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lori@giggleliving.com

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giggleliving

You know what I love about thrifting? There’s the

You know what I love about thrifting?
There’s the economical benefits, the thrill of the hunt, the fact I’m reusing & recycling, and that it’s practically guaranteed I’ll have interesting conversations with fellow treasure hunters along the way! But what I enjoy the most is that it allows me to find truly unique pieces to incorporate into my home! It doesn’t always happen, I do leave empty handed often, but when I stumble across items that speak to me, I don’t hesitate. Besides, if and when I’m ready for a change I can re-donate the item for someone else to treasure!
Here’s some of my recent finds: vintage linens made into napkins, a porcelain fruit bowl centerpiece, and a hand painted bowl (which now holds lemons & limes in my kitchen)
Thrifting isn’t a recent trend although it’s a very popular one again and I’m thrilled! It’s fun & inspiring to see what others are looking for and how they reuse. It might not be for all, but if you give it a shot there’s a good chance you could get hooked!😉 Is it in your blood too…or would you consider giving it a try? I’d love to know!
Have a great upcoming holiday weekend!!🩵❤️

Hi friends! I took a longer break than expected af

Hi friends! I took a longer break than expected after our trip to visit our son.
But when we travel I always unplug and when we got home we dove right into projects and finally started getting the patio ready for some much anticipated outdoor time!☀️
Scroll to see a mini recap of what I’ve been up to…
🌿Guest room progress
🌱Patio repair and painting
🌿Mother’s Day dinner at my fave French restaurant in Kansas City
🌱BBQ food overload, also in KC
🌿Back entry carpet removal for tile installation…glue removal still in the works 😅
🌱Planter boxes & veggies garden planting
🌿Patio decor in the works
🌱Family dinner night (alfresco style!!)
🌿A Sunday mocktail under setting sun!!

Happy Monday everyone!! Looking forward to catching up with you all!💛

When you add a treasure and swap things around…the

When you add a treasure and swap things around…the magic starts! A gorgeous oil painting found at an estate sale adds happy European charm to my kitchen nook! Swapping places with the mirror that was displayed in that spot was became a beautiful & unexpected result. The mirror now reflects more light from our new windows & doors (even on the gloomiest days) and the painting is front & center for happy viewing. She just makes me smile when I see it and that’s exactly how choosing art should make you feel!!
This spot is still evolving-I’d love to paint the beadboard wall and hang the curtains to the ceiling. But I loooove the fabric on my current ones so I’m happy to live with it as is for the time being. Maybe I’ll search for something to hang above them. 🤔 A reminder you can love & enjoy your spaces even if you have future plans for them. The evolution of a home is a journey not a destination ❤️

I’ve been a little MIA here and will continue the trend through Mother’s Day weekend! I’m spending time with my family and getting to see both boys together-a rare treat these days! So in case I’m not online much later this week, I’m wishing you all an early, happy Mother’s Day weekend! I hope you get to enjoy family, friends and time with everyone who makes your life special!! ❤️

Lilacs, lazy Susans, apothecary jars… These are a

One year ago we had the sweetest addition come int

One year ago we had the sweetest addition come into our lives!🐶
So a little celebration was in order! Simple, quiet, but just right! A new stuffie (that has the crunchy stuff inside) and the most darling doggie cupcakes were much appreciated by our dear old guy! Other good news? His first geriatric medical workup came back absolutely perfect (aside from mild arthritis which we already knew he had) so we were thrilled about that news! He recently turned 14 so we’ve understood we won’t have a long road with him but we’re so thankful to take what we can get!! 💙 He’s truly the best!
If you aren’t familiar with the backstory on Salty, we adopted him after his previous pet parents had to heartbreakingly surrender him. Still makes me sad for them as he’s just the sweetest thing and I’m sure brought them so much joy…as he now brings to our family. We’re fortunate and honored to give him the best days that we can for as long as we can!❤️ swipe to see him enjoying his little treats 😉

