But when you think harder into the things that make or made your family truly feel special, you’ll likely recall slightly unique (but not necessarily rare or uncommon) experiences. That’s where family magic is made!

One of the traditions I’m actively building with my two young girls is gardening. It’s something I didn’t do very much of growing up, but I enjoy it and feel strongly connected to it now that we are raising our family in Maine.

It’s a nice tradition, no matter how big or small your garden, because every year there is a life-cycle to flow through. And every year it teaches anyone willing to learn some seriously valuable life lessons.

While I love the entire process of gardening, I’m focusing today on just the excitement of seedling season. We live in Northern New England, and it’s not until late March that we begin to see true signs of warmer weather ahead. We know it’s time when we finally see the colorful and resilient crocus’ fighting through the ground. Our planting zone is 5b, so every year feels like a fresh start as the ground and ice thaws around us.

If you’re new to gardening, involving young kids could feel a bit stressful. It certainly can be if you are mess-adverse. Here are a few tips to get your seedling /gardening tradition started and your kids:

1. Pick a starting point.

Maybe you know you’d like some herbs or a few containers of flowers on your deck. Maybe you already have a raised bed and want to assign your kids a certain plant to be responsible for. Whatever it is, pick your limit and plan for just that. Don’t let the excitement of potential flowers and produce get you too carried away, trust me.

2. Order product.

Typically, it’s safe to order any new seeds at the beginning of March and begin indoor sowing by the end of the month until it’s consistently 60 degrees outside. If you live in a warmer climate you’ll likely need to start earlier, or even direct sow starting now. Popular seed catalogs usually drop their spring seeds in late February or early March. We order from Johnny Seeds or a local spot called Pinetree Gardens, but you can also pick some up at your local grocery or plant nursery.

Here’s a checklist of all you’ll need:

• Peat containers — I prefer these because they are more earth-friendly than plastic and completely biodegradable. They can even be planted right into your pots or the ground.

• 1 package gardening soil — either flower or produce depending on what you’re planting.
• Seed packets — you decide! But make sure to read the instructions on when to plant and how to care for the plant while it’s germinating.

• Tools — we love this sweet set of gardening rakes and shovels

• Markers — this package of markers comes ready to customize and has small bags for any leftover seedlings to be stored until you need them next. So handy!
• Watering can or spritz bottle — definitely get a dedicated tool for this — pouring water from a cup or anything else can over-flood the seedlings!

3. Plant and play!

If you are mess-adverse or need to get the wiggles out of the kids before you get started, bring the party outside. This way everyone can play and explore freely without too much stress. Here you’ll want to line up all of your tools, as listed above, and create a type of assembly line:

1. Fill your peat seedling containers with dirt, pack slightly.

2. Write in the names of the plants on the tags.

3. Lightly plant the seeds according to the packaging.

4. Place your marker in the container and water lightly.

5. Repeat until you’ve planting all of your desired seeds.

6. Check back in a day for soil moisture and watch over the next week as the plants begin to sprout!

For the City Dwellers:

Planting seedlings can be a fun tradition, a family science experiment, or a way to try something new. No matter what, it’s a fun activity that can be done no matter where you live. One of the things we tried new this year that could be excellent for the urbanite, is this indoor herb garden with grow lights!

Lila was really interested in how it worked and it was a great opportunity to explain photosynthesis. It comes with pre-planted seeds and clear, easy instructions to get it all set up. It probably took Lila about 5 minutes to get it all up and running. We will update this post with photos as it grows!

The post Plant Spring Seedlings with the Kids for a Fun, Easy Activity appeared first on The Inspired Home.

1. Picnic Basket

Oh yes, you for sure will want a beautiful basket to pack up your picnic in. Our friends at Picnic Time know a thing or two about picnics. They have a larger selection of picnic baskets to fit your needs. Including this beauty. It comes with just about everything you need to set a perfect picnic. Including a picnic blanket for laying on in the grass.

I love the blanket’s classic pattern and the basket is so well made, I can see it lasting for years! There is nothing quite like a good picnic basket so have some fun taking a look around Picnic Time and get your perfect one!

