Samantha K Schmidt

When my husband and I got engaged and began talking about making his home into our home, it was clear that we were going to butt heads in several areas. He had lived the life of a bachelor for 3 years and separating him from some of his beloved (yet very tattered) possessions was like attempting to sever a limb from his body. Many of the items had been gifts or extraordinary finds from his travels. It was like a game of chess trying to fit all the pieces together, but eventually we made it work. Moving in with your spouse can be a long hard game of compromise, but here are a few tips to smooth out the process. 1. Purge: Before you start asking your spouse to trash all the items you find atrocious or obsolete, start by taking an inventory of your own belongings. What do you have that you no longer need, use, or even like? What are you holding onto simply because it has significance? Ask your partner for advice on a few unimportant items so that he can see your attempt at c...

This week's trend crush is bar carts. Bar carts are a great summer staple because they are a source of hospitality when you are entertaining. Offering someone a well dressed drink is a great way to make them feel welcome. There are so many options to creating and styling a bar cart. You can DIY or you can mix and match pieces from different places. Here are a few ideas for creating your own.

When you first step into your dorm room on campus you might be shocked by the drab appearance. Unless you've arrived at Fancy U your dorm probably has nothing more than the basics. This first look can be a real downer, but there are a few quick ways to take your dorm from drab to fab and make it feel more like home. Add Color Painting probably isn't an option, but there are a lot of other ways to add color. Try a cute bedspread, a patterned rug, or drapes. Brighten Up A dimly lit room is a real drag. Brighten up with some fairy lights for a romantic, dreamy feel. Designate Your Space Separate your space from your roommates with curtains. It will give you a sense of privacy during those all nighters.  Make Your Mark Decorate the walls with things that reflect your personality. Use command hooks and sticky tacky to avoid damaged walls.

This week's trend crush is an amazing office supply company called Poppin. I was immediately drawn to the eye popping colors from this brand, but I also love their simplistic design. Poppin has all the makings of an ultra stylish office. I'm getting ready to go back to work and I've been eyeballing a few things for my desk. I'm in love with the aqua and pink items because it matches my Lilly agenda perfectly. Here are a few of my favorites. Poppin Desk by samantha-k89 featuring home decor You can find Poppin products at Staples and The Container Store. You can also see all the amazing colors and designs on poppin.com

It's that time again! Here are my Pinterest favorites of the week. Favorite Hair I am loving pastel hair for spring. I can't wait until school is out so I can try out this awesome dipped look. Favorite Nails This is one nail look I might actually be able to pull off. I love the gold touch. Favorite DIY I have a strange obsession with mudrooms, but they don't really exist here in Florida. This DIY is perfect for using your garage as a makeshift mudroom. Favorite Edible I am in love with macaroons. I had never even tried one until a few years back, but since then I've been smitten. I love these pastel colored ones for spring. Most Adorable If you saw my Toddler Fashion post you know I have a love hate relationship with these pins, but this little angel has better hair than I do. I just had to post. I'm hoping to have more posts for you next week. Let me know if there's something you'd like to see. 

Here's a few of my favorites from Pinterest this week. Favorite Makeup I'm not usually a fan of pink and red together, but I love this lip look. Favorite Décor Everyone knows I love a good coffee bar, or in this case wine bar. Favorite Fashion I love polyvore collections, and this one is perfect for relaxing at the local café. Favorite Food These PB&J sushi rolls are easy, delicious, and just plain adorable. Most Adorable Pin of the Week I don't have any little ones, but I can still appreciate this classy onesie.

It's finally here! My room is officially finished. Well as finished as a room can be. There's always more to do and things to add. I filmed a little video to show you around. If you would like more details about the things in my room let me know. For now, enjoy! Here's a list showing where I bought each item Ikea: Dresser Desk Drawer Tower Hat Boxes Typewriter Picture Shelves Frames Lamps Purple Candles and Candleholders Duvet, Duvet Cover, Pillow Shams Marshalls: Accent pillow Dresser tray Curtains Lavender Candle Ring Holder Walmart: Side Tables

Redecorating can be a great way to revamp your living space, but it can also help revive your way of life. The bedroom is a window to the soul. It represents a person's personality. Whether wild and edgy or calm and simple there is a décor style for every individual. Expressing that individuality is the best part of the renovation experience. Here are a few examples to help you match your core with the décor. Simplistic You don't need much to make you happy. Neutral colors and romantic furnishings will make you feel right at home in your new abode. Take the opportunity to add some antique pieces and a tiny splash of color.     Modern You are always thinking outside of the box. Your bedroom's dark tones and curves will be enough to make Sofia Vergara jealous.     Edgy You're a little rough around the edges. Bring your wild side into the bedroom with lots of color and unique pieces.     Eclec...

It's the time of year to put away all the dark colors and bring out the pastels, but there's one color trend I can't seem to pack away... plum. The purple hue has been a major inspiration in redecorating my room. (Don't worry I'll post about it when it's finished). Plum may seem like more of a fall color, but with the right styling you can certainly make this trend last all year. Here are some of my favorite ways to plum it up! Lips Tone down the eye to make this look really pop. Hair You will have to be brave, but you will look smashing. Wedding Accent Even the groom can rock this look. Decor Add a plum accent wall to make a room pop. How would you style plum all year long?

Let's face it my world revolves around coffee. It's mine, and millions of others, drug of choice. Have a bad day? Make it better with coffee. Have a good day? Celebrate with coffee. It's a catalyst for life. For that reason, I've recently been obsessed with coffee bars. I love that you can make coffee a central part of your home. Adding a coffee bar is simple and can minimize the clutter in your kitchen. Here are a few essentials to help you create your own brew station with minimal impact on your wallet. Here's one of my favorites via pinterest.  Here's what you'll need: A small kitchen island, bookcase, dresser, or table: This is a great opportunity to go thrifting. You can also find some great options at overstock stores such as Home Goods and Marshalls. Hooks: Overstock stores have great shelf/hook combos like the one above, or you can just get plain hooks from Home Depot. Just make sure they can hold the weight of your mugs. If ...