By Amy Christie. Advent calendars are such excitement builders and I’m a big fan. It’s that little something extra to look forward to on each day of this festive season. Now that I have little ones, I like seeing the twinkle in their eyes as they open the day’s tiny package, and it’s wonderful to take an advent-time-out together. They enjoy the treats and small gifts while I read from an advent book. I’m planning to add in Christmas verses this year as well. December doesn’t begin for another two days, so don’t fret. You still have time! And with this very simple no-sew-yet-reuseable advent calendar, you’ll put yours together in a snap. …

DIY: Reusable Advent CalendarRead More »

By Gabrielle. Come make hand cookies! No cookie cutter required. I loved working on this episode. Making hand cookies was a family tradition when I grew up and I remember it fondly. I loved the feel of the butter knife moving around my fingers, and I loved seeing my very own cookie — that was just my size (with my initials carved in!) —emerging from the oven. And most of all I loved decorating the hand with rings and bracelets made of sprinkles and candy pearls. If you have a favorite cut-out cookie recipe, it will probably work just fine for these cookies. Or you can find my mother’s recipe here. Some fun facts about this episode: The Grandma is my mother, Donna. She no longer owns the home I grew up in, but that recipe box? metal rolling pin? Those are the very same I grew up with. Seeing them makes me so nostalgic! And seeing the actual recipe card we used, in my mother’s fantastic hand-writing, is my favorite part. Enjoy the video. Three cheers for baking with Grandma! P.S. — For aprons in a pinch, we grabbed dish towels and tied them on with ribbon and twill tape. Easy (and cute!).

By Gabrielle. This one’s different. Completely. It’s a little less of what you’ve come to expect from a Living With Kids home tour and a lot more of what you’d expect from a love story about two friends. Because, to me, this is exactly how Cary Vaughan and Jenna Wilson’s life reads. They’re the gorgeous designers behind ace&jig — Cary is the brunette, and Jenna is the blonde — which is a cool enough story on its own. (Have you seen their clothes? I think this skirt should be traipsing through the gardens of La Cressonnière!) But then there’s their personal relationship. They met as interns over ten years ago, became roommates and bridesmaids in each other’s weddings, and now live and work together in the same neighborhood where they’re also raising their babies. See? A television series in the making! Friends, meet Cary and Jenna. This is how they live and work with kids in two separate houses and one studio. Enjoy! Q: Where do you live? A: We both are lucky enough to live in a not only picturesque (think Cosby show brownstones!) but very supportive community of Park Slope Brooklyn. We live very close to Prospect Park, which was designed by the same designer as Central Park, and we spend many weekends there. It’s wonderful to have a respite right in the middle of our city. There are a plethora of children that live here, playgrounds to romp around in, and many cool and creative activities abound. Needless to say, our children are never bored. In fact, they’re probably overstimulated! …

Living With Kids: ace&jigRead More »

By Gabrielle. I’ve been working my way through the French Pharmacy list that Gwyneth Paltrow made. You can find report #1 here and report #2 here. I’ve got four more products to tell you about today. Three are from the Goop list, and one is a recommendation from my friend, Caroline (it’s my favorite!). First up, Caudalie Premières Vendages. Gwyneth describes this as an excellent basic daily moisturizer and I fully agree. Though I actually don’t use it daily, because I like to use a moisturizer with spf. But I’ve found this little tube perfect for travel! It’s just the right size and comes in flexible packaging that won’t shatter. I love applying a layer as a flight lands. It has a fresh, clean scent and leaves my skin with a not-too-shiny glow. …

French Pharmacy Picks — Part 3Read More »

