I’ll be honest… When we first bought our house I was really bummed about having a deck. All I could think about was a toddler attempting to climb over the railing or falling down the stairs and it just wasn’t a place where I could see myself spending a lot of time.

 Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

Fast forward two years later and I have officially become a deck person Thanks to a much-needed makeover by my husband, it feels like a completely new space! Nick spent most of his free time this past spring replacing the floor boards, railings, staircase and privacy wall. He gave everything a fresh coat of black paint, installed a custom baby gate at the top of the stairs and hung bistro lights. It was an extreme labor of love, but so worth it. He did a fantastic job and saved us so much money by doing everything himself! Bravo Nick!

 Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

Every outdoor living space needs all-weather furniture and our deck has become the perfect home for our 5-piece Outer wicker sofa with armless chairs and teak coffee table. We loved using this set the first year we were living in our house and now with our deck makeover complete, the entire space feels completely transformed and like a natural extension of our living room and kitchen.

 Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

I love how the warm brown wicker of the seating feels traditional, while the steel framing and modular configuration adds a modern touch. The couch and chairs are also incredibly comfortable (yay for multilayered memory cushions and super soft performance fabric!)

 Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

But what I think really sets Outer furniture apart is the built-in perks which make it so family-friendly and easy to maintain. For starters– the cushion covers are removable (via a zipper) and fade-resistant so you have the option of wiping them down by hand or throwing in the washer. As you can imagine, we’ve had to do this quite often with two littles.

Each cushion also comes with a built-in zippered OuterShell® Cover for protection. When we’re using our furniture, we just keep the grey shell rolled up behind each cushion (you can see in the photos below.) When we do cover the cushions it takes just seconds to pull over top and velcro closed. This is all we use to keep the cushions dry when it rains during the warmer months. I LOVE how everything is all together and we don’t have to use any separate protection.

 Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

Each cover has a handle too, so if you do need to store away your cushions it’s easy to just pick them up (we keep ours stacked in our screened in porch during the winter.) Since the wicker framing on the seating is truly “all weather” and rust-proof we leave these outside uncovered year-round. We’re going on 1.5 years of ownership and everything still looks the same as the day it was delivered!

A few notes about the coffee table— it’s made of Grade-A Teak, which is a very high quality and durable wood. The natural oils in the teak repells insects, shields against UV rays, and protect the wood from moisture. We’ve also left this outside exposed to the elements for the past 1.5 years and couldn’t be more impressed with its resilience.

As another summer comes to an end I find myself feeling so grateful for this space and for the memories we’re making here

 Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

The post Our Outdoor Oasis | Outer Outdoor Furniture Review appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Almost immediately after moving into our new home in Nashville (it’s been a whole year if you can believe it!) we began putting together plans for a full kitchen renovation. The dated kitchen was actually one of the things that drew us most to our house. Right away we saw SO much potential for a bright airy open floor plan with a new standalone island, bar seating and updated appliances.

before

Our house was built in the early 2000s when the Tuscan-style kitchen trend was popular thus the cherry red cabinets, dark stained hardwood floors and alllll the beige tile. Needless to say it wasn’t our vibe. I also wasn’t a fan of the angled double-height island. It completely cut off the kitchen from the rest of the downstairs and was oddly tall. I’m nearly 5’6″ and would have to stand on my tip toes at the sink to watch Nate playing in the living room. The bar counter was so high that I would’ve never felt comfortable letting small children sit there on bar stools. It was a big safety concern for us.

demo day

For some reason I expected demo to be a longer part of the process, but our team literally did it in one day! We removed everything– including the existing pantry closet to give more space to the laundry room. You’ll see in the final reveal photos that a new pantry cabinet was built where the fridge previously went. Following demo, the team spent a few days focusing on installing new plumping + electrical and moving existing lines for where our appliances and lighting would be placed. They also removed a bunch of unnecessary ceiling lights and outlets. It was a lot of tedious and internal work, but obviously very necessary!