2. A Trolley (for Games and Extra Equipment)

I like to pack up a few pillows for laying and maybe a book or two. We also love to bring games and toss the ball around if we have time! A portable fan is nice and it’s great to have a mini Bluetooth speaker for music. The trolley is the perfect way to get everything from the car to the grass. It can be used with or without the bag as well. So if you are making multiple trips with heavier items you can take the bag off and use it as a true trolley! So smart!

3. Food!

You’ll want to make a menu that is easy and simple. Pack a few sandwiches and even make salads and veggies to go. These Kilner jars are so perfect for individual snacks. It comes with a spoon for a convent way to enjoy a parfait or a fruit salad.

For salads and sides, you can use these handy pop up bowls. Once you’re done just collapse them to save room when you store them. So genius!

Pack individual snacks or family snacks in these reusable bags. They can sit upright and zip up to keep things fresh. This set comes in multiple sizes and can even be used to carry things that aren’t food!

I also love to set out a little cheese board to snack on. Just remake it on a cute little board like this and unwrap it once you are at the park. So easy to enjoy and clean up will be a breeze.

4. Trash Bags

Make sure you bring along trash bags. You might have a mess to clean up and you certainly don’t want to litter or bring birds or ants to your picnic. Keep a small grocery bag next to you for easy access.

The post 4 Must-Haves for Your Family Picnic appeared first on The Inspired Home.

The Table

I paired TarHong’s French oak dinner plate with a matte craft coupe salad plate for the base of a casual setting. They also had some beautiful acrylic glasses that made the look come together.

Next, I topped it off with a knotted napkin. You can easily recreate this look by layering your plates and tying your napkins! But I love the fact that if you invest in a few neutral pieces, you can use them for just about any table setting you can think of!

The Lights

To light things up, these battery-operated globes are just what your outdoor space needs when it comes to lighting up your table. These patio globes illuminate at dusk and randomly pulse throughout the night. After 4 hours, they automatically turn off. Plus, they come in so many different colors; it’s a great way to liven up your tablescape!

You can hang them from an umbrella or place them around your table. Either way, they are sure to make the space! Plus it’s functional and gives the table some ambiance without candlelight.

The Grill

Nothing says outdoor dining like grilling. But why grill the regular hot dogs and hamburgers? This Cuisinart XL 360 Griddle lets you grill so much more! It’s designed for the ultimate grilling experience.

You can make just about anything on this beauty and serve it up immediately for your next meal. We’ve cooked everything from eggs to zucchini on this thing and we love it! Imagine how many pancakes you can make at once!

Our favorite features that the grill has is that it has a 360-degree grease pan that naturally funnels grease to the grease cup for easy cleanup and that it comes with a lid that has an integrated vent which allows you to steam roast, smoke, or warm.

The Bugs

Keeping the bugs away is a big battle when it comes to dining outdoors. Lighting up a solar killer torch gives you light and also protection. Just set them up around the area and this keeps bugs away.

It’s solar-powered so that means no cords, no open flames and it even has a no-contact bug catcher. It has a few different adjustable settings depending on where you want to place it. It can go on the ground or on the tabletop!

If you do end up getting a bite, the Bug Bite Thing works like magic. Put it over the bite and suck up the venom that the bugs have left behind. We have tested these things over and over and guess what, it really works! Perfect for ant bites and even mosquito bites! Such a lifesaver.

More Outdoor Inspiration:

The 3 Most Important Elements of Outdoor Entertaining

5 Ideas To Transform Your Small Backyard

How To Get the Potager Garden Aesthetic At Home

The post You Guide to Comfortable Dining At Home appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Here at The Inspired Home, we get excited about products that make our lives easier. With so many to choose from, it can be FUN, but also overwhelming. Although the best way to keep cool during the summer is to stay near the AC, there are a few other ways to help you and your family stay cool as summer comes to an end.

Keep Drinks on Hand

If you’re entertaining outdoors, you should always have a few cold drinks on hand. This double-wall insulated party tub is the perfect place for a bucket full of ice and cold drinks up for grab. Place layers of ice and drinks to keep them nice and cool all day. I love that it’s a bit fancier than a cooler and it will still keep your drinks cold.

Pack Freezer Bags

If you’re headed out for the day, make sure you put a couple of PackIt bags in the freezer before you go. These innovative bags are lined with gel you can freeze. Take them out and you automatically have a cooler to go.

