Inspiration Maria Lorena Inspiration Maria Lorena

The 3 Rules We Follow to Keep Our Holiday Decor Budget In Check

The holiday season is magical, but the price tag? Not so much. In this post, I’m sharing the three non-negotiable rules we follow to transform our builder-grade home into a cozy, intentional winter haven without breaking the bank. Discover how we achieve a high-impact, layered look while keeping our savings account intact—featuring my favorite trick for "shopping your own home" and the secret to lush greenery on a budget!

Read More
Inspiration Maria Lorena Inspiration Maria Lorena

The Winter Storage Purge: How We Prepare Our Home for Incoming Gifts & Toys

The excitement of the holidays often comes with the dread of inevitable clutter from new gifts and toys. We've learned that the secret to enjoying a calm, festive season isn't cleaning up after the mess, but starting right now with a crucial step we call the winter storage purge. This simple process minimizes existing clutter, ensures that every incoming gift has a designated space, and makes post-holiday organization a breeze.

Read More
Inspiration Maria Lorena Inspiration Maria Lorena

From Chaos to Cozy: Your Intentional Hosting Checklist for Overnight Guests

Opening your home is intimate, but I believe in intentional hosting—aiming for grace, not perfection. Forget the frantic cleaning; true welcome comes from small, thoughtful acts. Focus on creating a sensory welcome: clear visual clutter on flat surfaces, introduce a light, calming scent and soft music, and elevate the guest sleep space with comforts like a charger and water carafe. These deliberate details loudly proclaim: "Welcome, I'm glad you're here!"

Read More
Inspiration Maria Lorena Inspiration Maria Lorena

Cozy Corner Refresh: Creating an Intentional Reading Nook for the Long Winter Nights

It’s officially my favorite time of year, and I'm focused on turning my house into a cozy, intentional space. This year, I'm creating a reading corner—a high-impact, low-cost transformation to make winter nights feel like a retreat. This intentional nook is your permission slip to slow down, disconnect, and embrace the quiet beauty of the season.

Read More
Inspiration Maria Lorena Inspiration Maria Lorena

Layered and Lush: Creating a Casual Yet Elegant Thanksgiving Tablescape

This year, I wanted to create a tablescape that felt elevated and special, but still casual enough for a long, relaxed evening. I'm sharing my simple, layered approach using pieces I already own, plus my tips for incorporating organic touches and unexpected colors to make your holiday table truly shine! You can achieve a high-impact look without the high-end budget!

Read More
Inspiration Maria Lorena Inspiration Maria Lorena

Creating The Ultimate Cozy Movie Night at Home

With the holidays approaching and the kids home, a cozy at-home movie night is the perfect way to make memories without the stress. It’s about so much more than just the film—it's about the ambiance, elevated snacks, and total comfort. Discover our favorite tips for ditching the harsh lights, perfecting your popcorn with secret seasonings, and creating a plush, distraction-free cinematic experience that your whole family will love.

Read More
Inspiration Maria Lorena Inspiration Maria Lorena

Create Your Coziest Bedroom Yet: A Guide to Layering for Fall

Ready to turn your bedroom into the ultimate Fall sanctuary?Once that first crisp night hits, there’s nothing better than sinking into a bed that feels like a cozy, layered cloud. You don't need a total makeover to achieve this level of hotel-worthy comfort; it all comes down to mastering the art of layering your bedding from the foundation up. This simple guide will show you how to blend textures, colors, and weights—all on a budget—to create a personal retreat you'll never want to leave.

Read More
Roundup, Inspiration Maria Lorena Roundup, Inspiration Maria Lorena

Spooky, But Make It Stylish: Chic Halloween Decor Roundup

With Halloween just around the corner next month, it would be fun to share a roundup of some of my favorite Halloween decor for this year. This decor often sells out quickly, so if you’re in the market for it, it’s best to start shopping now. If you’re looking for some inspiration, stick around as I share my tips for decorating for Halloween without making it cheesy.

Read More
Inspiration Maria Lorena Inspiration Maria Lorena

Create a Fall Container Garden for Your Front Porch

There's nothing like waking up in the morning and experiencing the first chilly morning of the season. It's my absolute favorite thing, and I love feeling the change of weather as the seasons change. As the air is getting crisper (well, sort of here in north Florida!), and the leaves are thinking about starting to change - it's officially fall! This is the time of year that I truly love to spend time outdoors and enjoy the crisp, cool weather we finally get. Even if we don't get dramatic fall foliage here, I still love to embrace the cozy vibes and rich colors of fall with a few updates to my garden. 

Read More
Roundup, Inspiration Maria Lorena Roundup, Inspiration Maria Lorena

The Power of Setting the Table

In this fast-paced world, finding moments to connect as a family can be challenging. With the distractions of screens, social media, and everyday life, it can be hard to create the connections that nurture strong family bonds. Now that both of my kids are of school-age, with after-school activities, it feels like mealtime is one of the few moments we can connect.

Read More
Inspiration Maria Lorena Inspiration Maria Lorena

Six Upgrades every Kitchen NEEDS

Upgrading your kitchen does not immediately mean ripping out the old one and adding a new, fancy one. There are several updates that you can do to elevate your cooking experience and the overall functionality of your home. Here are six essential upgrades that can help you transform your kitchen into your favorite room. 

Read More
Inspiration Maria Lorena Inspiration Maria Lorena

2024 Holiday Gift Guides

The holiday season is a time for joy, generosity, and thoughtful gifting, and finding the perfect present for the special person in our lives can sometimes be a challenge. Whether shopping for a partner, family member, or friend, this 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is here to help you get ideas for that perfect gift.

Read More