🏁 Pit Stop Smokehouse Chili 🍲 | The Ultimate Comfort Food for Chilly Nights
When the weather cools down, this hearty, smoky chili is what we crave most. It’s rich, meaty, and full of that slow-simmered depth of flavor — featuring a triple blend of brisket, stew meat, and ground beef, plus bold seasoning from Meat Church Texas Chili and Heath Riles Everyday.
This one’s been slow-cooker tested, freezer approved, and officially Pit Stop Adventures comfort food certified. 😎
Brown the stew meat and ground beef in a skillet until lightly seared.
Add onions, garlic, and peppers — sauté until fragrant.
Transfer everything into your slow cooker or crockpot.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, seasonings, and broth. Stir to combine.
Set your cooker to “sauce” or high for 1–2 hours.
Switch to slow cook for 4–6 hours to deepen the smoky flavor.
Serve hot with shredded cheese, sour cream, or cornbread on the side.
💡 Pit Stop Tip
This chili freezes perfectly and tastes even better the next day. We love to portion it out for easy reheats during the week — or for those chilly nights when you just don’t want to cook.
What do you like to add to your chili that’s not the norm???
📸 Pin This Recipe
Add this one to your comfort food board — it’s a keeper for cool weather and weekend slow-cook sessions. #PitStopAdventures #SmokehouseChili #ComfortFood #SlowCookerRecipes #MeatChurch #HeathRilesBBQ
When it came time to refresh my daughter’s bathroom, I wanted to create something playful, calming, and full of imagination. Since she’s always been drawn to the ocean — from seashell collecting to mermaid stories — an ocean theme felt like the perfect fit.
Inspiration
Honestly, this whole project started with something simple — replacing my daughter’s worn-out toilet seat cover. What should have been a quick swap turned into a full ocean-inspired transition. Once I got going, I leaned all the way in, pulling in as much ocean fun as I could find. She loves visiting her grandmother GiGi at the beach, and the two of them share a special love for sea turtles, so it felt like the perfect theme to bring into her bathroom.
Color Palette
I started with shades of aqua, turquoise, and soft sandy beige to mimic the look of water and shorelines. White trim kept the space fresh and clean, while touches of coral pink added a pop of vibrancy.
Key Details
Shower Curtain: A playful under-the-sea print with fish, coral, and bubbles set the tone.
Wall Décor Prints: I found the cutest print set that playfully reminds kids to “Wash your hands” and “Remember to Flush?” — little touches that make the space fun while encouraging good habits. I paired them with these sleek frames for a polished look.
Playful Wall Stickers: To really bring the theme to life, I added these removable ocean wall decals. They made the room feel like you’re diving under the sea without the permanence of wallpaper.
Accent Towels & Rugs: I scored these matching towels and rugs, and they coordinated perfectly with the shower curtain, pulling the whole room together.
Extra Accessories: I also added this playful bathroom set with toothbrush holders and soap dispensers, plus these fun hooks that made hanging towels easy and on-theme.
Chenille Rugs: These turquoise chenille rugs are a favorite of mine — so soft, absorbent, and durable that I’ve used them in multiple bathrooms. They layered beautifully into the space and gave it a cozy feel.
Nice Touches
Sometimes it’s the personal pieces that make a room feel truly special.
We had a pair of inherited dolphin sculptures that never really fit anywhere in the house — until now. They found their perfect home in this bathroom, adding both sentiment and style.
A little treasure jar filled with shells and sea glass we’ve collected on family trips adds a personal, ocean-wanderer vibe.
Final Thoughts
This makeover reminded me that you don’t need to do a total remodel to make a big impact. With a few smart décor choices, a little DIY, and themed accents, you can completely transform a space.
✨ Want to see more of my home projects, seasonal décor finds, and DIY makeovers? Check out my YouTube channel and Linktree for all the latest!
