Mackinaw Road

Travel-Inspired Design, One Trip at a Time

  • Travel
    • A 2-to-4-day Vancouver Itinerary
    • 6 Kid-Friendly Christmas Activities in Chicago
    • 6 Kid-Friendly, Rainy Day Activities in Boston
    • Banff: Something for Everyone
    • Chicago with Kids: Can’t Miss Places and Restaurants
    • Islands
      • 007 in the Bahamas
      • Island Travel Interveiws- Australia, Take 1 (Sydney)
      • Island Travel Interviews, Australia (Gold Cost)
      • Island Travel Interviews- Caribbean Islands, Take 10 (St. Barts)
      • MUST SEE Grand Cayman
      • Top 5 Hilton Head Activities with Kids
      • What to do on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
      • A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas
      • The Cloisters on Paradise Island, Bahamas
      • Where to Eat When Visiting Paradise Island
    • Michigan
      • 24 Hours in West Michigan
      • An Afternoon in Grand Rapids
      • A Long Weekend in Northern Michigan
      • A Few Hours in Saugatuck
      • Global Christmas and Holiday Traditions in 2 hours or Less
      • Leland Gal
      • Places You MUST SEE in Northern Michigan
      • Traverse City Wineries
      • What to Do in Charlevoix, Michigan
      • What to do in Leland, Michigan
      • What to do in Petoskey, Michigan
      • Where to Eat in Traverse City, Michigan
      • Where to Stay in Saugatuck: Judson Heath Colonial Inn
    • Midwest Christmas Tour
    • NOLA in 2 days
    • Philipsburg, Montana, Philipsburg Blue, and How They are Related
    • Top 6 activities in D.C. with Small Children
    • Top 5 Delhi Attractions
    • Top 4 Best Spring Break Beaches
    • To Plan or Not to Plan
    • A Weekend in New York City
    • Wandering in NYC
    • NYC in 48 Hours
    • What to do in Asheville, North Carolina (in 24 hours)
    • What to do in Monterey, California
    • What to do in New Orleans
    • What to do in San Antonio, Texas
    • What to do in Savannah, Georgia (in 3 hours)
    • What to do in Washington D.C.
    • What to do in Winter Park, Florida
    • Where to Eat in Chicago: Restaurants for Every Kind of Getaway
    • Where to Eat in Denver
    • Where to Stay in Denver: Hotel Teatro
  • Beach Cabin & Home
    • A Hotel-Inspired Guest Room Makeover
    • An Airbnb-Inspired Fridge Obsession
    • Christmas House Tour 2016
    • Cottage Kitchen Nook | ORC Week 8
    • Cozy Autumn Living Room
    • Decorating with Travel Trinkets
    • DIY Design: Cane Console Makeover Look for Less
    • DIY Ottoman for the Beach Cabin
    • Easy, Cost-Effective and Time-Efficient Flooring
    • Entryway Wallpaper : Serena and Lily Wallpaper
    • How to “Tile” A Fireplace with Wall Stencils and a GIVEAWAY!
    • Inexpensive Backyard Patio Ideas
    • Inexpensive Flooring: How to Stencil Concrete Floors
    • Kitchen Styling: Spring Shelves 3 Ways
    • Kitchen Shelf Styling- Autumn Decor
    • Living Room Plans: A Sectional and Accent Chair Options
    • Modern Traditional Laundry Room Makeover
    • Thanksgiving: At Home and Abroad
    • Travel-Inspired Shared Bedroom
  • SHOP OUR HOME & BEACH CABIN
  • SHOP MY CLOSET
  • About Me
    • Let’s Chat
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, and Privacy
  • Travel
    • A 2-to-4-day Vancouver Itinerary
    • 6 Kid-Friendly Christmas Activities in Chicago
    • 6 Kid-Friendly, Rainy Day Activities in Boston
    • Banff: Something for Everyone
    • Chicago with Kids: Can’t Miss Places and Restaurants
    • Islands
      • 007 in the Bahamas
      • Island Travel Interveiws- Australia, Take 1 (Sydney)
      • Island Travel Interviews, Australia (Gold Cost)
      • Island Travel Interviews- Caribbean Islands, Take 10 (St. Barts)
      • MUST SEE Grand Cayman
      • Top 5 Hilton Head Activities with Kids
      • What to do on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
      • A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas
      • The Cloisters on Paradise Island, Bahamas
      • Where to Eat When Visiting Paradise Island
    • Michigan
      • 24 Hours in West Michigan
      • An Afternoon in Grand Rapids
      • A Long Weekend in Northern Michigan
      • A Few Hours in Saugatuck
      • Global Christmas and Holiday Traditions in 2 hours or Less
      • Leland Gal
      • Places You MUST SEE in Northern Michigan
      • Traverse City Wineries
      • What to Do in Charlevoix, Michigan
      • What to do in Leland, Michigan
      • What to do in Petoskey, Michigan
      • Where to Eat in Traverse City, Michigan
      • Where to Stay in Saugatuck: Judson Heath Colonial Inn
    • Midwest Christmas Tour
    • NOLA in 2 days
    • Philipsburg, Montana, Philipsburg Blue, and How They are Related
    • Top 6 activities in D.C. with Small Children
    • Top 5 Delhi Attractions
    • Top 4 Best Spring Break Beaches
    • To Plan or Not to Plan
    • A Weekend in New York City
    • Wandering in NYC
    • NYC in 48 Hours
    • What to do in Asheville, North Carolina (in 24 hours)
    • What to do in Monterey, California
    • What to do in New Orleans
    • What to do in San Antonio, Texas
    • What to do in Savannah, Georgia (in 3 hours)
    • What to do in Washington D.C.
    • What to do in Winter Park, Florida
    • Where to Eat in Chicago: Restaurants for Every Kind of Getaway
    • Where to Eat in Denver
    • Where to Stay in Denver: Hotel Teatro
  • Beach Cabin & Home
    • A Hotel-Inspired Guest Room Makeover
    • An Airbnb-Inspired Fridge Obsession
    • Christmas House Tour 2016
    • Cottage Kitchen Nook | ORC Week 8
    • Cozy Autumn Living Room
    • Decorating with Travel Trinkets
    • DIY Design: Cane Console Makeover Look for Less
    • DIY Ottoman for the Beach Cabin
    • Easy, Cost-Effective and Time-Efficient Flooring
    • Entryway Wallpaper : Serena and Lily Wallpaper
    • How to “Tile” A Fireplace with Wall Stencils and a GIVEAWAY!
    • Inexpensive Backyard Patio Ideas
    • Inexpensive Flooring: How to Stencil Concrete Floors
    • Kitchen Styling: Spring Shelves 3 Ways
    • Kitchen Shelf Styling- Autumn Decor
    • Living Room Plans: A Sectional and Accent Chair Options
    • Modern Traditional Laundry Room Makeover
    • Thanksgiving: At Home and Abroad
    • Travel-Inspired Shared Bedroom
  • SHOP OUR HOME & BEACH CABIN
  • SHOP MY CLOSET
  • About Me
    • Let’s Chat
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, and Privacy