our design plans

Other than moving the island placement, we fortunately didn’t have to make any other major layout or structural changes. To expand our kitchen we extended cabinetry down the entire length of the wall (cabinets previously stopped halfway and the wall opposite breakfast area had been bare.) The extra space allowed us to move the refrigerator to the same wall as our stove and microwave. We also increased our countertop space and now had room for an appliance garage to house our toaster oven and coffee maker, and a wet bar with a beverage fridge. ice machine and floating shelves. The dishwasher and sink would be placed in the island similar as before.

cabinet + hardware install

Cabinet install happened in two waves: bottoms + island first and then the uppers were done after the countertops were placed. The cabinet company we used actually handles installation, which was nice since they’re the experts and know their product best. This isn’t always the norm so depending on where you purchase your cabinets, you may have to have your contractor handle the install. We also ordered our cabinets pre-painted so all that had to be done in our home was the actual placement and adding hardware.

floor refinishing

Floor refinishing took a full week. Because we moved the island and had to interlace in new flooring to a few previous damaged areas, we had to refinish the entire room to ensure a matching look. And since the entire goal of our renovation was to create a seamless, open floor plan we decided to refinish our entire downstairs including our dining, living, master bedroom, hallways, etc. The final result turned out way better than I could have imagined!

countertops + island install

I feel like once our floors were finished that things really started to come together quickly. Hello new quartz countertops and waterfall island!

backsplash install + paint

after!

kitchen renovation timeline

Being new homeowners and first time renovators in a brand new city we knew that we needed professional help. The first thing we did was enlist our interior designer Katie. Not only did she help us with design concepts and drawing up plans, but she completely project-managed our renovation from start-to-finish. This included setting up meetings/getting quotes from different contractors and from there helping us choose the right one for our project. She handled conversations and the ordering process with our cabinet maker and the slab yard where we purchased our countertops. She also did all of our product orders– light fixtures, hardware, furniture, tile, etc.

When our renovation officially got underway she and our contractor were in contact daily managing the schedule to make sure work was being completed on time. There is absolutely no way we could’ve ever juggled all of the logistics without help. If there’s one piece of advice I would give to anyone considering a large home renovation it’s to HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER or have someone on your team that’s in charge of project management (some contractors/builders offer this service.)

August 2021- hire interior designer, discuss initial wants/needs of project

September 2021- design presentation, begin narrowing down design concept and scope of work

October 2021- get contractor bids, hire contractor, order all appliances/any products with long wait time

November/December 2021- finalize cabinet order, continue working through design concept

January/February 2022- we were originally planning to demo and begin renovating, but grew concerned over appliance wait times (still hadn’t gotten a firm ship date yet) and decided to push start date until the spring

March 2022- got word our appliances would be ready to ship mid-April and officially confirmed project start date

April 20 2022- demo day! renovation officially begins

May 2022- reno reno reno

June 2022- project was wrapped the first week of the month!

Week 1: demo + initial plumbing/electrical work

Week 2: cabinet install, appliance delivery

Week 3: hardwood floor refinishing, countertop install

Week 4 + 5: backsplash install, paint, more electrical + plumbing work, appliance install

Week 6: lighting install, final touchups

The project took a little over six weeks to complete. This is what our contractor and designer had told us to expect from the beginning, but I honestly didn’t believe them that it could be that quick and had mentally prepared myself for delays and a much longer process. Our contractor’s team was at our home on average 5-6 days per week working from 7:30AM to around 3/4PM. They even worked a few Saturdays and Sundays, which we were fine with since we wanted the project done as soon as possible. We renovated our living and laundry rooms at the same time (reveals to come soon!) and I fully believe that if we’d just done our kitchen it would’ve been finished in a month. Our team was FAST and so efficient.

where did you live during the renovation?

We decided to live in our home throughout the project with the exception of the week our downstairs floors were refinished. Thankfully our home is laid out in a way where we were able to keep a few spaces separated from most of the construction madness. Our contractor sectioned off our master suite and entire upstairs with protective plastic barriers, so those were the areas where we spent the most time during the project. We have a large upstairs loft where we were able to transition most of our downstairs furniture and create a makeshift living room. Was living in a renovation while pregnant with a toddler inconvenient? Yes of course, but honestly it wasn’t as uncomfortable or difficult as I expected.

what did you do without a working kitchen?

