Home Happiness Challenge

Home decor is all about vibes. Your home should be your safe place, your retreat from the chaotic outside world. When you walk inside, that feeling should be in abundance, but oftentimes there are things in the way of that happy-go-lucky, cozy, safe feeling in our homes. 

There are lots of ways to make changes to evoke a joyful feeling in your home. You can do big things like changing paint colors, purchasing new furniture, or even a total remodel of one or more rooms. There are also smaller, more subtle things you can do that can really do a lot for your mindset inside your home. 

Natural Light and Real Plants

Sunlight is extremely beneficial for both your mind and body. In the winter it always seems like we don’t get enough vitamin D, and that deficit can really contribute to your mood. If your home is lacking in natural light one trick that can help is to reflect the light with a mirror. A simple and clean cut large mirror can really make your space look bigger and brighter. By placing the mirror to reflect your natural light, you can create an illusion of additional light. Even if it is an illusion, it will still brighten your space, and hopefully the mood! Placing real plants throughout the home can also be a great way to bring the outdoors inside, adding a fresh, bright vibe. 

Happy Fragrances

Image By: Den Perfect

It’s been said that scent can take you back to a place in time instantly. If you’ve ever experienced this phenomenon, you know it’s true. You can evoke certain moods and vibes in your home simply by filling it with a subtle scent. You don’t want to go crazy and overpower every space in your home, but a nice light scent in the living spaces can really make a big difference in the vibe of your home. Try lavender for a feeling of calm, citrus to evoke happiness, and peppermint to relieve stress.

Color Schemes

Whether you’re painting an accent wall, choosing furniture, or simply hanging wall decor, the colors you choose matter. If you’re looking to create energy and optimism, you can go with warmer shades like reds, yellows, and oranges. If you’re looking for a tranquil vibe try cooler tones such as shades of blues, greens, and purples. This can be challenging to think about, especially when looking at bold colors. If you’re looking for a statement piece, try a pair of swivel chairs in your chosen palette, or a new bold area rug. You’ll be surprised at the difference fabrics and paint colors make in the way you feel in a room. 

Showcase Photos

This one seems obvious but we couldn’t leave it out. When looking to boost your mood, nothing does a better job than surrounding yourself with memories of special times with loved ones. Photos, canvases, even paintings are a classic way to decorate your home and fill it with love. 

Whether you choose one, or a few of these things, we challenge you to find a happy space in your home, make it a retreat from the chaos that is the outside world!

Lemon Garlic Butter Board

As charcuterie boards continue to be very popular, butter boards are taking their turn in the spotlight as well! Easily customized, butter boards are the perfect first act at your dinner party to replace traditional bread served with butter. 

If you’re not familiar with butter boards, simply, they are softened butter spread on a serving platter topped with ingredients of your choice. Served with bread or crackers on the side. What could be easier? As long as you don’t use margarine, any butter will do. Salted butter has a tendency to taste a bit better, but depending on what you’re adding as toppings you may want to go with unsalted. 

This Lemon Garlic butter board is delicious, and quite the beauty to look at!

Prep: 10 mins | Cook Time: 0 mins | Total Time: 10 mins | Servings: 4 

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter (softened)

¼ tsp salt

⅛ tsp black pepper

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tbsp dried minced garlic

1 tbsp thyme leaves (fresh is best)

2 tbsp oregano leaves (fresh is best)

1 tbsp honey (optional)

Butter Up!

Spread butter about ⅛ of an inch thick onto a medium sized serving tray or board. Sprinkle the butter with salt and pepper, next add the zest, herbs, and garlic on top. Drizzle with honey if you prefer. That’s it! Serve this tasty appetizer with sliced, warmed baguette.

A Spring Refresh for your Home Decor

Spring is a time for brightening, and spring decor is no exception! Fresh, cheery, and green are words that come to mind. If you’re ready to say goodbye to snow and cold, and hello to all things spring, we’ve got you covered!

Start with Color

Spring colors are very fun and fresh. A great floral painting can be a cheery way to brighten your home in a big way. You can build off of the colors in your wall decor throughout the rest of your home. Go for something with splashes of greens, aquas, or pinks, or whatever makes you happy!  Vases with spring greenery throughout the home give off a fresh vibe, and you can add color by choosing spring flowers such as tulip or lilies. 