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International Travel

Italy in a Week

Italy in a Week What a whirlwind! One week I was express renewing my passport in Chicago and heading to Montreal with our family of four, and the next our…

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July 13, 2025
Uncategorized

June Updates on Mackinaw Road

June was beautiful here in Michigan! Better yet, we were able to get several TO DO list items completed including the exterior painting of the Beach Cabin, landscaping, and re-staining…

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June 30, 2022
DIY

A DIY Raised Garden Bed

Hi there! Last Sunday was so so nice that we decided to DIY a raised garden bed. It went the way almost all of my DIYs do. I looked on…

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May 2, 2020
  • Uncategorized

    The Best Labor Day Sales

    September 3, 2026 /

    Good morning and Happy Labor Day weekend! I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Labor Day Sales from companys I return to again and again.

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    Acadia National Park- Beehive Trail

    5 Day Boston-Maine Road Trip

    August 8, 2024
    Gift Ideas for Grandparents

    Gift Ideas for Grandparents

    November 24, 2025
    Caught My Eye

    February: Things I Wore, Things I Read & Everything Else

    February 25, 2026
  • Gifts

    The Best Gifts for 7 Year Olds

    August 26, 2026 /

    It is so fun to have nieces and nephews that are younger than our children! We can live vicariously through them and are able to hear about all the new ideas and inventions. (Tin Can phone, I’m looking at you.) Below are some things that my kids loved, some that my niece and nephew love, and some ideas for the upcoming holiday season. So, keep reading for some of the Best Gifts for 7 Year Olds.

    read more

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    Gift Guide for 10 Year Old Boys

    Gift Guide: Gifts for 10 Year Old Boys

    November 27, 2023
    2024 Gifts for Him

    Gift Guide: Gift Ideas for Him

    November 12, 2024
    Gifts for 2 Year Olds

    Gifts for 2 Year Olds

    October 12, 2025
  • Summer Tablescape Ideas
    Styling

    Summer Tablescape Ideas

    August 24, 2026 /

    Hi and Happy August! My mom and I spent the morning together at the Beach Cabin and decided that it would be fun to set a summer tablescape. It quickly turned into two.

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    You May Also Like

    Simple Christmas Kitchen

    A Simple Christmas Kitchen: Brass & Berry

    December 11, 2020
    Modern Organic Bedroom

    Modern Organic Teen Girl Bedroom

    August 19, 2025
    Cottage Kitchen Shelves

    Summer Beach Cabin Kitchen Shelves

    May 28, 2021
  • Teen Boy Bedroom Ideas
    Decorating

    Teen Boy Room Ideas

    August 6, 2026 /

    Our son’s room has received multiple refreshes throughout the years. This happens when you move into the house at 6 months old I suppose. But, this is likely the final push. It’s fine. I’m fine. Our son has multiple interests including soccer and skiing. While I didn’t want this to be a “theme room,” I did want to incorporate the things that he is into currently (but that could be switched out with changing activities). Oh, and I’m sort of into plaid lately. So there’s that. I tried to add it in various ways, from curtains to wallpaper to duvet covers in order to give various commitment and price levels.…

