My boys started back to school this week, so we spent the weekend in back to school prep mode! We shopped for school supplies and new clothes, and of course, spent some time getting the house organized and ready for the fall routine. 

I've rounded up all of my best back to school organizing ideas, including kitchen organizing tips to make breakfast and school lunch packing easier, tips for organizing homework, schoolwork, and art work, and tips to keep your morning routine running smoothly.

Home Security Cameras That Perfectly Balance Style and Function

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Panasonic, but all opinions, as always, are my own,

You know that I'm all about finding the perfect balance of style and function! I've always said that decor should be functional and organizing can be beautiful. But now I'm taking my theory a step further... It turns out that home security can also be both functional and stylish as well.

How to Store Luggage and Organize Travel Gear At Home

I love to travel! Near... far... I'll go anywhere! And prepping for a trip is half the fun. I enjoy the process of researching and learning about new places as I plan our adventures. The list maker in me even loves to make a great trip prep to do list. 

When it came time to actually pack, though... that was the one part of the process I dreaded because my suitcases and travel accessories were a disorganized mess and finding what I needed was a headache. But no longer! I spent an afternoon organizing my luggage and travel gear, and now I can't wait to pack for my next trip!

Modern Rooftop Deck Design Tips & Inspiration

While rooftop decks were once an amenity reserved for swanky hotels and high end apartment complexes, the popularity of residential rooftop decks has been on the rise in the past decade. Whether it's to take advantage of better views from this elevated vantage point, or to gain more outdoor space on a small city lot, realtors report that in many markets rooftop decks help to sell homes and can provide a great return on investment.

The Ultimate Target-Themed Birthday Party

Target is my happy place! When I was in law school and stressed about papers and exams, strolling around Target (even when I had no money to shop) was like my own personal form of therapy. Years later, as a new mom, people would advise me to sleep when the baby slept... but instead I often preferred to push a sleeping baby around Target in a stroller. 

If you can relate to any of this, then let me introduce you to Cassondra Selby. She has officially earned the title of Coolest Mom by hosting the most adorable Target-theme birthday party for her Target-loving 7 year old daughter! When I saw the photos of the party that she posted in a Facebook group we're both in, I immediately asked her if I could share them here with all of you. 

How to Choose the Perfect Gray Paint for YOUR Home

One of the most common requests I get from friends, family, and clients alike, is for help choosing the right shade of gray paint. Each and every time, I know they aren't going to like my answer, but I have to give it them, and to you straight... there's no one gray paint that looks good in every home! 

Despite a million blog posts out there claiming to have found the "perfect gray paint," the truth is that the perfect shade of gray for my home may be totally wrong in yours. And more frustrating still - the color of gray paint you love in your living room, might be all wrong in your bedroom!

Modern Home Office Design Plans 3 Ways

A few months ago I shared some home office organization tips with you, and I mentioned that I was dreaming of redesigning my office space in our basement bedroom. With a little encouragement from my friends over at The Home Depot, who are sponsoring today's post, and with some help from all of you who have shared your opinions with me over on Facebook this week, my dream office plans are finally starting to take shape!

Modern Rooftop Deck Makeover

Denver weather is unpredictable in the spring, so I knew it was risky to take on an outdoor project for the One Room Challenge. We've had snow no less than 3 times during the five weeks of this challenge, and rain and thunderstorms everyday this week leading up to reveal day. On Monday, I had resigned myself to the fact that I likely wouldn't be able to take photos of our new rooftop deck in time to meet the end ORC deadline. Fortunately, a brief break in the rain gave me the hour I needed to quickly stage everything and snap some photos before another downpour began. 

Rooftop Retreat: Week 5 {One Room Challenge}

UPDATE: The Rooftop Deck Makeover is COMPLETE! See the finished space here!

I mentioned a few weeks ago that in addition to turning our rooftop deck into an outdoor living room, I also want to use the space as an outdoor movie theater. Today I want to share a few more details about those plans.

Simple Pantry Organization Hacks

A disorganized home can create unnecessary stress. This is especially true when it comes to your pantry because it's a space you use multiple times a day, every day! 

Trying to organize a pantry can feel overwhelming and frustrating because its contents change so frequently. It's easy enough to line things up neatly on the shelves, but the real challenge is creating an organized pantry system that your whole family can keep up with so you won't find yourself rearranging things again and again.