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Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
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With the holiday season in full swing and the New Year sneaking up on us, literally as we speak, I am sure many of you will be road tripping in the next few days! This year with the arrival of baby bird, we are staying home for the holidays, but when we do travel it tends to be by car. As a gal who comes from a long line of car travelers, I consider myself quite good at the activity, but everything can get a bit tricky when traveling with a 4 year old, even for the most seasoned of road trip gurus. 

As I have mentioned a million times already, I am sincerely behind on everything these days, so when KIA asked me to write an article on road trips I jumped at the chance! You see in true procrastinating fashion I have been sitting on the details of a little adventure we took a couple of months ago, and this is the perfect excuse to rewind the clock a bit and share all the lovely deets with you guys! 

The month before the bird was due to arrive, we took our last family vacation, our last hurrah so to speak, as a little group of 3. It was quick and spur of the moment, but incredibly memorable and such a fabulous little getaway.

Bring on the gushy mom junk and the one million pictures of our little vacay you say? No problem!

We were travling in fairly tight quarters since I needed to bring the stroller (for me more than for the boy) and the sun was in Blakey's eyes the ENTIRE time, but it was nothing a little silky blanket over the head couldn't solve. The iPad was our hero this trip since the boy is now old enough to work the contraption on his own, and we had it loaded with plenty of read along books and preschool games... and of course a few zombie games too (the boy is obsessed...I have no idea where he gets it from)! We arrived late afternoon and had time to have a late lunch and enjoy the view from our hotel room before the boy and I enjoyed an evening to ourselves with room service (love room service). You see the hubs had a business dinner that evening since we were here, after all, to tag along on a business trip, and tag along we sure did! 

We hit the beach and for the very first time I got to watch while the hubs chased the boy all by himself! It's usually a joint effort, but I was busy... you know hanging with the bird and enjoying this rather large view of him as the baby bump!

There was sand, castles, and a celebratory dance to commemorate the multi-castle event!

There may or may not have been vast amounts of ice cream consumed.... I will never tell! But there were definitely gorgeous walks along the marina and a fabulous very lengthy dinner at the most amazing Persian Restaurant. I can still imagine the food even now, it was that good! Plus, there won't be another lengthy, multi course dinner for this little family for another couple of years if the kids are in tow! This was definitely special...

After sand, surf, and turf it was time to hit the road, but not before we hit up the local theme park! This trip we decided to make a half day of it, on the way home. That would let us drive home with a tired boy who might even consider sleeping since it would be relatively dark as we drove along! 

There were dolphins, and whales, and face painting... oh my! 

And then we drove home to this gorgeous sight - a tired superhero and a gorgeous sunset! I can tell you the trip would have been a lot more comfy in a bigger car like the gorgeous specimen below, but hey, close proximity makes us closer right? or at least makes us cranky... either way! A big thank you to KIA for sponsoring this post and giving me a chance to gush about my kids... #kiaholiday

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Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Kia Motors

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
Project Image

Rustic Thankful Trees were a big craft hit this Fall season, and I for one love the idea... but alas, we live in a relatively newly developed suburban area surrounded by moo cows. That means there aren't any fabulous cut or fallen branches to be had...unless of course you want to behead your lovely backyard specimens (not likely). 

When I found the perfect solution and a most fabulous bit of inspiration at The Home Depot, I pretty much did a little happy dance... There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to create something, that you simply can't find the ingredients for. 

So for those of you who are in the same boat I am, or just want to take things up a notch and move your rustic trees to the next level... I give you my LED Rustic Holiday Tree, perfect for thankful thoughts, holiday wishes, and just general all around wondrousness (ya pretty sure that's a word, innit?).

