How to Decorate Your Dining Table: Placemats, Tablecloths + Tips

   When it comes to decorating a dining table, the possibilities are endless, but that can also make it feel a little overwhelming. Depending on your dining table shape and size, you have to play around with settings to see what fits your style. Should you use round or rectangular placemats? What about a tablecloth? Or is it better to let the wood shine through? These are the questions I've been asking myself, while I'm trying to style our new and beautiful dining set! 

Tablecloth or No Tablecloth?

With a tablecloth, it can instantly transform your table, especially if you're going for a soft, cozy, or seasonal vibe. For everyday use, a cotton or linen tablecloth in neutral tones, like oatmeal, white, or muted sage, adds warmth without being too over the top. For holidays or gatherings, you can play with patterns or richer colors. I especially love the pine tree or Nutcracker vibes for Christmas time, and pumpkins and leaves for the Fall! 

If your dining table has a beautiful wood finish, and you're wanting something a little more minimal, skip the tablecloth and add a table runner instead! Then you can add a simple centerpiece like candles, greenery, or seasonal fruit.

Round or Rectangular Placemats?

Rectangular Placemats mirror the table shape for a clean, classic look. Which is great for a traditional or farmhouse style space, or for a table that seats more. Although they do take up more space, but they allow for all dishware, including cups, to sit upon it.

Round Placemats break up the angles of the table and add softness. Which is great for a casual, cozy vibe, but they don't allow as much space. Because of this, the cups end up on their own with no protection beneath them...which is not great for keeping your table from cup-condensation. To prevent this, you can get matching coasters to place under your cup, or use wine glasses, which add a nice aesthetic to the table! 

You can add in some extra vibes by mixing different materials around and layering textures, such as having woven placemats, wooden chargers, and linen napkins. You can bring height to the table with tapered candles, a vase of flowers, or a cute sculpture, and changing up the setting to suit the decor of each holiday. 

Having a dining table is fun and can be decorated to fit your needs as the main focal point in your dining room. 

Whether you go with round or rectangular placemats, a tablecloth or bare wood, decorating your table is about creating a space that feels like home. Don’t be afraid to experiment and let your style shine.

Do you have a favorite dining table setup? 

Share your ideas in the comments below! I'd love to see your beautiful tablescapes!

Pioneer Woman Biscuits and Gravy Comfort Mat

Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own. 

 

I love many of Pioneer Woman's products, from her recipes, to all the amazing kitchen supplies, she has a beautiful line of items waiting to be added to your kitchen. One of my new favorites is this adorable comfort mat! If you know me, you know I like biscuits and gravy so this is perfect!

 

  

 The "I Love You Like Biscuits and Gravy" mat is so cute and looks great sitting on the floor in front of the kitchen sink. The mat is the perfect size, and the cushion feels comfortable under my feet. I like the material it is made of too, making it easier to keep it clean. Definitely something needed in the kitchen! The design and quote goes nicely with my decor, adding character to the kitchen. I love the squish and it really helps for longer periods of standing! 

 

I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own. 

 

 

Easy Recipe For A DIY Weed Killer

    Spring and Summer is a beautiful time of year, but it brings weeds like crazy! Our current backyard has rock landscaping, and it grows back weeds no matter how often I pull them up! I wanted to find something to help kill off the weeds a little, so I'm not having to pull them as often. After some research on natural products, I decided to make up a recipe with products I had on hand. Salt, Vinegar, Dish Soap, and Hot Water are all products that will aid in destroying weeds, and hopefully discourage them from regrowing. I only recommend doing this an in area where you do not plan on growing anything, as it could taint the soil for future growth. 

   In a spray bottle, I mixed half hot water, half vinegar, a heaping amount of salt, and some drizzles of dish soap. I shook the bottle until everything mixed together and dissolved, than began spraying on the weeds in my gravel. Keep in mind, this takes a lot of solution, and you have to be consistent with it until the weeds die up. You will see the solution working after a day or two, the weeds will start turning yellow and shrivel up. This will make them easier to pull out of the ground as well! Make sure you stay consistent, as it is a more natural substance so it doesn't work like chemicalized weed killers, but it is much safer for you and the environment. 

You can see in my photos, the progress after one day.

Virtual Drive By Birthday Party with Party City

 

  Have A BIRTHDAY coming up??

   You can now enjoy a Virtual Drive By Birthday Party with Party City!! 

