Kid-Proof Decor: That Thing You Don't Realize You Need Until It's Too Late

If you’ve got little feet running around the house, chances are you’ve already child-proofed your house. Outlet covers, rubber bumpers on your coffee table corners, cabinet door locks (which, let’s be honest, you struggle with sometimes too.) That’s all good stuff. But what the parenting books don’t teach you is that if you still want an aesthetically-pleasing house you’re probably going to want some kid-proof home decor too. So here’s how to make your child-proofed house not look like a child-proofed house, if you know what I mean.

Check out these kid-proof items on my LTK!

1. Tall Modern Arched Acrylic Vase - A great alternative to glass around kids is acrylic! This modern vase has such a cool shape to it that you don’t really find with typical glass or ceramic.

2. ASPEN Vase STYLE 01 & 3. VITA Vase 3D Printed - Both of these are 3D printed! Making them super affordable and also bio-degradable. And most importantly, shatter proof.

4. Eywamage White Flat Top Flameless Candles -Flameless LED candles are here to rescue your dark, candle-less evenings. Add these pillar candles for a safe, warm glow.

5. Infinity Wick Ivory Distressed 11" Taper Candles - This taper version of the flameless candles are great to pair with some brass candlesticks! Even better? No wax to clean up!

6. Macramé Catch-All Basket - Baskets are a no-brainer for kids. Store their toys, hide their mess, while still looking cute. These macrame baskets were a fun switch up from a seagrass or wicker.

7. Dried Echinops Globe Thistle - Real flowers may survive around kids but faux florals are a more durable option, especially if you’re using a vase with a lighter material such as acrylic.

8. Soft Corded Throw - Everyone loves a good throw blanket, and they’re a perfect decor touch with kids! If they get sticky from fruit snack fingers just throw them in the wash and you’re set.

Some of my favorite family-friendly decor options are wooden bowls. They’re sturdy, add a natural touch, and are so versatile and functional. You can layer them on a stack of books, fill them with pinecones or other non-fragile trinkets. If your toddler nudges one off the coffee table you don’t have to sweat it! Check out my LTK for a round up of beautiful, practical wooden bowls.

Another helpful tip is using decorative links or bead garlands - preferably wooden as well. I love the look of a wooden link added to an entry or side table set up, or a wooden bead garland draped on a coffee table book. Here are some great deals I’ve found on links and beads similar to those I decorate with.

Last but not least, if the hot pink and turquoise plastic toys are killing your vibe I highly recommend throwing some neutral toys in the mix! Somehow they magically make your space look lived-in and organic instead of completely chaotic, even when there’s dozens of them thrown across the floor and in every nook and cranny of your house. Take this Busy Puzzle for instance. The kids love them and the light wood tones mesh so well with the rest of our home, so I love them too!

taylor stuck photography

Boucle On A Budget

Ever since my big couch delivery from Kardiel, I have been getting questions about all things boucle. What is boucle you may ask? It’s the beautifully textured woven fabric that results from different sized looped fibers, usually wool. Does it clean up well? Oh yeah. Does the texture help hide stains? Thank god it does. Is it so soft and comfortable? You bet! Our family loves our boucle couch. However, it is not always the cheapest option so the cost can add up quick when purchasing large pieces of furniture. Thankfully you don’t need an entire boucle sectional or lounge chair to add this texture to your home. Just adding small accents here and there can give your space a little extra something. And did I mention, you can WEAR this cozy fabric too?!

1. AE Boucle Turtleneck Sweater - I love the cozy, slightly cropped look to this boucle sweater. Throw it on with a favorite pair of jeans, booties, and maybe a little front-tuck action. And under $20? Yes please.

2. Euro Boucle Decorative Throw Pillow Caramel - Threshold™ - These Euro size throw pillows from Target are the perfect size to spruce up a bedroom or living room sofa. They have a thicker boucle texture and deep caramel color.