Before I dive right in to how I made this beauty, I would like to share a bit about The Home Depot Fall Style Guide, since I'm an official member of their blogger network, and this project was brought to you by those kind and fabulously stylish folks.. yahoo

To check out fabulous fall (and now holiday) inspiration and generally amazing room decor ideas, visit the The Home Depot Fall Style Guide

  • The Home Depot Style Guides give you a dose of seasonal inspiration and know-how. Check out the best projects, trends and colors year round.
  • Download the latest Style Guide to enter your best Holiday Décor for the chance to win $1,000 GC to The Home Depot
  • Sarah Fishburne, The Home Depot’s Director of Trend and Design, highlights ways to incorporate seasonal trends into your home in The Home Depot Fall Style Guide.
  • Subscribe to the Style Guide and get updates each time a new edition is released. Plus, you'll get exclusive Home Depot savings, offers, how-to project ideas and much more.
  • Make the fall season your own with The Home Depot Style Guide app. Find the latest home improvement projects, design ideas, décor trends, budget-friendly updates and more. Easily browse, share and shop this magazine so you can start enjoying your space faster.
  • Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas anymore. They’re finding their way from the front door to practically every room of the house. And when you’re creating a wreath to celebrate the season or a special occasion, you’re only limited by your imagination. Find wreath ideas in The Home Depot Fall Style Guideto welcome the harvest season.
  • Create your home’s oasis with the latest trends in kitchen and bathroom décor by using muted, natural hues that sing to warm, cozy spaces, or metal finishes that make your home sparkle. You don’t have to leave summer behind when blending in fall’s best colors.
  • The Home Depot Fall Style Guide shows how optical illusions can make any room seem just the right size while adding a festive touch to your décor inside, and preparing the space outside.

​But first let me share a bit of my project with you before you go skipping away...

...And now back to our previously scheduled programming and a bit about how I made this fab specimen! It was oh so easy!

I began this project with 4 items: an urn, a package of yard decorations, assorted zip ties (see my wreath project for details on those), and a bag of small gravel. I could have used sand as well but I have a sandbox loving monster mash kiddo so that was a no go...can you imagine the mess, eek!  

I mean...do you see this face? It has trouble written all over it. 

I added a bit of gravel to the urn, just enough to give my 'tree' a leg to stand on and allow it to stand up a bit.

To create my 'tree' I simply bundled all three yard picks together in varying heights and zip ties them in 3 spots. Easy peasy...

I separated out the cord that links the picks together from the cord that plugs in and simply wrapped the cord that links around the bundled tree picks to keep things under wrap.

Then I stuck my bundle into the gravel and filled it the rest of the way up, making sure to keep the cord that plugs in, running out the back of the urn.

That's it folks... super easy and extra all quick like... don't you adore a fast craft? I do!

Disclosure Language:

The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me for their Fall Style Guide Blog Network. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
Project Image

I'm super duper excited to share this project with you guys! It's been a while since I have been able to craft and decorate for the holidays, given the recent arrival of baby bird. It feels good to be back I tell you... 

As a network blogger for the Home Depot Fall Style Guide, I was asked to create a wreath, and it just so happens wreaths are to be a long lost love of mine (see here). For this project I had something very particuar in mind... Since we won't be putting up outside lights this year, I though a bit of inside lighting would go along way to bring the holiday spirit to the house of TDC. This project was so easy to complete and brought just the right amount of wintry warmth to my home that I think I need a few more now...

To check out other wreath projects, visit the The Home Depot Fall Style Guide

  • The Home Depot Style Guides give you a dose of seasonal inspiration and know-how. Check out the best projects, trends and colors year round.
  • Sarah Fishburne, The Home Depot’s Director of Trend and Design, highlights ways to incorporate seasonal trends into your home in The Home Depot Fall Style Guide.
  • Subscribe to the Style Guide and get updates each time a new edition is released. Plus, you'll get exclusive Home Depot savings, offers, how-to project ideas and much more.
  • Make the fall season your own with The Home Depot Style Guide app. Find the latest home improvement projects, design ideas, décor trends, budget-friendly updates and more. Easily browse, share and shop this magazine so you can start enjoying your space faster.
  • Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas anymore. They’re finding their way from the front door to practically every room of the house. And when you’re creating a wreath to celebrate the season or a special occasion, you’re only limited by your imagination. Find wreath ideas in The Home Depot Fall Style Guideto welcome the harvest season.
  • Create your home’s oasis with the latest trends in kitchen and bathroom décor by using muted, natural hues that sing to warm, cozy spaces, or metal finishes that make your home sparkle. You don’t have to leave summer behind when blending in fall’s best colors.
  • The Home Depot Fall Style Guide shows how optical illusions can make any room seem just the right size while adding a festive touch to your décor inside, and preparing the space outside.