These cute leopard designs are so fun and they even have a fanny pack that’s great for parks or long days outside.

Use Evaporative Coolers

Evaporative coolers are the secret to a cooler outdoor experience. An evaporative cooler is a type of air conditioner that works by harnessing the power of evaporation to cool air temperatures.

According to our friends at NewAir, they are also sustainable and energy-efficient. Evaporative coolers work best in dry climates like we have here in Phoenix! Which makes sense because they use moisture to cool the air!

Make Ice Cream

If you aren’t eating some sort of ice cream this summer to help you cool down, then you must stop to look at this beauty. It might just change your mind.

Not only does this Cuisinart ice cream maker make soft-serve desserts, but it also makes sorbets and other frozen treat goodies.

It has a few different slots for mix-in toppings, plus a place for you to catch all the yumminess. I like to use ice cream bowls to make it feel like we are in an ice cream shop! Classic touches are my favorite.

The post How to Keep Cool as Summer Comes to an End appeared first on The Inspired Home.

If it’s your first time hiking, pick an easy to follow the trail that isn’t that difficult. Especially if you have small kids in tow. But if you are a bit more seasoned and have a family that’s ready for the challenge, map out a trail you all can do together.

Here are a few hiking essentials you might find handy in addition to your regular hiking products:

Having a neck fan for everyone can be a great way to keep cool. These O2COOL fans are battery operated and adjustable to fit kids and adults! They come in multiple colors to fit everyone’s personality. The fan sits on the top of the device so that the air is blowing up into your face. On a hot day, this feels great!

ChicoBag makes some great hiking essentials for the family that are so easy to store! This backpack is so innovative! The travel bag comes in the little pouch that you can fit into a purse or any other bag but then opens up to a full backpack with enough room for a blanket, extra change of clothes, or anything else you might need!

The ChicoBag Bottle Sling is just as great. It fits comfortably across your shoulders and has a place for your keys, phone, ID, and of course, a water bottle! The entire bag stuffs into the front pocket for convenient storage when it’s not in use.

Although we are keeping away from screen time, having an extra charger on hand for emergencies is a great idea! Westinghouse is one of my favorite buys for electronics. This mobile charger is slim and compact which makes it the perfect size to travel with. It has two USB outlets to charge multiple devices and it also has a battery level indicator to let you know how much charge you have left.

The post 4 Family Hiking Essentials You Need to Hit the Trails appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Maybe you’re thinking about making a small space in the garage a home gym. Or maybe your unused dining room could do better as a functioning home school area. Maybe you’re just thinking about how to make your family room space function better.

But the one space we all can improve on big or small is our outdoor space! The great thing is these renovations will be useful even beyond quarantine. This is a space you can enjoy for years to come.

Below, I have a few tips and projects for you to think about if you plan on fixing up or adding to your backyard space.

When we designed our backyard about three years ago, we had no idea we would be quarantined to this space for months at a time. So as you plan, think about not only how you will entertain family and friends, but also how you and your family might spend time there daily.

Patio Extension

To enjoy your space outdoors, I suggest adding a patio or patios to your outdoor space. Patios allow you to enjoy the yard by setting up seating areas, dining areas, or a place to grill. You can pour a concrete slab, use pavers in a classic herringbone pattern or you can get creative like we did, and use an X pattern with concrete and turf. You can also use small pea gravel to make a place with seating for a more affordable option.

Socializing Area

Our yard has a few different seating areas for when we entertain. But our favorite continues to be under the covered patio that has fans to keep us cool when the weather is hot. Installing outdoor ceiling fans, an evaporative cooler, or portable A/C is a great way to keep the temperatures down during hot summer months.

You can also install sun shades or blackout curtains to control the light and heat if you have a west facing backyard. During the winter months, a portable heater will be a great way to keep the area warm and enjoyable.

Eating & Dining Area

There’s nothing better than enjoying a place to cook and eat outdoors. Having a dedicated grill area or a full outdoor kitchen will get you motivated to get outdoors and to dine al fresco. For a simple renovation purchase a grill that features extensions on the sides or even a burner to help with meal prep.

