Play (Kitchen) for Keeps
After holding out for years, I’ve decided that the time was right to get my daughter a play kitchen for her third birthday. I am very specific about the things that I bring into my home, so this toy has to earn its keep, proportional to the square footage it takes up in our place (2.9 ft² to be exact).
Third Year’s The Charm
It’s been three years since I went on “indefinite mat leave” after my daughter was born, and I have to say: the job of being a “full-time parent” is becoming less arduous and more rewarding as our kids grow older. Our days are still busy and chaotic, but full of energy and fun too.
Legoland and Inland (Empire)
After getting to have our adults-only trip to Madrid in May, our summer vacation this year was totally kid-centric: Legoland and then playing with the cousins an hour away inland.
Making the Cut: No Lack of LACKs
I’ve been a playing a bit of “musical chairs” with my furniture as I figure out what’s been working in our new home and what purpose each piece should serve. Because when you’ve got multifunctional furniture, you’ve got options!
Let There Be Light(s)
When we purchased our condo, I jumped on the chance to replace a few ho-hum light fixtures as a way to add style without adding clutter. I’ve since continued to (more gradually) swap out lights as I look for further opportunities to upgrade and insert a point of view into my home’s design.
From Bland to Blue in the Bathroom
The builder-grade hallway bathroom in our new condo was super boring, so I made a couple swaps to the lighting and decor to create a more visually interesting space that I’m finally ready to say something about.
The Easiest Kitchen Upgrade I Never Thought Of
A backsplash is not the only way to add color and pattern to the kitchen. A far more simple but similarly impactful project is to deck out the kitchen island instead!
Traveling Light with Tykes
Kids are accompanied by so much gear that traveling with them feels practically like a cross-country move, even for a self-proclaimed minimalist who tried to not acquire too many things to begin with. At least much of what we do own is lightweight and portable, even for items that we solely use at home.
Slurping Up Scallion Sauce
I have been making heaps of this ginger scallion sauce in the past few weeks, as it’s so simple but receives such a welcome reception from my 6yo, who otherwise would not touch ginger or scallion (or anything nearly so “spicy”) with a 100-foot pole.
Spring Siesta in Spain
After being grounded for seven years, we have finally taken an international trip after securing childcare for the kids so that we adults could get a chance to travel unencumbered. Hola, Madrid!
Finagling Our Fifteen Year Photoshoot
Hubby and I are celebrating our 15-year marriage anniversary this summer, which we managed to commemorate with a photoshoot on Stanford campus, despite the kids being, well, kids.
Welcome Home … Again
We’ve made a concerted effort to get everything done and our new home is ready for show-and-tell!
High Ceiling Headaches and Hacks
I made the mistake of not measuring the height of the ceilings in the new condo before going out to buy curtains, meaning that my purchases ended up being too short! But I employed three easy fixes that were quick to pull off and hopefully look intentional rather than accidental …
Functional Decor FTW
In my pursuit of minimizing the amount of stuff in my home while stopping short of stripping it bare, I am always on the lookout for functional decor ideas. It’s all well and good to display art and things I like to look at on my walls and my horizontal surfaces (which I do!) but it’s even better if they serve a function besides eye candy.
The Day Has Finally Come: We're Home Rentowners!
After many years of waiting for the right time, we have purchased our first home (which is more like a glorified rental TBH) through Stanford’s extensive faculty housing programs.
Making The Cut: Moving Edition
I usually take my time deliberating what to add or remove from my home, tweaking rather than overhauling, but a move is the exception. A lot of things are coming in and out at once as I prep for our new home, and only time will tell if I miscalculated or missed something.
The Kids’ Collage Corner
Despite not planning to retain any of the kids’ artwork, I’ve recently started to keep a few pieces to tape up in a growing gallery wall. Idk if this is here to stay or a passing fancy, but the process has been fun and not too onerous yet.
Mix and Match Recipes: Lazy Linguiça Leftovers
So much sausage, so little time to finish it all, but we made it (har har, get it?)
Why I Redesigned Our Living Area
I planned the layout and decor of our current home far in advance of moving, and while I largely liked it, I realized after a few months that a couple things could be improved. In a small, multifunctional space, rearranging furniture can feel like playing Tetris, but every tweak brings greater functionality and enjoyment.
Picky Palate Problems
Raising kids is difficult in so many ways, and ours certainly don’t make our lives easier with their picky eating. While I can blame nature (genetics) all I want, I still have to nurture (feed) the kids as best I can within a very limiting set of constraints.