​But first let me share a bit of mine with you before you go skipping away...

I purchased two packages of lit decorative tree picks (there are 3 to a package) in a style I liked, as you see above, and a package of assorted zip ties in browns and greens. 

All three picks per package are connected with electrical wire so they are really a long string of picks rather than individual picks. To arrange them in a circular shape I wrapped the cord around the stems to 'hide' it a tad and keep it out of the way.

Since I needed to wrap the cord anyhow, I figured I might as well use it to help me secure the picks to eachother slightly so it would be easier to secure them later.

I placed each new pick under the pick before it and lined up the top portion of the stem on the previous pick (where the branches end) with the bottom portion of the stem on the next pick (where the branches start) so you wouldn't have any 'blank' spots.

Then I fluffed the branches to hide my cord and connections.

Once I had all three picks from one package wrapped up together it looked like the top image above. Then I simply needed to add in the three picks from the next package! When I opened the second package I worked in the opposite direction so my cords were near eachother when this project was finished. I began by placing the first pick of the second package on the first pick of the first package and worked in the opposite direction until I was finished wrapping the cord.

Then I used the short zip ties in green to secure my picks all the way around and then I was ready to hang her up and enjoy.

Disclosure:

The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me for their Fall Style Guide Blog Network. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
Project Image

I couldn't be more excited to announce my partnership with The Home Depot as part of The Fall Style Guide Blog Network! As such, I will be sharing some fabulous projects over the next few months and I personally can't wait to get my crafting fix! Hatching this baby bird has been quite the experience but I am eager to get back into one of my favorite pastimes!

This is exciting stuff The Home Depot is branching into and I for one couldn't be more thrilled that several of my favorite things will be merging and finding common ground under this new concept: DIY, Design, Crafting, and Holiday Decor! Can I get a yahoo? It's my dream come true quite frankly! Be sure to check out the special fall related projects and style ideas they have! Oh fabulous fall, there is no better season in my book!

There is even an app for this! I know right? Genius... Some info on that: Make the fall season your own with The Home Depot Style Guide. Find the latest home improvement projects, design ideas, décor trends, budget-friendly updates and more. Easily browse, share and shop this magazine so you can start enjoying your space faster. 

Did you catch that...you can shop the magazine right from your mobile device or computer...LOVE!

For regular updates on current happenings tune into The Home Depot on FB and Twitter! I will be participating in the Fall Style Guide Twitter Q & A on November 15th at 8pm EST using the hashtag #AskTHD! I hope you will join me, it should be a fabulous event and my very first Twitter Party! yahoo...

  • The Home Depot Style Guides give you a dose of seasonal inspiration and know-how. Check out the best projects, trends and colors year round.
  • Sarah Fishburne, The Home Depot’s Director of Trend and Design, highlights ways to incorporate seasonal trends into your home in The Home Depot Fall Style Guide.
  • Subscribe to the Style Guide and get updates each time a new edition is released. Plus, you'll get exclusive Home Depot savings, offers, how-to project ideas and much more.
  • Make the fall season your own with The Home Depot Style Guide app. Find the latest home improvement projects, design ideas, décor trends, budget-friendly updates and more. Easily browse, share and shop this magazine so you can start enjoying your space faster.
  • Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas anymore. They’re finding their way from the front door to practically every room of the house. And when you’re creating a wreath to celebrate the season or a special occasion, you’re only limited by your imagination. Find wreath ideas in The Home Depot Fall Style Guideto welcome the harvest season.
  • Create your home’s oasis with the latest trends in kitchen and bathroom décor by using muted, natural hues that sing to warm, cozy spaces, or metal finishes that make your home sparkle. You don’t have to leave summer behind when blending in fall’s best colors.
  • The Home Depot Fall Style Guide shows how optical illusions can make any room seem just the right size while adding a festive touch to your décor inside, and preparing the space outside.

Disclosure:

The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me for their Fall Style Guide Blog Network. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
 

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