Next, add an outdoor table with enough seating for your family. This could be a table with a bench picnic style, a big outdoor bar with counter stools, or a sweet bistro table for two.

For fun purchase an outdoor pizza oven for family pizza night! It’s a great memory maker and also makes delicious pizza at home!

Pergolas and Gazebos

If you already have a patio or an eating area, then adding a pergola or covered patio could be money well spent. Hardware stores like Home Depot have pergola and gazebo kits ready to purchase to make this project a bit easier.

We recently installed a pergola in my parents’ backyard that provided instant shade for an existing patio.

Add a Swimming Pool

Of course, it’s not just that easy. You must budget, come up with a plan, and do a little research for a builder, but if you are ready to install a pool then I say go for it. Although it’s a big investment it provides hours of entertainment for everyone!

When you’re stuck at home having a pool is like having your own resort! So invest in some great patio furniture, umbrellas, and even in pool loungers like the ones pictured above. You can also roll out a bar cart and of course some giant pool toys for the kids to enjoy.

What renovations do you plan on adding this year?

The post This Blogger’s Backyard Space Is Major Outdoor Inspo appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Creating cozy lounge areas and an outdoor buffet station are easy ways to turn your everyday outdoor area into a backyard oasis. I love heading out to the backyard to work for a couple of hours, enjoy a drink in the lounge area, and of course, have friends over for a dinner party.

Today I’m letting you in on the 5 secret mini “zone” renovations that turned our tiny space into something truly personalized!

1. Lounge Area

The biggest “renovation” that we made was creating the perfect, cozy lounge area. I desperately wanted an area of the yard where we could plant cozy patio furniture and make an outdoor “living room”.

There was an area in the yard that was blocked off from the sun because it was cornered against the garage. We were constantly dealing with mud issues and one day I had enough (no one wants a muddy golden retriever!).

With $100, and a day of labor with some family members we were able to lay down our gray pavers and create an easy designated space to lounge in. We tore out what grass was left, leveled the area out, and placed the pavers on top of the plastic to prevent weeds from growing in.

Nearly every day I head outside and have a peaceful moment on our patio furniture. This cozy spot is by far my favorite area of our home and was well worth the effort of the small renovation.

2. Buffet/Entertaining Area

My second favorite outdoor area… are easy entertaining outdoor buffet! The reason I love this so much is because you can literally personalize EVERYTHING.

We used these great outdoor workbench shelves to create an area for an outdoor bar/buffet when we bbq. You could also use them for outdoor toy storage or even turn them into a plant potting area. The options are endless with outdoor furniture like this!

3. Garden/Herb Garden Element

If you’re passionate about cooking, I highly recommend finding a place in your small backyard for an herb or vegetable garden. Every spring I plant fresh herbs and small-space friendly vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and cucumbers.

Every time I step outside for fresh herbs for a recipe I instantly feel like our small space is totally artisan.

4. Dining Area

Whether it’s a bistro table for two or a dining table for 6, I highly recommend setting yourself up with an outdoor dining area. There is truly nothing like dining al fresco on a long summer evening.

Some of my favorite nights have ended late outside on the patio sipping wine and watching the sun go down with friends. Light up the space with a set of your favorite melamine servingware and some candles to set the mood.

5. Light It Up

The best moment of the night is always when we switch on the patio string lights. I always feel like our backyard has a very distinct look from day tonight just with the switch of lighting.

Whether you have a strand that lights up your balcony or floods the yard like a bistro, lighting can make a huge difference in the overall ambiance of your space. Along with the string lights I love putting out lanterns with candles and even getting the firepit going for an extra cozy feel of light.

The post 5 Easy Ideas to Transform Your Small Backyard appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Bar/Outdoor Buffet Space

I’ve always struggled at creating an outdoor epicenter to foster my ‘bar’ area and food buffet. That is until we replaced an empty space on our patio with these Design Ideas Meshwork Utility Units. Their versatile and chic design was one of the best (and affordable) furniture pieces we came across. These guys will have a home on our patio all year long.

The wood tops are removable and I know they will make for an epic potting station in the spring. For now they are hosting bars during football season and s’mores making stations this fall.

