeping them paint-free helped preserve that classic, recognizable expression, and made the final result feel more polished.
3. Prime it.
This step is easy to skip, but so worth it. I used a spray primer that’s safe for plastic to help the paint stick better and last longer. A light, even coat is all you need—just be sure to let it dry fully before moving on to color.
4. Spray the base and the lid.
Once the primer was dry, I sprayed the turtle’s body with a soft neutral beige and the lid with a warm blush pink. I stuck to light coats and let each one dry before adding the next. The contrast between the two colors gave it a fun but modern look that felt totally fresh.
5. Add shell detail.
After the base coat dried, I used some craft paint I already had, and a small paint brush to paint the little spots on his shell.
6. Seal it.
Once all the paint was dry and I was happy with the look, I finished it off with a few coats of clear spray sealant made for outdoor plastic. It adds a bit of shine, protects the paint from chips, and makes cleanup after play days so much easier.
7. Fill with sand!
After everything cured, I added fresh play sand and tossed in a few fun toys. Our toddler was in it immediately, and it’s easily become one of the most-used toys.
How It’s Holding Up:
Look, when you mix sand, spray paint, and an enthusiastic toddler, you’re obviously going to get a little chipping. And yep, we do have a few spots where the paint has worn off, especially around the edges where little feet climb in and out. But honestly? It’s held up way better than I expected.
The color is still vibrant, the shell details are intact, and the sealant has definitely helped protect it from full-on flaking or fading. It lives outside, gets played with constantly, and still manages to look cute. Considering it started as a $5 thrift find, that feels like a major win.
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How to Clean Brass and Make It Shine Like New
How to Clean Brass
Brass is one of those materials that can look incredibly luxe—or incredibly grimy, depending on how much love it’s been given lately. I’m all for a good patina, but sometimes you just want your brass to shine. So let’s talk brass cleaning: the easy, no-fuss kind.
I recently gave one of my brass pieces a little spa day, and wow, the before and after is satisfying. Here’s how I did it:
The Process:
Give it a gentle wash. Start by mixing a little dish soap with warm water and wiping down your brass piece to get rid of any surface dust or grime. This helps prep it for a deeper clean.
Get scrubbing. This is where Bar Keepers Friend comes in. Squirt a little directly onto the brass, and gently rub in circles with your fingers (wear gloves!) or the cook top pad. For tight spots, a toothbrush works like magic.
Rinse and wipe dry. Once you’re happy with the shine, rinse off any residue and dry it completely with a soft towel. Don't leave it wet because moisture is brass’s enemy.
Optional: Buff it. If you’re feeling extra, go in with a dry microfiber cloth for a final buff. It makes everything glow.
A Few Tips:
Always test a small hidden spot first, just in case your piece is brass-plated instead of solid brass.
Don’t go too hard with abrasives—brass is tough, but not invincible.
Regular touch-ups are easier than deep cleans, so try wiping things down every so often.
Brass doesn’t have to be high maintenance. With just a few minutes and some elbow grease, you can bring that gorgeous golden glow back to life. And trust me, it’s weirdly satisfying.
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Small Spaces Can Handle Big Color
I used to think small spaces needed to stay light and neutral, like they were shy or something. But then I found out about color drenching, and everything changed. If you haven’t heard of it, color drenching is when you use one bold color across the walls, trim, and even the ceiling. It sounds intense, right? It is. In the best possible way.
So naturally, I went all in and painted our bathroom Salute by Sherwin Williams.
This space went from basic to bold faster than I could light a taper candle. I leaned into the drama with warm, moody walls in Salute by Sherwin Williams, wrapping the whole room in this deep, saturated red. It completely transformed the space into a little jewel box, that is rich, layered, and full of personality. It’s amazing what the right color can do in a small room.
Let’s talk about the details, because they really make the room. The gold mirror and vintage-style light fixture set the tone right away, but it’s the smaller touches that really bring it home. The curved brass faucet, the toilet lever, and the matching towel hook all tie into the warm, moody palette. The candles add that soft, cozy glow, and the shower curtain adds just enough drama. It’s giving "tiny royal retreat" in the best way.
