Author: villypoo

Home Interior Stylist ⭐ Design Enthusiast ⭐ DYI 👩‍🎤 📷 sharing my love of all things creative ❤
Food, Lifestyle

Savory, Rich and Simple Chicken Dinners for an In-Home Date Night

by villypooLeave a Comment on Savory, Rich and Simple Chicken Dinners for an In-Home Date Night
Savory, Rich and Simple Chicken Dinners for an In-Home Date Night

Being a parent to three young kids leaves very little room to have a date night with your hubby. I am not sure if that’s an excuse or the fact that I feel bad for anyone who must watch three kids, maybe two, but three is overwhelming. So instead of a date night out, my husband and I would rather stay home and cook a meal that is outside of our norm, fancy and delicious!

Below are some of our favorite chicken recipes that are simple, flavorful and beautiful. Garnish with fresh herbs and add a glass of wine and you’ll feel like you’re sitting at a five-star restaurant, but at the comfort of your own home. You can’t go wrong with either of these meals. Make it fun and have your entire family dress up for a family date night.

Continue reading “Savory, Rich and Simple Chicken Dinners for an In-Home Date Night” →

Lifestyle

The Importance of a Pity Party.

by villypooLeave a Comment on The Importance of a Pity Party.
The Importance of a Pity Party.

Today I had a pity party. It’s been a long week, I was so upset at my husband, fed up with my kids and overwhelmed with my work. But instead of yelling at my husband like I usually do, I finished making dinner for my family and told my husband I needed some ‘me’ time and left with a glass of wine in my hand.

Continue reading “The Importance of a Pity Party.” →

Food, Lifestyle

Gumbo on My Mind

by villypooLeave a Comment on Gumbo on My Mind
Gumbo on My Mind

One of my many fond memories of New Orleans was Jazz Fest. It might have been the music and drinks, but the food was beyond delicious. The place was packed with people roaming from one stage to another. Shops and food vendors lining along the walkways and artists from all over the world singing their hearts out. As much as I enjoy going to 5-star restaurants, I also love street food. The most rich, authentic and insatiable dishes can be found in street food or as my husband calls it, ‘hole in the wall’ restaurants. I have dined in several restaurants in New Orleans and nothing tops that experience at Jazz Fest – eating dishes like seafood étouffée, shrimp cheese grits and of course gumbo out on the open field. And if you have been to New Orleans, beignets at Cafe Du Monde is also another staple.

Continue reading “Gumbo on My Mind” →

Lifestyle

Would the real ‘Chrissy Teigen’ please stand up.

by villypooLeave a Comment on Would the real ‘Chrissy Teigen’ please stand up.
Would the real ‘Chrissy Teigen’ please stand up.

I’ve been meaning to follow-up on why I named my blog “VillyPoo“, so here’s my story:

As a Laotian kid, having a first and last name, totaling up to 21 characters can be quite intimidating (Nee: Vilaylack Phoummithone) – yes give it a try! I remember in kindergarten, crying in front of the librarian when she asked me to spell my name. What happened after that? Not quite sure, but let’s just say, I mastered the spelling of my name and so did the rest of my 5th grade class – topping off “Defrancisco” as another hard name to spell!

Continue reading “Would the real ‘Chrissy Teigen’ please stand up.” →

Lifestyle

Lessons Learned and Quick Tips on Parenting

by villypoo1 Comment on Lessons Learned and Quick Tips on Parenting
Lessons Learned and Quick Tips on Parenting

I remember lying in bed with my husband crying our eyes out a few weeks after our first miscarriage. It was the worst feeling ever – emptiness, hopelessness and guilt. We had been trying for over a year and to hear on our 10th week sonogram, our child’s heartbeat is no longer beating, was such a heart breaker. Nevertheless, we persisted. 4 years later, a total of 6 pregnancies – 3 miscarriages and 3 babies born, we are now a happy family of five.

Continue reading “Lessons Learned and Quick Tips on Parenting” →

Lifestyle

Lake House Redesign

by villypoo4 Comments on Lake House Redesign
Lake House Redesign

Flash back a year ago, my husband was “casually” browsing Zillow for homes on the lake – longing to recreate his childhood memories on lakefront living for our family. Long story short, a real estate agent convinced us to drive up to the lake and check out some properties. And needless to say, after looking at some homes, we ended up finding a property that was the perfect fit, a great investment and an offer we just couldn’t pass up.

The house had great bones, was livable, and really didn’t need much except for some window dressing — my expertise!

Since then, we have transformed most of the home and dug out the basement (985 wheelbarrows to be exact).

Continue reading “Lake House Redesign” →

Food, Lifestyle

Kid “Approved” Banana Bread

by villypooLeave a Comment on Kid “Approved” Banana Bread
Kid “Approved” Banana Bread

Mornings for me has always been a bit hectic when trying to get all three girls up in the morning and ready to be out the door before 7 am. I, myself am NOT a morning person. And, just like myself — my kiddos are the same. Luckily for me, nothing like bribing them with mommy’s banana bread to get them brushed, washed and dressed in a hot minute.

Continue reading “Kid “Approved” Banana Bread” →

DIY & Crafts, Lifestyle

Designing on a Budget

by villypoo2 Comments on Designing on a Budget
Designing on a Budget

As seasons change, so does my home decor. Any excuse for me to shop and redesign is my guilty pleasure. But of course, when it comes to spending, I’ve got my “Mister’ reminding me that saving for our kids’ college tuition is probably more important than a revamped living room full of fall decor and painted pumpkins.

Continue reading “Designing on a Budget” →

Design, DIY & Crafts, Food, Lifestyle, Uncategorized

Hello again..

by villypooLeave a Comment on Hello again..

As I am slowly navigating the world of blog, I am also learning and discovering all of the intricacies of being a blogger. Setting up your pages, makings sure it’s aesthetically appealing, but most importantly finding the right style and tone for your audience.

Again, ‘hello’ and thanks again for support!

I welcome your feedback and suggestions for any topics you would like to read. As I expand my ‘VillyPoo’ presence in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. I hope that you can come along for the journey.

Here are some life hacks, tips and recipes I’ve written these past few weeks. Enjoy!

Food, Lifestyle

Tips to Saving and Simplifying your Meals

Featuredby villypooLeave a Comment on Tips to Saving and Simplifying your Meals
Tips to Saving and Simplifying your Meals

According to Statisa.com, an average household in 2017 now consists of 3.14 members and apparently my family of 5 is not your typical family size.

So where am I going with this? Well, when it comes to a bigger family, everything is much more expensive – more mouths to feed, more clothes to buy, more attitudes to deal with (just a bonus) – but you get the point. Cutting cost by eating in is one of the biggest ways you can save. BJ’s is our go-to for bulk shopping (yes, we clip those coupons – and their retention marketing is on point by the way). For fresh items like veggies, bread and milk – we usually head to our local grocery store. Remember to create your weekly menu and grocery check list in advance and only buy what you need – stick to your list and stop gallivanting – according to my husband.

Continue reading “Tips to Saving and Simplifying your Meals” →