We kicked off 2025 with a sunny family trip to Palm Springs instead of doing Christmas gifts—and it might just become our new tradition! From hiking Andreas Canyon and exploring Joshua Tree to soaking in the hot tub and chasing mountain goats, this guide covers all the highlights from our unforgettable long weekend (plus our favorite vegan eats along the way).

Struggling with bike storage in your garage? We were too—until we found a practical, affordable DIY solution! In this blog post, learn how we maximized limited space, avoided costly storage systems, and created a secure, wall-mounted setup with simple tools and materials. Get inspired to tackle your own garage organization challenges with our step-by-step guide!

This year’s wedding season was shorter but eventful, spanning from mid-July to early September. I assisted at four weddings with Gather with Mimi, marking our second year of collaboration.

Marked items off my bucket list for my 30th birthday in Whistler! Including zip lining through lush treetops, tackling an exhilarating aerial obstacle course, enjoying a relaxing couples massage, biking along scenic trails, and much more!

Our 9th anniversary trip was a peaceful retreat to a tiny house near Mt. Rainier, filled with snowshoeing, yummy food, and quiet moments of relaxation. Despite rainy weather, we enjoyed a cozy escape with activities like exploring Narada Falls, enjoying a hot tub, and playing board games.

My birthday trip to Bend, was a fun and active getaway featuring whitewater rafting, river floating, and mountain biking at Phil's Trail. The trip also highlighted incredible vegan food stops like A Broken Angel and Bend Brewing Company, making it a memorable blend of adventure and relaxation.

After years of dreaming, our backyard patio is finally coming together! For Mother’s Day, I asked for a special project—building DIY outdoor couches to create the perfect outdoor living space. Using Ana White’s plans, we crafted cozy seating, added a coffee table, and transformed our gravel patio into a functional, inviting retreat. Now, our family has a comfortable spot to relax, enjoy the greenbelt view, and gather with friends.

After years of broken appliances, troubleshooting constant issues, and doing tons of research, I’m sharing my honest experience with home appliances! From a Samsung fridge that didn’t last five years to a Whirlpool washer that changed my laundry game, here’s what I recommend (and what I don’t). Plus, why Costco has been our go-to for reliable appliances with great warranties!

Minimalist birthday ideas for a 6 year old boy. The gift we decided to focus on since the birthday trip like we did last year was out of the picture for this year.

2023 was a transformative year for me in the wedding industry. What began as a dream to be an event planner turned into coordinating and assisting in several weddings. Join me as I reflect on the weddings of the year and the incredible opportunities that helped me grow as a coordinator, including working with Gather with Mimi and planning my first wedding.

In early 2023, we gave our front yard drainage ditch a much-needed makeover. After battling weeds and overgrown plants for years, I decided it was time to tackle the mess. From moving plants and adding new ones like hydrangeas, lavender, and rosemary to laying down weed paper and bark, this transformation was a lot of work—but so worth it!

Last year, I decided to tackle the cold, damp garage and insulate the garage door to make it safer for our cats during those freezing nights. I used a Home Depot garage door panel insulation kit, which was surprisingly easy to install. After completing the insulation, I saw a noticeable difference in the temperature, and it made our garage much more comfortable. Read on to see the process and tips I learned along the way!

Planning our Disneyland trip was a dream come true, but I quickly realized that a little preparation and the right tools can make all the difference. In this post, I share our experience booking through Costco Travel, navigating the park with Genie+, and essential tips for traveling with kids. From finding the best hotel deals to managing ride reservations and food options, these logistics will help make your Disney adventure smooth and stress-free.

May 2023, we pulled off the ultimate surprise—our kids’ first trip to Disneyland! From waking them up at 4:45am to secret grandparent appearances and unexpected ride reactions, it was a whirlwind of magic, meltdowns, and memory-making. Highlights included riding Rise of the Resistance, eating vegan tacos, skipping long lines with Genie+, and ending each night way past bedtime.

This DIY bookshelf holds more than books—it holds a story. Made from five glued boards my late grandfather left behind, I built this piece for my son using screws, stain, beadboard, and hairpin legs. It’s sturdy, sentimental, and a sweet example of repurposing with purpose.

This pallet shelf was my first-ever DIY project, built out of pure storage desperation in a tiny kitchen with barely any cabinets. Made from a repurposed pallet and stained naturally with coffee and steel wool, it started as a functional fix and now lives on as a character-filled decorative shelf in our living room.

My laundry routine is all about the balance between minimalism, sustainability, and real-life logistics. I line dry most of our clothes, stagger loads throughout the week, and rely on clever space-saving drying solutions in a small laundry area. Whether it’s for the environment, your budget, or your clothes, there are lots of reasons to rethink the dryer-everything approach.

When a windstorm took out our backyard gate, we finally tackled the rebuild—and it’s better than ever. This gate has served our family well since 2019, and while it’s back in action now, it may have a second life soon as we plan a permanent garden where it stands. Fence repair meets future garden dreams in this PNW home project.

This DIY fireplace bench cushion came to life when our son started crawling and we needed a safer option for our brick hearth. With help from my mother-in-law, we used plywood, foam, and fabric to create a cozy, kid-friendly bench that we still use daily—especially on chilly winter days by the fire.

After an unexpected bathtub overflow and a failed seal caused water to flood our laundry room, we jumped into DIY mode. From removing insulation and damaged drywall to repainting and wrapping the furnace, this project tested our patience but turned out beautifully—and even saved us money thanks to insurance.