And just like that… Spring showed up! And though

And just like that…
Spring showed up! And though I don’t have much blooming yet I won’t let that stop me from bringing some fresh cut cuties into my house! My daffodils weren’t abundant this year but I have hyacinths, hellebores and a few branches sporting their first leaves & blooms! It doesn’t take a lot OR any flower arranging skills to enjoy the beauty of spring! In a casual vase! And if you have hellebores, you probably know they’re tricky to cut. But if you wait until the stamens form pods and give the stem a good slit to help absorb the water-you’ve got a fighting chance to keep them sturdy for several days. I’m no expert but I also cut out the stamens on any flowers on the stem that haven’t turned into pods yet. I have success but I’m not really sure that’s a thing. 🤷‍♀️ so if anyone has good advice on cutting hellebores I’d love to hear! But the real message is, use what you’ve got in the yard, experiment with cutting whether that’s typical blooms or any branch you find pretty. Either way bringing the outside in is always a mood booster! 🌱🌷

It’s still roller coaster weather around here…☀️🌨️

It’s still roller coaster weather around here…☀️🌨️🥶
We had a beautiful Friday evening on the patio with friends followed by rain and a cold front 🙄 so I thought to perk things up I’d share a few of my favorite patio views from last summer. I can’t wait to get out there again! Our patio really becomes an extension of our home and I treat it that way by filling it with thrifted items that aren’t always typical outdoor decor. We spend all spring (once it stays warm☺️) summer & fall out there. There’s not much better than alfresco dining or weekend coffee listening to all the outdoor sounds! So if you live where it’s gloriously warm already, I’m envious…if you’re in my boat, hope these views get you inspired for weather that WILL eventually stick around! Right?? 😉

Comfy, serene, peaceful… That’s how I want my home

Comfy, serene, peaceful…
That’s how I want my home to translate to my family and guests. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of messy chaos going on most days! But a house can look casual, lived in, and still be pretty! I always want to have a place for all (including our sweet Salty🐶) to have a cozy snuggle spot… to read, sip a coffee (or wine) have a snack or take a nap! I like a relaxed vibe where guests never feel like they can’t kick back, put their feet up, and linger around the coffee table filled with sips & nibbles! Slipcovers and couch covers are easy to wash so that helps me worry less about really living in our living room!😉
Happy new week and Happy Easter week!!💛🌱

Happy Monday and first full week of spring!!🌷 With

Happy Monday and first full week of spring!!🌷
With seasonal dinner parties & brunches on the horizon, I wanted to share how I help keep my dining table tidy & have easy access to extra serve wares I might need. I keep a small occasional table near my china hutch. I don’t have room for a sideboard and my buffet has cubby shelves on it to house extra dishes. So this small table is often a lifesaver for holding anything from napkins, dessert plates, bread baskets, wine bottles and water pitchers. It’s not big, but just enough to take on the extras and keep my table uncluttered during meals. It’s also at easy reach! And when we’re not dining, it’s a great spot to add extra ambiance with flowers & candles!

Did you spy the darling matchbooks I found at a sweet antique shop over the weekend? I almost hate to use them!!💖 but they sure look cute!

Sometimes things need to be simple… Easter table i

Sometimes things need to be simple… Easter table inspiration that’s easy, economical, simple and still darn cute! The easy inspo is on the blog today! 🐇🥕🥬
It’s fun to go all out for holidays but if you’re just feeling overwhelmed this year, you can still set a sweet springtime table with what you’ve already got and a trip to the produce section! Outside of the veggie centerpiece, everything on the table was recycled from my home or pulled from my “paper product cabinet” where I keep cute disposable products I pick up on sale! Kale, rutabagas, carrots, yellow squash & a few tulips surround my bunny that I bought a few years ago in the garden ornament section of Lowe’s! A reminder you can find affordable home decor in unexpected places!
Most of the veggies I’ll use later in a crockpot or skillet so this is a centerpiece that’s truly double duty! 😉 and the entire display reminds me slightly of Peter Rabbit in Mr McGregor’s garden! 🥕🥬🫜 The rest of the table is a mix & match of linens, dishes & disposable products that come together to create a lovely place to gather!🐇🧡🌿

