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Home Improvement Tips

Creating a home that I love for myself and my family has been a fun and rewarding project. That said, I do know how overwhelming the work can become in the process of turning a house into a home. The easiest way to make home improvement fun is to remind yourself frequently that your goal isn’t to create Insta-worthy spaces but to make your home an oasis where you can relax and unwind in rooms that make you smile. When it comes to home decoration tips and gardening tips, don’t be fooled into thinking there’s a one-size-fits-all approach. Every house and apartment is unique, which is why the posts that I share here will help you create a home that is comfortable, beautiful, and above all, authentically you.

Why Creating Spaces You Love Matters

The difference between a house and a home is all about how it makes you feel. Decorating, reading up on gardening tips, and researching your home improvement options might seem like overkill if you prefer a simple lifestyle, but the truth is that every change or update you make to your house or apartment can make it feel more like your own personal sanctuary, whether you’re going for minimalist or decorative. Decorating, renovating, and gardening are all forms of creative self-expression. You’re working to surround yourself with colors, objects, shapes, and patterns that you love. Gradually, your home will become an expression of your personality and a welcoming place where you can make memories.

Of course, there’s no one piece of furniture or one color of paint that has the power to transform a house into a home. It’s all about trial and error and remembering that your home will be unique. That’s why my home improvement and home decoration tips run the gamut from household management strategies to decorating with photos to how to prepare your home before you go on vacation.

Gardening Tips

No matter how much gardening space you have — whether it’s many acres, a charming container garden on your balcony, or indoor houseplants — there are gardening tips in my posts for you. In my own home, you’ll find beautiful shade-loving plants, and outdoors you’ll find a mix of ornamental plants and vegetables we can eat. I’ve learned so much over the years on topics from drip irrigation to growing blueberries to organic pest control, and I share everything I’ve discovered in my posts.

Did you know there are many benefits to gardening? I’ve found that spending time outdoors in my garden is a great way to relieve stress, but gardening also gets your body moving, is a mood booster, and may even help you sleep better. Gardening is great for kids, too, so consider making gardening a family activity. Think about letting your children have a plot of their own. Kids who grow veggies are usually more willing to try new foods, and they learn responsibility and resilience as they tend to their gardens.

If you don’t have a great outdoor space to work with, my gardening tips also include advice on indoor gardening and container gardening. I have tips that will help you make the most of whatever space you have.

Pet Care Tips

Adding a dog to our family was a life-changing moment, but I’ll be the first to say that it ended up being a bigger adjustment than I expected. My number one criteria for adopting a dog was to find one good with kids. Luckily, our rescue dog Scooby ended up being such an amazing pet, and we have learned so much about pet care from him. My pet care tips are mainly focused on doing what it takes to give the special animal in your life a fun, healthy, and happy experience in your home. I’ve written about our experiences rescuing our dog and traveling with him, plus numerous dog food reviews, the best toys for big dogs, and about how to help pets stay healthy, among other topics. Hopefully, our experiences and pet care tips will help you care for your four-legged friends.

Party Planning & Organizing Tips

Entertaining is such an important part of my life, but you don’t just pull a party out of thin air. One of the ways I’ve made entertaining easier to do is by simplifying. I’ve realized that our friends and family come to see and spend time with us, not necessarily to be wined and dined or entertained. Something as simple as a sparkling water bar or Super Bowl themed treats can leave visitors feeling welcomed and cared for, but don’t require tons of preparation or set up. Hosts should spend as little time as possible in the kitchen while guests are enjoying the party, and nobody wants to spend hours cleaning up after. My party planning tips and party recipes are designed to make it easier for you to enjoy yourself, too.