Check out our Friday Favorites and see what we’re each shopping for this week! We’re getting ready to travel and sprucing up outdoor spaces. Come see what we found!
This week, Anne is packing and heading out of town for a much-needed family vacation. She’s got some tips that make packing a breeze, super cute accessories, and some fun games that pack well.
AnnMarie’s been searching for some outdoor items that need to be replaced this year.
We work together to share simple and budget-friendly ideas for decorating, recipes, DIY projects, and tips for life with older teens (and beyond!).
It always seems like one of us or actually, more than likely both of us, are in the middle of a project.
Whether it’s a room makeover, testing a new recipe, or planning an event.
And the more we work the less time we have to browse around a store and shop in person.
To get all the things done each week we both do a lot of online shopping.
We shop for décor items, kitchen supplies and everything in between.
And since we already love to share budget-friendly ideas with you, we thought it would be fun to show you what we’re shopping for every Friday!
We may even share some personal favorites we love too.
An awesome outfit or makeup product we find along the way!
Now let’s see what we’re shopping for this week…
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AnnMarie’s Faves This Week
We’ve been busy getting our outdoor spaces ready for summer.
And this year we’re doing a bit more since we’ll be having my daughter, Emma’s graduation party outside next month.
My husband, Chris spent a day last weekend power washing our patio and pool area and now it’s super clean and ready to be painted.
Apparently, the stain on the stamped concrete was supposed to be resealed yearly which we didn’t realize and had only done it every few years.
Well, now it’s a mess (you can see it in the picture below) so we’ve decided to paint the concrete.
We have a bunch of outdoor projects to finish in just a few short weeks.
Wish us luck!
Outdoor Rugs
Before Chris power washed last weekend, I tossed the old outdoor rug.
Unfortunately, it had seen better days.
It was unraveling along the edges and definitely wouldn’t have held up through another power washing.
This rug is a 5×7 and fits perfectly under the outdoor sectional sofa under our pergola.
Can we take moment to ohhhh and ahhh about those string lights?
I’m obsessed!
You can check out all the details about them in this post.
Ok…sorry back to outdoor rug shopping!
I did really like our old rug so would love to find something similar.
And a rug that’s in the same color scheme (black and beige) so that it coordinates well with our outdoor furniture.
I found a few options on Amazon and I’d love if you leave a comment below to let me know which you like best.
The pattern of this transitional geometric outdoor area rug is eye catching.
Or this fun black rug by Tommy Bahama it’s simple and I really like the look of it.
A neutral beige may be a good option too and this Moroccan trellis pattern is pretty.
Maybe a striped neutral rug would look good under the outdoor sectional.
What do you think?
Gas Firepit Table
A couple of years ago we decided to install an outdoor tv on our deck so we could enjoy a game or show while sitting outside.
We purchased an outdoor sectional so we could hang out in comfort but it came with a pie shaped coffee table that I really kina hated.
We loved the idea of a fire pit table rather than another coffee table.
So, last summer, I bought this one from Target.
And it was great…until it wasn’t.
I noticed the top of the table starting to chip in November and by April most of the paint on the top was gone.
It looked awful.
I called Target’s customer service since I had bought the fire pit at the store but didn’t have a receipt or the original box it came in.
They were super helpful and because it had been under a year since I purchased it, I was able to take it back to the store and get a full refund.
How’s that for customer service?
Yay, Target!
So, now I’m on the hunt for a new fire pit table.
This square 28″ iron firepit is the same shape and size as our old one and has great ratings on Amazon.
I also like this round firepit that’s made of rust resistant material which may be better than our old one.
Or a stainless steel Solo stove burns wood rather than using propane.
These are super popular!
And this Tiki brand firepit doesn’t use gas but wood like the Solo stove and I like the style of this one.
Not so sure about a wood burning fire pit on a wood deck?
I’m thinking the propane is a better option for this space.
Decisions…decisions!
While I continue to be indecisive, let’s see what Anne found this week!
Anne’s Faves This Week
My family is headed to the Dominican Republic for a week of making memories together!
To say I’m excited would be a huge understatement.
We booked this trip over a year ago in anticipation of celebrating my son’s graduation from college.
After all, once he’s got a real job, his flexibility and availability for taking vacations is gonna change.
I’ve been checking the weather forecast, and there’s a chance of rain showing almost every day.
Of course, this is the tropics and it’s almost summer, so hopefully, it’s just those little popup storms that happen?
Either way, I’m making some preparations, just in case…
My family loves playing games, so I’m bringing some of our old favorites plus a few new ones.
Our Favorite Games that Travel Well
Tenzi Dice and Add-on Pack of Game Cards
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Flip Side
All of these games are a lot of fun for family game nights!
I love that individually they’re small enough to fit in my purse, and typically bring one along when we go out for drinks with friends.
We may not get around to playing all of them next week, but I’m bringing them all just in case…
Does your family have a favorite game that’s portable?
Set of Packing Cubes
My sister turned me on to packing cubes a few years ago.
It’s amazing how they help to increase how much fits into your suitcase!
I love this set because it comes in a variety of colors.
Each family member can have a unique color, then pack as many as can fit into their carry-on suitcase.
The additional cubes can go into checked luggage, but you can often get away with just one checked bag for the whole family!
Since each person has their own color it’s easy to get the cubes to the right person when you arrive.
The other perks to packing cubes?
Unpacking is a breeze.
Simply unzip the cube and place it in the drawer.
When it’s time to pack to head back home, cubes make it easy to keep clean and dirty clothes separate (just in case you packed more than you wore…).
I’ll be sure to share a picture of mine all packed and everything I fit in once I finally get packed!
Set of Rattan Earrings
I’m absolutely loving the look of woven rattan earrings this summer!
This set of four unique styles is less than $15.
They’re so lightweight that I don’t even notice them when I wear them.
The variety of colors and shapes mean they pair perfectly with lots of outfits.
These are the only earrings I’m packing for this trip!
Click on any image to shop items from this post
What have you been shopping for this week? Have you found anything amazing?
We’d love to hear about it….just leave a comment below!
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