Cute and Playful

Spring is the perfect time to try something lively and lighthearted. This could be in the form of fun vases in spring colors, or decorative objects like birdhouses or bunnies. If you’re creating a tablescape on your coffee table, try a wicker or wire tray with a cute vase and some faux tulips, and some colorful tassel beads. Don’t forget a fresh spring scent to really contribute to the spring vibe, add a candle or diffuser. 

Change our Your Pillows and Throws

Trade in the flannel for floral! You’d be surprised how much adding a few pillows in a pastel palette can brighten up your living space. You can go for themed pillows with eggs or bunnies, or keep it simple with patterned bright colors. Throws should be light and airy, but full of color and texture. 

However you choose to decorate for spring should make you feel happy and joyful. Spring is a time for a refresh, and your home should feel that way too!

Tidy Up Your Nighttime Routine

This month we’ve focused on waking up 30 minutes earlier to start your day in a productive, healthy way. A morning routine is crucial for many people each day, but it can be so difficult to wake up sometimes. If you’re still feeling like you just can’t swing the early wake up, maybe it has more to do with your nighttime routine than your morning routine. Here’s a list of three things you can do to tidy up your nighttime routine to set yourself up for success the next day. 

Prep for the Next Day

Do you feel like there are so many little things you need to accomplish each morning that seem tedious but really add up in time? Are any of those items things you can prep the night before? Take an inventory of your morning activities to see which ones can definitely be done ahead of time to save time and stress in the morning. Some examples include, laying out your clothing to cut down on decision time in the morning, preparing your breakfast or packing kid lunches the night before, or finding and laying out specialty items you’ll need for the following day (think weather related items!). These little things can save you plenty of time in the morning.

Create a To Do List

If you’re like me, trying to turn off your brain to sleep can be nearly impossible some nights. This is especially challenging if you’ve got a lot to prepare for or remember the next day. One way to ease your mind is by making a to-do list for the following day. You can check off any items that you can prep ahead of time, and make sure you’re prepared with anything you’ll need to remember in the morning or throughout the day. It really helps to just know that you’ve got it covered!

Screens Down

Less screen time at night means better sleep. There is science behind it, the light on our phones does not pair well with sleep. Also, if you think about what you might be doing on your phone, it may not be the most efficient way to relax and unwind. If you’re looking for something mindless to unwind for the evening, instead of social media, maybe try a podcast (with an overall calm theme!), or some journaling, meditation, or a good book. 

Once you’ve covered everything you need for the next day, made a list of the things you’ll be doing, and found a productive way to unwind, sleep is sure to come! It’s definitely easier said than done, but hopefully with a few adjustments to your nightly routine you’ll find yourself counting less sheep before sleep and getting in some quality Zzzz’s!

30 Minute Morning Routine

If you have joined our 30 Days of 30 Extra Minutes Challenge, we hope it’s going well and that the 30 extra minutes of time has transformed your days already! Hopefully you’ve taken care to keep yourself hydrated, spend a little time outdoors in the daylight, and make sure you are getting to sleep at a reasonable time so that you can wake feeling energized. Many people have a difficult time making the switch from night owl to early bird, but if you have something you’re looking forward to in the morning, it might be a little easier! If your morning routine needs a refresh that is centered around starting your day right, try these five quick and easy morning ideas. 

Freshen Up

Have you ever heard the phrase, “look good, feel good”? In the morning, spend 5 minutes freshening up from the night before. Do this before your usual routine of getting ready for work or getting ready for the day. In these few minutes maybe you brush your teeth, tie your hair back, and moisturize. This gets your day started with intention, and you’ll be surprised at how much better your mindset will be, just by feeling fresh and ready!

Replenish

Throughout the night you have had zero water in your system, so replenishing the supply first thing in the morning can be a great way to wake up. Lemon water can be very energizing, boost your metabolism, and stimulate digestion, so maybe add a few slices to your morning hydration routine!

Read

Whether it’s a chapter of your favorite novel, a devotional, or something else inspiring, reading for 10 minutes as you begin your day can improve cognitive function and boost focus. Getting your mind centered on something you enjoy can also reduce anxious thoughts in the morning and help to reduce stress. 

Stretch

You’ve taken time for your mind, now it’s time to get your body going. Five minutes of stretching in the morning can feel great. Relaxing your muscles before really moving throughout the day has benefits for your posture and mobility. Stretching can wake up your muscles and reduce stress. 