Choose from several different party themes like Disney Princesses, Trolls, Mario Bros, Unicorn, 40th, 50th, Confetti and more!   This is such a great way to celebrate birthdays, during this time of the virus. It will bring so much joy to the Birthday Person!  

The Ultimate Virtual Drive-By Birthday Kit 
Retails at $99 when you use the discount code: VIRTUAL99  

Visit PartyCity.com for more information!   

Easy and Adorable DIY Popsicle Stick Shelf

Looking for something fun to do with Popsicle Sticks?  

   Make a cute little shelf! 

   It can be of any shape and size you want, hexagon, square, house, ect. I chose to do mine in the shape of a house. I glued the Popsicle sticks together with hot glue, then spray painted it white, which looks great against tan colored walls.  

   I think the house shelf turned out super cute and it can hold multiple little treasures and trinkets!

Think Legos, knick knacks, mini stuffed animals...    

You can do this craft with your kids or enjoy it just for yourself! 

Ultra Comfort With Sleepwish Luxury Shag Duvet Cover and Shams

Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own.

   Bringing back the shag decor with these amazing Luxury Shag Duvet Covers and matching shaggy pillow shams by Sleepwish! 

   Super soft and comfy, these pieces are made of fluffy Mongolian faux fur on one side where the color sits, and white Sherpa fabric on the other. You really feel like you're laying on a cloud, as you relax in these blankets. I received two different sets to review, a twin and a queen size.

 For the twin, the color is said to be Golden-Brown but it's definitely more of an orange color as you can see in the photos. Unfortunately the zippers aren't sewn on well so it may need sewn again, but it still makes a glorious duvet, or even a blanket alone! 

For the Queen size, the color is said to be peachy beige, but it's more of a soft pink. The zippers seem to be sewn on this one a little better. It fits a queen size perfectly, and can be used as a duvet or a simple blanket as well. 

   
I really like both of these sets, and find their comfort to be what dreams are made of! They really make the room feel a little extra, and are perfect for obtaining that shag look. You can find both of these products available for purchase on Amazon, the orange twin here, and the pink queen here. 

    I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own. 

Rest and Comfort with the Mooka Weighted Blanket

Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own.

   Made to help you sleep better at night, and ease stress and anxiety, the Mooka Weighted Blanket is an excellent comforting source for both your mental and physical well being. 

 

   The outer blanket material is made of 100% odorless and moisture-resistant Cotton, with Premium Glass Beads sewn into each pocket, and fiberfill around that for a sound barrier and extra comfort. This particular weighted blanket is a 20lbs, made for Adults that weigh between 160-280lbs. It's said to be great for those who suffer from sleep disorders, as it will give you a better nights rest, and comfort you into a sound sleep.

   

   This was my first time using a weighted blanket and I have to say, I am very pleased with the quality of it! The fabric is silky soft and cool against my skin, and the weight is evenly distributed across. It's much heavier than I anticipated, but it really feels like a hug over my body. I tend to feel a lot of anxiety, so I find myself really enjoying being under this blanket to calm myself down, while reading a good book. It's so relaxing, my mind settles down and feels ready to sleep. (I would love to have a smaller blanket, to sit on my lap during car rides in the passenger seat, to really calm those car riding anxieties I face!) I definitely recommend this weighted blanket. It's made so well and seems to have magic healing powers haha, well, at least to magically help you relax! 

You can find the Mooka Weighted Blanket available for purchase on Amazon in the weight of a 15lb (48"x72") or a 20lb (60"x80") like the one I received above.

  I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

Hoover WindTunnel 3 High Performance Vacuum Cleaner

Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own. 

   Vacuuming is one of my top favorite household chores, so having a good vacuum is very important to me! The Hoover WindTunnel 3 High Performance Vacuum Cleaner has been holding up well and keeps the floors nice and clean. It is amazingly easy to use with simple attachments. Here are some of their listed features:

• QuickPass Brushroll 2X faster** by cleaning surface debris without having to pass over the same area multiple times
• WindTunnel® 3 Technology - Creates 3 channels of suction to lift and remove surface debris and deep down embedded dirt.
• Illuminating Headlight - Spot hard to see debris and dust in dim lighted areas for a better clean.
• Multi-Cyclonic Technology Ensures a consistent cleaning experience with No Loss of Suction**
• Great for Pets - Filter Made with HEPA Media, odor-absorbing carbon and Pet Turbo Tool
• Brushroll On/Off Switch - Turn on/off brushroll for optimal cleaning on carpets and hard floors

 

   I really love that the cord is extra long so I don't have to unplug it while vacuuming throughout the house, and the suction is perfect. The carpets get clean, leaving behind lines as it should. The hose is easy to use and the add on attachments make cleaning things, such as the couch and stairs, a breeze. 
 
