Tips and Tricks Archives - The Holtz House

10 Reasons Why Basic Invite is Anything But Basic

This post has been sponsored by Basic Invite, but all opinions are my own.

It’s officially wedding season! So crazy to think my husband and I will be celebrating our 4th anniversary in one month. Where has the time gone?!

Looking back at our wedding planning process, I tended to stress over all the little details. Will the cake be okay in the humidity? What will happen if our ring bearer doesn’t want to walk down the aisle? Will our guests be able to find our venue in the middle of the country?

Let me give you a little tip, if you’re looking for no stress wedding invitations… Basic Invite is your go-to, and trust me, they are anything but basic! (Stick with me until the end where I’ll share a promo code.) Here’s 10 reasons why…

1- Endless Color Options – Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options. So, you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it – down to the littlest detail. This truly sets them apart from almost any other online stationery company. (They even just rolled out a new clear collection – simple + beautiful!)

Clear wedding invitations with white script from Basic Invite.

2- Custom Samples – Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual wedding invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order. So genius… try before you buy. Here’s where you can find some wedding invitation examples.

3 – So Many Designs to Choose From – With over 1,000 wedding invitation sets, you can find everything from save the dates to wedding invitations and enclosure cards, wedding menus, wedding programs and even matching thank you cards!

Sage green ombre wedding invite with white script from Basic Invite.

4- Free Wedding Websites – Basic Invite’s new wedding websites are completely customizable just like their wedding invitations! These free wedding websites are mobile friendly and super easy to use. You can instantly upload all of your wedding details along with images and a map with directions which is super convenient for your guests. Choose from 180 custom colors and even choose a design to match your wedding invitation suite!

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July 1, 2019 By The Holtz House

0 In Mom Life/ Our Story/ Tips and Tricks

5 Tips for Taking Beautiful Newborn Photos at the Hospital

I can’t even believe that our sweet baby girl will be two months old so soon! Time is flying by so fast, and I’m just trying to soak it all in. Stay little, Kinley Katherine.

I’m so happy that we have our newborn photos from the hospital to remind us of that special day. It truly feels like a blur now, because it all flew by in a second. I strongly recommend capturing these images that will last a lifetime.

During our hospital stay, we scheduled a photo shoot with Bella Baby Photography . They are on-site at hospitals throughout the country including the one we delivered in.

We couldn’t have been happier with our experience with Bella Baby. The whole shoot only took around 15 minutes, and we received our photos just 30 minutes later. Our photographer was so sweet and helped to pose us with baby to make sure that our photos turned out beautiful. The best part was that the actual photo session was complimentary. You don’t need to make the decision to purchase until you’re presented with the photo proofs.

After our wonderful experience, I’m sharing with you five tips for taking beautiful newborn photos at the hospital.

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January 25, 2019 By The Holtz House

0 In DIY/ Home Decor/ How To/ interior design/ Tips and Tricks

How to Apply Shiplap Wallpaper

Calling all Joanna Gaines wanna be’s… are you dying for the look of shiplap, but not ready to commit to the real thing? Do you currently live in a rental where you can make any changes to your living space? Or maybe you don’t have access to an arsenal of power tools at your disposal. For me, I’m the queen of indecisiveness so it’s hard for me to make a big time commitment to any design trend. The thought of destroying a whole wall of drywall for something I might not like in the future makes me a little leary.

My IG buddy Amanda @houseoncanal has this AMAZING shiplap wall in her home. When I asked her about it, she told me it wasn’t even real, and I couldn’t believe it! It was peel and stick wallpaper! After that, I was sold. I knew this DIY project wouldn’t be easy, but it would be well worth it to get the “Fixer Upper” look. Here’s how to apply shiplap wallpaper…

Materials

Devine Color Textured Shiplap Peel & Stick Wallpaper -Ultra White (I chose to use this wallpaper, because I loved how it had texture which gives it a more realistic look. Also, I found the price to be really affordable as well.)
Wallpaper plastic smoother
Measuring Tape
Craft Knife
Ruler to use as a straight edge

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January 18, 2018 By The Holtz House

0 In DIY/ How To/ Tips and Tricks/ Winter

DIY Fake Snowballs

Happy New Year y’all! Feels so good to be back… I took a mini-break during the holiday season, and I’m so excited to kickoff the new year with a fun DIY project. As we say goodbye to Christmas decor, it’s now the perfect time to transition to some winter decor. I don’t know about you… but my house was feeling pretty darn bare after taking down all of the Christmas goodness. So if you’re looking for ways to add a wintery feel to your home, some DIY fake snowballs can totally do the trick. These DIY fake snowballs make a great vase filler, you can even add them to any farmhouse tray, wire basket or even a dough bowl. Throw in some faux evergreen sprays for that extra snow season kick.