Every year, Target sets the bar for affordable and stylish seasonal décor, and 2025 is no exception. This season, their collection blends cozy fall staples with playful Halloween finds—perfect for decorating your home without breaking the bank.
🎃 Halloween Highlights
Hyde & Eek! Boutique Magic: From giant porch skeletons to light-up ghosts, this year’s collection leans into fun spooky vibes that the whole family can enjoy.
Trendy Themes: Pastel pumpkins, iridescent finishes, and quirky inflatables are giving Halloween décor a modern twist.
Budget-Friendly Statements: Oversized jack-o’-lanterns and animated décor pieces pack a big punch without the big price tag.
🍁 Fall Favorites
Cozy Textures Everywhere: Hearth & Hand and Threshold lines are filled with chunky knit throws, plaid pillows, and rustic wood accents.
Pumpkin Galore: Ceramic, velvet, and glass pumpkins in every color imaginable—neutral enough for everyday fall décor but easy to layer for a more festive look.
Multi-Purpose Styling: Target is leaning into transitional pieces that work from early fall through the end of October, so your décor feels fresh without needing a full redo.
🌟 The Marketing Mindset Behind Target’s Strategy
Target doesn’t just sell décor—they sell moments and moods. Every aisle tells a story about how you want your home to feel this season. Here’s the creative thinking behind what you’ll see:
Affordable Magic: Target knows their audience wants the Instagram-worthy look without boutique prices. By offering $5 pumpkins alongside $50 statement inflatables, they capture both casual decorators and all-out holiday hosts.
Trendy Yet Approachable: Pastel pumpkins and iridescent accents sound high-fashion, but Target tones them down with cozy textures so anyone can layer them into an everyday home. The “why” here? They’re letting customers experiment with trends without the fear of overspending.
Family-Centered Fun: Whimsical ghosts, oversized skeletons, and kid-friendly designs speak to Target’s core family shopper. It’s décor that delights parents and kids alike, turning shopping into a seasonal tradition.
Transitional Thinking: Instead of siloing décor into “just Halloween” or “just fall,” Target offers neutral staples you can style for weeks. The marketing brilliance? They’re teaching you to see value in buying pieces that stretch across the season—so you feel like you’re getting more for your money.
✨ Final Thoughts
Target nailed it again this year with décor that’s cozy, fun, and wallet-friendly. They’ve mastered the balance of on-trend + approachable, creating a shopping experience that feels exciting without being overwhelming.
👉 Pro tip: If you’re refreshing your décor, don’t just toss your old pieces! Donate them to charities, schools, or shelters to give them a second life and make space for these fresh finds.
🎥 Want more seasonal inspiration? Check out my full YouTube review of Target’s 2025 Fall & Halloween collection, and explore my Linktree [insert link] for all my socials, blog posts, and favorite finds in one place.
Which team are you—cozy fall vibes or spooky Halloween fun? Let me know in the comments below! 🍂✨
Welcome back to Simply Styled by Kat! Today I’m diving into one of the most functional (and fabulous) parts of our home—our closet. When we first moved in, we scored a huge bonus: a custom wood closet system already installed. It had great bones, but the organization? That needed some help.
Our goal? Take what we already had from our last house and expand, enhance, and elevate it to create a space that actually worked for us.
The “Before”: Not Bad, But Not Styled
Our original setup was full of potential—shelves, hanging space, drawers—but it was missing personality and flow. The system helped keep things off the floor, but it wasn’t functional for the way we use our clothing and accessories every day.
That led us to our first makeover attempt… but honestly, it still wasn’t quite right.
So we went for a second pass. And this time, we got it right.
What We Did:
We took all of our favorite storage solutions from our previous house and brought them in. Then we layered in new pieces to better fit the space:
Clear drop-front shoe boxes for easy viewing and access
Jewelry and watch organizers for our daily accessories
Pant hangers, shirt folders, and shelf dividers to better segment items
Underwear/sock drawer inserts for drawer sanity
And yes… even a cowboy hat hanger – because if you can, why not?
