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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Food and Drink, Michigan Travel, Uncategorized

An Afternoon in Grand Rapids

Today I was fortunate enough to have a “work afternoon” with Kelly from the Lily Pad Cottage. Have you visited her blog? If not, you should go right now. Not only…

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December 19, 2016
Gifts, Uncategorized

Gift Guide for the Traveler in Your Life

The Lake Effect snow is on it’s way, and I am finally realizing that Christmas is just over a month away. It’s time to get shopping. Fortunately, there are many,…

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November 19, 2016
DIY

Ski Room Storage

Hi there! While I slowly chipped away at our daughter’s room and seasonally switched out our house furnishings, Raj was busy transforming one of the last untouched spaces in our…

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February 6, 2025
  • 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.

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    Tween Girl Gift Ideas

    Gift Guide: Tween Girl Gifts

    November 7, 2021
    Gift Guide: Gifts for 3 Year Olds

    Gift Guide: Gifts for 3 Year Olds

    November 10, 2022
    Green Kitchen Cabinets and Custom Hood

    Simple Spring Kitchen for Staying Home

    March 31, 2020
  • 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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    Modern Organic Bedroom

    Modern Organic Teen Girl Bedroom

    August 19, 2025
    8 Design Books I Own and Love (and one I pre-ordered)

    8 Design Books I Own & Love

    September 22, 2023
    Simple Christmas Kitchen

    A Simple Christmas Kitchen: Brass & Berry

    December 11, 2020
  • 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.…

    read more

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    Living Room Tv | TV artwork

    Mackinaw Road Mondays: Springtime, Sunglasses, Flowers, and More

    March 17, 2020
    Green Kitchen Cabinets & A Simple Salad with Avocado

    Favorite Blue and Green Paint Colors

    January 30, 2020
    Coastal Boy Bedroom

    Coastal Boy Bedroom

    March 6, 2020
  • 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

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    Acadia National Park- Beehive Trail

    5 Day Boston-Maine Road Trip

    August 8, 2024
    Gift Guide: Gifts for Her

    Gift Guide: Gifts for Her

    November 11, 2022
    The Best Dining Room Chairs

    Mackinaw Road: The Quarterly 03

    November 18, 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

    Cami de Ronda Hiking

    3 Days in Tossa de Mar

    July 1, 2026
    Bahamas Turquoise Water

    A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas

    May 9, 2022
    Best View of Florence

    Italy in a Week

    July 13, 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
    Best View of Florence

    Italy in a Week

    July 13, 2025
    Bahamas Turquoise Water

    A Guide to Paradise Island, Bahamas

    May 9, 2022
  • 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!

    read more

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    Dining Room Whimsical Christmas Table

    A Whimsical and Vintage Christmas

    December 20, 2024
    Entryway Wallpaper | Fall Entryway

    Entryway Wallpaper : Serena and Lily Wallpaper

    October 5, 2020
    Cottage Entryway Coastal Gallery Wall

    How to Create a Meaningful Gallery Wall

    August 12, 2023
  • 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.

    read more

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    Cottage Kitchen Nook | Cabin Kitchen Nook | Pendant Lighting

    Cottage Kitchen Nook | ORC Week 8

    June 27, 2020
    DIY Concrete Overlay Table

    Concrete Overlay: A DIY Concrete Table Top Refresh

    November 18, 2022
    Under $25 Grout Refresh

    Tips for an Under $25 Grout Refresh

    April 3, 2020
  • 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

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    Cottage Bedroom Mood Board

    Mackinaw Road Monday: Mood Boards & Headboards

    April 13, 2020
    Gift Ideas for Grandparents

    Gift Ideas for Grandparents

    November 24, 2025
    tried-and-true beauty products

    Tried-and-True Beauty Products

    March 27, 2025
  • Where to Eat in Tampa
    US Travel

    Where to Eat in Tampa, Florida

    March 12, 2026 /

    I didn’t think I would have much to write about our 3 days in Tampa, Florida. I was wrong. It turns out that we ate pretty well, despite our teenagers’ very specific requests (e.g., Diet Coke not Coke Zero, must have a pizza option). I actually think that I could write paragraphs alone about the last restaurant on this list- design inspiration was everywhere! Spoiler- there was a disco ball. Obsessed.

    read more

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    Acadia National Park- Beehive Trail

    5 Day Boston-Maine Road Trip

    August 8, 2024
    Fall Porch Decor

    Cozy Throw Blankets, Velvet Pillows, & More

    September 28, 2022
    What to do by Roanoke: Appalachian Trail

    What to do In and Around Roanoke, Virginia

    November 13, 2023
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