Before we moved into the house we did tons of projects to get it livable. The house had been very neglected and needed some love. We repainted the whole house–inside and out, we remodeled the guest bathroom, turned one of the bedrooms into a gym, and did tons of deep cleaning. Once we had been here awhile we decided to tackle the master bathroom, which was very outdated. I came up with master bathroom remodel design and my contractor did a great job bringing my vision to life. Here’s the before:

And here’s the after:

I really loved our Sunriver bathroom remodel, but I have to say, this master bathroom remodel is my favorite. I love the big windows and the marble. You can’t see it from these pictures but there’s also a window in the shower so it looks like you’re showering in the redwoods.

After tackling most of the house (I’m still begging my husband to redo the kitchen… one day), we moved outside. This was all new to us because we’ve never had land before. Here’s what the back half of the lot looked like when we moved in.

It was overgrown but a blank slate, that I had no idea what to do with, until one day all of the sudden my head was filled with so much vision. Here are some glimpses of what it looks like now.

Looking back it almost feels unreal how much has changed in such a short amount of time. Sometimes I laugh because I have always been a city girl but now I’m a chicken mom, small scale flower farmer, with an orchard, a vegetable garden, and most of the time I have dirt under my fingernails. It’s the strangest thing.

We have worked harder than we ever have, but the fruit (literally and figuratively) we have to show from all of it, is worth it.

This summer was our second year of flowers, but I learned so much from my failures last year, that this year we had more than triple what we did last year!

I learned a lot this year too but it was fun having so many flowers to play with. I can’t even tell you how many buckets of flowers I gave away this year because I was not prepared for it! I never, in a million years, would have thought I’d be organizing and planning garden beds instead of drawers, but flowers bring so much joy to people and it has brought me unexpected fulfillment, I didn’t even know I needed.

I’ve also discovered that flowers are a great way to bring people together so, from planting parties, 1st day of school mom’s bouquet making & champagne, to last day of harvesting bring your own bucket and cut as much as you can–the flowers have given us even more reasons to gather with our friends and family, which is always a blessing.

I still have SO MUCH to learn, and have no idea what’s next but I’m incredibly grateful for this unexpected move, and season of our lives. We have learned so much about life, our marriage, our family, the importance of things like death and manure, and God’s never-ending faithfulness, through this process of building our little farmstead.

From a master bathroom remodel, to flower farming, it has been an adventure! While I’m not posting here and talking about organizing, cleaning and home remodels, it’s almost guaranteed I’m getting my hands dirty outside or organizing my spreadsheets trying to figure out what to put in next years garden, and how to fit in even more flowers!

If you want to follow along on the adventures of our little farmstead, you can find us on Instagram at @Little_Wagon_Farmstead. I hope I get to hear from you soon!

The post A Master Bathroom Remodel to Flower Farming, a Life Update appeared first on Ask Anna.

#1 Pool toys

Pool toys are the worst! I don’t know how, but they always end up everywhere. A few years ago I came up with the idea to use a 3-drawer organizer which has been a huge help keeping the toys organized! Each of the drawers are labeled so the kids know where to find things, and most importantly, where to put them back.

I even have a drawer for goggles because it never fails that someone forget theirs when they come over.

In the few years we’ve had a pool I’ve learned that noodles, if left in the water all summer long, will disintegrate and leave pieces of plastic floating all over the pool. This year I decided to use a hamper to store them, so when we’re done in the pool, we gather them up and toss them in the hamper. This keeps them organized and will help them last longer.

#2 Sunscreen

Even if you don’t have a pool, it’s important to always have sunscreen sitting out, available for you kids, and guests. Find a cute caddy, and put your sunscreen in it, then set it out in a prominent location so everyone remembers to put it on.

#3 Towels

Whether your running in the sprinklers, playing in the dirt or swimming in the pool, having towels available is a must. We used to store our towels upstairs with our linens but then we’d always forget to bring one down with us, so this year I bought this cute basket at Target, rolled all my towels up, put them in the basket and placed them by the door. Now every time we head outside, we grab a towel on our way out.

