White elephant gifts are a great way to celebrate the holidays with friends, family , or coworkers. It takes the pressure off of having to find the perfect gift, because the expectation is that the gift is meant to be lighthearted and fun. Whether you like to go the gag gift route or you enjoy gifting something a bit more practical, these white elephant gift ideas from Amazon will do the trick! See our roundup below.

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1. Add a little dark humor to your every day with this daily calendar!

2. And watch your last nerve go up in flames with this funny candle.

3. Who doesn’t love a good dad joke?! Keep ’em coming with this Dad Joke 3000.

4. Want to know what the future holds? Consult Mr. Predicto for a glimpse of what’s coming.

5. Spread the positivity with this adorable positive duck!

6. The tool that does it al! This multitool is great for anyone to keep handy.

7. Take your drinking games to the next level with shot roulette!

8. Scritch-scratch! Get those hard-to-reach spots with this telescopic back scratcher.

9. Snuggle up like a little burrito with this burrito blanket!

10. Fling those frickin’ chickens! The fun never stops with this silly game.

11. When you just can’t take it anymore, this screaming goat will be there for you with a sympathetic scream.

12. Time doesn’t exist on the toilet . . . until now. Gift this toilet timer to the person who spends way too much time on the john.

13. What makes a better white elephant gift than a pair of comfy cozy elephant slippers??

Why do we love Decocrated? This home decor subscription box delivers tasteful, timeless decor right to your door four times a year (plus the option for holiday add-on boxes throughout the year) and takes all of the hard work out of revamping your home every season. We’re giving you a peek at some of our favorite items from this year’s winter box AND special add-on Christmas box – plus we’ve got an exclusive code for you! Use code: FRUGALLYTHRIVING15 to get 15% off your subscription and don’t miss this chance to save on one of our favorite subscription boxes! See our holiday decor from Decocrated below.

Welcome everyone into your home with this beautiful modern snowflake door wreath! The wooden center surrounded by faux greenery makes for an eye-catching piece that helps to bring nature indoors.

Keep the nature vibes going with a woven wood basket filled with pinecones and evergreen branches! A plaid throw blanket in soft neutrals is the perfect finishing touch.

Or use that blanket to bring some dimension to your seating area and accent with a warm cream throw pillow. You’re going to want to get comfy with these and relax on a cold winter’s night.

A carefully curated tabletop can add instant style and personality to your dining area. A simple runner complemented with candles and greenery makes a gorgeous focal point and woven placemats help balance the table out.

When you’re ready to go full-on Christmas, deck the halls with all things red, white, and green! This red pom-pom throw pillow and cozy white knit blanket will be perfect to snuggle up with while you sip hot cocoa and watch holiday movies.

Who doesn’t love a good old fashioned sleigh ride through the pine trees and snow?! Grab your quarters and head right this way down Santa Claus Lane.

You’re going to need some stamps to mail off your letters to Santa! These adorable Christmas-themed wooden stamps can be used as tree ornaments or table accents.

Once your house is decorated and you’ve got your stamps handy, write out your letters to Santa and place them in the North Pole Express Mail mailbox! Let the countdown to Christmas begin!

**Remember: use our exclusive code FRUGALLYTHRIVING15 to get 15% off your subscription (quarterly or annually)!! And see our roundup of past Decocrated boxes here!

Why do we love Decocrated? This home decor subscription box delivers tasteful, timeless decor right to your door four times a year (plus the option for holiday add-on boxes throughout the year) and takes all of the hard work out of revamping your home every season. We’re giving you a peek at some of our favorite items from this year’s winter box AND special add-on Christmas box – plus we’ve got an exclusive code for you! Use code: FRUGALLYTHRIVING15 to get 15% off your subscription and don’t miss this chance to save on one of our favorite subscription boxes! See our holiday decor from Decocrated below.

Welcome everyone into your home with this beautiful modern snowflake door wreath! The wooden center surrounded by faux greenery makes for an eye-catching piece that helps to bring nature indoors.

Keep the nature vibes going with a woven wood basket filled with pinecones and evergreen branches! A plaid throw blanket in soft neutrals is the perfect finishing touch.

Or use that blanket to bring some dimension to your seating area and accent with a warm cream throw pillow. You’re going to want to get comfy with these and relax on a cold winter’s night.

A carefully curated tabletop can add instant style and personality to your dining area. A simple runner complemented with candles and greenery makes a gorgeous focal point and woven placemats help balance the table out.

When you’re ready to go full-on Christmas, deck the halls with all things red, white, and green! This red pom-pom throw pillow and cozy white knit blanket will be perfect to snuggle up with while you sip hot cocoa and watch holiday movies.

Who doesn’t love a good old fashioned sleigh ride through the pine trees and snow?! Grab your quarters and head right this way down Santa Claus Lane.

You’re going to need some stamps to mail off your letters to Santa! These adorable Christmas-themed wooden stamps can be used as tree ornaments or table accents.

Once your house is decorated and you’ve got your stamps handy, write out your letters to Santa and place them in the North Pole Express Mail mailbox! Let the countdown to Christmas begin!

**Remember: use our exclusive code FRUGALLYTHRIVING15 to get 15% off your subscription (quarterly or annually)!! And see our roundup of past Decocrated boxes here!

Why do we love Decocrated? This home decor subscription box delivers tasteful, timeless decor right to your door four times a year (plus the option for holiday add-on boxes throughout the year) and takes all of the hard work out of revamping your home every season. We’re giving you a peek at some of our favorite items from this year’s winter box AND special add-on Christmas box – plus we’ve got an exclusive code for you! Use code: FRUGALLYTHRIVING15 to get 15% off your subscription and don’t miss this chance to save on one of our favorite subscription boxes! See our holiday decor from Decocrated below.

Welcome everyone into your home with this beautiful modern snowflake door wreath! The wooden center surrounded by faux greenery makes for an eye-catching piece that helps to bring nature indoors.

Keep the nature vibes going with a woven wood basket filled with pinecones and evergreen branches! A plaid throw blanket in soft neutrals is the perfect finishing touch.

Or use that blanket to bring some dimension to your seating area and accent with a warm cream throw pillow. You’re going to want to get comfy with these and relax on a cold winter’s night.

A carefully curated tabletop can add instant style and personality to your dining area. A simple runner complemented with candles and greenery makes a gorgeous focal point and woven placemats help balance the table out.

