My Brother’s Kitchen Remodel

Hi friends! Today I’m so excited to share my brother’s kitchen remodel with you. You’ll recall back in October when Nate and Liz were in the beginning stages of a kitchen remodel and it’s finally complete! Nate and Liz moved out of San Francisco last fall into a small town just outside the city which…

Home Improvement Giveaway

Greetings friends! You all know home improvement is my thing, I can’t get enough of a good renovation story and love to remodel any space I can get my hands on! Today I’d like to introduce you to a fantastic online source for home improvement and decorating needs, one I’ll be turning to later this…

Pool Remodel #2

As I mentioned a few weeks ago we bought another house to remodel in Las Vegas and we’re here working on it this week. I’ll be documenting the process from time to time on the blog, this month the focus is on the outdoors. Yesterday we met with a landscaper to improve the front yard…

Courtyard Container Planting

With spring in the air I wanted to share a special little spot in my backyard where I enjoy morning coffee or evening wine, it’s our courtyard just off the kitchen. I was invited by the Sunset Western Garden Collection to spruce up a section of my yard and this space was the perfect place.…

Tile Crushes

The past few days have been filled with parental obligations – my son had an important school project due which required my support and we also hosted a big birthday party for my daughter yesterday. I sent them both off to school smiling today but then remembered, oh yes the blog, I better get back…

Seven Days in New Zealand

Hello! I’ve been waiting to share some of the pictures I took of our trip to New Zealand in November, today’s the day. When we visited we were fortunate to have perfect weather, it was mid November so the equivalent of May weather here in the states. At the time it was late spring, the…

Trending: Buffalo Check

Plaid is still big in design but buffalo check having a moment right now, have you noticed? My favorite button down shirt in college was buffalo check and I hadn’t worn the print for years but then I spied a cute shirt online a few months ago, ordered it, and now it’s a favorite that I constantly wear. Buffalo check is a pattern…

Twinkle Light Christmas Table

Last week we hosted an early Christmas dinner since my siblings were in town, sharing libations and laughter with my family brings me so much joy. I was invited by Pottery Barn to share one of my holiday traditions and what’s more traditional than a meal shared with family? I set our dining room table…

Simple Eucalyptus Wreath

I’m not into elaborate holiday decor this year, for me simpler is better: natural evergreens with a bit of sparkle thrown in. Eucalyptus is having a moment right now, it’s everywhere in magazine and blog photos – funny how a simple floral filler found in bouquets (one many have tossed out when arranging flowers) can become de…

Mix This With That: Reading Nooks

Hello! I meant to post yesterday but we’ve been having so much fun making new friends down under the day got away from me. This time of year as the weather turns colder in the States, we all look for places to curl up with a tablet, shelter mags, or good book to pass the…

Mix This With That: Table Settings

Midweek greetings friends! Today in the States we honor our veterans and thank them for their service to our country, thank you men and women of our armed forces! The family is still traveling, tomorrow we’re off to the South Island of New Zealand, our route has us landing in Christchurch then traveling to Queenstown over…

Easiest Pillow Covers Ever

I thought about calling this the Ten Minute Pillow Cover, but realized it might take some a full fifteen minutes, or the pros just five. I sew a lot of pillow covers because when I spy a pretty piece of fabric and this can happen anywhere at anytime (a scarf, a curtain, or regular ol’…

Good Home Staging + Coming Renovation

For me there’s nothing better than being involved in a makeover with a home that’s a blank canvas, and even better when it belongs to someone you love and they ask for your help with its renovation! Over the weekend, I stopped by to see my brother Nate’s new place. After living in San Francisco…

Prettier Planting Bed

Because of the drought here in California, we neglected our yard this summer, cutting our landscape water usage by more than 50% and letting our rear yard lawn practically die. Most of the perennials and the vineyard were forced to survive with much less water but they lived. Our yard is terraced which is nice…