   The lightweight capability of this machine allows your children to easily use it as well, so they can clean up their own bedroom floors! Haha. You can switch between different modes to make the vacuum's suction power lighter or stronger, making it easier or harder to push. I like to keep the vacuum on the low floor setting so it really gets the floors clean! I would love for this vacuum to have an automatic cord wind up, but overall it's a great vacuum cleaner and gets the job done!


   You can find the WindTunnel 3 High Performance Vacuum Cleaner available on hoover.com, as well as more details and information on this product, and many other amazing Hoover products for purchase! 



  I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

Your Own Personal Coffee Shop At Home With Cuperfect

Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own.

   With Cuperfect, you can have the perfect cup of coffee (or cocoa or tea) from the comfort of your home, while feeling like it was purchased at the coffee shop! 

   I love having these cups on hand, complete with a cozy sleeve, lid, and mixing straw. The lids have easy pop tops to place the straw inside, and promotes a spill free usage. Plus you can reuse the cup, microwaving it up to 3x to get the most use out of it! I really love these cups and use them nearly every morning, so I can have that early morning coffee shop feeling  I enjoy so much! This kit would be great for in the home, in the office, or even for parties. They can hold hot or cold beverages so they are good for a variety of uses! Think Hot Cocoa Bar...Coffee Station...Tea Testing....🍵

 You can find the Cuperfect set of 50 cups, plus lids, straws, and sleeves available for purchase on Amazon.  


I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

Practicing Cursive With Your Favorite Book

   A great way to keep your kids entertained (and maybe yourself as well) is to practice cursive handwriting! Keep it fun and enjoyable by having your children choose their favorite book - that they read or you read to them - then have them choose their favorite quote or passage from the book, and begin copying it down, in cursive! 

   You may need to print off a cursive writing sheet for them to go off of; you can find several available printouts by an easy Google search. {I like to use this one} Let them choose whatever writing utensil they like, whether it be marker, pencil, or pen...maybe even paint to amp it up?! Whatever it may be, make sure your kids get interested and keep this in the FUN category, nothing stressful :) 

Elbow Noodle Lasagna With Classico Organic Roasted Garlic Sauce

 Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own.

    Made with fresh roasted garlic and sun roasted tomatoes, Classico Organic Roasted Garlic Sauce really brings out the organic home made taste! And the best part, is that this sauce is made with ingredients you know and understand, such as tomato puree, diced tomatoes in juice, roasted garlic, evaporated cane sugar, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, onions, sea salt, and roasted red bell peppers, just to name a few, and all organic!

  
   With the Classico Organic Roasted Garlic Sauce, I made an easy but delicious, cheesy elbow noodle lasagna, and you could really taste garlic! It's a spectacular sauce with a real homey flavor and aroma. I can imagine it would be just as good on a pizza or chicken Parmesan! It's definitely one of those products you would want to keep on hand for easy and versatile dinner nights!

Classico Organic Roasted Garlic Sauce can be found in your local grocery stores or purchased online at Walmart or Instacart.

 I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

Learning About Plants With The PictureThis app

Thanks to the PictureThis app, I now know what is growing in my backyard! This is apparently Sweet William, an ornamental garden plant that will produce little pink flowers 🌸 I love using this app to learn more about plants!

Click HERE to check out the PictureThis app and start learning about your plants, flowers, weeds, and more! 

Funny {adult} Valentine Gift "I'm Nuts For You" Mug

Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own.

Looking for something hilarious and fun for Valentines Day? 

I LOVE cute and funny coffee cups, so when I saw this mug, it was too funny not to get, and perfect for Valentine's Day! Tell someone "I'm Nuts For You" in a unique way!! Haha 😍 

The mug fills 11oz-it has a smooth glossy tone and the image is printed on the front and back of mug. It is printed in USA, and makes for a fun conversation piece!

Find the I'm Nuts For You mug, as well as many others, available for purchase on Amazon.