When you’re ready to go full-on Christmas, deck the halls with all things red, white, and green! This red pom-pom throw pillow and cozy white knit blanket will be perfect to snuggle up with while you sip hot cocoa and watch holiday movies.

Who doesn’t love a good old fashioned sleigh ride through the pine trees and snow?! Grab your quarters and head right this way down Santa Claus Lane.

You’re going to need some stamps to mail off your letters to Santa! These adorable Christmas-themed wooden stamps can be used as tree ornaments or table accents.

Once your house is decorated and you’ve got your stamps handy, write out your letters to Santa and place them in the North Pole Express Mail mailbox! Let the countdown to Christmas begin!

**Remember: use our exclusive code FRUGALLYTHRIVING15 to get 15% off your subscription (quarterly or annually)!! And see our roundup of past Decocrated boxes here!

It’s that time of year to make sure your throw blanket collection is perfectly curated so you’re prepared to snuggle up on chilly nights or lazy football Sundays. Finding high-quality, soft, snuggly throw blankets sounds easier than it is, though! We’ve rounded up a list of nine beautiful throw blankets from Amazon that have at least a 4-star rating with at least 1000 ratings accumulated, so you know these choices are top notch! See them all below.

This knit tassel throw blanket has a 4.5-star rating with over 1.4k ratings. It’s just under $16 and comes in 7 different color options!

This flannel pom pom throw blanket has a 4.7-star rating with over 16.5k ratings. It’s only $23.99 and comes in 21 different color options!

This muslin throw blanket has a 4.6-star rating with over 4.8k ratings. It’s just over $23 and comes in 10 different color options!

This shag fur throw blanket has a 4.6-star rating with almost 29k ratings. It’s only $19.99 and comes in 11 different color options!

This cable knit throw blanket has a 4.7-star rating with over 1.3k ratings. It’s only $32.99 and comes in 13 different color options!

This chenille knit throw blanket has a 4.4-star rating with over 2.3k ratings. It’s only $31.99 and comes in 6 different color options!

This chunky knit throw blanket has a 4.3-star rating with over 2.3k ratings. It’s less than $22 and comes in 6 different color options!

This faux fur throw blanket has a 4.7-star rating with nearly 10k ratings. It’s only $39.99 and comes in 8 different color options!

This plush throw blanket has a 4.6-star rating with over 11k ratings. It’s only $12.99 and comes in 12 different color options!

Thanks for reading! Which of these luxurious throw blankets will you be adding to your collection??

It’s that time of year to make sure your throw blanket collection is perfectly curated so you’re prepared to snuggle up on chilly nights or lazy football Sundays. Finding high-quality, soft, snuggly throw blankets sounds easier than it is, though! We’ve rounded up a list of nine beautiful throw blankets from Amazon that have at least a 4-star rating with at least 1000 ratings accumulated, so you know these choices are top notch! See them all below.

This knit tassel throw blanket has a 4.5-star rating with over 1.4k ratings. It’s just under $16 and comes in 7 different color options!

This flannel pom pom throw blanket has a 4.7-star rating with over 16.5k ratings. It’s only $23.99 and comes in 21 different color options!

This muslin throw blanket has a 4.6-star rating with over 4.8k ratings. It’s just over $23 and comes in 10 different color options!

This shag fur throw blanket has a 4.6-star rating with almost 29k ratings. It’s only $19.99 and comes in 11 different color options!

This cable knit throw blanket has a 4.7-star rating with over 1.3k ratings. It’s only $32.99 and comes in 13 different color options!

This chenille knit throw blanket has a 4.4-star rating with over 2.3k ratings. It’s only $31.99 and comes in 6 different color options!

This chunky knit throw blanket has a 4.3-star rating with over 2.3k ratings. It’s less than $22 and comes in 6 different color options!

This faux fur throw blanket has a 4.7-star rating with nearly 10k ratings. It’s only $39.99 and comes in 8 different color options!

This plush throw blanket has a 4.6-star rating with over 11k ratings. It’s only $12.99 and comes in 12 different color options!

Thanks for reading! Which of these luxurious throw blankets will you be adding to your collection??

Who doesn’t love some really fancy, super classy home decor? Sometimes one exquisite piece can change the whole vibe of a room. Revamping your home decor doesn’t have to be expensive though. We love these decor and furniture pieces from Anthropologie but don’t love the idea of spending all our money on them, so we found these dupes from Amazon – no one will know the difference except your bank account. See our Amazon vs Anthropologie home decor dupes below!

Add a pop of color to any room with this green and gold velvet chair. This Anthropologie version is $398 for one chair and the Amazon version is $280 for a set of two.

Bring a little elegance to your home with this marble-topped coffee table. This Anthropologie version is $698 and the Amazon version is $122.

Class up your kitchen with these hammered copper nesting bowls. The Anthropologie set is $88 and the Amazon set is $68.

Get snuggly under this luxurious faux fur throw blanket. This Anthropologie version is $138 and the Amazon version is $46.

Mirror, mirror on the wall…this gorgeous mirror will show off your gorgeous reflection every day. The Anthropologie version is $548 and the Amazon version is $219.

A pop-pom pillow is a fun accent piece for your couch. The Anthropologie version is $68 and the Amazon version is $16 for a set of two pillow covers – inserts ($19) not included.

This cowhide rug is perfect for a rustic look. This Anthropologie version is $198 and the Amazon version is $22.

Who doesn’t love some really fancy, super classy home decor? Sometimes one exquisite piece can change the whole vibe of a room. Revamping your home decor doesn’t have to be expensive though. We love these decor and furniture pieces from Anthropologie but don’t love the idea of spending all our money on them, so we found these dupes from Amazon – no one will know the difference except your bank account. See our Amazon vs Anthropologie home decor dupes below!

Add a pop of color to any room with this green and gold velvet chair. This Anthropologie version is $398 for one chair and the Amazon version is $280 for a set of two.

Bring a little elegance to your home with this marble-topped coffee table. This Anthropologie version is $698 and the Amazon version is $122.

Class up your kitchen with these hammered copper nesting bowls. The Anthropologie set is $88 and the Amazon set is $68.

Get snuggly under this luxurious faux fur throw blanket. This Anthropologie version is $138 and the Amazon version is $46.

Mirror, mirror on the wall…this gorgeous mirror will show off your gorgeous reflection every day. The Anthropologie version is $548 and the Amazon version is $219.

A pop-pom pillow is a fun accent piece for your couch. The Anthropologie version is $68 and the Amazon version is $16 for a set of two pillow covers – inserts ($19) not included.