Since our dining room largely stayed untouched (other than some fresh paint at the end of the project) we ended up using it as a temporary kitchen. We basically just moved over our bare kitchen essentials and planned on making a lot of toaster oven meals + primarily using our garage fridge. We also ordered this little travel stove that worked great and a ton of disposable plates, silverware and cups. The hardest aspect of not having a working kitchen was definitely losing the sink and dishwasher. We had to wash everything by hand in either our powder room or laundry room sink (though we lost that for about two weeks when our laundry reno was happening). During our renovation we probably cooked/made easy toaster oven meals 3-4 days per week and then the rest of the week ordered takeout.

^^ our makeshift kitchen in the dining room

hardwood floor refinishing faq

That happened about mid-way through the project and we had made plans in advance to move into a nearby Airbnb. When you get hardwood floors refinished, obviously all furniture and items have to be moved elsewhere. Depending on what stain and sealant is used, you may not be able to walk and place items back on your floors for a certain period of time. There is also a lottttt of dust involved. Having a week staycation at an Airbnb was 100% the right decision and gave us a nice break from the construction madness.

PS we have red oak flooring. We sanded down the dark stain to the wood’s natural shade and then added a clear water-based finish.

kitchen renovation cost

Cabinetry, Custom Hood, Floating Shelves, Hardware + Installation: $31,000
Countertops + Installation: $7,500
Appliances: $27,000
Lighting + Accessories: $5,000
Labor: $50,000
Interior Design: $5,000

TOTAL: $125,500

ge cafe appliances

One of the most exciting aspects of our renovation was replacing all of our dated appliances. Right away I fell in love with GE Cafe series matte white appliances. Not only are the appliances visually stunning, but have high performance features that you’d find in a restaurant kitchen. I love cooking and the kitchen is the room where I spend the most time so a commercial-style gas range was a must. The range we selected has a ton of incredible bells and whistles: 4 types of versatile burners (6 total), a griddle and 2 ovens (one that’s catering size). After years of cooking on mini-sized electric apartment stovetops, I can’t believe that this is what I get to cook on everyday!

A really cool aspect of the GE Cafe line is that everything is customizable. Each appliance comes in multiple base colors and hardware finishes. We went with matte white for the base and brushed gold for the hardware for our stove, refrigerator and beverage center. SO pretty.

PS due to inventory we opted for a stainless steel finish on our dishwasher and a microwave drawer from the GE Monogram line (at the time when we ordered GE Cafe didn’t have a drawer-style microwave.)

TIP: If you’re planning to replace your appliances, make sure you check the lead times and order as far in advance of your demo as possible. We placed our order in November 2021 with a shipping estimate of March 2022. In January we found out that our ship date had been pushed back until mid-May 2022. Ultimately everything ended up arriving by mid-April 2022, right when we scheduled our demo.

full source list

Cabinets: Koch Classic Cabinets (white, full overlay)
Countertops + Waterfall Island: Silostone Quartz Eternal Calacatta – 3cm
Walls: Sherwin Williams Marshmallow (satin finish)
Island Cabinets: Koch Classic Cabinets (taupe)
Floors: natural red oak with clear, water-based finish
Cabinet + Drawer Pulls (we used a mix of sizes X)
Backsplash Tile: TileBar Montauk, Gin 4×4
Sink (truffle)
Faucet
Pot Filler
Garbage Disposal Air Switch (french gold)
Range Hood: custom via French’s Cabinet Gallery
Floating Shelves: custom via French’s Cabinet Gallery

