Your weekly curated guide to great finds that make your home life easier, fuller, richer, and happier.

We’ve got 9 – count ‘em – 9 great blog posts to share that run the gamut of the best things that make your home life worth every precious second. There are decor items like transitioning out of farmhouse decor on a budget and a tutorial on how to pair rugs. There’s a cute craft project your kids or grandkids will love – Tooth Fairy monster pillows! In the DIY category, we’ve got a how-to on making fun and folksy concrete stepping stones, as well as an article that talks about the rising costs of home renovations (bummer!). If you’re a reader, we’ve got a list of short–but–meaningful books for Summer, and finally three recipes that’ll make your mouth water: tomato cracker salad, cowboy butter grilled shrimp, and the best s’mores bars you’ve ever tasted. Let’s dive in!

Transitioning from farmhouse decor on a budget

Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick gives us a heartwarming home tour of her shift from trendy farmhouse to a more personal, polished space, all while keeping her wallet happy. All trends eventually wind down, and if you’re feeling like the farmhouse decor trend is getting long in the tooth, well, you’re not alone. The article kicks things off by admitting that while the farmhouse look once brought comfort, everyone’s tastes change, and Sarah began craving more tailored textures, muted colors, and pieces that reflected her style. Spoiler: none of this required a full-scale remodel.

Her secret sauce? “Shop your house.” The blog post highlights how simply swapping pillow covers, light fixtures, and a few decor items brought instant cohesion. There are even ideas for clever thrift-store finds and repurposed treasures – like adding a modern rug to soften a rustic room, or updating vintage frames with sleek modern art.

What feels so relatable is the reminder that styles evolve, and that’s totally okay. The article champions mixing old favorites with new treasures to build a look that grows with you. Each tip involves targeted changes that don’t break the bank and don’t require a contractor – just your time and vision.

What makes this post shine is the ultra-personal tone – it reads like catching up with your stylish friend over coffee. Sarah’s genuine excitement about her home, plus her smart budget-conscious mindset, serve inspired but practical ideas for anyone in the middle of their own style evolution.

Home renovation costs aren’t getting cheaper

Today’s Homeowner takes off the rose-colored glasses and walks you through the real deal: what materials are costing more (or less) right now, and why it matters. Starting with lumber – thanks to global supply chain whiplash – it’s not just your contractor who’s seeing eye-watering price tags. They break down current per-board pricing, historical trends, and ways to lock in rates before they spike.

Then they pivot to other staples: drywall, insulation, fasteners – things you don’t think about until they're suddenly $50 more expensive. Each section includes data and projections, giving readers a snapshot of where costs might go over the next year. It’s granular but not overwhelming, offering a practical set of tools for homeowners trying to plan budgets or price compare estimates.

The guide then offers savvy tips: buy early, consider alternative materials (like composite decking over cedar), or shift timelines to when prices dip (pre-season promos, anyone?). It's like having your own finance nerd whispering, “Hey, maybe hold off on that decking until spring.”

The result? You walk away feeling informed and empowered – not anxious. The tone strikes a smart balance: urgent without panic, data-rich but always accessible. This is the resource every DIYer and aspiring remodeler needs to make smarter decisions (and maybe dodge budget blowouts before they happen).

Garden Stepping Stones DIY

Funky Junk Interiors has a blog post that invites us into the garden with an irresistibly fun and easy DIY: personalized stepping stones. Picture outdoor acrylic stamps pressed into wet cement, then sprinkled with colorful mica powders or glass gems. It’s instant whimsy underfoot.

The guide is packed with tips: how to frame your stone, choose stamps, prep the concrete, and seal it for outdoor use. Plus, the post shares safety notes (dust mask for mixing cement, please!) and how to plan placement – straight paths, curves, or just creative pops.

These garden stepping stones aren’t just functional; they’re personality exploders. Imagine “Welcome Home” or whimsical leaf prints adorning your walkway, each one a daily small joy.

At its heart, this post is about celebrating low-stakes creativity that makes big visual impact. It’s DIY with a smile – a chance to leave your mark (literally) on your yard.

Tooth Fairy monster pillow with free patterns

Creatively Beth is back with a cute pillow tutorial you never knew you needed – a Tooth Fairy monster pillow. The pillow's dual-use: shove under your child’s pillow at night, and when they wake, flip it to the "biting" side to show the tooth-getting monster did its job. It’s silly, stealthy, and perfect for easing childhood transitions.

Free patterns are generously provided (in boy and girl variants) with charming monster faces, tiny arms to hold the lost tooth, and a pocket for the payout. The detailed steps include fabric suggestions, sewing tricks for smooth curves, and playful tips like using fleece for monster fuzz rather than being poked by felt.

What’s especially sweet is the post’s encouragement around imperfections – reminding readers that kids won’t nit-pick a wobbly stitch – they’ll just be excited by the snarky little monster performing a secret tooth swap. Each monster is more funny than scary, adding just the right dose of showmanship to bedtime routines.

The final result is both functional kid-cuteness and creative storytelling. The post is a delightful reminder that crafting can do so much more than decorate – it can create memories, ease transitions, and become a beloved reveal moment at sunrise.