This cowhide rug is perfect for a rustic look. This Anthropologie version is $198 and the Amazon version is $22.

Dilemma: you love Halloween and all things spooky and scary, but cheesy Halloween decor really makes your skin crawl. Solution: classy, classic Halloween decorations in neutral colors (goodbye bright orange and vibrant purple) that will make your home look like the glamourous ghostly manor that it is. Amazon has a great selection of modern, simple Halloween decor in black and white that will make your haunted heart happy. See some of our favorite pieces below.

For table centerpieces, fill these sleek black wine bottles with pampas grass, or these simple ceramic vases with black roses. These candlesticks are perfect for a dining table…just add tapered candles!

For your shelves, these darling owls (in black and white) or these white pumpkins add a touch of Halloween without overwhelming the senses. Pop some pillar candles into these candle holders for a “bare-branched tree, middle of the creepy woods” vibe.

Toss these witchy throw pillow covers onto your couch for a spooky seating arrangement that’s simple and understated.

Welcome your guests to your hauntingly haute home with this gorgeous black feather wreath and prepare to amaze all who enter.

Shop Neutral Halloween Decor

Dilemma: you love Halloween and all things spooky and scary, but cheesy Halloween decor really makes your skin crawl. Solution: classy, classic Halloween decorations in neutral colors (goodbye bright orange and vibrant purple) that will make your home look like the glamourous ghostly manor that it is. Amazon has a great selection of modern, simple Halloween decor in black and white that will make your haunted heart happy. See some of our favorite pieces below.

For table centerpieces, fill these sleek black wine bottles with pampas grass, or these simple ceramic vases with black roses. These candlesticks are perfect for a dining table…just add tapered candles!

For your shelves, these darling owls (in black and white) or these white pumpkins add a touch of Halloween without overwhelming the senses. Pop some pillar candles into these candle holders for a “bare-branched tree, middle of the creepy woods” vibe.

Toss these witchy throw pillow covers onto your couch for a spooky seating arrangement that’s simple and understated.

Welcome your guests to your hauntingly haute home with this gorgeous black feather wreath and prepare to amaze all who enter.

Shop Neutral Halloween Decor

(Cinnamon) sugar, (pumpkin) spice, and everything nice!! Autumn means delicious and comforting recipes featuring our favorite fall ingredients like pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or a sweet snack, we’ve got a fall recipe to fill your belly and warm your heart. See our fall recipes below!

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Hearty, healthy, and unbelievably flavorful, this pumpkin oatmeal with protein will have you feeling fueled up and ready to take on your day!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 mashed banana
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• Dash of cinnamon and pumpkin spice
• 1 TBS vanilla protein
• 2 egg whites
• Toppings: melted almond butter, pecans, banana slices

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients except egg whites and protein in a small pot
• Stir on medium heat until thickened and then simmer until desired thickness
• Remove from heat and whisk/stir in egg whites until mixed in well
• Stir in your protein and finish off with your favorite toppings
• Enjoy!

Harvest Salad

This mouthwatering harvest salad can be enjoyed on its own or served as a side to the main course!

Ingredients:

FOR THE SALAD

• 1 bag of spinach
• Cranberries
• Low fat feta cheese
• Pecans
• 1 Granny Smith apple
• 3 pieces of turkey bacon (can omit this to make it vegetarian)

FOR THE DRESSING

• 4 TBS extra virgin olive oil
• 2 TBS apple cider vinegar
• 2 TBS sugar free maple syrup
• 3 TSP Dijon mustard

Directions:

• Combine all salad ingredients in a large salad bowl
• Add dressing ingredients to shaker bottle. Shake & pour over salad
• Enjoy!

Pumpkin Truffles

If you live with any sweet-toothed family members, you’re going to want to hide a few of these pumpkin truffles for yourself. Or maybe all of them…

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 packets of stevia (we recommend Sweet Leaf)
• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks (we like Enjoy Life)

Directions:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and stevia until well combined
• Add in the oat flour
• Roll into 1” round balls and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet
• Melt chocolate (add 1/2 tsp coconut oil to help the chocolate not burn)
• Roll pumpkin truffles in the melted chocolate and place back on the cookie sheet
• Let sit in fridge until chocolate hardens and enjoy!

Pumpkin Donut Holes

These delicious donuts are a healthier, guilt-free version of the doughy dessert. Enjoy with a cup of coffee for a quick morning snack or after dinner for a little sweet treat to end the evening.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 2 TBS coconut flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 egg
• 2 tbs pumpkin purée

FOR COATING

• 3 tsp coconut sugar
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°
• Mix all dry ingredients in a small bowl
• Add pumpkin purée and egg to the dry mixture
• Make 1” balls and roll in coating mixture
• Place on parchment-lined cookie sheet
• Bake for 12-14 minutes
• Remove from oven, let cool, and enjoy!!

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

If a cookie contains fruit, you can eat as many as you want, right?! These apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies are soft, sweet, and seriously difficult to have just one.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt
• 2 TBS melted coconut oil
• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 green apple – diced into small cubes

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325° and line baking sheet with parchment paper
• Mix together the oats, flour, baking powder, salt & cinnamon in a medium bowl
• In a separate bowl, mix together the melted coconut oil, vanilla extract and egg – stir in the honey
• Combine wet and dry ingredients – fold in the apple and chill dough mixture for 30 minutes
• Drop cookie dough into small balls and flatten a bit
• Cook for 13-15 minutes
• Remove from oven, let cool, and enjoy!

Spiced Apple Cider

This spiced cider is great for a Sunday brunch treat, and it also makes the perfect party beverage! Spike it to make your cider extra special (for adults only, please!).

Ingredients:

• 12 cups of apple cider (or apple juice) 
• 2 TBS of Torani Salted Caramel Syrup
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract 
• 1 navel orange 
• 3 cinnamon Sticks 
• 2 whole Nutmegs 
• A few whole cloves 
• Whipped cream (optional) 
• Caramel sauce (optional)

Directions:

• In a slow cooker, mix together the cider, syrup, and vanilla
• Squeeze the juice from the orange and add it to the mixture
• Take a cheesecloth (sterile gauze can be used as a substitute!!) and put the rind from the orange, the cinnamon sticks, nutmegs, and cloves and tie it tightly with twine. Add your cloth to the slow cooker and let it warm up on low
• Let cook for three hours
• Serve with whipped cream and caramel sauce and enjoy!! *add alcohol to make an adult-friendly version

(Cinnamon) sugar, (pumpkin) spice, and everything nice!! Autumn means delicious and comforting recipes featuring our favorite fall ingredients like pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or a sweet snack, we’ve got a fall recipe to fill your belly and warm your heart. See our fall recipes below!