Eat

So many women don’t get enough protein each day. Breakfast is essential, and starting with protein can help you reset and energize so that you can take on the day. This can be challenging, but before you slam a granola bar, or worse, skip breakfast all together, think about prepping your breakfasts for the week. There are many great recipes like overnight oats, protein shakes, or try this yummy protein packed Spinach, Bacon and Feta Egg Bake recipe. 

Doing one, or all of these things in the morning can have many benefits for you throughout the day. Whatever your morning routine is, make sure you’re taking time to set yourself up for an inspired day!

Healthy Make Ahead Spinach, Bacon, and Feta Egg Bake

Egg bakes are always a go to for busy weekends, or holiday weekends in many families but don’t count out an egg bake for meal prep for the week! Having a healthy breakfast option even when you’re running out the door with the kids is a great option to start the day healthy and full, and as a bonus, kids tend to like it too!

There are so many different egg bake recipes out there, and egg bakes are so simple you can often just throw in leftover veggies and it’s usually pretty tasty. This recipe is savory, simple to make, and filling - perfect for a busy morning! You can make a large pan and freeze single portions to be warmed when you need them.

Prep: 20 mins | Cook Time: 45 mins | Total Time: 65 mins | Servings: 9 slices

Ingredients

5 strips of bacon

1 sm onion, diced

1 cup spinach (fresh or frozen)

1 tbsp minced garlic

12 eggs

½ cup milk

Salt and pepper

½ cup feta cheese

Get Crackin’

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease your 8x8 pan. Cook your bacon with your method of choice until crispy (in my house we definitely prefer in the oven on a foil covered sheet pan to avoid the mess). When you remove the bacon, keep the bacon grease!

If you used a skillet for your bacon, add your onion, spinach, and garlic to that same skillet with the bacon grease. If you used a sheet pan for the bacon, just transfer the grease into a skillet. Saute your veggies and garlic for about five minutes, then transfer to your baking pan. 

Next, beat the eggs in a bowl, add milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Cut your bacon into small pieces. Stir ⅔ of the cut bacon, half of your feta cheese, and the egg mixture into your baking pan. Make sure all of the ingredients are mixed evenly. Sprinkle with the rest of the bacon and feta. 

Bake for about 45 minutes. To make sure it’s done, insert a toothpick in the center and when it comes out clean you know you’ve got it! You can serve this right away, or refrigerate for a few days and eat throughout the week. If you don’t think you’ll eat it all in one week, you can freeze it and microwave as needed. 

The great thing about this recipe is that you can alter it depending on what you have in your refrigerator. I like to use broccoli instead of spinach sometimes, and if you don’t have feta any shredded cheese will do! Starting your mornings off right has never been easier!

Maple Glazed Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

Getting healthy dinners on the table for the whole family on busy weeknights has been a longtime challenge, and one that won’t go away anytime soon. There are many hacks to make this part of life easier, and one of our favorites is a good sheet pan dinner. A sheet pan dinner is just like it sounds, all of the ingredients cook together on one sheet pan, making cleanup a breeze. This yummy salmon dinner has only a short list of ingredients and is perfect for even your busiest nights!

Prep: 10 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 35 mins | Servings: Four

Ingredients

2 Sweet Potatoes - peeled and cubed

12 oz. Broccoli Florets

4 Salmon Filets

¼ C Maple Syrup

2 tbsp Dijon Mustard

2 tbsp Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

Get Cookin

Line your sheet pan with foil and cooking spray. Spread out the veggies in a single layer and drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Give the veggies a head start roasting in the oven at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. 

While roasting the vegetables you can prepare the maple glaze. Whisk together maple syrup, mustard, and ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a small bowl. 

Next, remove the veggies from the oven and turn the oven to broil on high. Move the veggies to the outer edge of the pan and place the salmon in the center. Brush your maple glaze on top of the salmon filets. Then return your pan to the oven and broil for about 8 minutes, or until the salmon is browned and crispy. The time may vary depending on the size of your filets. 

If you want to serve a side with this, try some warm bread or biscuits!

It’s that Simple

Sheet pan dinners are wonderful in that they rarely require many dishes or much of your effort while cooking. To make this even easier on a weeknight, you can prep the veggies and glaze ahead of time and have it ready to go for easy access on the fly!

30 Days of 30 Extra Minutes

Do you ever feel like you could accomplish anything in the world if you just had more time? Maybe it’s that book you’ve been wanting to read, or a daily workout you just haven’t been able to fit into your day. Whether it’s something you’ve lost along the way, or something new you’d like to start, an extra 30 minutes is just the right amount of time to get it done. Starting this week, join us for a 30 Days of 30 Extra Minutes Challenge!