By Gabrielle. When you were growing up — whether in the city or the country, apartment or house — you probably wished for something different someday, didn’t you? Brenda Skeel can relate. After spending her childhood in newer, single-story homes, the style she dreamed of and finally scored as an adult for her own family was the complete opposite: a quirky, sometimes drafty, always happy home built sometime in the early 1900s. Of course, she sometimes still craves modern. But the challenges and resultant gifts from her charming old home are abundant enough to remind her that home is where her heart is. And it lives here. Friends, welcome to Brenda’s home tour. Please enjoy it! Q: Please tell us all about the family who makes this house a home! A: Our house is shared by me and my husband Reid, our children Max (age 11) and Madde (nine in 14 days as of this writing — not that we’re counting!), and our two dogs: a St. Bernard named Rocket, and our rescue project/terrier mix Mrs. G. My husband and I met walking our dogs in college, so pets play a big part in our family life and also add to the joy and chaos in the house. Our lives seem to revolve around play. Max loves sports and will play anything where he can hit something with a stick and watch it fly, and Madde plays the piano and drums. We also keep board games and cards in the dining room for easy access. Needless to say, the house is rarely quiet when we are all home! Q: Where does your home live, and how did it come to be yours? A: Our home was built in the 1920s or 30s, and is right in the middle of downtown urban Shepherd, Michigan, population 1500. My husband and I appreciate the character of old houses, and this is the only house we have ever owned. Honestly, growing up my family lived in single-story newer houses and I always wanted a quirky old house with stairs! The house just feels good; it has big drafty windows and big rooms, but is somehow still cozy. I also think old houses take color well, and I love color! The house is on the same block as all of the public schools so there is a flurry of activity each day, and a small town is a great place to raise a family! …

Living With Kids: Brenda SkeelRead More »

By Gabrielle. The latest Olive Us episode features a pottery lesson from Master Potter, Joe Bennion in his studio at Horseshoe Mountain Pottery. Friends, I have to tell you what a treat it was to make this episode. Joe is simply a delight and we couldn’t believe how lucky we were to get to spend an afternoon with him. I didn’t have my big camera with me that day, but I took about a million photos with my phone. The pottery is so beautiful! While we were in his shop, we picked out a pie plate to take home as a souvenir. I wish I could get to his shop right now! His pottery would be wonderful as holiday gifts. If you’d like to see the kids’ finished pottery, Joe posted a photo of the fired pieces on his blog. We can’t wait to visit again next summer to pick up our pottery and spend more time in Joe’s shop. P.S. — Joe’s wife makes the salve I’m so crazy about. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Olive Us Newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of the Olive Us fun!

By Gabrielle. Images by Blue Lily Photography for Design Mom. In March, I put together a list of 5 tips to help you with Family Photos. Thanksgiving week is the most popular week for family photos, so I thought I’d repost the tips to get you psyched up for your upcoming family gatherings. Happy Snapping! Tip #1: You don’t HAVE to do an elaborate photo shoot. It definitely takes time and effort. If it’s not your thing, don’t worry about it! (One of my favorite photos in the world is this one, and it was taken with no planning whatsoever.) At our house, a big photo shoot is the sort of event everyone gets into. We work together to figure out wardrobe options, make lists of items we’d like to shop for (like a red bowtie!), and scout out locations. …

5 Tips For Family Photos!Read More »

By Gabrielle. Nadya Sagner has a very cool job. One of those jobs, in fact, that sound fascinating at dinner parties and school events. “Hi, I’m Nadya. I’m an art consultant.” See what I mean? Yet I imagine her career has its share of issues. Like, how does she not buy up every piece of artwork with which she falls in love? And how does she create an inspiring but not overwhelming, peaceful yet invigorating, decorated blank slate in the space where she works and plays with her family? Those of you who work from home understand; in order to work happily, you’ve got to be living happily! Friends, here’s Nadya’s story. Please enjoy it! Q: Tell us all about the family who lives here! A: I live with my husband, RP, a lawyer who likes to paint and take photographs in his spare time; our son, Charlie, who’s almost ten; our daughter, Tessa, who just turned six; and our Boston terrier, Flora, who is still fun-loving at 13. Oh, and a blue Beta named Fishy, who’s at least two. We’re not exactly sure. Q: How did this home become yours? A: We bought our house from a family who got divorced halfway through adding on and renovating. We hadn’t really been looking for a new house, but I happened to see the listing and went to an open house, since it was right in our neighborhood. We were surprised when they accepted our offer! It was over a New Year’s weekend, and I remember saying to RP, “Uh oh, now we actually have to move!” The sellers had done the major construction, but left us with a horribly dated kitchen, unappealing wall colors — think drab brown and toothpaste green — and some awful carpet in a few of the bedrooms. We ripped up the carpet on the day we moved in, and we quickly painted most of the walls. The kitchen waited a year for an update. We still haven’t really decorated our bedroom, but it’s spacious and bright and I’m happy to wake up there, so it’s no rush. …