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Hearty, healthy, and unbelievably flavorful, this pumpkin oatmeal with protein will have you feeling fueled up and ready to take on your day!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 mashed banana
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• Dash of cinnamon and pumpkin spice
• 1 TBS vanilla protein
• 2 egg whites
• Toppings: melted almond butter, pecans, banana slices

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients except egg whites and protein in a small pot
• Stir on medium heat until thickened and then simmer until desired thickness
• Remove from heat and whisk/stir in egg whites until mixed in well
• Stir in your protein and finish off with your favorite toppings
• Enjoy!

Harvest Salad

This mouthwatering harvest salad can be enjoyed on its own or served as a side to the main course!

Ingredients:

FOR THE SALAD

• 1 bag of spinach
• Cranberries
• Low fat feta cheese
• Pecans
• 1 Granny Smith apple
• 3 pieces of turkey bacon (can omit this to make it vegetarian)

FOR THE DRESSING

• 4 TBS extra virgin olive oil
• 2 TBS apple cider vinegar
• 2 TBS sugar free maple syrup
• 3 TSP Dijon mustard

Directions:

• Combine all salad ingredients in a large salad bowl
• Add dressing ingredients to shaker bottle. Shake & pour over salad
• Enjoy!

Pumpkin Truffles

If you live with any sweet-toothed family members, you’re going to want to hide a few of these pumpkin truffles for yourself. Or maybe all of them…

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 packets of stevia (we recommend Sweet Leaf)
• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks (we like Enjoy Life)

Directions:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and stevia until well combined
• Add in the oat flour
• Roll into 1” round balls and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet
• Melt chocolate (add 1/2 tsp coconut oil to help the chocolate not burn)
• Roll pumpkin truffles in the melted chocolate and place back on the cookie sheet
• Let sit in fridge until chocolate hardens and enjoy!

Pumpkin Donut Holes

These delicious donuts are a healthier, guilt-free version of the doughy dessert. Enjoy with a cup of coffee for a quick morning snack or after dinner for a little sweet treat to end the evening.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 2 TBS coconut flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 egg
• 2 tbs pumpkin purée

FOR COATING

• 3 tsp coconut sugar
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°
• Mix all dry ingredients in a small bowl
• Add pumpkin purée and egg to the dry mixture
• Make 1” balls and roll in coating mixture
• Place on parchment-lined cookie sheet
• Bake for 12-14 minutes
• Remove from oven, let cool, and enjoy!!

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

If a cookie contains fruit, you can eat as many as you want, right?! These apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies are soft, sweet, and seriously difficult to have just one.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt
• 2 TBS melted coconut oil
• 1 egg (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 green apple – diced into small cubes

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325° and line baking sheet with parchment paper
• Mix together the oats, flour, baking powder, salt & cinnamon in a medium bowl
• In a separate bowl, mix together the melted coconut oil, vanilla extract and egg – stir in the honey
• Combine wet and dry ingredients – fold in the apple and chill dough mixture for 30 minutes
• Drop cookie dough into small balls and flatten a bit
• Cook for 13-15 minutes
• Remove from oven, let cool, and enjoy!

Spiced Apple Cider

This spiced cider is great for a Sunday brunch treat, and it also makes the perfect party beverage! Spike it to make your cider extra special (for adults only, please!).

Ingredients:

• 12 cups of apple cider (or apple juice) 
• 2 TBS of Torani Salted Caramel Syrup
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract 
• 1 navel orange 
• 3 cinnamon Sticks 
• 2 whole Nutmegs 
• A few whole cloves 
• Whipped cream (optional) 
• Caramel sauce (optional)

Directions:

• In a slow cooker, mix together the cider, syrup, and vanilla
• Squeeze the juice from the orange and add it to the mixture
• Take a cheesecloth (sterile gauze can be used as a substitute!!) and put the rind from the orange, the cinnamon sticks, nutmegs, and cloves and tie it tightly with twine. Add your cloth to the slow cooker and let it warm up on low
• Let cook for three hours
• Serve with whipped cream and caramel sauce and enjoy!! *add alcohol to make an adult-friendly version

Fall is our favorite season for many reasons, but the cozy home decor is one of the main ones! Putting away the bright, airy summer decor and replacing it with warm, comforting autumn decor is the signal that the cool weather is right around the corner, and we are ready for it! Kristy recently redecorated her home for fall…see some of our favorite pieces below.

The fireplace exudes warmth and comfort, and this cozy fall decor that adorns the mantle is the perfect addition. The majority of this decor is from Decocrated, our favorite seasonal home decor subscription box! The pumpkin, wooden lantern, wooden sign, and the eucalyptus garland are all from Decorated. The gorgeous farmhouse clock makes for a lovely year-round focal point, and this refreshing willow candle looks as good as it smells!

Yellows and oranges are completed with bright whites on the living room shelves.

These handmade white chenille pumpkins are an adorable rustic way to bring autumn into your home.
They look clean and classy while still feeling like fall.

The year-round tree is officially decorated for fall! Decked out with faux fall leaves, wooden beaded garland, and sparkling orange ornaments, the look is completed with a beautiful burlap bow.

We love this mini pumpkin spice set a latte!! Pumpkin spice is the epitome of fall, so of course it deserves its own place on the shelves.

A-tisket, a-tasket, a brown and orange basket (or bowl, in this case)! These mini pumpkin bowl fillers add a dash of autumn to this carved wooden bowl. Get the whole look here.

Dress up an entryway table with autumn signs, a sophisticated desk calendar, and a harvest-inspired table arrangement with color-coordinated wooden beads and a candle all nestled inside a rustic wooden tray.

Is there any sweeter scent than the smell of pumpkin spice?? We think not. This festive candle will have your home feeling like fall in no time. Let it lounge in this metal and wood tray and fill it with lots of other fall decorations.

And if you’re looking to give your outdoor space an autumn-inspired upgrade too, check out this fall front porch makeover!!

Fall is our favorite season for many reasons, but the cozy home decor is one of the main ones! Putting away the bright, airy summer decor and replacing it with warm, comforting autumn decor is the signal that the cool weather is right around the corner, and we are ready for it! Kristy recently redecorated her home for fall…see some of our favorite pieces below.