#4 Other random toys

We also have a lot of other random outside play things, like sidewalk chalk, sprinklers, bubble blowers, bike helmets and more! To store all these random toys, years ago, I bought this metal cabinet at an antique store. I know they sell lots of expensive storage cabinets at the hardware store but I recommend finding something like this at a garage sale or thrift store. It doesn’t need to be pretty, it’s just hanging out in the garage.

To organize all the toys, label individual containers and set them on the shelves. This makes it easy for kids to find their toys, and also keep them organized, because they know where to put them away.

#5 Large toys

For large toys, like bikes, snowboards, etc., utilize the vertical space in your garage.

A couple years ago I purchased some hooks and bike hanger and it has been great having additional room on the garage floor, now that they’re all hanging on the wall.

These are all the outdoor organization tips that have helped me from ripping my hair out this summer, but I’d love to hear your ideas! I know the topic of organizing kids’ toys is a big one so let’s start a conversation! How do you organize your kids’ toys?

If you want to implement some of these tricks into your home, here’s what you’ll need –

• 3-drawer organizer
• Laundry Hamper
• Wire basket
• Snowboard hanging hooks
• Bike hanger

This post contains some affiliate links, for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

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The post Tips & Tricks for Organizing Outdoor Toys appeared first on Ask Anna.

I don’t know about you, but as soon as the weather turns from winter to spring, I want to have the doors and windows open as much as possible! My daughter loves to play in the front yard with the neighborhood kids so I usually just leave the front door open to get some fresh air and to keep an eye on her. The problem I’ve had for the last 3 years though, is that when the door is open, the bugs think it’s an open invitation to join us for dinner – gross!

Years ago I heard about Phantom Screens and ever since moving into this house, I’ve been dreaming about getting one for our front door. I love having the front door open as much as possible but I don’t like the look of traditional screens, I want to see my pretty door, and wreath, when the door is closed!

Now that we have our Phantom Screens I’m able to have my pretty front door show, but when the kids are ready to play outside, or I just want some fresh spring air, I open the door and close the screen.

I absolutely love our Phantom Screens, they are everything, and more, that I hoped they’d be. It might seem silly to “love” a screen door but when you get yours, you’ll understand. Everyone that comes over comments and says how awesome they are.

The Latch & Release handle makes it easy to use, quiet to operate and secure from unintended openings.

The screens are also very sturdy and durable. The day we had ours installed I had the dog in the backyard while the installation guy was over. When he was finished I left the front door open, with the screen in place, and let my dog back in the house. She came bolting up the stairs, and full puppy speed, and ran straight for the door – thinking she was going to get to run right out the front door. Instead she bounced off the screen, as if she’d just landed on a trampoline. I was so mad and thought for sure she had just broken my brand new screen, but when I went to inspect, it was in perfect condition. The screen had just let out a little more, to give into the tension (of our puppy bolting “through” the door) and then retracted back into place! Amazing!

Each screen is custom made for your home and the installation is seamless so when the screen is retracted you don’t even notice it’s there. There are 10 standard colors to choose from but countless custom colors to match any home, including wood tones.

We had a second screen installed on the glass door in our eating area, and it’s a different color from the one we put on the front door because the door color is different.

Not only are the color and sizing options custom for every home but you can also choose from a wide range of mesh options. Choose from mesh that stops bugs, lets the fresh air in, gives you privacy or provides shade from the sun, there’s an option for every need!

We chose the standard – keep bugs out – screens and I’ve been really impressed, they work far better than any of our other traditional screens.

Whether you have a single traditional door, French doors, double door or sliding door Phantom Screens will work. They also make them for windows! We absolutely LOVE our Phantom Screens and I know you will too!

To learn more about Phantom Screens, and find an installer in your area, visit their website or check out their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Happy Spring everyone!