My favorite linens @solinohome 💚🧡

A few touches of Easter are popping up outside! I

A few touches of Easter are popping up outside!
I haven’t decorated much indoors yet but the few days of warm weather we recently had got me inspired to add some springtime to my outside spaces!
I can’t go all-out on the back patio just yet because we’re scheduled to have that area painted as soon as the weather allows. But for now, a sweet bunny, a wreath, or pretty blooms can make the space feel cheerful without lots of fuss. When it comes to the flowers, I always use a mix of fresh & faux. Some spring blooms can withstand some cold but most flowers aren’t happy with flurries in the forecast! The faux options available now are really amazing so you can fight Mother Nature & let spring “bloom”…even at below 32 degrees! 😉 Other benefits-they don’t need direct sun or water to survive!! So they’re great for shady areas OR hot areas where a real plant might dry out.
I love Amazon for finding realistic & affordable options designed specifically for withstanding the elements & sun fade. 🌷 would you use faux blooms outdoors?

So last week I did this thing. I painted my very n

So last week I did this thing. I painted my very neutral & light dining room a very dark green! It might sound impulsive but honestly I’ve been thinking about this change for some time but just couldn’t get motivated to do it. I’m giving my son credit for lighting this fire—after seeing how awesome his color drenched rooms are in his home! I’m so happy I did it…but I’ll be honest, I was second guessing my decision in the beginning😬 And even though it’s dark & moody, I still think it’s a color that will work beautifully in any season! So am I onto a new phase of more bold color in my home?…time will tell. For now, I love the cozy, linger around the table longer vibe! 💚 I’d love to know what you think!
Happy Monday!!

More views of our son’s new place! We’re so happy

More views of our son’s new place! We’re so happy he got to have a weekend full of sharing his hard work with family & friends! 3 separate gatherings and family traveling here from out of town made for a busy but special weekend for all of us! 🤎
I have to say I’m envious of his home style—fun, energetic, bold…making me want to revamp our place!😉But it definitely showcases his personality & young vibe yet it’s classic too. Both our boys are so fortunate to have received so many beautiful treasures from my in-laws, my parents, as well as other handed down treasures from extended family! This helps them create cozy homes that look as though they’ve been collected over many years. We’re grateful and excited to see them on their new life adventures! But my oldest is the first of this next generation in our family to own his own place and we’re so proud of his accomplishments at such a young age! Watching my boys create their own spaces has also reminded me to throw caution to the wind when it comes to design and go with what feels right!! If you have a set vision-don’t let “rules” or opinions allow you to alter your style! And most importantly enjoy the process…even the hard bits!☺️

This may not look quite like my house…because it’s

This may not look quite like my house…because it’s not! I’m sharing a sneak peek of our son’s new home!🏡😍
One of several reasons I’ve not been super consistent on this platform since November!😅 He’s been working hard putting lots of sweat-equity into this place and we’ve been happy to let him put us to work too! Plus, you know I don’t mind helping him decorate and share the financial benefits & thrill-of-the-hunt at local thrift stores! 😉 Much of this adventure is a tad out of his wheelhouse but he’s definitely got a vision and it’s coming together! He’s learning so much along the way and might end up being very handy (courtesy of my hubby) which will be so beneficial and cost saving for him over his lifetime. We’re so proud of his accomplishments & hard work!
I’ll reveal more after he has a chance to share his place with visiting family and friends over the weekend. It will be a busy one but we’re all super excited to get to see family and share his joy!!
Have a great week everyone!!❤️

Time to edit… I have a tendency to want to display

Time to edit…
I have a tendency to want to display every thing I own, everywhere & all at once… but over the years I have learned to edit.😉
I can swap things in and out, still display collections, but on the simple side which often resonates with me too. Sometimes I’m so conflicted between maximalism and minimalism☺️ Over the long weekend I decided to do some more editing in my living room as I was feeling like my decor was all over the place. Can anyone relate? So I simplified for spring. I think the room still looks collected & cozy and more importantly it feels right. It really is true that creating spaces that feel right to you is always evolving…and it’s perfectly acceptable to keep tweaking them until you get the result that makes YOU happy!
Hope you all had a lovely long weekend!!❤️

