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Holiday Gift Guide-Home Décor-Big Lots

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Disclosure: This is not a compensated or sponsored post. I received the product for review purposes only. All opinions expressed here are my own.

A few months ago I had the privilege to preview the Big Lots holiday collections and let me say it was magical! You know I have been a Big Lots shopper for years and have often used things from their store in our holiday décor.  After seeing the Big Lots Christmas Collections  my wish list to deck the halls is longer than Santa’s.

So how can you create beautiful holiday decor in your home, with new items, but without breaking the bank? Here are a few tips to consider when decorating for the Holidays this year.

During the Big Lots Holiday event,  I got a chance to try a few products that I would love the replicate in my home. The first piece is the gold galvanized tree collar.

Christmas tree collars are a big look. Trends come and go, but we can see this one sticking about, it’s effortlessly elegant and unlikely to go out of fashion.  Christmas tree collars have been popular buys for as long as we’ve bought artificial Christmas trees rather than real homes, and are a must-have for any style-conscious homeowner as they are the best – and the smartest – way to cover the legs and fixings that your tree stands on. If you have a real tree that’s fixed to a base, rather than potted, a Christmas tree collar is a must, too.

It needs to be big enough to hide the base of your tree – more on that below – but small enough to allow plenty of room for gifts.  Complement your Christmas tree collar with decorations to match. Once the gifts are gone, they will help your tree look smart rather than lonely.

I also loved the Winter Wonderland Reversible Quilt Set. This is an awesome set to put in your master suite or in a guest bedroom.

I love how it gives the room a cozy feel and looks elegant also.

I am loving ALL the farmhouse decor pieces that Big Lots has been bringing to the decor game and even better when you can find something marked down. I have been adding pieces that I can use at the holidays all year round.

I have a wonderful new Christmas display and a few items to use during the year. I love how it all came together. It has that modern farmhouse feel and just looks like Christmas.

 

Holiday Gift Guide-Home Décor-Selfie Wrapping Paper

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Disclosure: This is not a compensated or sponsored post. I was provided the product for review purposes only. All opinions expressed here are my own.

At the holidays, I am always looking for ways to make my presents stand out. I add bows, ribbons, and decorative tags. This year my gifts are going to be wrapped in my personalized selfie wrapping paper from Gift Wrap My Face, LLC. What a surprise they are going to get when gifts show up with your own face.

Gift Wrap My Face, LLC (GWMF) makes customized “selfie” and “smart” wrapping paper for all occasions from holiday to birthday, weddings, Valentine’s Day, or just any time. Promoters of love and fun that encourage the inner child of silliness to emerge shamelessly, Gift Wrap My Face is in the business of making people smile. Aside from wrapping paper, GWMF also makes selfie socks for the feet, socks for wine, banners, even holiday cards that make the obligatory holiday family group photo no longer a boring occasion.

The company was hatched when Aryel Rivero and Vanessa Clavijo, two ad agency colleagues, started dating in secret and Aryel sent her a gift-wrapped with his face floating all over it. She was so overwhelmed with laughter and the thoughtfulness of his gesture, that she agreed to marry him. Today they are business partners doing the same for others. The two have built a significant e-commerce business that landed on Oprah’s “O List,” ABC-TV, Bloomberg Television and in People, and US Weekly Magazines without any marketing. Gift Wrap My Face was named by Goldman Sachs as one of 10,000 Small Businesses earlier this year.

Featuring mask-less face photos of people and pets, Gift Wrap My Face, #GiftWrapMyFace adds them to the body of elves, snowmen, superheroes, astronauts, iconic statues, lamas, or dancing with dreidels or menorahs. Gift Wrap My Face even created two Smart Wrapping Papers: one using augmented reality to enliven a face making a snow angel, a dancing elf, and a Video Paper that uses a personalized and private QR code for gift-givers to share a video message with loved ones. Customized rolls can be ordered at GiftWrapMyFace.com for $18.99 a roll, $19.99 for augmented reality paper and $34.99 for two rolls of the video wrap that includes a private YouTube page.

 

 

Getting Ready for the Holidays-Renovating Your Bathroom with Allen & Roth

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Disclosure: This is not a compensated or sponsored post. I was provided the product for review purposes only. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The holidays are approaching and we are all getting ready for family and friends to return to our home. One question that readers have been asking me is how can I update my guest bathroom.

Bathrooms are much more than just a room to take care of your personal hygiene. It can be a relaxing escape from the world, or an area that you can enjoy spending time in. When renovating your bathroom, there are many decision that you need to make in order for the space to be functional and serene.

There are a million decisions from what type of mirror you would like to have on the wall or what style grout to use on your bathroom. Today we are going to focus on adding a medicine cabinet to change the look of your bathroom; while reflecting your taste and personality.

