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Lifestyle

My 2024 Nordstrom Sale Picks

Best Of

My 2024 Nordstrom Sale Picks

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 […]
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July 11, 2024

Lifestyle

3 Outdoor Jobs I Prefer to Hire Out

Entertaining

3 Outdoor Jobs I Prefer to Hire Out

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 […]
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July 11, 2024

Lifestyle

Easy Chili Lime Grilled Shrimp Recipe

Chris Cooks

Easy Chili Lime Grilled Shrimp Recipe

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, […]
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July 7, 2024

Lifestyle

Dressed in Red, White & Blue

Fashion

Dressed in Red, White & Blue

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 […]
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June 25, 2024

Lifestyle

All of Our Best Picnic Salads | Chris Cooks

Chris Cooks

All of Our Best Picnic Salads | Chris Cooks

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 […]
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June 23, 2024

Lifestyle

The Best Potato Salad Recipe for People Who Don't Like Potato Salad

Chris Cooks

The Best Potato Salad Recipe for People Who Don't Like Potato Salad

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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June 23, 2024

Lifestyle

All the Hats I Wear and Love

Lifestyle

All the Hats I Wear and Love

In the past, I've felt self-conscious when putting a hat on, like it "wasn't me" or something. But I realized that the more you wear a hat, the more you like it on yourself. (Plus, they're great for day-four hair, am I right?!) I'm really into brimmed hats these days because they keep the sun […]
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June 21, 2024

Lifestyle

Ask Julia: What is the best self tanner?

Lifestyle

Ask Julia: What is the best self tanner?

White Jeans | Tan Tee | Straw Hat (Similar) | Apple Watch Band | Gold Oura Ring | Melamine Plate | Striped Pool Towels | Backyard Sources Few things can boost my self-confidence quicker than freshly applied self-tanner. There's something about giving my skin a bit of a glow that gives me a pep in […]
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June 19, 2024

Lifestyle

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Macadamia Nut Pesto

Chris Cooks

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Macadamia Nut Pesto

Grilled pork tenderloin is inexpensive, super tender, really juicy, and quick to cook. That makes it an all-star protein in my book. I love to serve it simply grilled with a flavor-packed sauce, and so I decided to do a take on a pesto featuring the classic basil and olive oil base, but swapping in […]
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June 16, 2024

Lifestyle

Virgin Piña Colada Italian Ice in the Ninja CREAMi

Chris Cooks

Virgin Piña Colada Italian Ice in the Ninja CREAMi

All summer long, I want something fresh and cold, and frozen desserts just win every time. Italian ice is a classic dessert that was created in the United States by Italian immigrants but it was likely inspired by Sicilian granita. (This article from Saveur is an amazing deep dive into Sicily's contributions to the world […]
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June 9, 2024

Lifestyle

4 Outdoor Storage Solutions That Aren't Eyesores

Cleaning & Organization

4 Outdoor Storage Solutions That Aren't Eyesores

It's no secret I love staying organized. I have to have things go back where they belong, or it drives me crazy! And while it can be easy to keep clutter at bay with cabinets, closets, and armoires inside, the outdoors is a different story. For instance, I need a place to keep our pool […]
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June 7, 2024

Lifestyle

Kids' Luggage Round-Up + My Travel Hack

Lifestyle

Kids' Luggage Round-Up + My Travel Hack

When your kids are the age where you still pack for them, getting the luggage right is usually a matter of three things: durability, design, and style. You want the luggage to be strong enough to withstand travel conditions. You want a design that's appropriate for their age/needs. And the kids usually want something that […]
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June 6, 2024

Lifestyle

An Overnight Work Trip (and What I Packed)

Lifestyle

An Overnight Work Trip (and What I Packed)

I'm headed to Pennsylvania on an overnight work trip for a really exciting project (stay tuned for more details soon...), and feel like I finally found my travel look! It can be a struggle to pack for such a short trip, especially when you'll be in a colder airport and then back in the warmth […]
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June 5, 2024

Lifestyle

The 3 Types of Olive Oil You Need in Your Pantry

Chris Cooks

The 3 Types of Olive Oil You Need in Your Pantry

Raise your hand if you keep one bottle of olive oil on hand and you use that one bottle for all of your olive oil needs. That's how many of us start out, me and Jules included. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to explore the nuances of olive […]
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June 5, 2024

Lifestyle

Italian Summer Pasta Salad (Grain-Free, Dairy-Free)

Chris Cooks

Italian Summer Pasta Salad (Grain-Free, Dairy-Free)

This recipe is a mixture of several pasta salads I grew up eating. It has an Italian flavor profile with lots of basil, tomatoes, Italian sausage and figs, but I add more texture and color with plenty of vegetables, some grilled, some raw. They're all chopped up to make a fresh salad that's an amazing […]
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June 2, 2024

Lifestyle

Throwing an Outdoor Movie Night + My Ultimate Summer Family Flick List

Lifestyle

Throwing an Outdoor Movie Night + My Ultimate Summer Family Flick List

One thing I've been looking forward to ever since we put in a pool in the backyard is an outdoor movie night. It's like the ultimate summer experience, right?! Well this is the year we finally made it happen! We got a projector, a screen, our trusty pool floats, some glowing lights, and some floating […]
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May 30, 2024

Lifestyle

You Have a Grill, What's Next?

Lifestyle

You Have a Grill, What's Next?

Outdoor Kitchen Sources Chris here. As you probably know by now, I love cooking outside. It's my happy place. Like most people I started with a grill — which is kind of the baseline outdoor cooking tool for any homeowner or renter. A grill is a great investment for its versatility and ease of use. […]
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May 29, 2024

Lifestyle

Best Hot Dog Toppings - The Ultimate Hot Dog Bar

Chris Cooks

Best Hot Dog Toppings - The Ultimate Hot Dog Bar

For someone who loves to cook things from scratch, you might be surprised to learn that hot dogs are my favorite food. There, I said it. And I stand by it. What really makes hot dogs fun are the toppings you can add to them - endless combinations, and a great way to serve a […]
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May 26, 2024

Lifestyle

My 15-Minute Speed Cleaning I Do Before Guests Arrive

Entertaining

My 15-Minute Speed Cleaning I Do Before Guests Arrive

There's something so satisfying about a rapid fire clean-up round. If someone is coming over in less than 20 minutes, I've got a formula for speed cleaning that helps me feel like my space is welcoming, yet I'm not going to be hustling at the last minute. (Generally, I'm only focusing on the first floor […]
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May 23, 2024

Lifestyle

Rotisserie-Smoked Leg of Lamb

Chris Cooks

Rotisserie-Smoked Leg of Lamb

Leg of lamb is such a dramatic dish. And if you're going to cook one, slow-roasted on a rotisserie in a smoke-filled grill chamber is about as good as it gets. There's just something about the way the smoke of a grill coaxes out so much flavor from lamb...it's incredible. I wanted to create a […]
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May 19, 2024
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