Beverage Area/Ice Bucket

An absolute must in my book! Before any gathering I always fill up a huge ice bucket with water sparkling water, beer, and chilled wine. No matter how behind you are with party prep this is a sure fire way to keep your guests busy (and hydrated) while you’re finishing up final touches. I never met a self-serve bar I didn’t love.

Big Platters

My favorite outdoor food platters are usually lightweight, white and durable. Meet one of your most friendly and durable outdoor serving materials: enamel.

Enamel is the perfect blend of functional and flattering. Picture yourself walking away from the grill with a beyond heavy platter of BBQ’d meat. The last thing you need is a heavy platter to weigh you down even more. These enamelware platters are my go-to for anything outside. They are super cute, go well with everything and will never break or weigh you down!

Outdoor Speaker

I say this time and time again but other than a cold drink, music is probably your most important component to any good gathering. It keeps the mood flowing throughout the whole night and leaves any awkward silence at bay. If I have time I love creating a fun playlist for different types or parties or giving one of my pals this task if I’m feeling overwhelmed. Either way, you gotta have a good outdoor speaker!

Chic Plates & Snack Servers

These faux paper plate ‘plates’ just scream Game Day to me! I fell in love with these the moment I saw them. I have severely tried to cut down on my paper plates and plasticware usage. However there is something charming to them for casual gatherings. From the moment I saw these Fortessa ceramic boats and “paper” plates from their Food Truck Chic Collection, I knew I had to have them for that iconic backyard party feel.

Grilling Utensils/Skewers

A well-stocked grill utensil set is essential for the season. Jared loves grilling up burgers on Sunday for a game day feast. This outdoor BBQ set from Oniva is one of my favorites! It’s got all the essentials, plus some super sturdy skewer sticks which are perfect for marshmallow roasting for s’mores on a cozy night. I also keep a set of salt and pepper shakers out here for easy access.

Blankets & Pillows

Truthfully, entertaining in the fall is one of my favorite seasons. I don’t have one friend that doesn’t love ending the evening by a fire. We face some pretty rough summers here in California so were heading outdoors well until October for a casual, cozy evening. Be sure to deck your outdoor space with few durable pillows and throw blankets to keep your guests cozy.

The post Create An Outdoor Entertaining Space That You Can Use Through Fall appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Where to plant lettuce:

No matter your space constraints, lettuce and spinach will probably work for you. They grow well in a pot or container and can easily exist in good soil anywhere from a patio to a small balcony as long as you have a bit of sun. Lettuce hates extreme heat, so be conscious of pot placement!

If you’re looking for a solid multifunctional and weather resistant container, I highly recommend something galvanized steel. If you decide not to use it for planting in the future, a galvanized steel tub can continue to live on as a large ice and drink container for parties, a dog washing station or storage container for decades more. Once it reaches the point of retirement, you can responsibly recycle it for it to take its next form.

How to plant lettuce:

Once you pick your container and fill it with good soil, shop for your greens. Your local nursery or home improvement store should have lots of varieties of leaf lettuce, head lettuce, spinach and heartier greens like kale.

While you can opt for starting with seeds, there’s nothing wrong with selecting small pre-grown plants (That’s what I did! I’m looking for salad success in my first year of gardening!). This will also allow you to stagger your planting so you can have fresh greens week after week instead of a deluge of salad all at once. Always read the plant tags that come with each plant. They’ll advise you on how far apart to space the plants and how many days you should wait for optimal harvest.

How to care for lettuce:

There are really no secrets when it comes to watering lettuce. If it looks thirsty and limp, give it a good water very early in the morning or at night. Don’t water midday in full sun. Make sure you have a watering can with a rain/shower head which provides small drops of water that won’t harm leaves or flowers.

A good watering can can last you decades (again – galvanized steel is our personal choice – it looks amazing year after year and can be recycled at the end of its life). Keep lettuce moist but ensure good drainage, or rot will occur.

How to harvest lettuce:

Not all lettuce is picked the same way. Leaf lettuce (think a package of mixed greens) is picked when leaves are 3-4 inches long. Use a garden knife or scissors and cut the outer leaves from the bundle, or grab several at a time and slice an inch above the base of the plant. This will allow for a second batch of lettuce to come from the plant. Cut too low, and your plant is done.

