Last week I mentioned how I desperately need some borrowed height in the kitchen, AKA a step-stool. We've made it this far without needing and using one because we don't store our day-to-day items out of reach! For those far and few in-between moments where we actually do need to reach up high, I usually […]
We had so much fun last year making over Andi's awkward living room, so when Kirkland's Home asked if we wanted to do another one-day makeover with their incredible new Spring Collection, we did not hesitate! We've been taking turns at the team's houses, and Becca's card was up – she just moved into a […]
The very first time Chris and I took a tour of this house, I was alarmed at the open sawtooth stringer on the staircase. There were too many jagged lines, and my eyes couldn’t handle it wrapping around the whole entry when you come in the house! This began the start of the staircase renovation, […]
In the world of grain-free eating, glass noodles are Heaven-sent. Not as a substitute, in my opinion. Meaning, I wouldn't necessarily suggest ladling a scoop of marinara over top with some Italian meatballs. But for the joy of eating a noodle, and an openness to try something new, this ingredients will quickly become a pantry […]
Over the years, I've gone on a journey with my skincare. I do a lot to keep my Hashimoto's at bay, but in 2019 my skin took a turn for the worst. It was partly due to the thyroid medication I have to take and also the fact that I have really dry skin. The […]
"Silver-white winters that melt into springs; these are a few of my favorite things!" There couldn't be a more perfect way to describe what I'm feeling right now (besides the snow part). Everything about this season we're in feels fresh but also like limbo! I'm still very much in the design phase of our 2023 […]
It's been one year since we had professional organizers come and work their magic in our house. Amidst newly moving and mid-renovation, the house was in disarray, so it's exactly what we needed at the time, and it lowkey changed our lives. I remember being emotional during their reveal because I didn't think I understood […]
Forecasting home design trends is a tricky business (for me) because I never want "trends" to be the focus of what we do at CLJ. Above all, we really value individuality and uniqueness and hope to inspire all of you to LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE, regardless of the trends that come and go. With all […]
We just set out to make our project list for the 2023 year, but before we tackle anything, we're pausing and admiring all that we accomplished in 2022. We're renovating this home because we're passionate about loving where you live. We love taking something and making it more beautiful and functional for our family and […]
The time has come to share our annual list of home projects we plan to do in 2023. Along with setting family goals, personal goals, and financial goals, Chris and I take the time to get on the same page regarding all the things we'd like to accomplish in the home! In 2022 we took […]
One tip I always give to any DIYer or home renovator is to take before, progress, and after pics. It's important to document the progress, even if you're not posting them anywhere, because celebrating the progress is crucial for keeping the momentum going! This post is all about the before and afters of every project […]
You all know I love sharing products I find to be life-changing, so to wrap up the year, I thought I would share a list of the best products of 2022! These are all things I find to be game-changers and use in my daily life. 1. Striped Pool Towels Whether you have a pool […]
This post was sponsored by Lowe's Home Improvement. A one stop shop for an entire renovation! Sigh (of joy and relief). The LAUNDRY ROOM IS FINISHED!! And we're excited to share our very last reveal of 2022. The laundry room was the only thing that made us second-guess this house during our house hunting last […]
I've shared a version of my caramel corn in the past, but since that time I've tweaked the recipe a tad and I really think it's become something out-of-this-world special. Especially considering that it's dairy free. Now, Jules is typically grain free. But every year around Christmas she asks me to make a batch of […]
With the end of the year right around the corner, Jules and I are in the home stretch of our 2022 home projects, which means the outdoor kitchen of my dreams is officially a wrap! Before After My biggest priority in this project was getting to use the most premium grilling products I've had my […]
Last week, it's safe to say our lives and home improved 100-fold when we brought a puppy into our home. Meet Cricket. Isn't she the cutest?? She reminds us so much of Willow but definitely has her own look and personality. She's a multi-generational "mini-Bernese," which is to say, both of her parents are also […]
Over the weekend, I went through my gift list for the girls, family, friends, and neighbors... (the list keeps going), and I made a new list of all the things I still need to get! Shipping times can be risky this late in the game, but I found a bunch of things that are likely […]
At the beginning of each year, Chris and I set out to make a list of all the projects we hope to do in the year. And at the end of each year, we revisit the list and grade how well we've done! It's always fun to see which goals we totally conquered and which […]
Christmas morning is always a blur at our house, and adding a holiday-worthy breakfast into the mix is a bit much. To keep it simple, every year I prep a frittata on the 23rd then just add eggs and bake Christmas morning. Ruffle Bakeware | Striped Dish Towel | Gold Flatware Frittata options are endless, […]
This is something we've never ever done before and something we didn't even plan to do! But as we were talking through our hopes and dreams for the bunk room, Chris brought up removing the staircase entirely, and suddenly everything clicked! Pendants The entrance into the bunk room/play room is through a breezeway from the […]
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Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations