Now that we’re back home and settling into our routine, let’s kick things off with a sneak peek at a deck update. Yes, more holes have been drilled — all in the name of progress — and we’re working toward a passed inspection. (We’ve had our share of inspection drama in the past.) We hope … Read more

With Halloween finally here, we’re curious how you plan to celebrate: hosting a spooky party, attending one in full costume, or simply standing at the door handing out handfuls of candy to pint-sized ghosts and ghouls? There’s something especially fun about this holiday—the way it can transform a home and the people in it. We … Read more

We didn’t discover we’re expecting twins—there’s definitely only one little baby on the way (we actually learned the sex the day before Christmas Eve and will be sharing that soon). What we did find, though, were two unexpected and truly delightful holiday surprises waiting in our PO Box when we checked it one last time … Read more

Experts recommend sealing grout thoroughly after any new tile installation. Even if the grout was sealed professionally or by you when the floor, shower surround, or backsplash was new, it’s smart to reseal periodically—typically every six months to a year—to maintain that protective layer. It isn’t strictly required, but regular resealing reduces maintenance and helps … Read more

After many readers asked for more detail about how we organize everything from bills to receipts, we realized our recent post about a few small life-simplifiers barely scratched the surface. So here’s a deeper look at the systems and habits that keep our home tidy, accessible, and mostly running on autopilot. Below is how we … Read more

Let’s get wreath the program, shall we? Forgive the pun — I’m genuinely excited about our latest holiday project. You might recall Cardboard Safari from a recent Sponsor Shout-Out. They sent us two of their beautiful white cardboard snowflake wreaths, and we loved assembling them. One of the best parts of Cardboard Safari’s products is … Read more

Even before I had a positive pregnancy test, I found myself scrolling through BabyCenter for articles about early pregnancy signs. The minute a stick confirmed I was expecting, John and I logged on to figure out when our baby would be due. I also signed up for weekly emails tracking our baby’s growth—emails I would … Read more

Ok, now we’re really moving on this bathroom renovation. We’ve made a lot of progress since partially demo-ing the room last week, and I wanted to share the final floor plan, our tile selections, and some of the design decisions we made along the way. The changes are such a dramatic improvement that it feels … Read more

You might remember the quick sunroom makeover from a few months ago when we converted our former third bedroom—previously home to a West Elm daybed and a desk—into Clara’s nursery. Since we like to make the most of what we already own, we moved that old daybed into the sunroom. We mentioned at the time … Read more

Every year we’re asked for theme ideas from my family’s long-running Christmas gift exchange. We first mentioned this tradition on a podcast episode in 2016, and nearly a decade later we’ve gathered a full, updated list here in an easy-to-reference post. If your family or group is stuck or overwhelmed by holiday shopping, introducing a … Read more