It’s finally happening! You’ve been craving a retreat experience in Normandy for years — a chance to experience France with someone you trust — and now it’s a reality. Here are all the details: Come spend a week in France and experience Normandy like a local. Gabrielle Blair — designer, best-selling author, mother-of-six, and 7-year resident of a small-town in Normandy — has thoughtfully planned an exclusive itinerary, with beautiful details at every turn. And Gabrielle will join you each day on your adventures. During your week in Normandy you’ll experience what it’s like to live there, with ..read more

Question: Do you own a cast iron pan? And if yes, how often do you use it? I have been thinking about cast iron pans since this recipe post. I realized at the time that the only cast iron cookware we own are Dutch Ovens — the kind used for outdoor cooking or camping. And we rarely use them. A quick search on cast iron pans led me to this video, and now I’m dying to get my hands on one. I love the idea that they can go seamlessly from stovetop to oven. And I think I love even more that in the video, the voiceover mentions they get better with age. That is so appealing to me! Also, I had no ide ..read more

I smiled all the way through Heather‘s tour, but especially so when I read her clean house philosophy: “Our house will become a mess every single day. I accept that. I feel like we’re succeeding if at least once a day, the house is as neat as I want it to be, and at least once a day it’s as crazy as they want it to be.” It’s a refreshing compromise, don’t you think? Everyone seems to win, at least for a few hours! Friends, this is clearly a home where the children’s informal preferences have merged with the adults’ decidedly more formal leanings in every room, which must be a dream for th ..read more

My internet friend, Anette, sent me this chunky knit project, and I immediately wanted to share it with you. I continue to find big knit everything hugely appealing. This project is a thick wool cushion for your chairs, and it looks so cozy and easy to make — Anette knits these with her fingers! I want to make 8 of these for our kitchen chairs. Or maybe to use as a stack of floor cushions! Before we jump to the how-to, I’d love to know, have you ever knit something with your fingers? And do you know how to follow knitting instructions — chains, rows, casting on, etc.? I have experimented a bi ..read more

There are few parts of doing laundry quite as exasperating as folding fitted sheets. Not even missing socks can compare with the frustration of not being able to fold it just right so it sits nicely on the linen cupboard shelf. Fold and refold. Repeat. Get frustrated, roll the sheet into a ball, shove into cupboard, close door, walk away and find chocolate. Today’s the day you can toss all that frustration to the side. Your linen cupboard has never been quite so tidy and organized. For this how-to we show a crib sheet because it’s easier to demonstrate in the photographs, but this works just t ..read more

These brownies are chewy and moist, fudgy and thick. The caramel layer is soft and the sea salt just takes these over the top. Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat to end a date night or something to share with your roommate while you count the weeks to spring break, these salted caramel brownies are the perfect treat to share with someone at the end of the day! Salted Caramel Brownies Ingredients Brownie Batter: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces 1 ½ ounces unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped ½ cup + 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar 1 egg ⅛ teaspoon table salt ½ teas ..read more

I’ve always thought of Los Angeles as one of those cities where anything can happen. Scripts are pitched and sold and made into movies. Waiters turn into actors over lunch. You could round the corner and bump into a celebrity. You could round the corner and become a celebrity! Or. You could live out your own entertaining reality show, working and playing and coming home every day to the smiling stars you call your own. That’s exactly how Deborah and her family are living in L.A. Which is definitely a worthwhile paparazzi moment, in my opinion. Welcome, Deborah! We are so excited to be her ..read more

This time of year always gets me thinking about ways I can be more green. We all know it’s important to reduce, reuse and recycle. We know saving energy is a very good thing. But sometimes it can seem daunting or overwhelming and you might wonder where to start. And sometimes, it feels like no matter what efforts we make we’re somehow doing it wrong or not doing enough. I’m not perfectly green by any definition, but I’ve got 10 simple things everyone can do, no matter where they live, to make their home greener.  There are so many simple things to do to help conserve water on a daily bas ..read more

Embracing the season of spring? Well here’s a happy, easy project to bring a little sunshine and color into your day. These little twine wrapped planters are perfect for brightening your home. I like the idea of a collection of them on the coffee table, or perhaps lining a windowsill. And they would also be darling as party favors or anytime gifts. Another idea: I can picture these as place-setting holders — you could hang the name name cards from an extra length of twine. However you choose to use them, you’ll be glad you made this easy project! Let’s get to wrapping. Supplies: – various col ..read more

’m giving you another California home and sunny interview to warm us all up today. Meet Shira Gill, a sweet mom and wife who turned her 25 house moves into a thriving and much-needed business that edits pretty much an entire life. Are you hanging on tightly to too much? Do you dread opening your closet in the mornings, not to mention – shudder – your child’s over-crammed wardrobe? Do your afternoons careen into crazy town no matter how well you think you’ve prepared for the chaos? Call Shira. I bet she’s either experienced or seen and solved much worse! Hi there! My husband, Jordan, and I bot ..read more