Sink Faucet | Double Bowl Sink | Wall Mounted Pot Filler | Cabinet Hardware

appliances

Café 48” Smart Dual Fuel Commercial Style Range with Six Burners and Griddle
Monogram 1.2 Cu. Ft. Drawer Microwave
Café ENERGY STAR 18.6 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator
Café Smart Stainless Steel Interior Dishwasher with Sanitize and Ultra Wash & Dual Convection Ultra Dry
Café Beverage Center
Café Ice Maker with Nugget Ice
Trade-Wind 190 – 600 CFM 48 Inch Wide Insert Range Hood

lighting

Island Pendant Lights (medium)
Dining Area Chandelier
Wet Bar Sconces
Under Cabinet Lighting

furniture & decor:

Dining Area Table
Dining Area Bench + Sheepskin Cushion
Dining Area Chairs
Dining Area Rug
Counter Stools
Runner
Framed Countertop Art
Bar Tool Set
Cookbook/Tablet Holder
Salt + Pepper Shaker Pedestal
Blue Casserole Pot
White Hand + Dish Soap Bottles

vendors

Design: Katie Sneed Design
Contractor: OdubonLLC
Cabinets: French’s Cabinet Gallery
Floors: JM Hardwood Floors
Photography: Allison Elefante Photo

The post Kitchen Renovation Reveal appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Alert alert! Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away! If you’re in need of gift ideas for mom or grandma, I rounded up a few things from The Home Depot that I know would impress the special ladies in my life

I know I sound like a broken record, but The Home Depot really does have everything. Since we have so many projects going on at our house, Nick and I both shop there weekly– him usually in store and me online. The Home Depot offers free shipping on orders over $45 and super flexible delivery options including free in-store pick up or 2-day shipping to home + free returns! It’s really a one-stop-shop for all your home improvement needs, as well as gifts!

1. Gallery Wall Frame Set | 2. Hydrangea Shrub | 3. Special Edition Keurig | 4. House Plant Collection | 5. Cricut DIY Mug Bundle | 6. KitchenAid Stand Mixer | 7. Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill | 8. Faux Fur Heated Blanket | 9. SodaStream Soda Maker | 10. Hanging Jewelry Box Mirror | 11. Designer Mirror Dupe 

The post Mother’s Day Gift Guide appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Drumroll please… Our first big home renovation project is officially complete! Last week we finished giving our kid’s bathroom a much-needed facelift and we’re so happy with the final result.

before

Why renovate? The space was drab and dated and had cheap finishes. Everything functioned fine, but it was just very uninviting and lacked character.

As you can see in the photos, we completely gutted the room from top to bottom. This included installing new floor and shower tile, replacing the bath tub and adding two new vanities, mirrors and lighting— all of which we purchased from The Home Depot. The only original thing we kept was the toilet!

We also added some square footage by stealing space from the underutilized linen closet on the right side wall + a neighboring guest bedroom closet, which allowed us to add a second vanity. We also transitioned the existing swing door (it awkwardly opened into the bathroom blocking the underutilized linen closet) to a pocket door for more functionality.

Why two separate vanities? Also why not one big double vanity? We looked into the double vanity option but it would’ve been a super tight squeeze up against the toilet and the counter space would’ve been minimal. I also thought back to my childhood where I grew up sharing a very small bathroom and a single pedestal sink with my sister and step siblings. While I clearly survived just fine, I definitely wouldn’t have minded having my own vanity space during my high school years   Technically this bathroom is just Nate’s for now, but we envision it eventually being used by multiple kiddos, thus why I am calling it our kid’s bathroom.

in progress

Demo day!

Shower & floor tile + bathtub installation

One of my favorite elements is this blue and grey penny tile shower niche. I was unfamiliar with the term “shower niche” but it’s essentially a cutout interior shelf for products you use in the bath and shower.

To give the space a more custom feel we decided to add board and batten– love how it turned out! I’m also really happy with these freestanding vanities we found at The Home Depot.

after

Bright, inviting and functional for small humans. I feel like the transformation is night and day! This bathroom can now be very comfortably used by two or more people thanks to the second vanity and extra square footage. For custom touches we painted the vanities, added board and batten molding to the walls and installed a penny tile shower niche.

Everything for this project we purchased from The Home Depot. It seriously has become our one stop shop for everything renovation and decor-related. The Home Depot offers free shipping on orders over $45 and really flexible delivery options including free in-store pick up or 2-day shipping to home, not to mention free returns.

