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An open letter to a future mother

Let me start by saying I’m very hesitant about doling out parenting advice. I received tons of unsolicited advice when I was pregnant, and by the end of it all, I was more confused and frustrated than before. Before all was said and done, I would’ve knocked out the next old lady who tried to…

Belief, a bakery, and a bus.

I’ve had a twisted relationship with the word faith for a long time. When I was kid, I started going to a Baptist church of my own volition. My friends all went there, but I truly loved it. It was a place where I found a lot of comfort at a time when life wasn’t…

7 Simple Ways to Feel Sexy

The other morning, I was in a huge rush to get my kids out the door so I could prep for meetings I had later in the day. Usually, I take a little time to get ready before I get them up, putting on a cute dress and some lipstick, but this morning, I was…

A happiness manifesto: 10 ways to escape what’s chasing you

A few months ago, I finally picked up Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project. As a major fan of homework and lists (glorious lists!), I loved her suggestion of coming up with your own rules for happiness, a happiness manifesto of sorts. Why read The Happiness Project when things seem to be going so well? I…

18 Tiny Steps To Living More Sustainably

Simple living can feel remarkably overwhelming when you’re getting started. Many of the conveniences of modern life are bad business for the planet, and taking charge at home is one easy way you can help make the world just a little bit better place for everyone. The only problem is… Where do you start? I…

What a strong woman really wants

Let me level with you from the start. I am not a relationship expert. In fact, I have previously been an expert in exactly what not to do in a relationship. I’ve accepted being treated poorly, like I wasn’t valuable or worthy of consideration. I’ve spent too much time trying to make thing works at…

Learning to date myself

(This is an excerpt from my next book Falling Madly. Get updates as they are published here.) Six weeks into this adventure in somewhat solo city living, I’d begun to establish some local haunts. My absolute favorite is Serratto. Their happy hour is incredible, and they serve the best cocktails in town. Generally, these expertly-crafted…

This is my normal.

Last weekend, I was hiking on the Oregon Coast with Daniel through light rain and muddy trails. For someone like me, it was perfect. I love the gray skies of the northwest, and enjoying it feels like I’m spiting the much-too-hot weather we’ve had all summer long. Then somehow, I was inexplicably talked out of my…

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Coming to the table

I know I’ve got this whole strong, independent woman vibe going these days, but I’ve got a confession. This strong independent woman seriously loves homemaking and hospitality. Not that those things are mutually exclusive, but I really love it. Down to the frequently-used Martha Stewart cookbook on my shelf, there isn’t much I enjoy more than…

Cultivating secrets

I’m back from my first real, planned vacation ever. (When did my life get so good?) I went glamping for three nights (which was incredible and everything it’s cracked up to be), and as soon as I got back, it was WDS weekend. I thought a few days of relaxing in the forest would put…