The fireplace exudes warmth and comfort, and this cozy fall decor that adorns the mantle is the perfect addition. The majority of this decor is from Decocrated, our favorite seasonal home decor subscription box! The pumpkin, wooden lantern, wooden sign, and the eucalyptus garland are all from Decorated. The gorgeous farmhouse clock makes for a lovely year-round focal point, and this refreshing willow candle looks as good as it smells!

Yellows and oranges are completed with bright whites on the living room shelves.

These handmade white chenille pumpkins are an adorable rustic way to bring autumn into your home.
They look clean and classy while still feeling like fall.

The year-round tree is officially decorated for fall! Decked out with faux fall leaves, wooden beaded garland, and sparkling orange ornaments, the look is completed with a beautiful burlap bow.

We love this mini pumpkin spice set a latte!! Pumpkin spice is the epitome of fall, so of course it deserves its own place on the shelves.

A-tisket, a-tasket, a brown and orange basket (or bowl, in this case)! These mini pumpkin bowl fillers add a dash of autumn to this carved wooden bowl. Get the whole look here.

Dress up an entryway table with autumn signs, a sophisticated desk calendar, and a harvest-inspired table arrangement with color-coordinated wooden beads and a candle all nestled inside a rustic wooden tray.

Is there any sweeter scent than the smell of pumpkin spice?? We think not. This festive candle will have your home feeling like fall in no time. Let it lounge in this metal and wood tray and fill it with lots of other fall decorations.

And if you’re looking to give your outdoor space an autumn-inspired upgrade too, check out this fall front porch makeover!!

It’s the last day of August and it’s seriously starting to feel like fall here! With school starting up again and the straggling summer days getting shorter and the nights getting cooler, we are craving all things fall: snuggly sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and of course, cozy home decor! Revamping your home for the autumn is easy with these fall-friendly decor pieces from Amazon. See our roundup below.

Switch out your summer throw pillows for these pretty fall ones. These velvet pillow covers come in gorgeous earthy tones and add a pop of color when paired with these neutral rustic-style covers.

Decorate your shelves with a farmhouse-style tiered tray (it comes with the beads, too!) adorned with these adorable assorted faux pumpkins and complete the look with these wooden “FALL” tiles.

These ceramic vases filled with pampas grass make a perfect table centerpiece, and this “hello fall” sign looks great propped up on an entryway table or hung on the wall.

Add cozy finishing touches like a pumpkin-colored plaid blanket and a pumpkin chai-scented candle and you’ll be ready to cuddle up and relax on chilly fall evenings.

Shop Fall Decor

It’s the last day of August and it’s seriously starting to feel like fall here! With school starting up again and the straggling summer days getting shorter and the nights getting cooler, we are craving all things fall: snuggly sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and of course, cozy home decor! Revamping your home for the autumn is easy with these fall-friendly decor pieces from Amazon. See our roundup below.

Switch out your summer throw pillows for these pretty fall ones. These velvet pillow covers come in gorgeous earthy tones and add a pop of color when paired with these neutral rustic-style covers.

Decorate your shelves with a farmhouse-style tiered tray (it comes with the beads, too!) adorned with these adorable assorted faux pumpkins and complete the look with these wooden “FALL” tiles.

These ceramic vases filled with pampas grass make a perfect table centerpiece, and this “hello fall” sign looks great propped up on an entryway table or hung on the wall.

Add cozy finishing touches like a pumpkin-colored plaid blanket and a pumpkin chai-scented candle and you’ll be ready to cuddle up and relax on chilly fall evenings.

Shop Fall Decor

Now that we’re almost a week into June and just a couple weeks away from the first day of summer, it’s time to put away those pretty pastel home decor pieces you had for spring and bring out the bright yellows and bold greens to bring a little summertime sunshine into your home. Kristy recently redecorated her living room, and this bright, buzzy home decor is bee-utiful! See the style pieces below.

This fireplace mantle is a fresh focal point adorned with a faux lemon tree, a larger-than-life wooden bee, a wooden lantern with pillar candle, and this cute little “bee happy” sign! The farmhouse clock ties all the decor together and serves as a stunning statement piece all year long.

Bring summer to your shelves by decorating them with black and yellow gnomes, a woven beehive, a wooden stand topped with an artificial potted plant, and a chic glass bowl filled with citrus-inspired potpourri.

If you’ve been with us for a while, then you know Kristy put this tree up at Christmastime last year and decided to keep it up year-round to decorate for all of the seasons and holidays! This “summer tree” is filled with black and gold ball ornaments, buzzing little bees, and bee-hatted gnomes. Topped with a burlap and bright yellow bow, this tree evokes all things sunshine and summer.

A lot of these gorgeous pieces come from Decocrated, the home decor subscription box that we are obsessed with. Get a quarterly seasonal decor box (plus fun holiday add-on boxes are available) delivered right to your door and make updating your home elegant and effortless! Right now, you can use code FRUGALLYTHRIVING15 to get 15% off!!

Don’t worry, “bee happy!!” This hexagonal honeycomb is sure to put a smile on your face with its bright yellow color and buzzing little bees.

And most importantly, remember to “bee kind.” A little kindness can go a very long way, and this sweet sign will be a daily reminder to spread love and joy wherever you go!!

Thanks for reading! How do you like to update your home for summer? Let us know in the comments xo.

Now that we’re almost a week into June and just a couple weeks away from the first day of summer, it’s time to put away those pretty pastel home decor pieces you had for spring and bring out the bright yellows and bold greens to bring a little summertime sunshine into your home. Kristy recently redecorated her living room, and this bright, buzzy home decor is bee-utiful! See the style pieces below.

This fireplace mantle is a fresh focal point adorned with a faux lemon tree, a larger-than-life wooden bee, a wooden lantern with pillar candle, and this cute little “bee happy” sign! The farmhouse clock ties all the decor together and serves as a stunning statement piece all year long.

Bring summer to your shelves by decorating them with black and yellow gnomes, a woven beehive, a wooden stand topped with an artificial potted plant, and a chic glass bowl filled with citrus-inspired potpourri.

If you’ve been with us for a while, then you know Kristy put this tree up at Christmastime last year and decided to keep it up year-round to decorate for all of the seasons and holidays! This “summer tree” is filled with black and gold ball ornaments, buzzing little bees, and bee-hatted gnomes. Topped with a burlap and bright yellow bow, this tree evokes all things sunshine and summer.

