June 18, 2017
One of my favorite picture frames in my house is one that I stained several years ago. I spilled nail polish on a portion of the frame by accident, and, instead of throwing it away, I decided to revamp it…
June 11, 2017
I have been writing and reading about home and garden topics for more than a decade. In doing so, I often meet professionals who give me advice on how to create a low-maintenance garden that can thrive. It is through…
June 4, 2017
While I was watching a home renovation show with my mother-in-law, we were commenting on the things we liked and didn’t like. Our discussion soon revolved around bathroom vanities and how certain styles can date a space. There are seemingly…
May 28, 2017
My friend Lauren moved into her home just a couple of years ago. It was built in the 1940s and still had the original, cast iron bathtub inside. The previous owner had it re-glazed, which gave the tub a refreshed…
May 21, 2017
When my family and I travel, no matter the destination, our excursions always revolve around food. If we are going somewhere familiar, we have our go-to, must-eat meals and snacks. When relatives come to visit us here in Hawaii, it…
May 14, 2017
When my husband and I found out we were expecting, people could not help but offer us their grains of wisdom. While I carefully considered these well-intentioned tidbits, there was one I took very seriously: Travel before the baby is…
May 7, 2017
One of my favorite places in our house is our kitchen island. It is actually a portable roller cart made of butcher block. It retails for more than $1,000 at Williams Sonoma, but I found one second-hand for less than…
April 30, 2017
My husband and I keep a large cardboard box in an unused corner of the house. We will occasionally place items inside to donate once the box is full. Recently, I noticed a paper towel holder in the box. Even…
April 23, 2017
My friend Krista is a big-time animal lover. Not only has she adopted her dogs, but she has also fostered others and advocated for animals of all types. She even carries her love for animals into her diet by living…
April 16, 2017
As we near Earth Day, I can’t help but reflect on my own practices in doing what I can to help our planet. I will admit, before moving to Hawaii 10 years ago, I did not have a grasp on…
April 9, 2017
I find furniture stores fascinating. I often look at an item and think, “I could make that for less than half the price.” This happened to me recently when I came across a piece of shelving suspended by rope on…
April 2, 2017
I knew it was coming. Friends and family warned me it would, and I had witnessed the same thing happen to them. After they had babies, their picture-perfect homes slowly faded into spaces with toys and hardly any room to…
March 26, 2017
On average, humans shed about 100 strands of hair per day. I have always been a heavy shedder, and with long hair the shedding is even more pronounced. I also have a husband who loves to shave while in the…
March 19, 2017
Everyone deserves a nice splurge every now and then. For some, it is an expensive meal out or a brand new wardrobe. For me, it is hiring a cleaning person. It is something that I don’t do often, but that…
March 12, 2017
What I failed to realize when I decided to work from home was that the more time I spent here, the more I would want to fix it up. Our home is not in bad shape, but there are many…
March 5, 2017
Writing about home improvements has me constantly on the lookout for ways to improve my own home. While it is just not feasible for me to tackle all of the projects I would like to, I tend to live vicariously…
February 26, 2017
Learning about homes and home projects is one of my favorite things to do. There is just something about getting a glimpse into the many possibilities that exist for making a house a home. Much of what I dream about…
February 19, 2017
I have always been amazed at how easily paint can transform a room. I love how the colors you choose can make a room feel calm and tranquil or fun and lively. What I don’t love, however, is how hard…
February 12, 2017
My family and I spend a lot of time outdoors. We enjoy running, hiking, swimming and going on family walks. When we go out for meals and we have the option to sit outside, we always take it (unless it’s…
February 5, 2017
The other day, while I was running, I felt an unwelcome but all too familiar scratch in my throat. Then, the shortness of breath started. I’ve had asthma my whole life, but it hasn’t affected me while running since I…