When I was a child I disliked banana chips. I loved fresh bananas, but the crunchy, sweet banana chips were a different story. Over time my tastes changed, and now I regularly buy banana chips to take on car rides and hikes. Today, in celebration of Banana Lover’s Day, I made a snack that even … Read more

A few weeks ago I was invited to take part in a DIY contest on A Subtle Ravelry called “So Fresh and So Clean.” For the contest I created a tablescape for a DIY party and designed a companion project: custom soap carvings. Now that the contest has ended, I’m excited to share the project … Read more

This holiday decorating post is in partnership with Bed Bath and Beyond. All opinions are my own. I love holiday entertaining and decorating—probably more than any other time of year. There’s a unique excitement in the air, people tend to be in good spirits, and the cookies never run out. What’s not to love? That … Read more

Writing to you from California this morning! I flew out yesterday with Jeff and Hayes to visit family and to sneak away for a few days in Seattle. Follow along on my stories if you’d like. For now I wanted to share a fresh roundup of weekend DIY projects — it’s one of my favorite … Read more

Updated! Scroll toward the bottom for the complete list of cities I visited during the year-long series and brief notes on each destination. At the start of the year I took a few days to think about what I wanted to accomplish over the next 12 months. One clear goal kept resurfacing: I wanted to … Read more

If you want an ultra-low-budget costume that looks fun and festive, this DIY Pop-Tart costume is perfect — and it can be made for almost nothing. All you need is a large piece of cardboard, some paint, and a bit of rope or heavy string. The cardboard I used was leftover from a recent art … Read more

Christmas might be over, but cozy hot chocolate season doesn’t have to end. This red wine hot chocolate transforms your usual winter drink into a rich, slightly boozy treat—perfect for recovering from holiday excesses or simply relaxing on a cold evening. It’s also a cheerful way to ring in the New Year if you want … Read more

When you can’t go on vacation, bring the vacation to you. Lately I’ve been daydreaming about tropical resorts — long overdue for a beach escape, the mind wanders to room service, plush bathrobes, and a private balcony with views of crystal-blue water. While an overseas bungalow might not be possible right now, you can still … Read more

Today I’m sharing the final DIY flower project from the Meet/Make/Do event, and this one is especially fun because it uses a pool. There was a beautiful pool at the Palm Springs house where we stayed, so I decided to incorporate it into a floral design. It’s not every day you have a pool available, … Read more

If you’re looking for a creative weekend project, here are seven DIY ideas to inspire you. These projects range from simple accessories to functional home pieces, and each one is doable with common materials and a little patience. Which one will you try first? 1. DIY totem lights — a sculptural lighting project that combines … Read more