3. 20"x12" Lyon Boucle White Outdoor PIllow - The black and white boucle on this CB2 pillow is so fun. It can be used outdoors too, so perfect for adding some variation to your patio set up.

4. Boucle Scarf - This olive green scarf from Anthropologie is perfect for those cold winter months. Get it while its on sale now and you’ll thank yourself next winter!

5. Cozy Boucle Pillows - Another Anthropologie find, these boucle pillows come in several colors rather than just your traditional off white. They have multiple sizes too!

6. Boucle Ivory Pouf - The priciest item on our budget-friendly line up, but also one of the most beautiful and still under $150! This would be great for pulling up an extra seat at a coffee table for a game night or kicking up your feet after a long day.

7. Boucle with Plush Reverse Throw Blanket - Threshold™ - Another classic Target find, this boucle throw is just begging to be curled up in on the couch!

8. NOLITA Boucle Knot Pillow - Last but certainly not least, these fun boucle knot throw pillows from Etsy! These could be a great accent pillow on a chair to add some shape and texture.

If you are looking to step the boucle up a notch further, I’ve gathered the most affordable chairs I could find without sacrificing quality. Check out these boucle beauties, all under $500.

1. Elroy Accent Chair with Wood Legs - You’ve probably seen some version of this chair at Target and for good reason. The wood base and legs are a nice natural contrast to the tan boucle fabric. So cute!

2. Deshaune Swivel Barrel Chair - Similar cream boucle swivel chairs typically soar above $900, but this one from Wayfair is such a great dupe! Great reviews and under $500.

3. Inesse Boucle Ivory Dining Chair - I love the black metal contrast to these white boucle chairs. Although technically a dining chair, this could also be a great little accent chair in a bedroom or in front of a vanity to sit while you get ready!

4. Boucle Hagen Dining Chair - The modern shape and all-over boucle is so unique! Gives it an extra cozy look.

5. Latitude Run® Boucle Accent Chair Upholstered - A plush, comfortable barrel chair with pretty black legs!

6. Boucle Dining Chair - The clean lines and shape of this dining chair are too good not to share. I love that it has a padded boucle seat for a little extra comfort!

To Eat, Or Not To Eat...Vegetarian

(Vegetarian) Food For Thought

I often surprise people with the fact that I am a vegetarian. I think it’s becoming more common than ever, but that certainly was not the case growing up when my parents didn’t understand why their 4 year old was becoming such a picky eater. It all started with my favorite babysitter telling me that she wasn’t going to eat the corndogs in our freezer because they were dead little piggies. That visual was enough to end my desire to eat meat, or piggies, ever again. The smell, the taste, it’s just a hard pass for me. It hasn’t been until my adulthood that I have begun to focus on the importance of supplementing my protein in other ways, and while it may not be as easy as chowing down on a chicken wing, it’s become a practice that is second nature. And feels much more natural.

My family eats meat, and I don’t force my tastes or thoughts about food on to them. We just make sure they get well rounded meals and try everything. And don’t get it twisted, they still eat all the candy and McDonald’s happy meals. We aren’t perfect here. So while you may love a rare cut or satisfying that craving for a late night juicy burger, you also may love some of these juicy veggie substitutes.

I have rounded up some of my vegetarian go-to meals for the whole family. These are recipes that I have found to serve our family of six. The more often you make meat-free meals, the easier it becomes to create a meal without it. A little food for thought. 

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1. Vegetarian Burrito Bowl

   - We love to make these because they are so dang easy and the variety of toppings means we can change up it often.

Our kitchen isn’t the largest, but it gets the job done. You can shop it here.

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2. Vegetarian Pad Thai - If you ask Curtis what he’s craving for dinner, it’s always Asian inspired. These are a great compromise for his taste buds and mine.

3. Black Bean Burger - Ok, these may not taste like the real deal, but that’s not what I personally want from my burgers anyway. This hits the spot and taste delicious. Warning ; they’re messy!