Living With Kids: Nadya SagnerRead More »

By Gabrielle. The Abbey Restaurant (or Bistrot de l’Abbaye) is a place that’s been on our need-to-try-list since we moved here almost 2 years ago. I’m so glad we finally went. And I’m trying not to kick myself for not going sooner. I practically licked my plate clean! We were told this restaurant was known for its good food and bad service. (There are expats who will say the same thing about the entire country of France. : ) But we found both the service and food to be wonderful. This was a date, so it was Ben Blair and me sans kids. And we met 4 other friends at the restaurant. One of them, Mark, is the only other American we’ve met in town. He loves learning about the history of the area and told us the restaurant building was indeed a former abbey, and that the building dated to medieval times — approx 1100 a.d. (Wow!). He mentioned you could tell by the particular type of stone faces on the building. He said that at the time, the little town would have been walled, and that the abbey would have been right outside the walls — with a moat between the two — so that travelers would have a place to eat and sleep if they approached when the wall was closed. Above the restaurant, you can now find apartments. Can you imagine living in an apartment that’s almost a 1000 years old? …

Love the Place You Live: Abbey RestaurantRead More »

By Amy Christie. Sparkly, shiny baubles have a way of brightening my mood. I’ve been known to wear my best items to do housework occasionally, just because it feels good! With the holidays and surrounding festivities coming up quickly, I am eager for new pieces to wear. So I decided to make some! For these pendants, I shied away from the understated and discreet and decide to make something bold and lustrous. Gold is making a comeback and it is definitely shiny. Think these look too hard to make? They are totally doable. I mean it. …

The Perfect Gift: Gold Leaf PendantsRead More »

By Gabrielle. A new Olive Us episode is ready to share! Have you ever rock-climbed? Our kids love to. (Especially Maude — she scrambles up the mountain like she was born doing it.) As parents, it’s really satisfying to watch our kids challenge themselves, work hard, take risks, and encourage each other to reach the top. I hope you enjoy the episode! Fun fact: We were scheduled to film this episode in the red rocks of Southern Utah with rock-climbing guidance from my brother. But we were rained out! So we rescheduled and filmed in Provo’s famous Rock Canyon instead. Special thanks goes to Audrey Moore for assisting on this episode, and to Rich Barrett for being the climbing teacher/guide. P.S. — Video won’t show up for you? Try viewing it on Vimeo.

By Gabrielle. Kirsten Grove is one of those friends and fellow bloggers who never fails to amaze me a little, all of the time! Whether she’s speaking in front of a packed room, sharing her brightest “I never thought of that!” ideas on Simply Grove, or talking about how she turned a tragedy into a fairy tale in her own life, she’s a natural. At complete and utter ease, ready to make you feel the same way. It’s no surprise to me that her home exudes the same level of comfort. Enjoy this one, Friends! Q: Tell us about the stylin’ family who lives here! A: My husband of 12 years, myself, Ethan who is seven, Eden who is six, and our dog Bear make up our household. My husband has been a minister for ten years, working with young people mostly. He is also an amazing artist, graphic designer, carpenter, musician…the list goes on! He doesn’t admit to any of it. I married a humble gentleman. All four of us love design, music, the arts, shopping, and eating great food. We were all made for each other! Eden and I missed out on the athleticism gene, but the boys more than make up for it. We also all have a deep appreciation for popcorn with cheese and M&M’s! Q: How did this home come to be yours? A: We were living in a small town 20 miles outside of Boise. It was a bit too far so we decided to sell and move closer to Shane’s work and family. I found this house we are currently in on Craigslist. It’s located in a small golfing community, which is perfect for us because my son has decided to become a little golf prodigy. The house itself is open, neutral, and easy to work with, which was important to me since I am constantly changing things around. It’s also only a few minutes from the kids’ school and has the biggest, most beautiful trees ever. It’s a win-win for us! …