A lot of these gorgeous pieces come from Decocrated, the home decor subscription box that we are obsessed with. Get a quarterly seasonal decor box (plus fun holiday add-on boxes are available) delivered right to your door and make updating your home elegant and effortless! Right now, you can use code FRUGALLYTHRIVING15 to get 15% off!!

Don’t worry, “bee happy!!” This hexagonal honeycomb is sure to put a smile on your face with its bright yellow color and buzzing little bees.

And most importantly, remember to “bee kind.” A little kindness can go a very long way, and this sweet sign will be a daily reminder to spread love and joy wherever you go!!

Thanks for reading! How do you like to update your home for summer? Let us know in the comments xo.

It’s time to say goodbye to hearty soups and heavy comfort foods and break out the healthy, crisp salad recipes! Springtime means lots of fresh fruits and veggies which make for plenty of yummy salads. See some of our favorite springtime salad recipes below.

Strawberry Salad

A little crunchy, a little creamy, and 100% mouthwateringly amazing, this strawberry salad is sure to become a family favorite!

INGREDIENTS:

• Container of fresh strawberries
• Bag of spring mix
• Candied pecans (or any nut of choice)
• Crumbled goat cheese
• Olive oil
• Honey
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper

DIRECTIONS:

• Mix spring mix, strawberries, pecans, and goat cheese together in a bowl
• For dressing, mix olive oil, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a jar and shake vigorously
• Drizzle dressing over salad and enjoy!

Peach Salad

This salad is as sweet as a peach! This juicy, delectable dish can be served as a side or as an entree and will take you right from spring to summer.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 peaches
• Bag of spinach
• 1 avocado
• Crumbled goat cheese
• 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds
• Diced chicken

DIRECTIONS:

• Mix all ingredients together and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar or your favorite dressing (like lemon poppyseed)!

Arugula Salad

This arugula salad is crisp and fresh! The bitter arugula and apple are balanced out with salty prosciutto and nutty Parmesan cheese, making a perfect combination of flavors.

INGREDIENTS:

• Sliced Granny Smith apples
• Bag of arugula
• Sliced prosciutto
• Shaved Parmesan cheese
• Balsamic glaze
• Extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

• Add arugula to plate or bowl
• Top with apple and prosciutto slices
• Garnish with Parmesan cheese
• Drizzle with EVOO and balsamic glaze
• Enjoy!!

Mediterranean Salad

This Mediterranean salad is a little on the heartier side and makes a great springtime dinner for the whole family. It’s quick, easy, and absolutely delicious.

INGREDIENTS:

• Cucumbers
• Greek olives
• Cherry tomatoes
• 1/3 cup Bobs Redmill whole wheat cous cous
• 2 Gilberts caprese chicken sausage links
• 1/3 cup pearl mozzarella
• Balsamic vinegar
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Pepper

DIRECTIONS:

• Cook the cous cous in about 1/2 cup of water until absorbed and soft
• Sauté the sausage on the stovetop until cooked
• Cut your veggies and place in a bowl
• Let cous cous and sausage cool before adding veggies
• Mix in mozzarella and season with fresh pepper
• Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
• Toss and serve!

Thanks for reading! Which of these springtime salads makes your mouth water? Let us know xo.

It’s time to say goodbye to hearty soups and heavy comfort foods and break out the healthy, crisp salad recipes! Springtime means lots of fresh fruits and veggies which make for plenty of yummy salads. See some of our favorite springtime salad recipes below.

Strawberry Salad

A little crunchy, a little creamy, and 100% mouthwateringly amazing, this strawberry salad is sure to become a family favorite!

INGREDIENTS:

• Container of fresh strawberries
• Bag of spring mix
• Candied pecans (or any nut of choice)
• Crumbled goat cheese
• Olive oil
• Honey
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper

DIRECTIONS:

• Mix spring mix, strawberries, pecans, and goat cheese together in a bowl
• For dressing, mix olive oil, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a jar and shake vigorously
• Drizzle dressing over salad and enjoy!

Peach Salad

This salad is as sweet as a peach! This juicy, delectable dish can be served as a side or as an entree and will take you right from spring to summer.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 peaches
• Bag of spinach
• 1 avocado
• Crumbled goat cheese
• 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds
• Diced chicken

DIRECTIONS:

• Mix all ingredients together and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar or your favorite dressing (like lemon poppyseed)!

Arugula Salad

This arugula salad is crisp and fresh! The bitter arugula and apple are balanced out with salty prosciutto and nutty Parmesan cheese, making a perfect combination of flavors.

INGREDIENTS:

• Sliced Granny Smith apples
• Bag of arugula
• Sliced prosciutto
• Shaved Parmesan cheese
• Balsamic glaze
• Extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

• Add arugula to plate or bowl
• Top with apple and prosciutto slices
• Garnish with Parmesan cheese
• Drizzle with EVOO and balsamic glaze
• Enjoy!!

Mediterranean Salad

This Mediterranean salad is a little on the heartier side and makes a great springtime dinner for the whole family. It’s quick, easy, and absolutely delicious.

INGREDIENTS:

• Cucumbers
• Greek olives
• Cherry tomatoes
• 1/3 cup Bobs Redmill whole wheat cous cous
• 2 Gilberts caprese chicken sausage links
• 1/3 cup pearl mozzarella
• Balsamic vinegar
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Pepper

DIRECTIONS:

• Cook the cous cous in about 1/2 cup of water until absorbed and soft
• Sauté the sausage on the stovetop until cooked
• Cut your veggies and place in a bowl
• Let cous cous and sausage cool before adding veggies
• Mix in mozzarella and season with fresh pepper
• Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
• Toss and serve!

Thanks for reading! Which of these springtime salads makes your mouth water? Let us know xo.

The kitchen is the heart of the house. It’s the command center where family and friends gather all throughout the day and where meals and memories are made. With all the time spent in the kitchen, you want it to be someplace that is clean yet inviting, and a space that feels like home. If your current kitchen isn’t exactly your dream kitchen, sprucing it up is a project that you can do on your own, for less money than you may think! Kristy took her kitchen from a classic okay to a bright, contemporary NO WAY!!! Check out her DIY kitchen redo.

Talk about a transformation!! Wanna know exactly how this happened? Read Kristy’s remodel process from her point of view below.

