7 Practical Tips to Keep Your Home Clean with Pets and Toddlers

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I’m often asked how we keep our house feeling clean. It isn’t always perfectly tidy here (no paid help), but we rely on simple systems that make the home feel fresh and manageable—despite dogs and visiting toddlers. Below are seven practical ways we keep our home clean enough to feel welcoming and calm. This post … Read more

4 Essentials for Memorable Entertaining That Wow Guests

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I truly enjoy intentional, meaningful entertaining. I like to create an atmosphere where thoughtful details are considered and pretty tables are set. The house is tidied up and guests feel welcomed, but the setting is never intimidating or overly formal. For me, the purpose of entertaining isn’t to perform or impress — it’s to create … Read more

Winter House Getaway: Cozy Vacation Rentals & Cabin Escapes

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New England Home BThis week’s bout of flu knocked me off my feet and derailed my plans. I had intended to wrap up the holidays, dive into some nesting projects, and catch up on blogging. Instead I’ve been confined to bed with fever, chills and a persistent cough. It’s been a rough start to January, … Read more

Visiting Butchart Gardens: Top Sights, Tips & Best Times to Go

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Hello friends! How was your week? If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen a little sneak peek of what was happening at my house yesterday — I was so excited to share it. While sorting through old drafts this week I realized I never published this post about our trip to Butchart … Read more

I Love Sarah’s Summer House — A Charming Coastal Retreat

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Sarah’s Summer House – Sarah Richardson HGTV   Sarah’s Summer House Beach Cottage Decorating I’m thrilled to share the news: Sarah’s Summer House is debuting in the U.S. this Saturday. Fans of Sarah’s House will be excited to see this summer-focused series, which originally aired in Canada under the title Sarah’s Cottage. If you enjoy … Read more

Top Moving Tips: Part 2 — Smart Strategies for a Smooth Move

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This post was sponsored by PODS® Hello friends — I’m back with the second half of my top ten moving tips. If you missed the first five, check out Part One to catch up. Below are practical, real-world ideas that helped our family stay organized and sane during a recent move. Pin this post so … Read more

Overcoming Magazine Cover-itis: How to Stop Chasing Perfection

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Most decorating books, blogs, websites and magazines focus on products and design trends — the latest, the most popular, the most photogenic items and techniques for updating your home. They deliver glossy spreads filled with homes that appear picture perfect, staged to look flawless for the camera. Those images are powerful: they inspire readers, sell … Read more

Design a Backyard with 4 Essential Zones for Function and Flow

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Are you planning backyard fun this summer? With a new build we have a blank slate to shape, which is both intimidating and exciting. To keep our landscaping manageable, we’re breaking the yard into smaller, purposeful spaces that are attractive, low-maintenance, and functional. Even if your yard already has landscaping, dividing it into zones helps … Read more

Rattan and Bamboo Accent Furniture: Classic and Trending Styles

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Studio McGee – Woven Pendants Rattan and bamboo furniture and accents have been both timeless and trendy in recent years. Some people have newly embraced these natural materials while others (like me) have always appreciated their charm. Either way, woven rattan and bamboo pieces make a versatile addition to a home. Rattan is a flexible, … Read more