Weekend Wine-down

Hi, friends! I’m SO excited to be able to introduce a brand new series kicking off today on the blog! I’ve been brainstorming ways I can pop in and share life updates, latest house projects, newest style finds and other random things going on with me in a simple, casual and fun way. Well, this is what I came up with! The week is wrapping up and the weekend is in sight, so grab your favorite bottle of wine [Pinot Noir for me!] and a couple of glasses [or just one, no judgement if you’re cheers-ing to the weekend alone!] and let’s do this! The first installment of the Weekend Wine-down is here!

I plan to share a Weekend Wine-down with you on Fridays or Saturdays as a way to connect. You know those personal tid bits that don’t always fit into a typical home decor, DIY, recipe or style post!

I obviously won’t do this every time, but if you’re new around here, let me quickly introduce myself. My name is Rachael and I’ve been blogging at This is our Bliss for 5 years. What started out as a little hobby with one baby at home and one on the way, has now turned into a part-time business. A place I can call my own and still very much my creative outlet.

Over time, the my tiny corner of the internet has morphed into more of lifestyle blog because I don’t just share home decor and DIY projects. I share whatever I am in the mood to share! Real life things – recipes I’ve tried and love, outfit inspiration, books I’m reading, rooms I’m decorating, etc. This blog has brought me so much joy and more incredible opportunities [like that time I was featured in Good Housekeeping] and friendships than I ever knew were possible!

The blog is my baby!

But not the only one. I have a real one! Plus  2 bigger ones 🙂 My husband, Ted and I have 3 boys – ages 7, 5 and 14 months. They are my whole world and am crazy in love with being a boy mom!

We had family photos taken on the beach by Photography by Anne in Hilton Head in July and they did an incredible job – highly recommend! You can read my Hilton Head Vacation Recap here.

I’m a super girly girl that loves sparkles and shoes and leopard print, but my world now involves fort-making, Hot Wheels, nerf guns, soccer Saturdays, baseball games and family dance parties. I am outnumbered times 4, but I am literally obsessed with my dudes!

I haven’t lost my girly-self, in fact, I say with all these boys around here, all the more reason for me to amp up the pink and glitter! Another way I keep myself feeling chic and glam is through fun and affordable accessories. I’ve been a Stella & Dot Stylist for a little over 2 years and absolutely love helping other women look and feel their best. Whether it’s showing them how to pair simple, everyday pieces that will help pull their outfits together or finding the perfect statement earring for a night out with their husband.

Bracelet Layering Inspiration / Arm Party Ideas

It’s so much fun!

Mexican food is my favorite, but I can’t deny pizza or pasta either. I love my coffee in the morning and my wine at night. All in moderation 😉

I guess I really could go on and on because I don’t this very often! You can read my About Me page here, which has only been updated a couple of times in the last 5 years. Thankfully, the latest edit was only a few months ago!

Ok, now that we have some basic info out of the way, let’s get on with the rest of this weekend wine-down, shall we?

WEEKEND WINE-DOWN

The big boys have been back to school for almost 3 weeks now, so I feel like I’m finally getting into a groove with Winston and my overall day-to-day schedule.

I thought I would have all this extra time to be able to blog and work more, but I was quickly reminded how busy 1 year olds are. It’s like I forgot that I’d be chasing him around the house all day! 

In lieu of all the extra blogging I thought I’d be able to pull off, I’ve been purging the house and trying to get organized in a few areas.

One aspect I really struggle with is paper clutter. Anyone else?!!

And with all the school papers and pieces of artwork that come home everyday, I’m drowning! I’m working on a finding a solution for mail, bills, etc., but I did just order this set of 6 clear, lidded storage bins for the boys’ keepsake papers and art. I plan to label them up and allow one bin per kid per school year. They were an Amazon find and just arrived, so I’ll report back once I get them going!

I shared a Favorite Amazon Purchases post not that long ago and another one will be up later this month!

Outside of whipping this house back into shape, I’ve been focused on eating healthier and keeping active. I created and started a #30for30 challenge for myself where I set out to walk or run for 30 minutes everyday for 30 days. Most days involved a walk to the park with my stroller buddy, but it felt so good to get out and move!

It’s amazing how easy it is for an entire day to pass and then realize I still haven’t done my 30 minutes!! No excuses! It’s day 27 today & although I’ve taken several days off, I’ve been consciously more active and it feels really good.

I think I’ll start up another 30 days again after my trip next week!

Yes – I’m heading back to New York City for my 3rd Better Homes & Gardens StyleMaker Event and I can’t wait to see the girls! As busy moms & bloggers all over the country, its so nice to have a few days away for girl-time!

We really do have the best time!

My bestie, Heather from A Southern State of Mind and I on the Brooklyn Bridge 2 years ago. #classicjumppic

Stay tuned for more of my trip next week on my Instagram stories and then hopefully a NYC trip recap here on the blog later this Fall. We’re planning on seeing a Broadway show [we saw Beautiful last year] on one of our free days. Any recommendations?! Plus spontaneous walking, shopping and dining in NYC.

Yes, please.

You can read my Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker Event Recap here! 

Speaking of Fall, I’ve started to add a few Fall touches to the house! I swore I wasn’t going to start sprinkling pumpkins anywhere yet, but here they are ha!

I shared my Fall Mantel with Pumpkins & Greens this week and plan to share my Fall Front Porch and maybe the back deck, in a couple weeks! This Summer, we gave our Front Porch a refresh after ignoring it for 3 years and now I’m itching to throw some mums and pumpkins out there!

Here is a look at our last house’s Front Porch full of mums and pumpkins 5 years ago! In this post, you can check out my Simple Tips for how to decorate your Front Porch for Fall.

Gahhh! How I miss that front door!!
[See my final home tour in our last home here.]

As for other house projects, I finished up our Laundry Room this Summer and the Middle’s Big Boy Room in January. I’m not sure if we’ll squeeze another room out this year [maybe our Pantry if that counts!], even though last year we took on 4 spaces – the Kitchen, the Basement Guest Bathroom, the 3rd’s Nursery and the Basement Guestroom.

I think a Pantry makeover or a small closet refresh might be all I have left in me this year. Even though I really need to finish my office! Stay tuned to see if I get a wild hair or not!

We have a low-key weekend for a change and I’m beyond thrilled to have little-to-no plans! Homemade pizza [we’ve been loving the broccoli & kale crust from Trader Joes] and a movie last night.

With soccer games and a birthday party today and date night tonight. Tomorrow is 100% open so my goal is to sleep in & hang-out until we figure out what we’re going to do all day!

I’m probably going to finish figuring out my outfits for New York and start packing. My 7 AM flight on Wednesday is going to sneak up on me real quick.

I know this was a looong post. But I really am excited about being able to pop in & share the random, the fun, the finds and everything in between with you in this new series. If you have ideas of topics to cover or questions you want me to answer, please let me know!

I read every single comment and email that comes my way. Although I might not be able to respond right away, I do always see them.

SNEAKERS | JEANS | HEY THERE, TAKE CARE RUG | STRIPED RUG | WINE GLASS | GRAY + GOLD BRACELET | GOLD BRACELET SET

 I hope you guys have the best weekend and can wine-down again at some point!! 

xo, R