Research shows that the best time to complete important tasks is early in the morning. In the morning, you are more creative, more mindful, and generally more productive. But it can be difficult to get up early in the morning, especially if staying up late is the only way you can get your “me time” in. In order to experience the benefits of being an early bird, let’s explore a few ways you can prepare your body for the change. 

Stay Hydrated

Your body needs to be well hydrated for restorative sleep. For the best sleep at night, make sure you’ve kept up with your water intake throughout the day. This can be challenging, but it is best to have a steady intake of water rather than trying to cram it in at the end of the day. No one wants to be up all night using the bathroom! The difference you will feel after a night of solid, restorative sleep will give you the energy to wake up early.

Fun in the Sun

Fresh air and bright light can help to regulate the sleep/wake cycle. Especially if you spend a lot of time indoors throughout the day in artificial light, getting outside in the evenings while it is still light out can really improve your circadian rhythm. Making a habit of getting bright natural light, preferably in the early morning can help you start to feel sleepy when it is dark out, and more alert and awake as the sun comes up. 

Time it Out

The average adult needs between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. It isn’t always easy to simply fall asleep at night, but if your goal is to set your alarm for 5 am, you can set yourself up for success by making sure you’re hitting the pillow by 9 or 10 pm the night before. Whatever your goals are, just count backwards to make sure you’ve at least given yourself the opportunity for the proper amount of sleep. 

It isn’t easy to uproot your schedule or change your habits, but if an extra 30 minutes per day sounds like something you’d benefit from, join us in this challenge! Whether it’s 30 minutes of exercise, meditation, planning your day, or making yourself a healthy breakfast, a few simple shifts can create a nice time block in the morning to help you start your day the right way!

Three Steps to a Fresh Spring Entryway

Spring is on the way, and there’s no better way to welcome it than by creating the prettiest entryway to brighten your mood when you enter your home. Check out these fresh ideas to get in the springtime spirit.

Step One - Find your Inspiration

What is your favorite part about spring? Is it the feeling of hope and growth that you love? The way the flowers bloom and the trees bud? Perhaps simply the colors of spring inspire you. You can create an ambiance in your entryway that will carry the mood throughout your home by choosing a theme that brings joy and happiness this spring season. 

Step 2 - Prepare Your Entryway

Do you already own a console or an entryway table? If you do and it’s decorated, decide which elements are on point with your inspirational idea and which elements can be embellished to match. If you don’t have an entryway table of some sort, it’s time to shop, or get creative with existing furniture in your home.

Image By: Worlds Away

Step 3 - Start with the Focal Point 

The focal point of your entryway might be an elegant vase, a white planter with some spring greenery, or maybe a tall lamp in shades of your favorite springtime palette. Once you’ve chosen this focal point you can build around it by choosing accessories that compliment the tones you’ve picked. Glass jars with a hint of spring color inside can be a chic way to add color to a neutral design. You can also find some colorful wall art or a vintage mirror to hang above your table. 

Maybe you want to add some function to this space by adding a natural looking basket with a cozy blanket on the bottom shelf of your table or add stools for additional seating. A stylish and sweet smelling diffuser can add to the aura of your home as you enter, and different sized planters with complimenting flowers or greenery are the perfect finishing touch. 

A strategically decorated entryway can really set the tone of your home that will last the entire spring season!

Gift For Your Valentines

Valentine’s Day is almost here. We show the people we love that we appreciate them in many different ways, but a fun gift never hurts! Whether you’re looking for a gift for a friend or a loved one, a teacher, a co-worker, or anyone else on your Valentine’s list, we’ve got you covered.

Sweet Scents

Image By: Den Perfect

Candles are lovely, but have you ever tried a diffuser? For something different that is stylish and sweet, give a diffuser to someone you love!

Home Decor

A gift that can be displayed brings joy to the recipient every time they see it in their home! In store we have the cutest kitchen towels that are not only on theme, but sustainable! Or, try out a vase that can hold a special arrangement this Valentine’s Day, and can be used each year as home decor. 

Cozy Up

Everyone loves a cozy gift. Check out our selection of throws and pillows and find the perfect comfy gift for your Valentine. Paired with a gift card to g.home, you can’t go wrong!

Stop in for these ideas and many more!