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    You May Also Like

    Living Room Accent Chair Options

    Living Room Plans: A Sectional and Accent Chair Options

    October 19, 2020
    Coastal Boy Bedroom

    Coastal Boy Bedroom

    March 6, 2020
    Winter Decorating | Silver Dollar Eucalyptus

    Floor Lamp Round Up and Winter Decorating

    January 14, 2021
  • Things that Caught My Eye
    Uncategorized

    The Quarterly 09

    July 23, 2026 /

    Summer is in full swing (and I won’t accept any other sentiments until it is over on September 21). What a great summer it has been! A European trip, some home updates, a few new summer outfits, and books that I have been using as references for a few friend projects that I get to be on text for. Oh, and my skin care holy grails, Things that Caught My Eye, and a Coastal Cottage Girls Room Design Board.

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Dinner Plates Set

    May Updates on Mackinaw Road

    June 1, 2022
    Thanksgiving Table- Turkey Plates

    November Updates: Winter Art, Cozy Clothes & More

    December 2, 2022
    Acadia National Park- Beehive Trail

    5 Day Boston-Maine Road Trip

    August 8, 2024
  • Parc Guell
    International Travel

    Barcelona: 4 Day Intinerary

    July 13, 2026 /

    We just returned from 8 Days in Spain and it was wonderful! Our daughter and I traveled to Italy last summer and were excited to bring the boys back for a European summer this year. Just as we did when the four of us visited Portugal (Lisbon & The Algarve), we broke the trip up into a city visit and coastal exploration. And just like before, we sort of wished for one day less in the city and one more beachside. Per usual, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start with our action packed 4 days in Barcelona.

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Bahamas Turquoise Water

    A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas

    May 9, 2022
    Cami de Ronda Hiking

    3 Days in Tossa de Mar

    July 1, 2026
    Montreal

    What to Do in Montreal

    July 28, 2025
  • Cami de Ronda Hiking
    International Travel

    3 Days in Tossa de Mar

    July 1, 2026 /

    What a literal breath of fresh air! Tossa de Mar has my heart. I absolutely loved our time in this village complete with stunning water and beaches, hiking, kayaking, a million adorable restaurants and cafes… oh, and a fortified medieval town (Vila Vella) . And the people were so nice! Highly recommend. Tossa de Mar is about a 1.5 hour car or bus ride from Barcelona and is part of Costa Brava. I had originally planned on our family taking a day trip to check out some other towns in Costa Brava. However, upon setting foot in Tossa de Mar we were in immediate agreement that we would just stay…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Parc Guell

    Barcelona: 4 Day Intinerary

    July 13, 2026
    Bahamas Turquoise Water

    A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas

    May 9, 2022
    Best View of Florence

    Italy in a Week

    July 13, 2025
  • Modern Coastal Powder Room Serena & Lily
    Styling

    Modern Coastal Home: Staging Project

    June 9, 2026 /

    Art is of the essence in this lovely newer build home. Tying the family’s beautiful collected pieces in while incorporating some subtle styling was all this house needed to get ready for open houses and walk throughs. You may recognize some of the items from my modern colonial, small shops around town, and bigger box stores. The family has lived in Germany, has ties to Italy, and gives coastal vibes too. All of this tied in with a love of midcentury and modern, and we had a  fun project on our hands!

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    You May Also Like

    Holiday Dining Room

    A Plaid Christmas: The Dining Room

    December 16, 2021
    Cozy Christmas Fireplace, Tree, and Puzzle

    A Cozy Christmas: Red & Green Christmas Tree and Mantle

    December 4, 2020
    Serena and Lily Bedding: Northside Coverlet

    Beach Cabin: Serena and Lily Bedding

    July 30, 2021
  • The Perfect Wallpaper
    DIY

    Stairway Wallpaper: A Tutorial & Wallpaper Options

    May 30, 2026 /

    Okay- that was click bait. Sort of. This was my first attempt at wallpapering so I really am not qualified to be writing a tutorial. However, I am happy to share what I learned. This project was so satisfying, as the kids would say, but my favorite part was (and likely always will be) sifting through and choosing the perfect paper for the space.

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    You May Also Like

    DIY Concrete Overlay Table

    Concrete Overlay: A DIY Concrete Table Top Refresh

    November 18, 2022
    Ski Organization

    Ski Room Storage

    February 6, 2025
    Hotel-Inspired Half Bath

    A Hotel-Inspired Half Bath

    April 21, 2021
  • Spring Birthday Party
    Uncategorized

    The Quarterly 08

    April 20, 2026 /

    Well we are back from Spring Break and officially have a driver. Time is a thief. Not to waste it… Here is what I have to share- a spring birthday tablescape and menu, what we did in the Bahamas with our teens and parents, a book, a show I loved then hated, a show I hated then loved, Spring Things that Caught My Eye, and a Design Board.

    read more

    You May Also Like

    tried-and-true beauty products

    Tried-and-True Beauty Products

    March 27, 2025
    Dining Room Accent Chair

    Mackinaw Road March Updates

    March 23, 2023
    Dinner Plates Set

    May Updates on Mackinaw Road

    June 1, 2022
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