4. Creamy Pasta With Mushrooms - Mushrooms are one of my favorite foods and we incorporate them into a lot of our cooking. Sometimes when making main dishes such as this, Curtis will cook his meat on the side and put it in after I have served up my plate.

5. Vegetarian Chili - This is a year-round dish for us. It’s perfect for hosting and it even gets compliments for those meat eating guests. You can spice it up and spice it down to preference.

I hope you will give some of these a try and let me know what you think! Happy cooking!

Xoxo, Meegan

What's In My Cart?

Whether it’s Amazon, Target, Etsy, you name it, there’s pretty much always something lingering in my online shopping cart. Sometimes its as simple as cleaning supplies or shampoo, other times it’s bigger purchases I’m pondering like this faux eucalyptus tree for my entry. So, I thought I’d start sharing what’s ready to roll in my shopping cart. Here we go!

1. Coffee 50/50 Relaxed Fit Sweatshirt

The perfect crewneck does exist! (Yes - a man is modeling it, but it’s unisex. Making it that much easier to buy it “for your significant other” and just end up wearing it everyday yourself…) Super soft, pretty neutral color, recycled cotton. What’s not to love! I’d pair it with matching sweats or layer it over a favorite tee while its still chilly outside.

2. Burl Wood Cross Corner Mirror

I’m loving all of the burl wood pieces coming out recently. The natural variations in the wood are so pretty and unique. I’ve been eyeing this mirror from Target and think it could be a great addition to my entry - or anywhere really!

3. Artificial Weeping Eucalyptus Tree

Finding real-looking, not cheesy faux plants is a struggle. I’ve been scouring the internet for a good deal on a new tree for our dining room and this guy caught my eye. This artificial eucalyptus tree by Studio McGee has some nice height and volume to it and comes in a cute ceramic pot!

4. Converse Color Vintage Canvas Chuck 70

You probably already know this by now, but you will pretty much always find me in a pair of white kicks. It’s just too dang easy to pair them with whatever you’re wearing - jeans, sweats, a sundress, you name it. But I figured I should switch it up a bit. How fun are these blacked-out Converse?! I think they’d be a great way to freshen up outfits and since they’re black they still go with everything.

5. Madewell Chunky Signet Ring

You can never have too much gold jewelry and this baby is (currently) on sale! The signet style makes it feel a little vintage and I can definitely see myself putting this on and never taking it off.

What's In My Purse?

There’s something fun about getting a glimpse inside someone’s bag or purse that I love. It’s like getting a little peek at a day in their life, but also learning their must-have items that I could fall in love with too. What better way to find some new favorite lip balms or hand lotions that you know people already swear by? 

So I thought it would be fun to share what’s in my purse. First off, my bag of choice is a backpack purse. Convenient, versatile, and basically a diaper bag in disguise. It’s big enough to hold everything you could possibly need and makes it easy to push a shopping cart or carry other necessities while it’s on your back. I’ll admit my bag was a bit of a splurge, but it was the first bag I really invested in after having nothing but diaper bags while the kids were little. It was my time to have a nice bag, so a black leather AllSaints backpack it was. We all know leather can last a lifetime if taken care of, and black goes with everything, so I knew I’d get years of use out of it. 

Now, the fun part. What’s in my purse?

I won’t bother you with every single detail but I figured I should explain a few of my must-haves. You can thank my kids for the crayons and wet wipes…you never know when some crayons at a restaurant or face wipes after sticky food could save you from a meltdown. The sunglasses I have are Quay brand which I love. They’re stylish and quality while still being affordable. The nail polish may seem funny but you’d be surprised how many times I’ve touched up my nails in the car before going out to dinner or meeting with a client. Another favorite is my Dior Addict Lip Glow. It’s the perfect natural shade and feels so luxurious going on. These are a few of the items I simply can’t leave the house without. What’s in your bag?

To find more must-haves, shop my LTK page!

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You can also find more backpack inspired purses right here! There’s a bag for every price point.