If you’re harvesting a full head of lettuce, when mature (read the tag or do some googling on your particular variety you selected), use a garden knife to cut below the head to keep the leaves together. A French garden knife is new to me this year but I’ll always have one from now on. They’re versatile, beautiful and very handy for vegetable harvest.

How to wash and store lettuce:

No matter how pretty your greens are, if you don’t wash them and end up serving sandy salad, no one is going to forgive you. A salad spinner is worth the cabinet space if you’re growing greens. Separate the leaves and place in the salad spinner colander in the bowl and fill with water. Use your hand to swish it around, or use the spin function to lightly agitate the water.

The goal is to clear off grit and soil from the leaves. Lift out the leaves and colander, drain the water (the dirt will sink), rinse, drain again and use the pump function to spin the water from the leaves.

Store in paper towels in an airtight bag if you’re not having greens ASAP. The salad spinner drying action is crucial for a good salad since wet leaves will make the dressing slide right off. Salad dressing is so easy to make at home and store. Our go-to recipe is a mustard vinaigrette.

RELATED: 6 Tools You Need to Make the Most of Your Garden

The post How to Grow Lettuce, Spinach & Greens appeared first on The Inspired Home.

To help alleviate some stress from all your packing duties, I’ve compiled a few tips to help ease the process for your next trip!

Organize Your Clothes

I know that sometimes it can be easier said than done, but create a packing system that works for you and can be easily implemented for any trip you take. Spreadsheets are the most effective system for myself — I like to map out every day and activity and assign an outfit to it. This allows me to be prepared for every element on the trip without the anxiety of “Did I pack too much or too little?”.

These Travelon packing cubes are LIFE-CHANGING in the world of packing. Instead of shoving everything in to the suitcase and hoping your bag will zip, you have the assurance that all your items are packed neatly and secure!

I typically divide the packing cubes up in a few different ways:

1. Undergarments, workout clothes, pajamas
2. Clothes for days 1—2
3. Extra clothing, outerwear, etc.

I like to pack all my outfits by day so that I only need to grab one packing cube at a time. When the day is done, I put the outfit back in the cube and back in the suitcase. All my dirty clothes are now packed together and organized for the trip back home!

Creating a system isn’t always easy at first, so try using the packing cubes with a shorter, less demanding trip to test the waters. If packing by outfit isn’t practical, try organizing by items — tops, bottoms, underwear, workout clothes, etc. You can broadly organize your bag with still giving you that little bit of packing relief.

Bring Your Products from Home

When it comes to my toiletries and traveling, it’s important for me to keep my normal routine going. My skin can be sensitive at times and anything I can do to help eliminate breakouts and beyond, I’ll do it! For the last two years I’ve been loyal to a paraben-free shampoo and conditioner — it has completely overhauled my hair and it’s never been healthier. I packed these Travelon smart tubes and filled them with my products in order to keep my paraben-free hair routine going.

Now, you don’t need to use them just for hair products — use the smart tubes for any of your day or night routine products. This way you don’t have to run to the store and shop the travel aisle for a product you will likely never use again.

Ditch the Ziploc Bag

This Earth Day, we were all asked the hard questions on how on what we can do in our lives to create a more sustainable environment, and how we can help reduce waste! One of the quickest and easiest ways you can do so is by using reusable bags for your toiletries! Ditch your plastic bags and organize your makeup and toiletries with Stasher’s amazing reusable silicone bags.

Stasher bags can be used to store food in the fridge, freezer, and cupboards, and are a great travel accessory! The reusable element isn’t even the best part — they are dishwasher safe! Raise your hand if you have spilled makeup or soap in your toiletry bag? Well, you can toss these in the dishwasher or soak them in water to clean your Stasher once you’ve arrived.

The smaller bags are perfect for snacks that you can stash in your carry on, while the larger bags are perfect for makeup, brushes and your skincare routine. The medium-sized bags are perfect to pack all your must-have in-flight items such as; lip gloss, eye mask, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, etc.

Try following these three easy steps for your next trip to give yourself a vacation before the vacation!

Looking for more travel content? Check out: The Beauty Bento Box You Need to Put Together for Your Next Flight

The post Genius Packing Tips for Your Best Stress-Free Travel appeared first on The Inspired Home.