Small Entryway Shoe Storage Solution for Tight Spaces Growing up on a Montana farm, my mother insisted that we wear shoes inside the house at all times. If we slid in the closet and got a sliver, the first response was, “You should have been wearing your shoes!” If we stubbed a toe on a … Read more

DIY Washer Necklace: Metal Stamping and Wire-Wrapped Pendant Create custom jewelry with a simple washer necklace using metal stamping, ink dying, and wire wrapping. This easy craft produces personalized pendants that work well for gifts, seasonal pieces, or everyday wear. In this guide I share the approach I developed after learning from friends and combining … Read more

Favorite Fonts: Curated Lists, Pairing Tips, and How to Install Them I confess: I’m a font addict. Ever since third grade, when my teacher Mrs. Johanson wrote with such graceful penmanship, I’ve been drawn to beautiful lettering. I practiced calligraphy by hand for years, training my fingers to form elegant strokes. Today, instead of painstaking … Read more

Last week I mentioned discovering a lovely new fashion blog, and I’m still excited about it. The blogger Carrie has launched a fun series called Create8 Spring, where each week she gives a theme and invites readers to pull pieces from their own closets to create looks that match. I decided to join in and … Read more

Speed Cleaning Tips from a Busy Mom: How to Get Your Home Presentable Fast I remember the moment clearly: I was at the front desk of the local library checking out a stack of books—every single title had the word “clean” in it. The kindly librarian smiled and asked if I was starting a cleaning … Read more

In this article: A small, cherished Christmas family tradition we’ve embraced and continue to enjoy. tra·di·tion trəˈdiSH(ə)n/   noun ~ the passing down of customs, beliefs, or practices from one generation to the next. Traditions are a fascinating part of family life, especially during the holidays. This season seems to overflow with rituals that help define … Read more

Outdoor Entertaining Gazebo and Garage Makeover A while back I mentioned helping a friend reorganize her basement. Since then I’ve been visiting her every Thursday that our schedules allow. Those afternoons—what I now call “Thursday House”—have become a real highlight for both of us. We work, we laugh, and we take coffee breaks. So far … Read more

Day 4 of a 31-day series: “31 Ways to Make Home Uniquely You.” This post is part of a larger collection of ideas and inspiration to help you shape a home that reflects who you are. I used to be anxious about defining my decorating style. Was I traditional, classic, modern, country farmhouse, beach cottage, … Read more

Coleen’s Cozy Home: A Warm Sunday Visit Happy Sunday! As part of a relaxed 31-day series, I like to pause on Sundays and introduce real friends whose homes reflect their personalities. Today I’m delighted to share a visit with my friend Coleen, whose warm hospitality and love of vintage treasures make her home both charming … Read more

I’ve long loved the look of boxwood wreaths in home decor and had been searching for small faux boxwood wreaths to hang on the doors of my entryway closet. After an extended search I discovered two things: small, affordable boxwood wreaths are surprisingly hard to find, and when available they can be quite costly. That … Read more