***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries*** We love tackling home projects, but when it comes to cooking we’re always eager to learn more. That’s why we were excited when our giveaway sponsor, America’s Test Kitchen, sent us a copy of their latest cookbook and offered multiple prizes for our readers. When our preview copy … Read more

Last fall I spent an unforgettable week in Florence, Italy—with a day trip to Venice—traveling with three friends. We ate, walked, and marveled our way through the cities. I’ve already shared how I packed light for this trip, but here I’ll recap what we did, saw, and ate so you can use it for your … Read more

Last week I went on a major early-summer organizing spree. It always feels good to declutter and refresh your home. As I moved through rooms tidying and sorting, I thought about the many ways I contain and organize essentials to make the most of our space. Over the years I’ve developed several reliable systems. I … Read more

My husband brought me a pot of blooming white tulips today. It was a sweet surprise—perhaps a gentle reminder about the kitchen blinds—but mostly it was just a lovely gesture. Tulips are my favorite, and their freshness inspired me to give the dining room a simple spring refresh this afternoon. I removed the table runners … Read more

You’ve asked about everything from how our concrete counters are holding up to how the grout stain in our foyer is doing, and how our new, scaled-back blogging schedule is working out. We don’t always update everything promptly (we tend to move on to the next project quickly), so here’s a comprehensive update covering the … Read more

Spring Decorating Last week I decided my family room mantel needed a little spring refresh. To welcome the season I added fresh spring plants and a moss wreath. A touch of green is perfect for that first hint of spring. I know realistically these plants may not last the whole season, but I’ll enjoy their … Read more

***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries – scroll down to see who won!*** Thanks to random.org, our two winners are… Steph (who had been chatting with a colleague about the two tattoos she has) and Alason (who says her small butterfly tattoo on her back sometimes leads people to assume she’s a rebel). Congratulations … Read more

Welcome to Part Two of my home projects from 2013. This post continues the tour of projects and updates around our home. If you missed it, you can find Part One on the original blog. Looking back over a year’s worth of work was time well spent — it reminded me how slow and steady … Read more

We received many requests for a Christmas gift roundup for kids, so here are some of our favorite finds. Most items are under $25, several are under $12, and none exceed $49. These picks are practical, playful, and great for young imaginations. 1. Clara loves painting and bright colors, so a watercolor print makes a … Read more

I want to get rid of at least 100 items before moving day — through donations, Craigslist, eBay, Freecycle, or similar channels. The number sounds high, but I’m confident there are at least 100 things in our house that we never use, don’t need, or shouldn’t bother moving. I’ll keep a written list of every … Read more