Here’s something to keep in mind if you’re thinking about trying a bold color yourself: lighting makes a big difference. The same paint color can look completely different depending on the natural and artificial light in your space. Since this bathroom doesn’t get a ton of natural light, I leaned into the warmth and picked a rich red that glows under the sconces and candlelight. If your room gets a lot of sun, a deep navy or forest green might give you that same cozy effect without feeling too heavy. Cool light will bring out cooler tones, and warm bulbs will make everything feel a little more golden and soft.
People always say small rooms need light colors to feel bigger, but I think they just need confidence. This bathroom proves that going bold in a small space doesn't make it feel smaller. It makes it feel intentional. It makes it feel designed.
So if you’ve been tempted to try something dramatic, especially in a space that’s a little smaller, this is your sign. Go for the deep green, the inky blue, the moody plum. Or, if you’re really ready to have fun, go full red.
You just might fall in love with your house all over again.
Links at a Glance
Black Round Mirror (Before Picture)
Ruffled Shower Curtain (Before Picture)
Vintage-Inspired Light Fixture
Brass Plate - Antique Store Find
Gold Frame - Antique Store Find
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS POST, YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED my Blog post about The Paint Colors in my house!
What I Own and Love from the Wayfair Memorial Day Sale
Wayfair’s Memorial Day Sale is officially on. If you’ve been eyeing a furniture upgrade or need some outdoor pieces before summer kicks off, now’s the time to snag them. The sale runs through 5/27, so let’s get into my top picks that I own and love!
Office Deals
This office has such a rich, layered feel and the details really bring it to life. The diamond pattern rug and doorknob are both on sale right now, which makes it even easier to recreate the look. The rug gives the space a classic foundation, and that vintage-inspired knob is the kind of detail that always gets compliments. It's all about those thoughtful touches.
Primary Bedroom Deals
So many pieces from our bedroom are on sale right now, and I’m not mad about it. The full-length mirror, chairs, light switch wall plate, doorknob, and rug are all marked down. It’s rare for this many favorites to be discounted at once. Each one adds something special to the room, and together they make it feel warm, collected, and lived in.
Sunroom Deals
Our sunroom gets the best light, and it’s one of my favorite spots in the house. The rug and doorknob in here are both currently on sale, which makes it a great time to bring a little bit of this space into your own home. The textured rug adds so much warmth, and that antique-style doorknob is such a pretty detail. It’s all in the little things.
Bathroom Deals
This red bathroom is full of dramatic details, and so many of them are currently on sale. The stone top vanity, mirror, toilet lever, shower curtain rod, and even the soap dispenser are all marked down. It’s a great chance to pull together a similar look with pieces that feel high-end without the full price tag. Every item adds a little richness and charm to the space.
Front Porch Deals
Our front porch has become such a welcoming little spot, and a few of the key pieces out here are on sale. The front door mat, trellis, urn planter, and swing are all marked down right now. Each one adds just the right touch of charm and function to the space. If you’ve been thinking about sprucing up your porch, this is a great time to grab these favorites.
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Summer Porch refresh
Our Summer Porch Refresh (Cozy, Functional & Ready for Lounging)
There’s just something about the start of summer that makes me want to press reset, especially on our outdoor spaces. As soon as the weather warms up, the porch becomes our favorite spot to hang out, so I decided it was time to give it a proper refresh. I wanted it to feel cozy and lived-in, but still practical enough to hold up to real life (and a lot of lounging). After a few thoughtful changes, it’s officially ready for everything from morning coffee to slow summer evenings.
I wanted the porch to feel like a true extension of our home: inviting, practical, and layered with texture. So I reimagined the space with comfort and function in mind and created three little “zones” that make it feel both cozy and intentional.
Here’s how it came together:
The lounge area: A cushioned sofa and a coffee table anchor this spot. I added a cordless lamp and a candle to bring in a little ambiance once the sun dips.
The conversation corner: Two oversized swivel chairs with an accent table in between. It’s perfect for morning coffee, afternoon chats, or just soaking up the sun.
The swing nook: A classic porch swing layered with pillows is basically made for lazy afternoons and evening unwinds.
To warm up the space and pull it all together, I added:
A soft, patterned outdoor rug to define each seating area
Neutral throw pillows and cozy blankets to soften the seating
Potted white hydrangeas and topiaries for a touch of freshness
A weatherproof deck box to store cushions and throws when we’re not using them
And because I like to test things before I rely on them, I actually left the deck box out in the rain on purpose, just to see how it would hold up. Not a drop of water got inside. It’s been such a practical addition, especially for keeping everything clean and dry without dragging things in and out of the house.
