I love Ikea’s small mirrors with wide wooden frames — they’re a simple, affordable base for quick makeovers. I used one of these mirrors before for a Beach Rock Mosaic Mirror project and recently revived a couple more thrift-store finds to fill empty space on a gallery wall. The results were an easy coastal update: … Read more

Small Entryway Table Refresh That Works All Year I’ve long admired the Fall Home Tours put together by some of my favorite bloggers, including Karrianne and Lucy. Their well-styled spaces always motivate me to finish projects more quickly, but life has a way of keeping a steady pace. Between time spent working in the camp … Read more

Update: This post was originally published on July 10, 2013. I recently recorded a podcast in which I talk about the Woodsman camp kitchen shown here and some treasured memories from that time. The episode—titled “Fireside Songs and Butterscotch Brownies”—captures a lot of the sights and sounds I describe below. In that episode I describe … Read more

This peanut butter fudge bars recipe combines cake mix and sweetened condensed milk to produce soft, fudgy bars that everyone will ask for again and again. If I had to pick my all-time favorite cookie bar, these Peanut Butter Fudge Bars would be at the top of the list. The recipe came to me from … Read more

These straightforward Christmas budget tips will help you give thoughtfully and creatively without breaking the bank — save on gifts, activities, and food. The holiday season is often called a “magical time of year,” but it can also be financially stressful. With constant marketing and the pressure to celebrate, it’s easy to overspend. Many people … Read more

We just enjoyed a quiet four-day May Long Weekend and, as usual, had plans to use the extra day for yard work. The weather, however, had other ideas. The sun teased us by peeking out now and then—just long enough to make us think the rain had passed—then quickly hid behind clouds again. Because I’m … Read more

Simple Towel Decluttering: A Quick Refresh for Your Bathroom Linen Closet It dawned on me the other day as I balanced precariously on my tiptoes, trying not to topple into the toilet while digging through a leaning tower of towels. The stack was teetering, and my search was entirely inefficient—grabbing handfuls, sorting, and then sighing … Read more

Affordable Dining Room Curtains: My Tablecloth Turned Test I’ve been hunting for an affordable solution for dining room curtains for a while. I thought I’d found the answer when I discovered beautiful blue fabric tablecloths priced at just $6 each. I pictured them transformed into curtains—an easy, budget-friendly way to add color and charm to … Read more

Give dated melamine European cupboard doors a fresh look with this easy, budget-friendly painted cabinets before & after idea. It’s simple, affordable, and transforms the kitchen. Would you like to update your kitchen cabinets without tearing everything out? You don’t have to replace cabinets to get a dramatic new look. This painted cabinets makeover refreshed … Read more

This easy cherry pie uses canned cherries—no pitting required. It’s a classic homemade cherry pie with a touch of almond extract, best served warm with a scoop of ice cream. I’m collecting my mom’s pie recipes, and this homemade cherry pie is my oldest brother’s favorite. It’s an all-American classic that’s simple to make and … Read more