We decided to splurge on the faucets and hardware but the mirrors and vanity lights were both designer-dupes! We also skipped doing custom vanities and instead opted for these pre-made freestanding versions. The Home Depot had a fantastic selection for everything we needed and is a great place to stock up on bathroom linens, mirrors, lighting and home decor too!

Let’s talk budget and timing!

Our project took three business weeks to complete and we spent roughly $20,000, including all supplies. Our biggest expenses were by far the labor fees to expand the bathroom square footage, install an additional water line for the second sink, transition the swinging door to a pocket door and add the board & batten. If we had kept the existing layout and only done cosmetic swaps, the project would’ve cost us under $10,000 and likely taken just two weeks.

Light Fixtures | Subway Tile (used in shower) | Mirrors | Shower Faucet Kit | Tub & Shower Knob | Sink Faucets | Bathroom Hardware Set | Vanity Sink | Bathtub

FYI these are the paint colors we used:

WALLS: Sherwin Williams Popular Grey
VANITIES: Benjamin Moore Pike’s Peak Gray
TRIM: Sherwin Williams Pure White

1. Accent Towel Set | 2. Striped Towels | 3. Patterned Towels | 4. 18 Piece Towel Set | 5. Detailed Towels | 6. 4 Plush Towels

1. Matte Black Vanity Light With Clear Shades | 2. Nickel Bathroom Light | 3. Brass Vanity Light With White Shades | 4. Textured Black Light With White Shades | 5. Black Bar Vanity Light | 6. Black and Gold Round Light Fixture

1. Oval Mirror | 2. Round Wooden Mirror | 3. Cut Out Mirror | 4. Arched Mirror | 5. Black Round Mirror | 6. Designer Dupe Mirror

Big thank you to The Home Depot for sponsoring this post!

The post Kids Bathroom Renovation | Before & After Reveal appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

I officially have a cookie monster on my hands! Earlier this month I shared a chocolate chip cookie with Nate and ever since he has been nonstop asking for “cookie cookie cookie.” Since I’m not trying make feeding my toddler sugary sweets a daily habit, I ordered a few bags of Laird Superfood chocolate chip cookie mix to keep on hand. I’m a big fan of Laird’s brownie mix and this one is just as tasty! I also love how these mixes take under 12 minutes to bake and only require adding oil and water– no egg needed!

If you’re looking for guilt-free, plant-based baking mixes then you need to try these. Mom Bonus: every bag contains 2.5 servings of veggies thanks to hidden kale, beets & carrots. PS make sure you use my code KATIESBLISS for 15% off first time orders over $40!

Laird Superfood Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix | Laird Superfood Brownie Mix

The post My Favorite Healthy Cookies With Hidden Veggies (Toddler-Approved!) appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

1. Reversible White/Parchment Linen Quilt | 2. Chunky Knit Throw Blanket | 3. 18 Piece Towel Set | 4. Waffle Knit Throw Blanket | 5. Cotton Bath Towel Set | 6. Ribbed 6 Piece Towel Set | 7. Floral Towel Set | 8. Textured Quilt | 9. Blue Quilt Set | 10. Patterned Duvet Set | 11. 6 Piece Luxury Towel Set | 12. Cotton Textured Quilt

I couldn’t resist taking advantage of The Home Depot’s bedding and bath savings! Right now The Home Depot is offering up to 25% off on sheet sets, duvets, comforters, mattress toppers, bath towels and more for President’s Day. It’s a great time to shop if you have a bedroom or bathroom in need of a refresh for spring!

New Bed & Bath Finds via The Home Depot // Vine-Patterned Duvet Cover (20% off) | Chunky Knit Throw Blanket (now 40% off) | 6-Piece Bath Towel Set (25% off)

Big thank you to The Home Depot for sponsoring this post!

The post Bedding & Bath Refresh + President’s Day Savings appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Lately my DMs have been filled with requests to share more of my favorite kitchen tools and gadgets. The kitchen is the heart of our home and where I spend the most time everyday. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, but these last few months have been especially fun now that Nate is eating three full meals a day and as those of you who watch my Instagram story know– the boy has QUITE the appetite.

