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I've been a bit quiet this week. Rather, I should say I wasn't necessarily "quiet" as much as otherwise invested this past week. There was very little "quiet" in our home! It was a grandkid-focused week; a whirlwind of buttered bread, swimming pool splashes, sticky ginger-cookie fingers, and jigsaw puzzle pieces that never quite stayed on the table

These lesser-traveled West Coast spots don’t just offer a vacation—they invite you to slow down and rediscover wonder. Whether it’s the salty air of Trinidad or the glowing hills of Ojai, there’s something here that feels like yours the moment you arrive.

When everything feels like too much and your nerves are fried crispier than Sunday chicken, there’s surprising wisdom in doing something simple. Something old-fashioned. Something our grandmothers would’ve prescribed without blinking.

Every summer, every Thanksgiving, every Christmas season—and often even during Spring Break—our family made the trip to Nicholas County, West Virginia to visit family. There was no shortage of aunts and uncles, and the requisite cousins were always in full supply. But the real draw? Our two sets of grandparents and simple, delicious home cooked meals that would stick to your ribs.

Some nights, anxiety creeps in like a thief. Other nights, it kicks the door open in full glam and dares you to rest. And while I don’t have all the answers (spoiler: nobody does), I have picked up a few tricks over the years that help me meet those jittery hours with a little more grace and a lot less self-sabotage. Recenter, Oils and Snacking Solutions.

We may have graduated from glitter and googly eyes, but the joy of making hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s just matured—like we have. These quiet, beautiful projects are our way of honoring that creative spark without unleashing a storm of chaos.

Some people light up a room when they walk in. Others? When they walk out. At this stage in life, we’ve earned the right to curate our circle like it’s fine art. We know the difference between acquaintances and true blue friends. But every now and then, someone slips in wearing the mask of sisterhood while quietly rooting for our downfall. That, my friend, is a frenemy—a friendly face with hidden claws.

Cooking for two again can feel like a curious shift after years of meals for family & ordering in. Here simple strategies when preparing meals for two plus meal plans

I used to think engaging in a spirited back-and-forth online meant standing up for what I believed in. But let’s be real: most internet arguments aren’t about learning or understanding. They’re about ego, one-upmanship, and who can hit “reply” the fastest with a snarky comeback.

Whether you’re escaping to hill country, hitting the beach, or checking into a cozy cabin with your favorite people (or finally by yourself), here’s how to pack like the seasoned, stylish woman you are—with room left over for souvenirs and sanity.

Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or just need a peaceful reset, these small-town Southern escapes prove you don’t need a big name to make big memories. Throw a bag in the car and take the road a little less traveled to one or all of these southeast getaways.

Travel doesn’t always need plane tickets or passport stamps. Sometimes the richest experiences are found down a back road, at a table for two, with homemade pie and a story from someone who’s lived there all their life.

If I could sit across from my 30-year-old self—with her high hopes, her exhaustion, and her relentless quest to “get it all right”—I wouldn’t lecture her. I’d pour her a cup of herbal tea, hand her a piece of dark chocolate, and tell her a few things straight from the heart.

by: Patti Butler A slice of strawberry heaven ... this mountain recipe is like no other shortcake recipe you've had before. If you grew...

Let’s not dance around it: these legs have seen some things. Maybe you’ve got a little cellulite that showed up uninvited, some curves that won’t be tamed, or varicose veins that map out your life story. And thanks to hormones doing the cha-cha with your waistline and hips, your body may not fit into clothes the way it used to. But guess what? You’re still stunning.

You don't need to pack your bags for a remote woodland retreat to have peace. Understanding this pattern will help avoid being caught in the Drama Triangle

In my 20s and 30s, I lived for the burn. It was about being tough, disciplined, and unstoppable. The harder I pushed, the more my body pushed back. It forced me to re-evaluate what health really meant and what I actually needed to thrive.

Well now, let’s not pretend spring cleaning needs to be some big production that leaves us sweat-soaked and surrounded by chaos. Around here, we’re doing things smarter, not harder. So let me give it to you straight—here are three simple steps to freshen up your home this spring without losing your mind or your weekend.

Live in the home you have today. Don’t wait until you get the perfect dream home to hang your wall pictures and decorate your space. I thrift all the time and love to change up décor often.

Building something starts with a dream. But dreams don’t build themselves. It takes vision, planning, and a whole lot of hard work to turn an idea into reality. There’s sacrifice involved...