Around BR

We are back this month with another Heart & Home! To view all the homes in this series, click here. Today's home is full of surprises.  Colors, patterns, and accessories are combined in ways you would never think of...but that is what makes Samantha Samson's home so unique and so memorable.  This stay-at-home mom of two can decorate a room, plan a party, and whip up dinner faster than I've ever seen, yet each and every detail has been carefully thought out and planned for.  She is down-to-earth, loves to have fun, and is constantly an inspiration to those around her. She's the friend you have around when you are just stuck and need an idea hashed out. She's the...

After my second son Ben was born (all 9 pounds 14 ounces of him), my body was less than ideal.  I had gained 70 pounds during my pregnancy with him, and after he was born I wondered if I would ever get my pre-baby body back.  I was especially concerned because my core muscles were extremely weak, and I was having back pain. One day, as I was driving home, I passed The Bar Method.  At the time, the studio had not opened, but I was curious as to what it was and what types of exercises it offered.  I spent a few weeks doing a little research online, and I discovered that it was an ideal workout for pregnancy...

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by IndiePlate. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own! I'm a busy mom with two young kids, and my goal each and every day is to make my life as simple and stress-free as it can possibly be (which is asking a lot).  We are a health-conscious family, and my biggest struggle is to find the time and energy to grocery shop and plan meals with my "helpers" along for the ride. So, when I heard about IndiePlate, a new online grocery store and delivery service for the Baton Rouge area, I was immediately intrigued.  You mean I can choose high-quality groceries from the comfort of my home, take as much time as I...

My girls are excited to be the topic of conversation for us all today. And by my girls, I mean my quite beautiful (if I do say so myself) backyard hens. Last spring, I decided that I wanted to get chickens. I spend a lot of time in our vegetable garden during the spring/summer/fall months so I thought the girls would be a nice addition for both enjoyment and for purpose. As with gardening, I love the thought of our son getting to experience first hand where our food comes from. He was only 11 months when we got our chicks but now at 18 months, 'chicken', 'egg' and 'bawk bawk' are among the other words he's learning. And...

My husband and I have always loved eating out and figured that wouldn't change after we became parents, but I still remember when relatives came over to visit when Jack was a newborn and suggested we go to dinner. I was hesitant--dinnertime was his fussiest time of the day--but my mother in law reassured me that we would take turns holding him and it would be fine. We went out to Chimes and yes, he did cry a little bit in public but it wasn't the end of the world. In fact, we had a great time! It was nice to feel a little bit like our old selves again even if things were now totally different. With that...