The best short books for summer reading

Wit & Delight’s latest summer reading roundup offers refuge for the busy booklover who still wants a satisfying literary escape. Their curated list features short but resonant reads that pack emotion, depth, and lingering impact into tidy packages, and they’re ideal for meandering beach days or lazy backyard afternoons. Think under-200 pages but big on heart and ideas.

The list includes Bluets by Maggie Nelson, a lyrical meditation woven from fragments on the color blue, grief, desire, and memory.

Then there’s I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, a haunting short novel about a group of forty women imprisoned underground. The piece describes it as eerie and thought-provoking, perfect for readers who like to question identity and freedom in unsettling ways.

Also included on the list is Getting Lost by Annie Ernaux, an unvarnished diary of the author’s affair with a younger man. No filter, no edits – just raw longing, obsession, and the self-questioning that comes with a late-in-life unraveling.

The Alchemist is included as well, and it’s a book I’m actually reading right now. This enchanting novella follows Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, on a mystical quest for treasure that turns out to be much more than gold. It’s about discovering your Personal Legend and listening to your heart.

The beauty in all the books on the list, is how these tales often reveal something new depending on where you are in life. This summer reading list is a perfect blend of whimsy, philosophy, and hopeful guidance for anyone mid-summer or mid-life.

How to pair rugs: Favorite combinations

The Chris Loves Julia blog breaks down rug pairing with approachable style savviness. This article explores how mixing rug sizes, patterns, textures, and materials (like jute + patterned wool) can create depth and interest in living rooms and bedrooms. The joy here is seeing a design concept they break down into real-life pairings: a small Persian rug layered on a larger neutral wool rug, or combining a sisal rug with a geometric runner.

They talk about scale (don’t pair two bold patterns of the same scale – choose variety), anchor pieces (like under-the-coffee-table rugs), and how to balance personality with cohesiveness. There’s even a section on color palettes – neutrals with pops, tonal variations, and grounding versus dramatic combinations.

The best part? Their wardrobe analogy: “Think of your space like your outfit. You wouldn’t pair a loud top with an equally loud bottom without something grounding it.” That warm, witty tone gives real conviction to their guidance without making your room feel like a retailer’s showroom.

By the end, you feel like you’ve got a mini design consultation in your back pocket. Rug layering isn’t intimidating. It’s fun, stylish, and a simple way to add character to any room.

Tomato cracker salad

Budget Bytes redefines no-cook summer lunches with this deeply Southern recipe – Tomato Cracker Salad – a mix of buttery cracker crumbs, juicy tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, and green onions. It's essentially a picnic in a bowl: crunchy, savory, and fresh without turning on the stove.

The guide covers technique details like letting tomatoes soften for flavor, toasting crackers just right so they stay crisp, and adding salt gradually to avoid over-seasoning. Every step feels like a hack to elevate simple pantry and produce staples into something unexpectedly satisfying.

What stands out is the clever balance of textures and flavors – you get crunch, creaminess, acidity, and subtly sweet tomato flavor, all in one bite. Plus, this salad is Uber-adaptable: swap in your favorite crackers, try a splash of balsamic vinegar, or add a sprinkle of feta.

This surprising combo of ingredients is perfect for camping trips, lunchboxes, or end-of-summer garden parties. It’s the refreshingly easy dish you didn’t know you needed.

Cowboy butter grilled shrimp

Cooking with FIre presents cowboy butter: the luscious, herby, buttery marinade that turns shrimp (and yes, steak too) into something irresistibly crave-worthy. They start with a base of garlic, parsley, Dijon, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and (because why not) a hit of cayenne for sizzle. The result is a marinade you’ll want to drizzle on grilled veggies too.

The article guides you through coating the shrimp, skewering (or using a grill basket), and brushing with more garlic butter mid-grill for glossy, caramelized goodness. Each bite is a balance of smoky, tangy, savory with just enough kick to keep taste buds dancing.

What gives this recipe flair is how it encourages you to upscale simplicity: you’re not making shrimp cocktail or complicated sauces. You’re making something show-stopping with minimal ingredient drama. Plus, it’s grill-season ready and crowd-approved.

By the end, you’re dreaming of sunset cookouts, warm patios, and how cowboy butter could become your go-to for everything from steak to corn-on-the-cob. Bonus: prep is easy and cleanup is minimal – peak weekend cooking bliss.

Delightful Summer dessert: S’mores Bars

Pinch of Yum delivers s’mores in bar form – and this is the chocolate-and-marshmallow treat your oven (and heart) needs. The base layer starts with a buttery graham cracker crust, followed by a melty chocolate chunk layer, and then a gooey marshmallow topping that’s golden-toasted perfection.

The post walks through how to press the crust just right, layer evenly, and achieve that perfect chill time so bars hold their shape (trust us, full sticky goo is delicious, but structured goo is next level). They also suggest fun upgrades: chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even a swirl of peanut butter before baking.

This is pure indulgent fun without guilt, reminding you that making a messy, delicious dessert is worth every sticky chocolate finger. It’s warm, easy-to-follow, and perfect for feeding a crowd or just treating yourself midweek.

You’ll be left with something shareable, nostalgic, and undeniably drool-worthy. These bars aren’t just dessert, they’re a summer tradition in portable bites.

That’s it for this week. Let us know your thoughts about any or all of the featured posts in this edition of Styled & Savored, and tell us what you’d like to see us cover in future editions as well.