 I received product at a discount in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

Relaxation in Small Things

 

I was enjoying a cup of cocoa latte and some cookies and decided to take a photo of the comforting scene I was staring at. Life really is just about a bunch of small things coming together to form one big thing. Make a bunch of small positive moves each day and you will see the happiness grow!

 

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." -Vincent Van Gogh

 

 

Eco-Friendly Forid Biodegradable Trash Bags

Disclaimer: I received the following product(s) in exchange for my review. All opinions my own.

Have you ever thought about what happens to plastic garbage bags in the landfill? 

   We throw our trash in them as normal, but once they arrive to the landfills, the bags themselves can take anywhere from 10 years to 1,000 to decompose!! So why aren't we doing a better job at having bags that will break down and help the world thrive?! It's so much better to use biodegradable bags, as they are much more Eco-friendly, and sustainable. 

   With Forid Biodegradable Trash Bags, we can do just that! Their garbage bags are made with plant starch material that break down by microorganisms within 3 months. This material is based on natural renewable resources that wont cause damage to the environment. When the material is broken down, it releases water and carbon dioxide, completing an organic cycle to feed the Earth. This helps so much on pollution, you can easily compost these bags right in your backyard!   

   Forids Biodegradable Trash Bags are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute. They are odorless, non-toxic, and available in different sizes. As you see in the photo, I am using size 13g in my 6g kitchen trash bin because I prefer them to be a little bigger. The bags have been holding up great, I would prefer them to be white, but it's containing my trash, so I'm not picky ;)

You can find Forid Biodegradable Trash bags available for purchase on Amazon and for a limited time, if you use the code: 15WEP9RF you can get 15% off!!  

I received a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions my own.

Seventh Generation Zero Waste Challenge Win

   I recently took the Seventh Generation Zero Waste Challenge, where me and my family try to be waste free for a week, and share an image of the trash we accumulated during that week. It was actually easier than expected, and a great way to be mindful of what we are using/wasting. I always like finding ways to reuse different items, to get the most life out of them before they go to the waste facilities. Especially finding new uses for jars and crafting with recyclables! Anyway, through doing this and sharing my outcome, I won a whole package filled several Seventh Generation products!! 

 

   A wonderful set of Paper Towels, Laundry Soap, Dish Soap, Toilet Paper, Hand Soap and a refill...All fantastic products that are better on the environment. I am so grateful for receiving this, thank you Seventh Generation, for all you do! We love your products!

   Interested in learning more about Seventh Generation and having your own chance at winning amazing products? Join the Generation Good Community where you can learn more, share your opinions, review products, and have a chance to win!

Fun Eating With The ALITA Unicorn Double Taco Holder

Adorable food holders are one of the things that make my heart smile 😄

   This Unicorn Double Taco Holder is such a cute idea to hold tacos in. It can also be used to hold other snacks or meal items in: cookies, cut sandwiches, vegetable sticks, ect. It could possibly even hold your cell phone! The unicorn is easy to assemble and will bring so much fun to the table! It is BPA Free and made of non-toxic, 100% food safe materials. It is said to be dishwasher safe, however I would recommend handwashing to keep it looking great and to prevent water buildup in the cracks. I really love the quality, as it's made heavy duty and won't tip over. It's such a cute product and is perfect for all those unicorn loving people!!

You can find the Alita Unicorn Double Taco Holder available for purchase on Amazon for a great price!

 I received the above product at a discount, and am not required to post a review.

Plateshoppe Tableware Giveaway - Winner Chosen!

   Awhile back I had the chance to review some amazing dishes from plateshoppe.com all designs made by the artist Gail Sarasohn.

    Gail Sarasohn began her career in fashion, which took a turn into designing her own plates, platters, and mugs. You can see her many patterns and designs, inspired by some of her favorite things: flowers and traveling the world. 

   I love her collection of Byzantine and Stripe dishes. The colors are vibrant and full of character. Add in a couple of fun coffee mugs, and you can have the perfect morning brunch! 

Check out the Fashion Lady Set below. Gorgeous right?!

   And the Garden Collection paired with mini pumpkins, makes an amazing Fall theme!

    There are so many decor ideas and themes you can bring to your table. I would love to know which collections you like best! 

   Visit plateshoppe.com to check out all the fun patterns. 
Leave me a comment below sharing which set you like best!

   Today, you have the chance to win your choice of plateshoppe tableware. Enter through the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 This sponsored post and giveaway is made possible by plateshoppe.com - All opinions my own