Christmas morning should be about presents and family, not standing over a hot stove. The scent of pine and wrapping paper should be the main aroma, not the smell of your own panic. Preparing breakfast ahead of time is a gift you give to yourself. It allows for a relaxed morning where you can actually …

Walking past the art section of a local thrift shop is like attending a reunion for neglected landscapes and old floral paintings. These canvases gather dust, sitting quietly as they wait for another chance to be useful. Instead of allowing them to waste away, choose one of these sturdy frames and create holiday decor. The …

The period immediately following the holidays often resembles a hangover, minus the fun party. You’re left with boxes of glittery objects, tangled lights, and a tree dropping needles faster than you can sweep. Instead of cramming everything back into the attic or tossing it in the trash, try a different approach. Many of those festive …

There is a distinct tragedy in hanging a lush, vibrant wreath on the door in early December, only to watch it transform into a circle of brown, brittle sticks by the time the relatives arrive. You spend good money and effort on garlands and swags. Watching them crumble into dust on the carpet is not …

The hobby room is the mythical space where half-finished paintings, guitars gathering dust, and piles of yarn go to live their best lives. It’s often treated as the junk drawer of the house, a place where good intentions meet their cluttered end. A creative space can be a functional, inspiring sanctuary instead of a chaotic …

Modern self-care can feel like a full-time job that requires a subscription, a crystal collection, and a deep understanding of adaptogens and parabens. Before the wellness industry became an actual industry, taking care of oneself was a bit more straightforward. The women of the 1950s found ways to recharge that did not involve a smartphone. …

Having people over should be fun (holidays or not), not a frantic dash to hide piles of laundry and question every design choice you’ve ever made. Sometimes, though, it is. We don’t want to feel judged, but we’ve all felt that pre-guest panic. Creating a home that makes visitors feel welcome and a little impressed …

I feel like I spend the whole year waiting for Christmas. As soon as we shout, “Happy New Year!” I’m already scheming my next holiday plans. But then October rolls around, and suddenly I’m in a tizzy over everything I think I must do. Say goodbye to merry and hello to the pressure of finding …

Constantly interacting with a gaslighter may be the one thing that is worse than busting your pinky toe on furniture. Dealing with a gaslighter can feel like trying to explain the sky is blue to someone who insists the sky doesn’t exist. Their specialty is making you question your own reality, sanity, and perception. It’s …

Have you ever stood in the middle of a department store aisle, twenty minutes before a party starts, staring blankly at a wall of generic candles? Sometimes the calendar sneaks up on you, or you forgot that your cousin was bringing her new boyfriend to dinner. Panic sets in. You grab the closest box of …