Before

Taking on this kitchen redo is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now, but to say I second-guessed this project on multiple occasions would be an understatement. I tried to talk myself out of it so many times because I was afraid to really mess something up…I mean this kitchen is the MAIN reason I wanted this home, and I didn’t want to ruin it!! But I did my research (hours and hours of it!) and really tried to mentally prepare myself for what I was getting into. It was definitely a little stressful, but I just kept envisioning the final product and how much happier I would be with my gorgeous new kitchen!! To be completely honest, this is what got me through this project, but I am so thrilled with the end result that all of the worrying was well worth it!

During

The first step was to pick out paint, and my goodness the options are endless! How is it even possible that there are about 45 different shades of black?! After much deliberation and votes cast by family and friends, I finally settled on Benjamin Moore Onyx – I wanted a sleek color that would complement the stainless-steel appliances and new black hardware for the cabinets (more on this later). I kept going back and forth on whether I wanted to do a complete one-color kitchen or if I wanted to go with a two-tone look, but after many many many internet searches, the two-tone is what I kept gravitating towards. Something about the contrast of colors really caught my eye.

After I grabbed all of my supplies, I started the leg work. I wiped all of the cabinets down with warm water and soap (I used Dawn Power Wash). I had a lot of those rubber door stoppers that had melted all over my cabinets (from the previous homeowner) and it took a lot of elbow grease to get all of that off…I may have cried multiple times just over this alone!! Once my cabinets were clean and dry, I checked them for cracks and rough surfaces. Fortunately, I have some really great wood cabinets that didn’t need any sanding. I highly recommend taking the cabinet doors off for easy painting, but if you’re afraid of stripping the screw holes, use a very small paint brush to get behind the doors (where they open and close). 

Now it was time to paint!! Well, primer first, of course. I did two coats of this because I have darker cabinets and I wanted the paint to cover fully. I worked in sections because I have a 5-year-old and 3-year-old, so completely closing off my kitchen was definitely not an option. This ended up being a good thing, though, because I could see how the kitchen was coming together piece by piece, and this gave me the motivation to push through when I felt like giving up!

I waited 24 hours between priming and painting to ensure that the primer was completely dry. For the top cabinets, I used INSL-X Cabinet Coat Enamel in Satin because I didn’t want a glossy finish (but you can use a gloss if you like that look!). I did 2-3 coats of this, and I opted for using a paintbrush the entire time – I tried a roller but it just didn’t paint the way I wanted it to, and I didn’t like how it was drying. It definitely took longer this way, but I’m glad that I did it because it looks so much nicer…totally worth the extra bit of effort! The bottom cabinets are the Benjamin Moore Onyx, and I also did 2-3 coats of this. 

In between drying time, I worked on my backsplash. I knew it wasn’t in my budget to redo the entire thing with tile, so I went with peel-and-stick subway tile (I used this in my DIY bathroom remodel, and it has held up so well that I knew I wanted to use the same brand for my kitchen). I would have loved to do the backsplash with real tile, but this semipermanent solution is a great substitute and I seriously love it so much!! Plus, it’s way less expensive and that’s always a win.

I highly recommend grabbing these tools to help cut and smooth out your backsplash (these were a lifesaver for me). I used about seven and a half of the tile sheets for my entire kitchen/desk area. *Tip: have patience and work slowly – this stuff is sticky and will adhere to most surfaces pretty easily, so if you mess up and you’re working on paint/sheetrock surfaces it will rip the area. However, if you’re covering it up anyway, it’s not a big deal…you’ll just lose some peel-and-stick along the way.

Prior to peeling the back off, I made sure to measure the pieces. I simply put the backsplash up against the surface I was working on and used my cutting tool to make slits where I needed to cut. Working around electrical outlets was a little tricky, but I found it easier to cut a hole in the peel-and-stick where the outlet would be instead of cutting individual pieces of peel-and-stick to place around the outlet. Once the peel-and-stick was on I used the smoother to get rid of any air bubbles. 

After

And just like that, a brand-new kitchen! Okay well, it was definitely a long month of paint strokes and sore body parts, but it was worth every minute of work that I put into it!! I feel as if I live in a completely different home and every person who has stepped foot in my kitchen since the remodel has said it is so much brighter and looks way bigger. The darker color on my bottom cabinets has really brought out my wood floors and dark granite countertops, and this transformation has given me a new-found appreciation for them, too. I’ve wished for so long that I had different floors and white granite countertops, but this new look really flows well and I couldn’t be happier.

As an FYI, I have not done any sealant on the cabinets (I was told the paint I used would resist water and can be easily cleaned without damage). I can say that it’s been a few weeks and I have already cleaned milk, juice, and water off of these doors MULTIPLE times (again, kids) and they have not been affected at all. Benjamin Moore paint is meant for cabinets without any top coat – at least that’s what I’ve been told!

I previously had silver knobs and pull handles but I figured if was redoing everything, it was going to be everything. I found some great pulls and knobs (and these handles for my island) on Amazon, but you can go to your local Home Depot, Lowes, or any hardware store to find new cabinet hardware. *Tip: make sure you measure out your old fixtures before purchasing new ones…I had no idea I had two different sizes with my island drawer handles and my drawer handles throughout the kitchen. Beginner’s mistake!

I wanted to add a couple of kitchen rugs that would soften the space and help tie the floors into the cabinet and countertop color scheme. I went with this gray and white patterned runner because it matched perfectly but would also hide dirt and spills pretty easily. I got a smaller matching one for in front of the sink, too.

One of my favorite things in my new kitchen is this cute little coffee station. There used to be a roll-down door here (it’s in one of the photos above) and I kept seldom-used appliances in here, but I decided to remove the door and make it into a mini cafe! My morning cup of coffee is even more enjoyable now that I get to make it here.

If you think that you can’t do this or that you don’t have what it takes – take the leap of faith!! There may be some tears (happy, sad, and frustrated) and definitely a few bad words, but the finished product will bring you so much joy and relief it will all be worth it. And if I can do it with two toddlers and zero knowledge of doing something like this, you DEFINITELY can do it. 

And if you’re looking for more remodeling inspiration, check out this DIY bathroom makeover and this modern farmhouse living room redo!

Thanks for reading!! Let us know what you think of this amazing transformation xo.

The kitchen is the heart of the house. It’s the command center where family and friends gather all throughout the day and where meals and memories are made. With all the time spent in the kitchen, you want it to be someplace that is clean yet inviting, and a space that feels like home. If your current kitchen isn’t exactly your dream kitchen, sprucing it up is a project that you can do on your own, for less money than you may think! Kristy took her kitchen from a classic okay to a bright, contemporary NO WAY!!! Check out her DIY kitchen redo.