The little details like the cordless lamps, the layered greenery, and the gentle sway of the swing, make the whole space feel relaxed and lived-in. It’s calm, intentional, and just the kind of place we want to be at the end of a long day.
We’ve already used it for morning coffee, evening hangs, and everything in between. It’s amazing how just a few thoughtful updates can completely change the feel of a space, especially when you fill it with pieces you truly love.
Links at a Glance
Round Wicker Accent Table (hand-me-down)
Dog not for sale
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Turning Vintage Into Smart: The Easiest Lighting Upgrade Ever
You know I love a good vintage moment. Whether it's a curvy brass lamp I found secondhand or something that’s been passed down, there’s just something special about mixing old pieces with modern living. But as much as I love the look of vintage, I also love function, which is why I was so excited to find a way to bring our favorite plug-in lamp into the 21st century without changing a single thing about its charm.
Enter: The Lutron Caseta Lamp Dimmer
This little gadget has no business being this smart and this easy.
I walked into this thinking I’d need a smart bulb… but no. All I did was plug the dimmer into the outlet, plug the lamp into that, and suddenly my beloved old lamp was controllable by remote and even our Google Home. No rewiring. No frustration. No giving up on pretty lighting for something more tech-y looking.
Why I’m Obsessed
It gives vintage new life. I don’t have to replace my pretty lamp with something “smart.” I can just make what I love work smarter.
Fully dimmable and totally flexible. Whether I’m using the little remote or the app on my phone, I can adjust the brightness, turn the lamp on or off, or set a mood without leaving the couch. Everything the remote can do, the app can do too, plus you can group it with other lights and automate it into routines.
The remote acts like a light switch. The remote can be mounted to the wall, making it feel just like a traditional light switch.
It works with Alexa, Google, and Apple Home. Once it’s set up, you can fold it right into your routines. “Goodnight” can now mean dimming this light to 10% without getting up. Magical.
I even tested it with a couple different lamps just to see how flexible it was, and it passed with flying colors. If you’re like me and have a few vintage or plug-in pieces that you love but wish were just a little more modern? Start here.
This is the perfect solution for kids’ rooms, guest spaces, holiday lights, or literally anywhere you want smart lighting without committing to a full system. Bonus: it's totally renter-friendly too.
Links at a Glance
Vintage Lamps (antique store find)
Chandelier (antique store find)
Nightstands (TJ Maxx find)
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Refillable Paint Pens: The Touch-Up Hack Every Home Needs
Let me put you on to something that’s been a total game-changer around here: refillable paint pens. Not the craft kind you use for lettering, these are made to be filled with your actual interior paint for easy, mess-free touch-ups around the house.
You know how it goes—you finally finish painting a room, clean everything up, and a week later, someone (ahem, usually a child or the vacuum) takes a chunk out of your baseboard. Or you notice a mystery scuff on the wall and immediately regret not saving your tiny touch-up brush. I used to ignore those little marks until they piled up and I had to haul the whole paint can out again. Not anymore.
These refillable paint pens are the simplest solution. They’re compact, easy to store, and best of all—ready whenever I need them.
Here’s how I use them:
Fill the pen using the included syringe. You just draw the paint straight from your can and inject it into the pen.
Label the pen with the room or color name. I use a sharpie or a little tape label. This is key if you’ve got multiple paints throughout your house.
Store them somewhere convenient. I keep mine in a small bin in the laundry room so I can grab them on the fly. Shake, twist the top, and you’re ready to go.
The pens are airtight and designed to keep the paint fresh for years. YEARS. Which is amazing, because most of us have at least one gallon of wall paint in the garage with a lid that doesn’t quite seal anymore.
A few extra reasons I love them:
They’re perfect for small spaces—no tray, roller, or brush cleanup.
You get super precise application (hello, tight corners).
They’re budget-friendly and way less wasteful than cracking open a whole can for a one-inch nick.
I now keep a pen for every main color in our house— trim, wall color, even the cabinetry. It’s so satisfying to tackle touch-ups on the spot instead of adding them to the never-ending to-do list.
So if you’re someone who notices every little chip or mark (guilty), refillable paint pens will change your life. They make it so easy to keep your home looking fresh without turning it into a whole production.
Links at a Glance
Gold Mirror (Thrift Store Find)