I know many of you are moving into first homes, planning weddings and putting together your registries, so I thought it would be useful to put together a list of my most-used items. These are all things I use on a regular basis and would 100% recommend adding to your registry or kitchen tool wishlist!

Breville Smart Oven Air (now on sale) // This countertop oven was the first thing I added to our registry and has become my most-used kitchen appliance. I utilize it for everything– baking, air-frying, toasting, reheating– it does it all. I hardly use the microwave anymore and don’t even need to touch our wall oven. It’s the BEST and the included air fryer basket tray is a game changer.

Vitamix Blender // I’ve had my Vitamix blender for over six years. It’s another one of those items that you can use for making so many different things from scratch– juices, smoothies, soups, nut milks, salsas, sauces. Lately I’ve been using as a food processor to chop veggies that I don’t want to cut by hand. 

Le Creuset Cookware // So far I own two pieces of Le Creuset cookware, both of which I would recommend having in your kitchen arsenal. This casserole dish is an amazing piece to have for the holidays or if you are cooking for a large group. I already envision using it to cook one dish meals when we have a multiple kiddos to feed. I use our 5.5qt dutch oven multiple times a week to make pastas and soups. The quality is incredible and it’s oven safe!

Waffle Maker // I’ve had this inexpensive waffle maker for years and use it on a weekly basis lately to make Nate homemade waffles. It’s easy to use and clean!

KitchenAid Stand Mixer // This is one of those gadgets that you’ll have for a lifetime. The price is a bit hefty so it’s 100% the type of thing that you should add to your wedding registry or ask for as a gift. It comes in so many fun colors and even if you don’t use it often– it make a HUGE difference when a recipe calls for it. Trust me when I tell you that mixing by hand is the worsttttt.

Keurig Slim Coffee Maker // We retired our bulky traditional coffee maker a few months ago for the Keurig Slim and haven’t looked back since. Not only does it make brewing coffee a breeze, it takes up hardly any counter space. It’s nearly the same size width as a bottle of wine. It’s also very easy to keep clean.

Electric Wine Opener // Absolute necessity if you’re a wine lover. 

Henckels Knife Set // Good knives make a huge difference in the kitchen. This 12-piece knife set has everything you need and would make a great gift for an engaged couple or new homeowner. 

I remember feeling very overwhelmed when we were creating our wedding registry. I had a good idea of what we needed/wanted but there were so many brands with their own version of the same product. My best advice would be to find a store like Wayfair that has a wide variety of items from trusted brands like Le Creuset, KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Vitamix and more with extensive reviews from other shoppers. You can actually create your registry right on Wayfair.com and add items directly from their curated product lists.

Other Wayfair Wedding Registry perks? Group gifting for higher-value items, a wide variety of gift cards, and instant conversion to store credit if you change your mind about a gift. Wayfair also offers a best-in-class 20% completion discount, plus flexible shipping that puts you in control of exactly when and where your gifts arrive.

My Favorite Kitchen Tools & Gadgets

1. Henckels Knife Set | 2. Keurig Slim Coffee Maker | 3. Le Creuset Casserole Dish  | 4. Le Creuset Dutch Oven | 5. Breville Smart Oven Air | 6. Electric Wine Opener | 7. Gotham Steel Copper-Core Non-Stick Frying Pans | 8. KitchenAid Stand Mixer | 9. Waffle Maker | 10. Vitamix Blender

Wayfair’s Best-Selling Gifts

Big Ticket Wedding Registry Items

Big thank you to Wayfair for sponsoring this post!

The post My Most-Used Kitchen Tools + Wedding Registry Recommendations appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Gold Framed Mirror | White Quartz Vanity | Light Fixture | Waffle Knit Hand Towel | Gold Faucet | Gold Toilet Paper Holder | Gold Towel Ring | Gold Cabinet Pulls

I’ve been regularly sharing about our DIY home projects on Instagram, but felt that our powder bathroom renovation was deserving of its own post on the blog. My husband Nick and I did it all ourselves and are pretty excited about how it turned out, considering it was our first big renovation project that we’ve done completely by ourselves. It was a team effort! I came up with the design and he was the muscle. Basically our goal was to lighten up the space and add some touches of elegance with wallpaper and gold accents.