Materials

Styrofoam balls, various sizes (after testing both the textured and smooth, I found textured to look more realistic)
Fake snow flakes
White craft paint
Mod Podge Matte
White/Clear glitter
Foam paint brush
Toothpicks
Empty box

Instructions

First, to get started, you’ll want to stick your toothpick through the styrofoam ball to give you a place to hold onto it. Using the white craft paint, generously paint each ball white.

2. Once you get a ball painted, then go ahead and stick the toothpick through the bottom of an empty box to create a place to hold all the drying snowballs.

3. After letting them dry for a few hours, you’re ready for the sparkle! Apply a generous layer of Mod Podge and roll the snowball around in a mixture of fake snowflakes and glitter. I also heard that adding epsom salt to the mix is a good way to give an item a realistic icey look.

4. Then just stick the toothpicks within the balls back in the empty box. Let them dry overnight, and that’s it! Now you can style them within your home however you’d like!

Such a simple DIY to create your own winter decor! Will you be decorating your home for winter this year? How about Valentine’s Day?

xo,

lauren

January 10, 2018 By The Holtz House

0 In Tips and Tricks/ Uncategorized

The Best Green Monday Deals

Watch out Cyber Monday… there’s a new online shopping holiday in town, and it’s coming for ya! Have y’all heard of Green Monday AKA Cyber Monday 2 AKA Manic Monday? Well, now you have! The Big Box Retailers have hit historically high sales marks on this day each year. That means, it’s also a special day for us shoppers!

If you’re like me and a total procrastinator when it comes to your Christmas shopping, have no fear. There are some seriously killer deals going on today, and today only. So hurry and snag some steals while you still can!

TARGET – Save $20 for every $100 you spend for gifts for just about everyone.

When I’m coming down to the wire for holiday shopping, Target is always a go-to for me. You can always find something for just about anyone on your list. I’ve picked out a few of my favorite budget-friendly home decor gift items below, because who doesn’t love home decor?

MACY’S – Take an extra 30% off using promo code: FRIEND and free shipping over $25

Another one of my fav shopping destinations, because you can shop for everyone from your mom to your great uncle. They’re even offering this discount on Designer Brands that rarely go on sale so shop soon! To inspire your spirit of giving, I’m sharing a few of my favorites for your home below.

WALMART – Various deals on electronics, kitchen appliances and toys

Wal-mart is featuring a little bit of everything on sale for today only! The perfect gift for anyone is this single serving Keurig at a great price point. It might not be glamorous, but who couldn’t use a new cordless Dyson vacuum? If you’ve ever thought about purchasing a KitchenAid mixer, now is your chance.

OVERSTOCK.COM – Today ONLY! Up to 70% off

If you’ve been eyeing a new mattress, you can get up to 60% off today. A really good deal! Don’t forget about (wo)man’s best friend who also needs a comfy place to sleep. These dog beds come in a variety of colors to match your home decor.

A Few Other Deals Include…

J.C. PENNEY – Online only, up to 60% off, various deals

EBAY – Various deals

SAKS OFF 5th – Save up to 80% off, and get free shipping using promo code: SHIP4FREE

Where else have you spotted any Green Monday deals? I’d love to hear from you!

xo,

lauren

December 11, 2017 By The Holtz House

2 In Home Decor/ Tips and Tricks

11 Life-Changing Products for Your Home

Looking to get your home more organized? How about cleaner? Maybe even smell better? There’s something out there for that!

Do you ever purchase something new and think… “Where has this been all life?” Sometimes it can be something so simple, but it makes all the difference in your home. I’ve rounded up all of my favorites items that I’ve purchased over the last few years that have made an impact in The Holtz House.

Here are 11 life-changing products for your home…

1. Angry Mama – Microwave Oven Cleaner

Do you hate scrubbing the gunk inside the microwave as much as I do? Angry Mama is just what you need. Fill her up with vinegar and water, and throw her in the microwave for a few minutes. The steam pours out of her head, and suddenly it’s so much easier to clean off the food splatter.

2. DampRid Hanging Bag

Does your master closet connect directly to your master bathroom like mine? Even when I turn the fan in, it always seems so muggy and damp in our master closet after we get done taking a shower. I hate it! When I discovered DampRid, it was a total game changer for me. No more musty smell in the closet, and you can actually see the product working. The bag slowly fills with water, pulling it from the air. This product is the real deal. I even purchased the large bucket for our basement as well.