Living With Kids: Kirsten GroveRead More »

By Amy Christie. Candlelight is so inviting and comforting, especially on the chilly dark days of fall. What if you could include a little message with the candlelight? This is such a fun project! Using basic plaster and simple materials, you can create the perfect gift for a someone you love. Give a romantic message to your sweetheart, or a collection of supportive notes for your best friend. …

The Perfect Gift: Plaster VotivesRead More »

By Carter. I know it’s not quite the end of the year yet, but I’m already eager to share some of my 2012 favorites. This bunch runs the gamut from sweet and spare to all out wacky, and isn’t that the beauty of the picture book? 1) Odd Dog by Claudia Boldt Not all dogs love bones. This odd (and adorable) dog loves apples. And he hates the idea of sharing. Stylish pictures and a quirky tale. 2) Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri Everyone knows that dragons love tacos. But if you’re having a party, be very, very careful when adding the spicy salsa! 3) More by I.C. Springman and Brian Lies A parable about materialism, this beautiful book exercises its own restraint. Sparse words and gorgeous illustrations create a quiet wonder. A magpie, some mice, and a lesson in when enough is enough. 4) The Obstinate Pen by Frank W. Dormer Hey, who’s in charge of this story? The characters? Or a stubborn pen with a mind of its own? A clever cautionary tale with a hefty dose of artistic inspiration. 5)  Looking At Lincoln by Maira Kalman Koseli just shared a dear story about hearing Maira Kalman speak, and oh, how much I wish I had been with her!  This book is a history of America’s 16th president, but the vibrant pink color palette weaved in with lesser known facts make it a fresh perspective. Did you know he loved apples and Mozart? …

10 Great Picture Books from 2012Read More »

Kate sent me the sweetest, most English note of introduction, offering us all a virtual cup of tea while she takes us on a tour of her 18th Century home in England. Actually, she used the word whilst. Which is exactly when I smiled and knew she would be an enjoyable tea date. And then I saw her kitchen, where I expect we would all be enjoying said delicious tea, and that is exactly when I really smiled and thought to myself, “Oh, everyone is going to have a lovely time on this tour!” It’s true, I hope. Grab your tea and enjoy! Q: Tell us all about the family who lives here! A: Where to begin? There’s my husband Al, who by day is a doctor but in his spare time clocks up marathons. A little known fact about Al is that he and his identical twin hold the World Record for the fastest three-legged marathon. Yes, that’s right; they were actually tied together! Their mum even made them a pair of three-legged shorts for it. You can only imagine how interesting a pick-up line that was when we met! Then there’s me, a working mum and twilight blogger, juggling those roles somewhat precariously. Finally, and most importantly, there is Harry; a two year old bundle of fizzing enthusiasm and joie de vivre whose current ambition is to grow up to be a fireman-builder-Spiderman-truckdriver. Harry’s also convinced that a family of owls live inside our chimney, so we should count them in, too. And because Harry began secretly leaving out little bowls of Cheerios to feed the owl babies, we now have mice, as well. So quite a houseful! …

Living With Kids: Kate CarmichaelRead More »

By Gabrielle. Okay. I have a silly question for you today. I’d love to hear your thoughts on babies plus bows. I’m talking about new babies. New baby girls. Baby girls with little or no hair. Tell me: Have you ever stuck on a little bow? I used to love doing this with Baby Maude and Baby Olive. I would tie a tiny bow with a bit of satin ribbon and “glue” it on their head with a drop of corn syrup. It wouldn’t last very long, but I thought it looked sweet! And since I enjoyed dressing my babies in blue, it would prevent strangers from assuming my girls were boys. Which was a particular pet peeve of mine at the time. …

Bows & BabiesRead More »

By Gabrielle. This week’s episode is a special Halloween edition of Olive Us. Featuring a visit to a spooo-oo-ooky Ghost Town! Fun fact: it was filmed in the real-life ghost town of Grafton, Utah. Which is near the entrance to Zion National Park. Have you ever been? Enjoy the episode. And Happy Halloween from all of us at Olive us! P.S. — If you’re an Olive Us fan, I recommend subscribing to the Olive Us newsletter. You’ll be the first to know about new episodes, behind the scenes commentary, and trivia about the show!