BEFORE // AFTER

If I had to guess– I think Nick has done at LEAST one run per week to The Home Depot since we moved into our new house in July. When he’s not shopping in-store, he spends time every day on HomeDepot.com and is even subscribed to The Home Depot’s “Daily Deal” email alerts. Since he’s basically The Home Depot’s #1 fan, it was the first place we looked to get what we’d need to renovate our bathroom.

I used to think of The Home Depot as a store primarily for tools and construction supplies, but omg, they have everything. Light fixtures, mirrors, furniture, wall decor and accents, holiday decorations, bath linens– the list goes on! We ended up buying nearly everything we needed to completely transform our bathroom from there. PS– The Home Depot offers free shipping on orders $45+!

You don’t need to have a big renovation project on the horizon to hit up The Home Depot. Thanks to Nick, it’s become one of my go-to stores for light  fixtures, home decor and now holiday decorations. I spent some time browsing the website (a la my husband) and rounded up some top-rated products– many of those have thousands of 4.5 or more stars in positive reviews!

1. Black Frame Floor Mirror | 2. Wood Lanterns | 3. Arched Gold Mirror | 4. Square Frame Set | 5. Decorative Wall Clock | 6. Woven Baskets | 7. Gold Tray | 8. Olive Tree Faux Plant | 9. Fiddle Leaf Fig Faux Plant | 10. Gold Lanterns | 11. White Quilted Bedding | 12. Throw Blankets | 13. Decorative Pitcher Vases | 14. Bath Towel Set

Big thank you to The Home Depot for sponsoring this post!

The post Powder Bathroom Renovation | Before & After appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

1. Pili Nut Variety Pack | 2. Brownie Mix | 3. Pancake & Waffle Mix | 4. Organic Ground Peruvian Coffee (available in whole bean or ground and in multiple roasts) | 5. Superfood Creamer Cacao | 6. Superfood Creamer Pumpkin Spice | 7. Superfood Creamer Original with Functional Mushrooms | 8. Superfood Creamer Vanilla | 9. HYDRATE Coconut Water Orange Guava | 10. HYDRATE Coconut Water Original | 11. HYDRATE Coconut Water Matcha | 12. HYDRATE Coconut Water Pineapple Mango | 13. Ready to Rumble Apple Granola | 14. Call of the Wild Blueberry Granola | 15. Performance Coco Chip Granola

Laird Superfood products have been a consistent staple in our pantry since the spring. I discovered Laird when I was looking for healthy swaps for foods I eat and drink everyday like coffee, creamers, snacks, etc. Laird makes high-quality plant-based products that actually taste INCREDIBLE. I’ve had a lot of time to test my Laird favorites against their unhealthy big brand versions and it’s wild how they were able to create such delicious healthy alternatives. You won’t be disappointed! PS my discount code KATIESBLISS will get you 15% off your Laird order.

Original Superfood Creamer

If you’re going to try one product from Laird, I’d recommend the Original Superfood Creamer. It’s a clean, plant-based alternative to traditional dairy and sugar-filled coffee creamers and one of their best-selling products. I cannot live without my morning coffee and it makes me feel a lot better knowing that the creamer I use is guilt-free. It’s all-natural, contains only whole-food ingredients and skips the artificial flavors, colors and additives found in many creamers. I’ve tried a few different flavors and my favorites are the Original with Functional Mushrooms, Vanilla, Cacao and Pumpkin Spice.

