Good morning from sunny California! As we try to do every year, my husband and I jetted off for a fun sans-kids vacation. With two January birthdays, we enjoy getting away to celebrate, rest, and gear up for a busy semester of sports and all the school things (which includes a high school graduation in May!). We’ve enjoyed several fabulous destinations over the years, but this is our first time in Santa Barbara. We’ve planned a mix of fun and downtime, and I’ll share a full report when we return. In the meantime, I’m sharing my travel essentials. As a frequent traveler, these are the must-haves that I cannot live without.…
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It’s my birthday week, so it’s only fitting that I share my absolute favorite recipe to cook and eat. Yes, it’s another soup (trust me, more non-soup recipes are coming), but it’s delicious and holds a very special place in my heart. In the fall of 2004, I was a young newlywed living in our very first home. My grandparents were coming to visit from Austin, and I knew the occasion called for a special meal. My cooking skills were subpar at that time, but my sweet husband had found a recipe for chowder that he thought we might enjoy. I carefully followed the recipe and proudly served it to…
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Happy Saturday! I hope your weekend is off to a great start. If you’re up for some Saturday shopping, this is a list of the products I’ve shared on Instagram from January 13-19. You can shop these and more in my LTK Shop.
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What a fast week! After the snow days, the week flew by, and I can’t believe it’s time for another Friday Four. Here are four things that brought me joy this week and might do the same for you. ONE: I’m hosting a small party tomorrow night, which means I made a visit to Trader Joe’s to get everything I need to make beautiful charcuterie boards. I love entertaining, but to keep things simple, I stick with charcuterie boards because they don’t require any cooking and can be prepped mostly in advance. To prevent people from crowing around a single board, I like to make several different boards and spread…
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Is winter weather making your home feel a little drab? If your space is in need of a refresh, I’ve got you covered with five easy ways to refresh your home. Most of them are free, but if you’re looking for a few new things, I’ve rounded up some beautiful pieces below. ONE: Start with a deep cleaning. January is the perfect time to clean up and clean out. My house tends to get cluttered during the holidays, but I don’t mind it because i know I can start fresh in January. If this task feels too overwhelming, tackle one room or task at a time. Set a timer for…
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Good morning. It is frigid in Dallas today, and we woke up to a light blanket of snow. I know many of you are experiencing a heavy dose of winter, as well. The cold will stick around for a few days, so if you need something to warm you up, try this Italian Wedding Soup. On New Year’s Eve, my friends and I took a cooking class at one of my favorite places in Dallas–the Cookery. It was my 6th (or maybe 7th) class there, and I am always blown away by the experience. Unlike other cooking classes, the entire group prepares a family-style meal together, and you eat it…
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Good morning, friends. I hope your weekend is off to a great start. If you’re up for some Saturday shopping, this is a list of the products I’ve shared on Instagram from January 6-12. You can shop these and more in my LTK Shop. This post contains affiliate links, and I earn a small commission when you make a purchase through these links.
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Happy Friday, friends. I’m kicking off what I hope will be a weekly series–the Friday Four. These are four things that brought me joy this week and might do the same for you. ONE: After taking down my Christmas wreath on Sunday, I replaced it with my favorite tulip wreath. I purchased it in 2017 and after sharing on The Joyful Home, it quickly became a follower favorite. My original wreath got damaged during our move in 2020, and I was thrilled to be able to purchase a new one. It is full and beautiful and adds the perfect pop of pink. It’s also available in a pink and white…
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Today, I’m sharing some of my winter favorites—the pieces in my closet that I wear over and over throughout the season. To shop, simply hover over each item and click. Green coat: The classic styling on this wool coat garners lots of compliments, and I cannot get enough of this gorgeous color. Cotton sweater: This cream cotton sweater has a relaxed fit and pairs well with jeans on the weekend and black pants at the office. I also love the tan. Sherpa jacket: This a splurge, but so cozy and makes me feel put together even in workout clothes. Matching set (sweatshirt and pants): Chances are, if you see me…
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We are deep into soup season, and I couldn’t be happier about it. We’re expecting a strong cold front in Dallas later this week, and if you need an easy dinner that everyone will enjoy, don’t miss this 30-Minute Chili. I almost always double the recipe and freeze half for dinner another night. It doesn’t require much more time, and you’ll be thankful to have a quick dinner you can pull out of the freezer. Although this chili is good on its own, my family likes it best over Fritos and topped with cheese and fresh or pickled jalapeños. If you like more spice, add a sprinkle of dried chipotle…