We also changed up how we folded and stored basics using a new folding method (which we shared in our shirt folding video! You can see that in the YouTube link below!)
This closet finally feels like us. It’s practical, visually pleasing, and honestly makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier. The combination of clear visibility, defined zones, and stylish storage made all the difference.
You can see our transformation in the YouTube video :
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re starting fresh or just tweaking your current setup, a little intention goes a long way in a closet. Work with what you have, invest in a few core organizers, and most importantly—make it your own.
Let me know if you try any of these ideas in your space. I’d love to see your closet glow-up!
If there’s one store that never fails to surprise me with unique seasonal pieces, it’s World Market. Their fall collection this year is all about mixing global-inspired textures, artisan details, and cozy seasonal staples that can carry you from spooky season straight through Thanksgiving.
🎃 Halloween at World Market
Whimsical + Quirky: Think skeleton wine glasses, spooky candle holders, and playful black cats with a handcrafted vibe.
Chic Entertaining: Serving trays, barware, and table linens with Halloween flair perfect for grown-up gatherings.
DIY Friendly: Neutral pumpkins and lanterns you can customize for your space.
🍁 Fall Favorites
Global Textures: Handwoven baskets, Turkish-style rugs, and carved wooden bowls that add richness to any room.
Velvet + Metallic Pumpkins: A blend of cozy and glam that’s perfect for mantels or tabletops.
Warm Scents: Their seasonal candles—pumpkin spice, cider & clove (I bought this one home it smelled so good), and chai—set the mood instantly.
🦃 Thanksgiving Prep in Full Swing!
I’m dedicating a special section just for Thanksgiving to give this holiday the spotlight it deserves. Stay tuned for all the cozy, festive goodness! 😊
✨ Why Shop World Market This Fall?
You’ll find pieces that feel one-of-a-kind while still keeping that warm seasonal vibe. It’s perfect if you want décor that stands out and feels curated rather than cookie-cutter.
👉 Tell me—are you shopping World Market for Halloween, cozy fall décor, or Thanksgiving hosting?
Check out my walkthrough on my YouTube channel here:
We must have a thing with AC units… because no matter where we move, they somehow find a way to cause chaos. In our last house, the unit was so far away from the primary bedroom that it was always either freezing or way too hot, depending on the season. So when we moved into this new place, we crossed our fingers that HVAC wouldn’t be a problem.
Whelp… that didn’t last long.
The First Night Reality Check 😳
The very first night in our new bedroom, we both turned to each other and said: “Oh my god… is it really that loud?”
It was. We placed our hands on the wall—and we could feel the vibration. Not just a hum… a full-on buzz. It was absolutely nuts!
Step One: Call in the Pros
Like any good homeowner, our first instinct was to get it checked. We had three separate inspections, and each time the verdict was the same:
“Everything’s working fine!” And of course, it never sounded that loud when the tech was there. 🙄
Step Two: Try, Try, Try Again
✅ Fix #1: Rubber Mulch + Vibration Pads
Vibration Pad for HVAC we used: https://tr.ee/kk2VEH We replaced the large river stones surrounding the unit with rubber mulch to reduce the chance of vibration bouncing off the rock and into the house. We also added vibration pads underneath the unit itself to soften any low-frequency rumbling. Result: Helped a little. But not enough.
✅ Fix #2: Insulating the Lines
Insulated Pipe Wrap:https://tr.ee/Lq8hm1 We secured and insulated all the trunk lines, wiring, and pipes running from the unit into the wall. Result: Another small improvement—but not the solution we needed.
The Breakthrough: Acoustic Panels
After way too many late-night YouTube rabbit holes, we started looking into ways to dampen the wall itself, rather than fighting the HVAC unit.
We always dreamed of doing a barnwood or shiplap accent wall, but to make it effective as a sound barrier, we’d need to install an underlayment first—driving up the cost and time. Just not worth it.