SHOP ALL FLAVORS HERE

Organic Ground Peruvian Coffee

Coffee with functional mushrooms?? Huh? You might be scratching your head reading that, but I promise it makes sense! Laird Organic Ground Peruvian Coffee takes your morning mug to the next level thanks to an added blend of three organic functional mushrooms: Chaga, Lion’s Mane, and Cordyceps. The abundant properties of functional mushrooms are thought to contribute to overall wellness and no, the coffee does not taste like mushrooms. Since coffee is something I drink everyday, I LOVE knowing that it’s giving me more health benefits than just a boost of energy. You can buy it in whole bean or ground. It also comes in multiple roasts: medium, dark & decaf.

SHOP IT HERE

HYDRATE Coconut Water

I wish I had discovered HYDRATE Coconut Water mix when I first had Nate. Coconut water was all I drank when I was trying boost my milk supply and boy, did it get pricey. Laird’s version is actually a dry powder that you mix yourself. One tablespoon is all you need to make a refreshing, electrolyte-filled 8oz glass of coconut water. A serving comes out to just $0.78!

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Picky Bars Granola

Laird has awesome grain-free granolas. I love the light, yet slightly crunchy texture– it’s great eating alone with milk or topping over yogurt. My personal favorite flavor is Call Of The Wild Blueberry, however the apple and coco chip are fantastic too!

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Pili Nuts

Warning: once you try Laird Cacao Pili Nuts… You won’t be able to stop snacking! The good news is that these cocoa-covered nuts are filled with 8 essential amino acids and tons of healthy fats. Laird pili nut packs are great snacks for when you’re on the go and SO DELICIOUS. Basically like snacking on a chocolate-covered nut without any of the guilt. They also come in a Matcha and Himalayan Salt flavor. You can also try every flavor in this Variety Pack.

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Pancake & Waffle Mix

Breakfast but make it healthy! I’m a big fan of big hearty breakfasts and again, love that Laird makes it easy to make one of my favorite morning meals guilt-free. Their Pancake & Waffle Mix is gluten-free, doesn’t require any egg and is so fluffy and delicious!

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Brownie Mix

Similar to the Pancake & Waffle Mix, Laird also makes incredible dessert mixes. I’m a sucker for brownies and omg, Laird’s Brownie Mix is HEAVENLY and tastes SO similar to the artificial flavor-filled big box brand mixes that I grew up making. The key differences are Laird’s mix is 100% plant-based and contains 4 servings of vegetables in every batch! I KNOW. I was honestly so skeptical the first time I made these, but I swear y’all, these browns are delectableeeee.

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The post My Favorite Laird Superfood Products appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Oh boy… Where do I even begin?!

The last few weeks have felt like Groundhog’s Day and I’m still in shock that everything that’s happened/happening is real life.

We always knew our time in Florida was going to be temporary, but we had no idea just how long it would before we’d have to move on. 6 months? 1 year? 2 years? When we left New Jersey in March and made our way to Fort Myers, we didn’t have an answer to that question. All we knew was that our apartment lease was ending and we didn’t want to stay in the tri-state area if Nick was still working remotely. The month we spent renting in Florida in January was heavenly and we knew we’d regret it if we didn’t take advantage of the opportunity we had to head back. .

Well, our question got answered in a big way about a month ago in the form of an amazing new job for Nick! And you won’t believe where…

Nashville!!!

Yep, we’re moving to Tennessee.

Omg gals, it all happened so fast.

Nick found out about the job, interviewed, got the job, accepted it, we started looking for a home in Nashville, found a house, made an offer and had it accepted– all in a span of TWO WEEKS.

Feel overwhelmed reading that? Yep, me too.

Life is crazy right?!

So you’re probably wondering… When are you moving?

THIS WEEK. Yep, in just a few days we’ll be packing our lives up again and making our way to Tennessee. Nashville was always a place we’d heard wonderful things about and somewhere we felt would be a great fit for us and I’m still in disbelief that it’s actually happening. Ahhh!

I’ve been dyingggg to reveal this news for weeks because there has been so much going on behind the scenes. I can’t wait to share our new home with you gals! We closed last Friday and already have been dreaming about the projects and renovations we want to do. It’s gonna be a wild couple of weeks, but we’re so excited.

The post We’re Moving (Again) & You Won’t Believe Where! appeared first on Katie's Bliss.