Last year, Chris wanted to do a fall low-country boil outside, and he wanted to invite 15 people over. He said, "I’m just going to send out a text." I said, "Wait, let me make an invitation!" When someone receives an invitation, they get the feeling that this event means something to you. I think […]
This post is sponsored by Wayfair I'm in my fall feelings right now: Give me all the dark mahogany wood tones, the colored marble, the antiqued lighting...but with a modern vibe. I spotted a vanity at Wayfair a few days ago that I sent to all of my work girlies because it was THAT. GOOD. […]
I love a good dip, and it’s even better when they’re bubbling hot. It can be a challenge to find some really great dairy-free creamy dips, but this one delivers. And unlike many white bean dips, this one is not shy about big, bold flavors! So let's get down to the nitty-gritty of how I […]
The weird thing about being a homebody is you can be having a great time somewhere else, learning and growing and experiencing new beautiful things and places and people--but there's this hole in your gut that can only be filled with the familiar routine and sounds and smells of being home. And when you're gone for too long or for too often, you start feeling like a shell because that hole just keeps getting larger.
There is a romanticism about a drippy tapered candlestick, but it doesn’t translate into real life. There’s nothing romantic about wax dripping all over your table, counter, or mantle. Lately, I've only been buying dripless tapered candlesticks. I want to be able to light candles for dinner on a weeknight and just enjoy them, not […]
Shop The Kitchen Fall is my favorite food season. I love the warm spices, apples, sweet potatoes, squash — there are so many wonderful flavors and textures to work with. To herald September, I put together this crisp Harvest Punch that looks like fall in a glass. It is the perfect beverage to serve at […]
The girls are back in school, and all is right with the world of routines again! Speaking of routines, the ritual of weekly meal prep is one of my favorite things to do — I love to create healthy, nutrient-rich meals that can power us through the day. Breakfast, as we all know, is one […]
I'm a side and back sleeper and have always had the hardest time finding a pillow. So many are not supportive enough, and you wake up with a literal pain in the neck. Last year I ordered this queen-sized cervical neck pillow from Amazon on a whim. Let me just tell you, it has changed […]
I don't bake often (I like to be more freeform with my recipes than baking allows), but when I do, I like to make something like this. A super-simple, fruit-forward dessert that's not too sweet, but packed with flavor. The best part? It's gluten-free, dairy-free, and only takes less than 5 minutes of active work […]
Jules has really been into Brussels sprouts lately (as she showed in our fridge tour), and while she could eat them the same way every day, if I'm gonna enjoy it then I gotta mix it up. Roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts are a timeless pair - add a roasted red pepper sauce and this […]
One of the most frequent DMs I get is about what sunglasses I'm wearing. When I look at my sunglass stash in my closet, it becomes clear to me that I definitely have a "type" — the large, cat-eye, all-black look is usually my go-to! Occasionally I'll branch out, but I just love the classic, retro […]
July was the peak of summer in all the best ways! We intentionally slowed down a little this month, which included going off the grid at a beautiful mountainside lake and a trip to Idaho to see friends and family. We did a few house projects, like adding wallpaper to Greta's room, painting our front door, and […]
Have you ever played that game with friends where you ask, "What would you choose for your last meal?" Well, steak frites is my pick. While this traditional dish of steak and fries is often served in European brasseries, I love Asian flavors, so I came up with this unexpected — but entirely tasty — […]
I have a thing for tacos. They're just everything you could want in a tasty little handheld package. I've done smash burger tacos, chicharron de ribeye tacos, al pastor tacos, and grilled steak tacos. But when I want to serve tacos to some of my vegan friends and family members, I put mushroom tacos on […]
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here and it's my favorite time to stock up on everything from clothes, to luggage, to home decor. I'm sharing my wish list with you here so you can load up your cart and save big! Apparel - Tops Apparel - Bottoms (A few other options) Accessories Beauty (A few […]
This post is sponsored by Neighborly, Your Hub for Home Services As we’ve grown older and busier with kids and life, I’ve gotten smarter about what projects we want to tackle at home ourselves and which ones we like to hire out. And there are some tasks I’ve never even thought to tackle myself and […]
We’ve been traveling to several North Carolina beaches this spring and summer, and I’m always in search of some good seafood. The coastline has great shrimp that is often fried or steamed, but this time of year I crave the flavor of the grill. Plus I love adding fresh flavors and herbs to my dishes, […]
When it comes to my Fourth of July outfit, I like to let my preppy side come out. There's nothing like a classic red-and-white stripe. I love a slightly oversized American flag sweater or top, and I'm dipping into the boxer short trend a little bit — what can I say? They're so comfortable, I […]
One of my favorite things about summer is eating (and cooking) outside. Who doesn't love a picnic? It's the ultimate grab-and-go meal. Yes, there's some prep involved, but that always makes the food taste even better. And to me, it's not a real picnic unless you have a salad or two. It's nice to have […]
I'm not really a traditional potato salad guy. They can be kind of gummy and flavorless with very little texture other than a little bit of celery. But I do love potatoes (I'm from Idaho after all), and I wanted to give this side a chance to redeem itself by creating a potato salad that […]
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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