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, Uncategorized

Amazing Desserts from Around the World: Baklava

  The holidays are such a special time. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have my friends and family so close by. So, when I was trying to narrow the…

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November 29, 2016
Gifts

Gifts for Babies & Toddlers

  Our newest nephew is turning is one this month! Time really does fly 🙂 I got a little carried away with the options for this sweet one year old,…

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October 23, 2024
USA Travel

A Family Guide to San Diego

A Guide to San Diego Where to Stay, What to do, Where to Eat, & What to Pack when traveling to San Diego. (Also, movies to watch before/during your stay!)…

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March 18, 2022
  • 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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    Cottage Bedroom Mood Board

    Mackinaw Road Monday: Mood Boards & Headboards

    April 13, 2020
    Acadia National Park- Beehive Trail

    5 Day Boston-Maine Road Trip

    August 8, 2024
    Dining Room Accent Chair

    Mackinaw Road March Updates

    March 23, 2023
  • 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 Ideas for Teen Girls

    Gift Ideas for Teen Girls

    November 14, 2025
    Green Kitchen Cabinets and Custom Hood

    Simple Spring Kitchen for Staying Home

    March 31, 2020
    Gifts for Her

    2025 Gifts for Her

    November 7, 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

    Cozy Autumn Living Boucle Swivel Chairs

    Cozy Autumn Living Room

    October 15, 2025
    8 Design Books I Own and Love (and one I pre-ordered)

    8 Design Books I Own & Love

    September 22, 2023
    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
    Winter Decorating | Silver Dollar Eucalyptus

    Floor Lamp Round Up and Winter Decorating

    January 14, 2021
    Green Kitchen Cabinets and Custom Hood

    Simple Spring Kitchen for Staying Home

    March 31, 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

    You May Also Like

    Michigan in October

    October Updates on Mackinaw Road

    October 28, 2022
    Design Board Bedroom

    Mackinaw Road: The Quarterly 04

    February 21, 2025
    Small Bathroom Details

    A Timeless (very) Small Bathroom Refresh

    July 17, 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.

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    You May Also Like

    Best View of Florence

    Italy in a Week

    July 13, 2025
    Montreal

    What to Do in Montreal

    July 28, 2025
    Cami de Ronda Hiking

    3 Days in Tossa de Mar

    July 1, 2026
  • 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…

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    You May Also Like

    Where to Get Great Views of Lisbon: Largos das Portas do Sol

    Lisbon in 5 Days

    April 25, 2023
    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!

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    You May Also Like

    Cottage Entryway Coastal Gallery Wall

    How to Create a Meaningful Gallery Wall

    August 12, 2023
    Airbnb: Martin House Traverse City Main Bedroom

    Where to Stay in Traverse City: An Michigan Airbnb Farm

    November 29, 2020
    MCM Living Room Layout

    Midcentury Lodge: Creating a Warm, Polished, and Unique Space

    February 2, 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.

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    You May Also Like

    Stay at Home Watercolor

    Mackinaw Road Mondays: 5 At Home Art Projects

    April 20, 2020
    Cottage Kitchen Nook | Cabin Kitchen Nook | Pendant Lighting

    Cottage Kitchen Nook | ORC Week 8

    June 27, 2020
    Ski Organization

    Ski Room Storage

    February 6, 2025
  • 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.

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    Caught My Eye

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

    February 25, 2026
    Guest Room Design Board

    The Quarterly 07

    January 15, 2026
    Michigan in October

    October Updates on Mackinaw Road

    October 28, 2022
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