HOME
ABOUT
BLOG
- Celebrate
- Decorate
- DIY
- Favorite Things
- In the Garden
- Holidays
- Recipes
- Travel
DOWNLOADS
SHOP
CONTACT & SOCIAL

Contact

Best way to contact me is by email:

lori@giggleliving.com

Get social with me!

Pinterest
Facebook
X
More

Email
Print

COMMENTS ARE OFF THIS POST

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Your email address will never be shared or sold.

Email

giggleliving

Last minute 4th of July details… You can take your

Last minute 4th of July details…
You can take your simple table up a festive notch with these simple ideas…❤️🤍🩵

Don’t be afraid to mix paper & porcelain plates! Holiday paper products can easily add color to your table. They’re cute, afford and disposable! Use a full size paper plate, dessert plate OR both if you want even more cleanup convenience!

A simple cake pop adds delicious and festivity to each place setting. A sweet detail guests will love!

Fill any container with sparklers for guests to use later in the evening! You could also use these on each place setting in place or addition to the cake pops!

Tie a colorful straw onto your soda or waster bottles. An inexpensive detail that just looks special!

Ribbon always adds a cheerful touch! Tie them on wine bottles and glasses and now they look fit for the holiday!
Easy peasy, but details that shine!❤️🩵
Follow @giggleliving for more easy & casually refined ideas for celebrating & everyday living!

Can your lifestyle be casual, relaxed, easy yet st

Can your lifestyle be casual, relaxed, easy yet still refined? Of course!! Here’s some of my favorite tips that can make the ordinary, simple things feel elevated at the table…

🌱Use table linens or pretty placemats often (refined). Find moisture resistant ones to keep the laundering at a minimum (easy)

🌱Add fresh herbs & edible blooms to your charcuterie or snack trays (refined). Use ANY snack you have on hand, no need to buy fancy (easy) you can literally stick a sprig of basil in a bowl of peanuts and now it looks special!😉

🌱Use your dessert as part of your table decor!! It looks pretty and makes a table feel abundant with little effort! 🥧 …and gives guests an anticipatory peek at the deliciousness to come!!

🌱Add fresh flowers to your tabletops (refined) mix any combo of blooms & greens in a caning jar, pitcher or even a single bloom in a bud vase or juice cup will do (easy) The “vase” in this photo is a cookie jar…no vessel that holds water is off limits for consideration.🌺

Stay tuned for the holiday edition coming in time for 4th festivities!!
❤️🤍🩵

Follow for more casually refined living ideas @giggleliving💛

When it comes to flower arrangements… Are you team

When it comes to flower arrangements…
Are you team relaxed & “wildflowery” or coiffed & elegant? I love both looks but at home I’m very wild and whispy when it comes to my blooms! I really enjoy the casual, handpicked & shoved in a vase look-plus it’s easier to achieve😉 and speaking of vases, I rarely use a traditional one. Any vessel that holds water will help create a unique look that represents you!

A small ironstone pitcher looks pretty on my kitchen cabinet holding delicate feverfew & sprigs of dill. Use whatever you’ve got growing even herbs or branches will be beautiful. They’ll effortlessly make any space look so fresh for the season!

Fresh blooms & greens will always add a fresh breath of energy & beauty to any space!!🌱🌼

If you love finding ways to refine casual living in the easiest ways, follow along @giggleliving! ❤️

A tiny addition to our back entry area… I love how

A tiny addition to our back entry area…
I love how this small iron shelf is another way to make our newly completed back entry even more welcoming! It’s just another way I can bring that inside vibe to my outside spaces!
If you have a brick home, brick clips are the easiest way to attach things without drilling into the mortar so you won’t damage the wall. A brick “command strip” of sorts! They can support up to 60 lbs so they’re very versatile as to what they can hold and we use them for a multitude of things! (You can find them on Amazon)
But back to the shelf😉 I think it looks so cute displaying these little planters that add a touch of greenery near the back door. It’s hung far enough away so no one (aka: my husband) will knock it down carrying in groceries or boxes from Costco!😆
It was an estate sale find that gives a cottage vibe to our patio space and entry. I didn’t know I needed this little iron shelf, but I’m so happy I made the realization!