Talk about a transformation!! Wanna know exactly how this happened? Read Kristy’s remodel process from her point of view below.

Before

Taking on this kitchen redo is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now, but to say I second-guessed this project on multiple occasions would be an understatement. I tried to talk myself out of it so many times because I was afraid to really mess something up…I mean this kitchen is the MAIN reason I wanted this home, and I didn’t want to ruin it!! But I did my research (hours and hours of it!) and really tried to mentally prepare myself for what I was getting into. It was definitely a little stressful, but I just kept envisioning the final product and how much happier I would be with my gorgeous new kitchen!! To be completely honest, this is what got me through this project, but I am so thrilled with the end result that all of the worrying was well worth it!

During

The first step was to pick out paint, and my goodness the options are endless! How is it even possible that there are about 45 different shades of black?! After much deliberation and votes cast by family and friends, I finally settled on Benjamin Moore Onyx – I wanted a sleek color that would complement the stainless-steel appliances and new black hardware for the cabinets (more on this later). I kept going back and forth on whether I wanted to do a complete one-color kitchen or if I wanted to go with a two-tone look, but after many many many internet searches, the two-tone is what I kept gravitating towards. Something about the contrast of colors really caught my eye.

After I grabbed all of my supplies, I started the leg work. I wiped all of the cabinets down with warm water and soap (I used Dawn Power Wash). I had a lot of those rubber door stoppers that had melted all over my cabinets (from the previous homeowner) and it took a lot of elbow grease to get all of that off…I may have cried multiple times just over this alone!! Once my cabinets were clean and dry, I checked them for cracks and rough surfaces. Fortunately, I have some really great wood cabinets that didn’t need any sanding. I highly recommend taking the cabinet doors off for easy painting, but if you’re afraid of stripping the screw holes, use a very small paint brush to get behind the doors (where they open and close). 

Now it was time to paint!! Well, primer first, of course. I did two coats of this because I have darker cabinets and I wanted the paint to cover fully. I worked in sections because I have a 5-year-old and 3-year-old, so completely closing off my kitchen was definitely not an option. This ended up being a good thing, though, because I could see how the kitchen was coming together piece by piece, and this gave me the motivation to push through when I felt like giving up!

I waited 24 hours between priming and painting to ensure that the primer was completely dry. For the top cabinets, I used INSL-X Cabinet Coat Enamel in Satin because I didn’t want a glossy finish (but you can use a gloss if you like that look!). I did 2-3 coats of this, and I opted for using a paintbrush the entire time – I tried a roller but it just didn’t paint the way I wanted it to, and I didn’t like how it was drying. It definitely took longer this way, but I’m glad that I did it because it looks so much nicer…totally worth the extra bit of effort! The bottom cabinets are the Benjamin Moore Onyx, and I also did 2-3 coats of this. 

In between drying time, I worked on my backsplash. I knew it wasn’t in my budget to redo the entire thing with tile, so I went with peel-and-stick subway tile (I used this in my DIY bathroom remodel, and it has held up so well that I knew I wanted to use the same brand for my kitchen). I would have loved to do the backsplash with real tile, but this semipermanent solution is a great substitute and I seriously love it so much!! Plus, it’s way less expensive and that’s always a win.

I highly recommend grabbing these tools to help cut and smooth out your backsplash (these were a lifesaver for me). I used about seven and a half of the tile sheets for my entire kitchen/desk area. *Tip: have patience and work slowly – this stuff is sticky and will adhere to most surfaces pretty easily, so if you mess up and you’re working on paint/sheetrock surfaces it will rip the area. However, if you’re covering it up anyway, it’s not a big deal…you’ll just lose some peel-and-stick along the way.

Prior to peeling the back off, I made sure to measure the pieces. I simply put the backsplash up against the surface I was working on and used my cutting tool to make slits where I needed to cut. Working around electrical outlets was a little tricky, but I found it easier to cut a hole in the peel-and-stick where the outlet would be instead of cutting individual pieces of peel-and-stick to place around the outlet. Once the peel-and-stick was on I used the smoother to get rid of any air bubbles. 

After

And just like that, a brand-new kitchen! Okay well, it was definitely a long month of paint strokes and sore body parts, but it was worth every minute of work that I put into it!! I feel as if I live in a completely different home and every person who has stepped foot in my kitchen since the remodel has said it is so much brighter and looks way bigger. The darker color on my bottom cabinets has really brought out my wood floors and dark granite countertops, and this transformation has given me a new-found appreciation for them, too. I’ve wished for so long that I had different floors and white granite countertops, but this new look really flows well and I couldn’t be happier.

As an FYI, I have not done any sealant on the cabinets (I was told the paint I used would resist water and can be easily cleaned without damage). I can say that it’s been a few weeks and I have already cleaned milk, juice, and water off of these doors MULTIPLE times (again, kids) and they have not been affected at all. Benjamin Moore paint is meant for cabinets without any top coat – at least that’s what I’ve been told!

I previously had silver knobs and pull handles but I figured if was redoing everything, it was going to be everything. I found some great pulls and knobs (and these handles for my island) on Amazon, but you can go to your local Home Depot, Lowes, or any hardware store to find new cabinet hardware. *Tip: make sure you measure out your old fixtures before purchasing new ones…I had no idea I had two different sizes with my island drawer handles and my drawer handles throughout the kitchen. Beginner’s mistake!

I wanted to add a couple of kitchen rugs that would soften the space and help tie the floors into the cabinet and countertop color scheme. I went with this gray and white patterned runner because it matched perfectly but would also hide dirt and spills pretty easily. I got a smaller matching one for in front of the sink, too.

One of my favorite things in my new kitchen is this cute little coffee station. There used to be a roll-down door here (it’s in one of the photos above) and I kept seldom-used appliances in here, but I decided to remove the door and make it into a mini cafe! My morning cup of coffee is even more enjoyable now that I get to make it here.

If you think that you can’t do this or that you don’t have what it takes – take the leap of faith!! There may be some tears (happy, sad, and frustrated) and definitely a few bad words, but the finished product will bring you so much joy and relief it will all be worth it. And if I can do it with two toddlers and zero knowledge of doing something like this, you DEFINITELY can do it. 

And if you’re looking for more remodeling inspiration, check out this DIY bathroom makeover and this modern farmhouse living room redo!

Thanks for reading!! Let us know what you think of this amazing transformation xo.