Now accepting contributors!

July 16, 2016

With a new baby on the horizon, I am planning for the adjustment months and really excited to announce that IHOD will now be accepting submissions for features! This blog will continue to remain a personal lifestyle blog, but I would love to support other sites, businesses, writers, and artists when we can.

We will be accepting post submissions for the following topics:

1.) Home Tours or Room Makeovers – If you have a home tour you would like to share or a before and after room makeover, we would love to see! Please make sure there are at least 4-5 high resolution well lit images, and the content has not been shared on another site before.

2) Desktop/iPhone Wallpaper art – This is a recent series we would love to continue, and if you would like to submit your designs for consideration, please email us a few samples of your work.

3) Food/Drink Recipes – If food photography and recipes are your forte, send over your ideas with high resolution photography samples.

To submit your stories, please email Megan at: hello (at) inhonorofdesign.com with the subject including your topic submission!

We can’t wait to hear from you.

Kitchen Schemes and Dreams

July 15, 2016

The kitchen has always been the place I consider the heart of the home. Growing up, we spent hours in my grandmother’s small kitchen around her table as it seemed she would multiply the loaves and fishes from a few tortillas and feed the masses. She wasn’t just feeding us, but providing a place we always knew would find welcome. It was the same in my own home, where I would spend many hours around the table for family dinners. So much life happened in those kitchens! I hope the same for all who walk through ours. That they feel welcome, loved, and appreciated. With this goal in mind, here are a few elements we are going to aim for as we start the kitchen reno process…

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1.Colors – White is dreamy, but not quite something I want to be srubbing down every 2.5 seconds for the next ten years. I am really drawn to these tones and colors for countertops, cabinets, wall space, etc. A lighter grey may still show wear but it’s a little easier to work with and compliments just about every color in the book. VIEW FULL POST

2nd Trimester Style Favorites

July 14, 2016

This pregnancy is by far the fastest I’ve ever experienced, but as you know, that might have something to do with not knowing I was pregnant for the first two months. Suddenly I am in the third trimester a little bewildered and a little in disbelief at how I am having a baby in a few short months! I wanted to share a few staples that I wore throughout my second trimester that helped me still feel a little more among the land of the living than the land of the zombie waddling platypus;)

These have been both new and long time pregnancy favorites, that have gotten me through the last few months with a little more ease and comfortability and some beauty favorites that have woken up my tired face!

Blanqi Maternity Support Tank
Clinique CC Cream – SPF 30, blends well, and offers lightweight coverage.
Nars Lip Gloss – Smooth, summery, and long lasting.
S’well Water Bottles – Keeps water cold for hours!
Cotton Tank Dresses – Cool and easy to style…especially when they are striped.
Comfortable kicks – I wear these with denim shorts and tees.
More comfortable kicks – It’s all I wear guys. Even with dresses!
Scoop tank bras – Too live, breath, and sleep in.
Reversible Tote – It carries everything. Stick in a pocket organizer and you are good to go.
Moisturizers – The healing balm has been salvation for my dry patches and lips on my face. I am a moisturizer junkie, so I am loyal to this ultra repair cream that has also been wonderful at night.

VIEW FULL POST

A big hit at our house.

July 13, 2016

I am pretty selective when it comes to toys these days. I have seen all too many cast aside after a few short days. I usually only say yes to bringing one home if it is something I know they will love and use for months. Since Max just turned 3, and is only drawn to constructive play, I knew the Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-pillar was going to be a big hit. He loves to figure out how things connect and operate, so this educational toy was a perfect match for him! As you can see by the video, not only Max, but ALL of my children were smitten with this learning toy, and are still fighting over who gets to build and play with it each day.

The code-a-pillar is designed for preschool aged children and offers the chance for them to problem solve and construct as they play. The segments of the code-a-pillar each have a direction arrow on the top (right, left, forward), and it will take a course based on the combination you put together. You can rearrange the segments of the code-a-pillar over and over again, so it takes a different course each time. This is why it holds the attention of both my active three year and inquisitive five year old so well.

The eyes also light up on the face of the code-a-pillar, and change colors as it hits each segment of the code you have set up for it. It comes with target discs you can set up around the room to lay out a planned course for the code-a-pillar. This has been another cool problem solving aspect that challenges him to get it to follow the course and get it to the finish line by the way they connect it together. My little ones jump up and down every time the code-a-pillar begins, which is quite entertaining to watch;)

You can check out Fisher-Price’s Facebook page for full videos on how the Code-a-pillar works later this summer that will help give you a good idea of how this product works.

Happy Wednesday!

Thank you Fisher-Price for sponsoring this post. A brand I have loved and used for many years. All opinions expressed are my own.

3 Unique Summer Handbags

July 11, 2016

My grandmother had such a great collection of hats and handbags. Even though they never had much money to spare, she took pride in looking her best for the right occasions. She chose her accessories carefully, and used them every Sunday. I definitely inherited that same love for a good handbag or hat.

A little moderation, and a good dose of spontaneity from time to time can become a fun bold summer look!

These are 3 Unique Summer Handbags that caught my eye and roped me in. I’ll be putting them to good use this year no doubt…

1. Circle Crossbody – As an avid geometric junkie (see last post), I swooned a little hard when I saw this versatile option by 2PennyBlue. Small and compact, but with enough room to hold all the essentials. The color and textures are a good summer addition to most looks. (Dress on sale from here, sandals on sale from here.)

2. Foldover tassel clutch – I stick with neutrals with all my basic wardrobe pieces most of the time now, but I still don’t shy from a little color when it comes to accessories. It is so much fun to have a bold clutch on hand for a day date or dinner out. I have been a long time supporter of Nena and Co., so couldn’t wait to share this fantastic piece with you all. I’ll be giving one of these beauties away on instagram so head over to enter. (Sandals on sale from here, dress from here via Trunkclub)

3. Bamboo clutch – These are hard to get a hold of, but if you find one in the vintage section on etsy, jump quick! The semi-circle shape was a personal favorite, but this rectangular option was a close second. Managed to snatch it up before it sold out. If nothing else, this is quite an entertaining conversation piece, as I had several people stop to make note of it last time I took it out. I mean, it does resemble a bird cage after all. (Dress on sale from here, sandals from here.)

Have any unique favorite accessories you are boldly wearing this summer?

Items Featured:

DIY Triangle Wall Planter

July 6, 2016

We have tried out a few versions of this DIY Triangle Wall Planter, and Gabe is sharing the instructions below for the latest version we love. Make a few of these to jazz up your gallery wall space and bring some easy greenery to your room. Read on for full directions! VIEW FULL POST

4th of July Weekend

July 5, 2016

* Watermelon and Blueberry Skewers *

*Rocco’s first Independence Day. This time last year he was giving me pre-labor contractions!*

*Homemade whip cream berry pies. Divine as they look.*

*When all my boys had shirts on at the same time;) My dress is from ASOS. Sold out, but all of their dresses are on clearance! Sandals from Splendid. The kiddos shirts and dress are from Old Navy and Gap.

*We went through boxes of sparklers. Max loved them and Veronica was slightly terrified.*

*7 out of 8 sisters got to make it home this year for the 4th:)*

We spent the 4th of July with our midwest family over a good deal of food, pool time, sparklers and the works. So thankful for this day to remember why we have the freedom we do in this country, and to honor those who have fought for it for decades.

We hope you all had a restful long weekend!