I have an obsession with pillows…at least that’s w

I have an obsession with pillows…at least that’s what my husband thinks😉
But when my friends @thevintagemodhome @cm_pillows sent me some remnants of designer fabrics I was over the moon!! So sweet and thoughtful of them! And of course, I had to have some pillows made!!☺️ (this is the first of a couple projects with the pretty fabrics they sent) My mom has generously helped me with the stitching because I don’t sew…I don’t even know how to thread a machine 🤭 but she does and look how cute these turned out!! They go so well with the rest of the blue hues that dot my neutral room! 🩵 Thea @thevintagemodhome had posted about using remnants to create beautiful & affordable pillow covers to fit your style! I’m so grateful I followed suit! And I use @ikeausa down pillow forms so they feel as luxurious as they look but again at a reasonable cost!
A big thank you to my IG friends including my mom for making these sweet pillows happen!! AND for my dear friend for asking me if I wanted dibs on her French chairs before she sold them!!! Um, YES!! Gotta love great friends!!🩷

•
•
•
•
•

French country style •European style •traditional styling • neutrals• blue decor • thrifted home • casual living •pillows • soft goods •French inspired decor •decorating with neutrals •designer fabrics

#frenchcountrystyle
#collectedhome
#pillows #diyhomeupdates #mycasualhome myneutralhome makehomeyours

Outside spaces as cozy as inside? Yes please! Our

Outside spaces as cozy as inside?
Yes please!
Our patio is an extension of our home all spring, summer and fall. We really feel like we add square footage to our home when spring comes around! So I love to incorporate cozy “inside” touches to truly make the patio feel like a proper room. Thrifted furniture, plenty of candles, serving pieces, throw rugs, pillows and a decorative piece or two are my favorites for creating a cozy outside area. (Thrifting is a great way to find all the goodies to use outdoors without worry or a big investment!). I also love an umbrella-not just to shade direct sunlight but also to give a “ceiling” vibe. We don’t have a table that supports one so we used a fence post to hold ours in a position that shields us from the setting sun while we eat our alfresco meals! The takeaway is to fill your outside spaces with all the comforts that work for you!!💛
Swipe to see the sweetest tray with a bug dome decorated with, you guessed it, bugs!! Found at, you guessed it, an estate sale!! I’m obsessed with the “handle”!🪰

A couple snippets of our backyard… One of the reas

A couple snippets of our backyard…
One of the reasons we bought this old house was the charm of the outdoor spaces. They’ve evolved, voluntarily and involuntarily over the years. But what I love most are all the corners, crannies and pathways this yard provides. And that lends itself to a few whimsical touches sprinkled in along the way. Wind chimes, weathervanes, vintage glass insulators made into hose guides for the garden, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the views. 🌱🌸 (even though many blooms are late this year…but they’re coming!)
Garden decor is a great thing to hunt for at thrift stores & garage sales. It never has to be perfect-in fact, imperfections & patina can be a bonus! And a great price allows you to tuck these goodies into your outdoor spaces without concern. Unique treasures give your outdoor spaces the same charm & personality as what you create inside!🩵

Did you know the potager garden was developed in F

Did you know the potager garden was developed in France during medieval times?
Monks created geometric, walled in gardens to grow medicinal herbs and vegetables. Then in the renaissance these gardens became gorgeous works of art, such as the ones seen at the chateaus!
My little herb garden might not be as grand 😉 but after spending time in France I’ve been infatuated with the potager style garden. I can’t pull off a formal, symmetrical kitchen garden like at the chateaus but I can create a sweet combo of herbs & flowers like the casual potager-which is more my style anyway! It’s such a handy thing to have near my kitchen too-when I need a fresh herb in a recipe or an edible bloom to decorate a charcuterie, I can just pop out the door and cut!
This year I added sweet alyssum-which is so pretty and smells divine! And after a little research to be sure it was a good addition to an herb garden, I found that not only is it edible & a delicious addition to salads, desserts & cocktails, but it also attracts pollinators! As the summer goes on, these herbs & blooms should be spilling over the sides, looking so casual yet beautiful, and a constant reminder of our travels! 🌿🌸

It’s always a good idea to try to grow your own edible blooms, or get them from a grower who has cultivated them for that use, or labeled as organic. They could otherwise be treated with fertilizers not intended for human consumption.

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!☺️

Follow on Instagram

Search for:

Family photos courtesy of:
Crystal Jozsa Photography

Top