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November 6, 2017 By The Holtz House

2 In Home Decor/ How To/ interior design/ Tips and Tricks

6 Ways to Style Spindles

A few weeks ago, I ran into my friend, Kari, at the Main Street Market hosted by Urban Farmgirl in Rockford. She had purchased a beautiful set of white, chippy spindles from Trove Vintage. We were chatting about all the fun ways she would be able to style them within her home. Then LIGHT BULB… it hit me! What a perfect idea for a blog post. In the hopes of providing some decor inspiration for your home, here are six ways to style spindles.

1. Place within a dough bowl or old toolbox.

If you’re looking for something to fill up a decorative bowl of any kind, you can add in your chippy paint spindles. You can keep it plain and simple or incorporate other filler as well.

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September 27, 2017 By The Holtz House

22 In DIY/ Furniture/ Home Decor/ How To/ Tips and Tricks

DIY Project: How To Build Pipe Shelves

Have you been on a desperate search to find the perfect industrial shelving unit to fit your space? I’ve got you… search no longer! With this quick and easy tutorial, you can build the perfect DIY pipe shelves.

It takes a little time, patience, some elbow grease and the supplies below…

Supplies

Power drill
Stud finder
Two (per shelf) 3/4 in. diameter black iron floor flange fitting
Two (per shelf) 3/4 in. diameter black iron cap fitting
Two (per shelf) 3/4 in. 10 in. black pipe nipple
Wooden Plank (one per shelf)
Level
#6 Drywall Screws, 2 in. in black
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

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August 10, 2017 By The Holtz House

5 In Hobby Lobby/ Home Decor/ How To/ interior design/ Tips and Tricks

5 Ways to Style a Tobacco Basket

Lately I’ve been seeing tobacco baskets popping up all over the place. They can be a great way to incorporate farmhouse flair into your home. Even if the farmhouse trend isn’t your thing, it can serve as a way to incorporate natural wood elements into your interior design.

If you’re looking to purchase the real thing from an antique store, it’s going to set you back a couple hundred dollars. Maybe you can snag one at a barn sale or a flea market for less. But lucky for those of us on a budget, you can find replica tobacco baskets from Hobby Lobby, Amazon and Decor Steals from time to time.

Once you get your hands on one… how do you decorate with a tobacco basket? Here are 5 simple ways you can style a tobacco basket within your home.

Hang on a wall.

I’d say this is the most popular way I’ve seen tobacco baskets used. You can hang on a wall just the basket itself to keep it simple. Or you can attach some faux florals or include multiple baskets to display as a form of wall art.

2. Use as a tray.

Looking for the perfect focal piece for your coffee table? Why not use a tobacco basket as a tray to hold a few decorative items like books, candles and flowers. You can even make it more practical by adding in your TV remote or pretty coasters.

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July 26, 2017 By The Holtz House

3 In Bedroom/ DIY/ Furniture/ Home Decor/ How To/ interior design/ Tips and Tricks

DIY Project: How to Chalk Paint a Mirror

About a month ago, my bestie, Morgan, moved into an apartment in Chicago. She wanted her new space to feel cozy and comfortable without having to spend a lot of money. She’s currently in grad school so keeping it cheap was a must! She expressed the need for a get-ready station in her bedroom since she shares one small bathroom with her roommate. We looked all over for a simple vanity that would fit the space. The ones we found were either too expensive or just not quite right. So instead, we decided to refinish some old furniture pieces that she already had using chalk paint.

We spruced up the small table by using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite with Annie Sloan Soft Wax in Clear over the top. For the technique we used, just check out this past blog post… Transforming a Garage Sale Find with Chalk Paint.

For the mirror, here’s what we did…

Supplies

Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paint – Linen White
ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape
Old newspapers
Sandpaper – 60 grit

Instructions

Start off with an old mirror you’re looking to transform. We used this old gaudy gold mirror pictured below or a wooden frame could work as well.

2. Brush the edges of the mirror off with a dust rag to insure you’re starting with a clean surface.

3. Use the painter’s tape to create a rectangle around the outer edge where the mirror meets the frame. Be sure to take your time and get as close to the edge of the frame as possible. This will insure a clean edge between the painted frame and the mirrored surface. You will be taping right on the mirror’s surface.

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July 18, 2017 By theholtzhouse

Older Posts

Tips and Tricks

Materials

Materials

Instructions

A Few Other Deals Include…

1. Place within a dough bowl or old toolbox.

Supplies

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