How to have a perfect house in 6 steps || Nailed it

Step 1
A gorgeous kitchen sink

Via http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2016/12/at-home-with-kelly-christine-sutton-in-golden-texas.html

Step 2
A "dreamy" dining room

Via http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/6-stylish-steps-to-a-your-dreamiest-dining-room-yet-214574?preview=true&crlt.pid=camp.moe1GOVq6P6T

Step 3
A classy, curated bookshelf

Via http://www.refinery29.com/homepolish-upper-east-side-apartment?crlt.pid=camp.5xwC6rFT9KoO&amp&crlt.pid=camp.5rs3cDqvqWsg&crlt.pid=camp.hu9uAYh1jKzv&crlt.pid=camp.HofFU8QDgR0C#slide-11

Step 4
A functional, organized home office space

Via https://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image&id=5554645&type=scraproom&start=40

Step 5
A cozy, welcoming guest room

Via http://www.zdesignathome.com/cozy-chic-guest-room-retreat-update/

Step 6
A sparkling fresh bathroom counter

Via https://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=127378

So that about sums it up!  Have a great weekend and don't forget to nail it!

Try the World || The Spain Box

I'm back with another box from Try the World - the subscription company that sends you gourmet food from around the world!  My first review was of the Paris box, and to summarize, I didn't feel it was worth the price.  But I decided to give it one more try.  The weird thing is that their website claims you will get a box every 2 months, but I received mine two months in a row...?  Hmmm...

Here is what I received in the Spain box:

Each box comes with a little booklet of information about Spain, as well as some recipes.  I am excited to try the Patatas Bravas recipe pictured above.  I do anticipate using the jams, olive oil, tomato spread, cake, and candy this week during Thanksgiving.  We are having some friends visit and I know they will help us finish off this box!

This subscription box is such a cute and fun idea, and I love finding out what is in each box each month.  However, I can't justify the price.  We are currently trying to get out of debt, and every little bit saved counts.  Ultimately I'm glad I gave this company a try, but I will probably not be continuing with my subscription.  Keep in mind that this would make a really fun gift for someone - Christmas is coming soon!

I would like to give one of my loyal readers a chance to receive the Spain box for free.  All you have to do is pay the $5 for shipping (at this time they only ship to addresses within the US and US territories).  If you'd like to enter to win a free Spain box, make sure you are subscribed to my blog and then leave me a comment letting me know your most favorite food.  (Mine is probably chips and guacamole and/or cinnamon rolls.)  I will notify the winner next Sunday, the 29th of November.

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November umba box || review

You can read my first Umba box review here.  To summarize my first review, I thought the box was too expensive for the items I received.  But I decided to give them a second chance, and I now have the exact same opinion.  You pay $25 plus $5 shipping, so $30 for these boxes.  They send one box per month and the items are guaranteed to be "worth" more than $25 per box.  Well, that's questionable.  Again, I understand that these are handmade goods, and I appreciate them for their artistic value, but I wouldn't pay full prices for any of these items.  See the following pictures for details of what was in my second box:

I put my hand in there for size comparisons.

Well, on a whole I'd say these products are not worth the price I paid for this box.  However, it is super fun to receive a box of surprises every month.  So now I'm torn... it's fun to see what I will get, and I do enjoy the items (and will probably use them or give them as gifts), but on the other hand, it's not worth the money.

What would you do?  Would you try a subscription?  Or do you think the products aren't worth the price?  Let me know below!

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My Hometown || Middle-of-Nowhere, California

There are pros and cons to growing up in a small town in the middle of nowhere, CA.

California isn't all beaches and palm trees.

Pro - Everyone knows everyone.
Con - Everyone knows everyone!
Pro - Mild winters.
Con - Freaking. Hot. Summers.

Pro - Fresh produce year 'round.
Con - Pesticides.

Pro - Family-oriented community.
Con - Am I related to everyone in this town?

Pro - Wide, open spaces.
Con - Anything "fun" is 2+ hours away.

Pro - No mosquitos!
Con - Did I mention it's hot?  Like boiling hot.  Like "why do people live here?!" kinda hot.

Pro - No hurricanes, tornadoes, or blizzards.
Con - No beach, no seasons, no trees...

Pro - It's where I grew up and where my family is currently located.
Con - Why couldn't I have grown up in San Diego?!

What are the pros and cons of your hometown?

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Linking up for Travel Tuesday

Etsy Finds || Home Decor

Top Row L-R: Rustic Wood Large World Map, Reclaimed Hardwood Coasters, Vintage Stoneware Pitcher
Middle Row L-R: Set of 3 Painted Wooden Vases, Metal Fox Bookends, Minimal Wooden Clock 
Bottom Row L-R: Burlap Deer Pillow, Reclaimed Pallet Wood Sign , Silk Peonies Arrangement

What are you inspired by in home decor these days?

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DIY Glass Jar Lanterns || Dollar Store Craft

I can't give credit to myself for this idea.  Jamie, who writes the blog Anderson + Grant, posted the tutorial on Craftberry Bush.  Both are blogs I follow and love.

This project was inexpensive and quick.  I got all the supplies from the dollar store.

Three jars - $3
Two packs of 2 LED lights - $2
One package of rocks - $1
Hot Glue Gun - Already had
Twine - Already Had
Total for 3 lanterns = $6 or $2 each.

While I didn't invent the idea, I can certainly show you some ideas for how I'm displaying these cute jars around my house.

You can vary the size and amount of twine you use.  You don't have to use rocks and LED candles - fill with colored sea glass, seashells, or other trinkets you want to display.  Other ideas include filling them with succulents, using real candles, hanging them from your porch, putting them outside your front door, on your night table, any end table, next to your kitchen sink, basically anywhere you can think of.

Going on a picnic?  Take a few of these.  Having a BBQ?  Put a few of these around your grill.  Having some friends over?  Scatter some large and small lanterns, with real candles, around your house for a relaxing vibe.

On a countertop with lights off:

Lights on:

"Mood lighting:"

In the bathroom:

On a bookshelf:

On a corner of your coffee table:

My husband loves how these turned out and wants me to make many more to put around the house.  

Do you think you'll give this super easy diy project a try?

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