“L” is for “Love” AND little treats that make your

“L” is for “Love” AND little treats that make your peeps feel special!!💓
I rounded up some of my favorite Valentine treat ideas—from the easiest snacks to pretty charcuterie boards, DIY waffle “pops”, Galentine ideas, and cute treat tables for your little cupids! 💕 swipe to see or check out more details, ideas and links to tutorials on the blog today! Hope you enjoy it!!
And best wishes for happy Valentine’s Day celebrations!!❤️🩷

#valentinesday❤️ #valentinesdaygoodies

Got chocolates? Got mini cupcake liners? Then you’

Got chocolates? Got mini cupcake liners?
Then you’ve got the easiest way to serve up an effortless Valentine treat! We had several unopened boxes of candy leftover from Christmas, and if you’re in the same boat, you’ve already got what you need for serving up some Happy Hearts Day sweets! Give them a Valentine touch by using tiny holiday cupcake liners! Just drop your favorite chocolate inside, present them on a pretty dessert server or tray and boom! You’ve got the easiest treat ever!! Perfect for unexpected guests, last-minute get togethers or any celebration!❤️💕 It’s true the simplest things can really look grand!!

Happy February and happy Groundhog Day too!! Looks like we have 6 more weeks ❄️ 😳 Hope everyone in the path of the latest storm or frigid temperatures is surviving this crazy weather!!❤️

My “workshop” & pantry have been seen by few…until

My “workshop” & pantry have been seen by few…until now😉
It’s not fancy, it might be considered messy, even a hodgepodge! But it’s where I store my decorations, party supplies I’ve saved over the years, extra serving dishes and where I can get messy with crafting or diy-ing! After sharing this space in stories a few weeks ago I got some messages to see more, so here’s a bigger peek into my organized chaos in our basement! It’s all on the blog today too!❤️
The pantry area not only stores dry goods but holiday dishes, dessert stands and miscellaneous serving pieces I can’t fit upstairs. Our house is 100+ years old so I don’t have modern conveniences where extra storage is concerned.
My “workshop” contains lots of utility items like a flower cart for keeping my faux stems organized (there’s a link to it in my blog post) or a basket filled with canning jars to keep my dried stems tidy.
Pegboard helps organize wreaths, ribbons, garlands & hanging decor.
Storage tubs, jars, baskets…whatever I have on hand hold crafting items, paper tags, supplies, tools, all the things I use for crafting & DIY projects around the house. And inexpensive shelves hold all the craft “bins” and decor items that I can swap out throughout the seasons.
This area might not be the prettiest on the block but it sure helps me save money by being able to reuse these items over & over again. Pop over to the blog if you want to see more. I hope you find inspo that might work for you!!❤️

Winter mantle magic… While the snow blew yesterday

Winter mantle magic…
While the snow blew yesterday I spent part of the day displaying my new antique find over my fireplace. 🤗 Lately I’ve been obsessed looking for a vintage deer mount-without breaking the bank to get it! And this weekend (prior to our winter storm) my husband spied this affordable beauty in our favorite antique mall! My son thinks we need to name him. Any suggestions??
Swipe to see the super casual faux & dried arrangements to help frame him and soften the look so it’s not too “hunting lodge”! We joked it looks like he’s ready to eat the blooms from the garden…which is a reality here!🦌🌸

Hope you all stayed safe in this crazy storm!! ❄️🩵

Detail in the perfect curtains can be the crowning

Winter centerpiece made extra easy! Even though I

Winter centerpiece made extra easy!
Even though I love the fresh feel in my home in January, I still struggle with how to truly decorate. Keep the winter magic longer? Head into valentines? Go all in for spring blooms? I’m never really sure.🤔 But while I was organizing & purging my house, I found these old antlers. I decided to use them in a centerpiece that feels right to me for the winter season. Some fresh houseplants, pinecones and moss give hints to winter AND spring…and definitely a cozy vibe! No expert styling skills needed either. I merely dropped the tiny plants into pots and scattered them around the antlers on a tray. The moss and cones are just tucked here & there so I can easily take the pots out to water them. This way I don’t need to line the tray with anything waterproof and when I’m done with this centerpiece they can easily move to my kitchen windowsill or be potted in a planter.
It’s all on the blog today with a few other tips for creating a January centerpiece that’s right for you!🌿

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Family photos courtesy of:
Crystal Jozsa Photography

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