Then we found Tonor Acoustic Panels. These are stylish, adhesive-backed sound-dampening panels that people were raving about for podcast studios, noisy apartments, and more.
Step-by-Step: Installing Tonor Acoustic Panels
Want to try it yourself? Here’s what you’ll need and how we did it:
✅ Optional: spray adhesive or command strips for repositioning
The before image of the “vibrating” wall
🧱 Installation Steps:
Step 1: Plan your layout. Decide if you want a geometric layout, stacked hexagons, or a straight grid. We sketched ours out on paper first.
Step 2: Mark your wall. Use painter’s tape or a laser level to make sure your panels will line up correctly. Our wall wasn’t square, so this part was key.
We noticed there was a little variance between the panels
Step 3: Test a few panels first. Hold a few panels on the wall before peeling the adhesive backs. Make sure the color and layout look right.
Step 4: Peel and press! Carefully peel the backing and apply each panel firmly. Press and hold for a few seconds to ensure strong adhesion.
Overall, we love the look but we had to work through the gappage!
Step 5: Fill in the gaps. Use scissors or a utility knife to trim edge pieces to size. We had very minor gapping, but it blended in well!
Step 6: Step back and admire. The wall looked amazing—and it worked! The noise was dramatically reduced.
Don’t mind the messy bed, we had to move everything around!!
The Final Result: Stylish & Quiet 🎉
The end result? It looks amazing—like a custom accent wall. But more importantly:
The sound difference is INSANE.
That wall no longer buzzes. The bedroom is calm, quiet, and cozy. We actually look forward to going to bed without worrying about HVAC noise keeping us up.
The final final, lol! Gave me an excuse to rework the whole room…
Would We Recommend Tonor Panels?
Absolutely YES. They’re budget-friendly, easy to install, and gave us both peace and style. If you’ve got a noisy room—or just want a cool wall feature—these panels are so worth it.
Thanks for following along with our bedroom glow-up! Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried something similar—or if you’re dealing with an annoying HVAC noise too. We’d love to hear how you solved it!
💬 Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for more DIY makeovers, design hacks, and lifestyle content from Simply Styled by Kat!
There’s just something about strolling through Michael’s on a Sunday that sparks my creativity. With fall right around the corner, the aisles are filled with Halloween magic and cozy autumn touches—the perfect place to get inspired for some new seasonal projects.
Haunted Terrarium Inspiration 👻🌿
While browsing the Halloween section, I couldn’t stop thinking about creating a haunteterrarium. The tiny pumpkins, moss, fairy lights, and mini skeletons they had on display gave me so many ideas. I love the thought of combining natural textures with spooky details—like layering moss, small rocks, and faux spider webs to create a little haunted world in glass. It’s such a fun way to bring Halloween into home decor without going over the top.
Pink, Black & Boo!!!
Another idea that hit me while walking the aisles was to transform my daughter’s white Christmas tree into a Halloween statement piece. Instead of the traditional orange and black, I’m going for something bold: Pink, Black & BOO. Think glittery pink pumpkins, shiny black ornaments, sequined ghosts, and strands of twinkle lights. It’s the perfect mix of cute and spooky—something that feels festive and fun but still stylish.
Why Michael’s? 🛍
️Michael’s never disappoints this time of year. Between the new seasonal collections and all the DIY supplies, it’s basically a playground for anyone who loves to decorate. Whether you want ready-made decor or prefer to craft your own, you’ll walk away with more inspiration than you planned.
What’s Next
Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing the full process of building out the haunted terrarium and decorating the Pink, Black & BOO tree. Both will bring unique Halloween vibes into our home, and I can’t wait to show you how it all comes together.
If you’re also in full-on Halloween mode, let me know:
👉 Would you try a haunted terrarium or a themed Halloween tree?
Drop your ideas in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re decorating this season!
Site Title 