No matter if you’re talking about a half bath or the bathroom in a master suite, questions about bathroom storage are bound to come up in bathroom design. From your everyday items such as a toothbrush and toothpaste to daily medications, you don’t want to keep everything on your counters, or your bathroom will feel cluttered. You need a way to keep items out of sight — but still have them easily accessible. That’s where a medicine cabinet and other storage options come into play. With a medicine cabinet, you have a convenient, concealed area to stash products you use regularly.

When you are having guests staying for the holidays storage in the bathrooms can’t be overstated. It’s not just about looking good and feeling functional. It is also making your bathroom feel like a home away from home for your guests.

I have been working on my bathroom upgrade for a year. The room looked great, but it was missing that piece to pull everything together, and that was a medicine cabinet. I have learned in the past that you can’t just go out and buy one, you have to take into account the size of the room, the space you have on wall, and how it will be incorporated into the overall look of the bathroom.

When I have questions about what to look for, I turn to my friends at Lowe’s for guidance. In talking to my Lowe’s representatives, they first asked me about my needs and why I wanted to install a medicine cabinet. My first answer was I am a neat freak and what to have a clear countertop. They listened to me and told me to take pictures of the space and then we would speak again. After all the consultations, we decided on the Allen & Roth Surface White Mirrored Rectangle Medicine Cabinet.

What I loved about this cabinet is that it was easy for me to install, the instructions allowed me to do it all by myself. I also loved the baskets that were included for the little cubbies. It added another dimension to the bathroom. I am so excited for my family and friends to see this upgrade.

There are many ways for you to upgrade your bathroom this holiday season and into the future. I was able to get some tips from Caroline Harmon, Lowe’s Trend Strategy Manager. I hope that some of these tips will help you as you plan your renovations.

How to make a Guest Bathroom Look Better

How do you choose the right color paint for a bathroom?

When choosing the right paint color for your bathroom, think about how you want it to feel. For a spa-like atmosphere, keep paint colors light and bright. Try sage green, pale pink, blue or greige. A powder room is a great place to go bold. Jewel tones in emerald green, deep blue, or plum are unexpected and dramatic. Pair with peel and stick wallpaper for an even more statement space.

How do you measure a bathroom for proper lighting?

Lighting is very important in a bathroom. Lowe’s private brands have stylish options ranging from modern to coastal to farmhouse. When choosing lighting, consider the look you are going for. LED light bars are sleek and modern, and can be hung above the mirror or on either side.

The vanity light should be approximately aligned with your mirror, and not wider than the vanity. For a round mirror, a two-light vanity light is ideal for balance. A beaded flush mount or modern pendant can add personality and style to your space, while brightening the room. Vent fans with integrated lighting can also help add more light to the space.

What accessories should you include in a bathroom?

When thinking about ways to accessorize your bathroom consider style and utility. Baskets in a natural water hyacinth bring another natural element and also hide clutter. A faux plant brings nature inside and creates a sense of calm, without the upkeep. Hanging art brings in color and helps personalize the space. If you need additional storage in a small space, an over-the-toilet etagere can be a great bathroom accessory. They can hold plenty of bath essentials, including towels, toilet paper, makeup bags, and more. Swap out hardware to match the space or create a more custom look.

What is the right size medicine cabinet for a space?

To maximize your storage space, use medicine cabinets to ensure everyday items are easily accessible. When choosing the right medicine cabinet size, consider the width and height of your sink or vanity. For smaller sinks and vanities 18 to 24 inches wide, choose a 15 x 24-inch medicine cabinet. For mid-size vanities 42 to 48 inches wide, a 30 x 24-inch medicine cabinet is a good fit. For larger vanities approximately 60 inches wide with a double sink, choose two smaller medicine cabinets to go above the faucets, 20 x 24 inches is a comfortable choice for both. (you don’t want it wider than the vanity)

If storage is not an issue, a regular mirror also works for the guest baths and can add more style. Try a distressed option for an updated farmhouse style, or a round brushed gold for a modern look.

How do you decide what type of flooring is for a bathroom?

Wood-look vinyl flooring is perfect for a bathroom. It’s resists water and feels good underfoot. Its also great for a quick remodel and can sometimes float over existing flooring. A medium-toned wood floor can bring a lot of warmth to the space and help provide that spa-like bath. In a powder bath, a patterned tile is a great way to make a bold statement in a small space.

It is easy to ‘shop the look’ with our bathroom collections featuring Allen + Roth products.

Renovating is not easy, but I hope these tips will help you move through the process. Remember to have fun with it and ask questions. I want to thank Lowe’s for helping me with this project.

What would you love to change in your bathroom?