By Gabrielle. I read this interview of my friend, Jenny Komenda of Little Green Notebook, and I was shocked. Jenny, a crazy-talented interior designer and someone with impeccable taste, mentioned that she doesn’t like hydrangeas. Whaaa??? Shock, I tell you. : ) Hydrangeas might be my all-time favorite flower. They change color with the soil. They last for ages. And they’re so generous with their blooms! When I first learned about them as a teenager, I remember aching that they didn’t grow in the hot deserts of my hometown. I would daydream of living somewhere lush and green where huge bushes of hydrangeas, in every shade of blue and the palest of pink, would thrive. Reading Jenny’s interview got me thinking: Is there a flower that I don’t like? …

Least Favorite FlowersRead More »

By Gabrielle. There are so many moments in Lacey‘s interview that caused me to stop and marvel at the pure joy she clearly feels being Callie’s mom. I’m probably still a little tender after traveling to Ethiopia a few weeks ago, and still freshly aware that not every child has a cheering section. It’s such a gift, don’t you agree? Enjoy this special tour, Friends! Q: Tell us about your sweet family! A: Hi! I’m Lacey, but you can call me Callie’s mom. Callie is five and a half — you must include the half or she will correct you on it every time! — and as sweet as can be. She always has a smile on her face! She is definitely a girly girl who loves Taylor Swift, swinging, and horses. She recently started riding lessons and is doing so well. A couple other things about her:  she is very funny, she loves beets and licorice, and she is slowly but surely trying to master jump roping. She is also probably the only child in the world who won’t touch chocolate, ice cream, cookies, cake, or pie. I honestly don’t even think she has ever tried chocolate, but she has it in her mind that she doesn’t like it and she’s sticking to it! My husband, Caleb, is a director at a production (commercials, films, documentaries, etc.) company. He works a lot of hours and travels quite often, but still makes time to read to Callie before bed and take her on nature walks during the weekend. Callie adores him and wants to be a movie maker like Daddy when she grows up. He has a huge TV for screening at his office and she thinks he sits and watches movies all day — so of course she wants that job! Wouldn’t you?! I’m an accountant at an engineering firm, otherwise known as an office girl to Callie. Last year, I was able to move from full-time to part-time and it has been wonderful! I know I’m not alone, but the guilt that comes from not being home with your child is overwhelming. It was always weighing on me and I feel that has been lifted off my shoulders. I love being able to spend more time together. It also makes it easier for Caleb and I to go on date nights without feeling guilty about that either. Other than being a mom, I really enjoy cooking! I would love to go to culinary school, but sometimes I think it would be scary to start a whole new career. I’m only 31, though, so who knows! We have a garden for the first time this year and it has been amazing to cook dinner with ingredients from our back yard. Callie is a somewhat picky eater, but she is willing to try anything that we grow; she’s discovered she loves spaghetti squash and rainbow chard, but we’re still working on tomatoes. …

Living With Kids: Lacey YoungRead More »

Has the weather turned cold where you live? In my neighborhood, temperatures have dropped and my instincts are to spend the day cozied up with a favorite book and favorite mug full of hot cocoa. Are you the same? I’m sure you have many fellow book worms in your neighborhood, so I thought it would be fun to create a charming little yarn ball pom pom bookmark that would make a great anytime gift for anyone that needs a little fall comfort. It was actually my daughter’s clever idea to make a yarn ball pom pom bookmark. This is the perfect anytime gift because it’s affordable, easy to make, and turns out a fluffy pom pom of cuteness. It’s sure to improve the look of any book! …

The Perfect Gift: Yarn Ball Pom Pom BookmarkRead More »