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The post Spring is Here and the Doors are Wide Open! appeared first on Ask Anna.

Ever since we put in our outdoor kitchen, once the summer weather hits, we live outdoors! We’ve never had a proper dining table by the pool though, so this year I snagged the Camrose Farmhouse Dining Table as soon as it was available online.

I’ve been dreaming of summer for awhile so when we got a warm sunny break from the rain, I had to celebrate with lunch by the pool! My friend Katie came over and helped me set up this bright and beautiful lunch setting, I think she was excited about the sun too!

We layered the table with lots of bright and bold colors, and I have to say I’m in love with these melamine fish plates from Walmart. I found coordinating dishtowels for less than $1 that I used on the table as place mats. Who says kitchen towels have to only be used for drying the dishes?

The BHG Live Better galvanized metal serving tray and drink dispenser are the perfect combo for making a guest-friendly drink station.

I bought these BHG Live Better crossbar metal lanterns last summer but I use them all the time and they are perfect for a table centerpiece.

It’s not quite warm enough for swimming – yet – but I couldn’t help but buy some new towels for the pool. The BHG Live Better beach towels at Walmart are HUGE and they come in so many bright and beautiful colors! I draped mine over the chairs to make them more comfortable, and to add a pop of color.

So what do you say, are you up for a sunny lunch date by the pool? We’d love to have you join us.

Even the puppy came out to join us and enjoy the short-lived sunshine.

And now for the giveaway! I’m giving away a $50 Walmart gift card to get you all ready for bold & beautiful outdoor dining too. To enter to win, leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite Better Homes & Gardens Live Better summer product is at Walmart. If you haven’t seen all the great stuff they have this year, you can check it out HERE. (Giveaway ends April 24, 2017 at midnight PST, winner must be at least 18 years old and live in the continental US).

If you need me, I’ll be out enjoying the sunshine!

And just for fun, if you want to see how we layered and created this tablescape, here’s you go!

Shop this Bold & Beautiful look:

• Camrose Farmhouse Dining Table
• Galvanized metal serving tray (available in stores)
• Galvanized metal drink dispenser
• Crossbar metal lanterns
• Extra large beach towels
• Fish dinner plates
• Fish kitchen towels (available in stores)

 Follow Better Homes and Gardens at Walmart to see what’s coming out soon!

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram

Disclaimers – I am part of the BHG Live Better Blogger Network; this post is sponsored by BHG at Walmart. All opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

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The post Bold & Beautiful Outdoor Living appeared first on Ask Anna.

Last spring I realized the need for an outdoor seating area on my front porch, so I added a rocking chair from the BHG line at Walmart, but I quickly realized that wasn’t going to be enough seating, so this year I added a table and 2 chairs!

I am so in love with this Better Homes and Gardens farmhouse style mosaic tile top table, from Walmart, because not only is it a showstopper, but it’s the perfect place to sit and enjoy my sweat tea while reading my BH&G magazine, while also keeping an eye on the kids.

And of course every showstopping table needs a stunning sidekick, right? These metal chairs from Walmart.com are the perfect match, and a steal at only $44!

Now the front porch is just calling my name, I can hear it beckoning me to come sit and relax – which I can’t wait to do once it stops raining for more than a day. I don’t know what the weather is like where you are but it has been raining buckets here!

But it won’t last forever and before too long I’ll be spending lots of time sitting out here, enjoying the sun and the laughter of the kids.

Are you looking forward to warm days, cool evenings and getting outside with your family? Use these beautiful pieces to set up a little outdoor eating area or a place to sit and relax on your front porch or back deck.

Happy (almost) Spring!!!

Shop this look –

• Black metal chairs (they have lots of colors)
• Farmhouse mosaic tile top table
• Chevron outdoor pillow

Follow Better Homes and Gardens at Walmart to see what’s coming out soon!

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram

Disclaimers – I am part of the BHG Live Better Blogger Network; this post is sponsored by BHG at Walmart. All opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

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