Homegrown: Living The Independent Life
We recently returned from a fabulous trip to Napa Valley where we sipped wine and soaked up the sunshine while learning to appreciate the art of winemaking. We listened to many winemakers’ success stories of growing the grapes, and I loved hearing each unique journey to where they are today. The wine drinking wasn’t half […]
Read MoreAnother piece to the perfect day is having guests come from near and far to celebrate the love of two people they care about. Whether you’re thanking guests when they arrive at their table seat, or surprising out-of-towners with a gift in their hotel room, acknowledging their presence is important. Megan Pence, gifting guru of […]
Read MoreWedding season is back, and it is better than ever! The celebrations are elevated, and the guests are elated to be part of the party. With so much love and thought poured into a wedding day, family and friends play a key role in determining the details. Gifts of gratitude and love should be exchanged […]
Read MoreMy favorite part of my wedding was having my absolute favorite people around me for an entire day. It really is a rare treat to have the most important people in your life all together to celebrate you. As a bride or groom, it’s important to select a gift that is not only unique, but […]
Read MoreTwo and a half years ago, when I was 38 weeks pregnant, my husband and I decided it was a good time to move. We bought a house in a coveted area of Prairie Village without really giving it much thought. We followed our gut, and, in my case, my about-to-pop pregnant belly, and decided […]
Read MoreI remember when I was pregnant with my first child, people would warn me that our dogs would absolutely move down the love line. As a lifelong animal lover, I would deny this theory over and over again and insist our pups would continue on as royalty. Today, approximately four years into the parenting vs […]
Read MoreI can Harry Houdini our home and my life to trick anyone into thinking I’ve got it together. Spilled milk? Throw a blanket over it! Kids toys? Toss them downstairs. Counter clutter? Shove it in a drawer. At the surface our house seems orderly and tidy, but don’t you dare open a drawer or closet. […]
Read MoreFor most of my adult career, I’ve worked from home. I hopped on the home office train in the year 2014 B.C. – “before children,” and “before COVID.” Working from home has shown me the power of working smarter, not harder. My flexible schedule led me to master the skills of time management and productivity […]
Read MoreThe week before Christmas, a few families decided to kick off the holly jolly week by taking our kids to see The Grinch. My daughter, who is three, had only been to one movie in her lifetime – actually, to be accurate, she has been to one half of a movie in her lifetime. My […]
Read MoreAs long as I can remember, I’ve always had a hosting heart that loves to entertain and be with friends. It’s something that is effortless for me, and welcoming friends and family into our home is truly a joy. For me, entertaining does not take one specific form, it’s more of what I, as the […]
Read MoreFrom sunshine to snow, we have seen it all this Fall. Mother Nature is just as lost as humanity, and her vibe is completely on brand with 2020. With the weather rumbling and rolling its way through this season, I’ve found it challenging to keep my daily dress consistent. Working from home and a slowed […]
Read MoreOf all the hats I wear, the most similar jobs I have are motherhood and the director of the Prairie Village Art Show. For both roles, I take a “learn as I go” approach. Each job is challenging, underestimated, and, most importantly, fulfilling. For the Prairie Village Art Show, I run a one man (or […]
Read MoreHometown pride is an ear-perking topic. When I hear my hometown come up in conversation, I perk up and dive deep with Prairie Village pride. I have a passion for my community, because, like so many of us, my hometown is a part of my story. I do love my little bubble, but if there […]
Read MoreIn sixth grade, I became the proud owner of a bar of Clinique Facial Soap. Between the preteen hormones and frustrating flare-ups, I was forced to focus my attention from playgrounds to pimple control. Fast forward 20 years, and I am a self-diagnosed product junkie who is known to buy it, try it, and move […]
Read MoreKC and the sunshine rays are here and boy-oh-boy are they hot. This year, summer seemed to creep up on me. One day we were celebrating the Chiefs’ winter win, the next day we were stuck at home learning to slow down, and then, bam – summer, sunshine, and sweaty kids surrounded my world. I […]
Read MoreWith life as I know it put on pause during the quarantine, I was at a loss as to how to find peace in the unknown. If this spring has taught me anything, it is to slow down and appreciate the trifecta of happiness: family, far away friends, and fresh air. Fortunately, Mother Nature’s business […]
Read MoreBy the time I left for college, I owned enough monogrammed items to be considered a walking Vera Bradley ad. I had my monogram on my bath towels, my makeup bag, and even a large Pi Beta Phi name sticker on my Jeep. Today, I can proudly say that although I no longer spotlight my […]
Read MoreIn my family, we have had 17 snow or sick days this winter – not that I’m counting. My children, ages one and a half and two and a half, are adorable little petri dishes who have perfected the art of picking up every germ and bringing it home. This March, I find myself desperately […]
Read MoreOn a good day, I will welcome guests into my home if I am given enough notice to trick them into thinking I have full control over the toddler toy tornado inside. Our house, a Williamsburg Colonial on a charming cul-de-sac in Prairie Village, is filled with blues, whites, and cheerful colors. It is a […]
Read MoreAs we wrap up the first month of a new decade, the “New Year, New You” buzz is starting to fade away, and many people have moved on from their resolutions. While I do find the post-holiday hustle as the perfect time to reset, I don’t take the time to whip up a resolution recipe […]
Read MoreWe’ve given our thanks, tasted the turkey and survived round one of holiday family time. This year, we were given little downtime before hitting the Ho Ho Holiday ground running right into December. A month-long celebration of holiday cheer, gift giving, festive eats and of course what the holidays are all about – more time […]
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